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The Romance, and the Realities ters of others. But knowing the families, the church and business interests of Hiram, and his involvement in the Salt Lake Theatre, one can gain a little glimpse into the fascinating life of a remarkable family. "My dear little wife" So begins each letter of Hiram to Ellen, with few exceptions. "I clout think you care a great deal for me or you would write at least once since I have been absent. I have written at least four letters to you. . . ." Hiram frequently complains. For receiving letters, Ellen had the advantage because Hiram could scud his letters to her at one address, while Ellen had to plan ahead to get her letters to Omaha, Saint Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Baltimore, or New York City, where he conducted business with leading mercantile houses. Hiram's letters (ell mainly of liis social activities, his concerns for liis family in Utah, and occasional purchases for the family. "I have bought for myself a nice Piano it is splendid tone is considered a very good one,' lie wrote from Philadelphia, May i, 1864. On May 12, 1868, he sent a box of gifts to his family, with special instructions to Ellen. "When you open the box you had better have Margaret & Emily present, and if vou invite them in it will look better." An enclosure listed the gifts for each wife, with items "Marked to Ellen," "Marked to Margaret," "Marked for Emily," and Lo others. There is a studied effort for equality of presents to the wives. However equally Hiram might have tried to treat his wives, individual differences and circumstances made it not altogether possible. But equality of treatment was not the only problem. For Ellen, there was the problem of maintaining her original love for him while sharing him with others. There, was a problem of free communication between them. When apart there seems to have been a less restrained communication, at least at times. Ellen's letters to Hiram seem to 55 |
