Alphonse DAUDET writes to his old friend Abdelkader.

Alphonse Daudet (1840.1897).

Autographed letter signed to Léon Cladel.

Two pages in-12°. Autograph envelope.

Slnd (November 1881, according to postmark)

Daudet and his old Abdelkader Léon Cladel

“Just as we were getting ready to go see the new mother and make the trip to Sèvres, which had been announced as a children’s delight, our high school student, worn out by the heat and the work involved in the prize-giving, fell ill. We were very worried for a few days; it turned out to be biliary fever, nothing serious really, just rest and a few days in bed, but what a fright, you can imagine! You, my eternal brother. Afterwards, the little one caught a bad cold, and the mother had a cold that had barely cleared up. And that’s how it is, my dear friend, that you didn’t see us. If, coming down from your station and passing so close to us, you had come in, my Cladel, we would have told you this, and your beard wouldn’t have been smoking, and perhaps it still is. Saturday or Sunday, we’re leaving for the mountains… I’m very touched by Lemonnier’s dedication; he’s a talented man … but I don’t have time to read his book before we leave.” I burn papers, like proofs; the great end-of-year clean-up, the end of the book we've been working on for months and months. Please tell me, what should I do with your friend? Should I present the book to Charpentier? … Farewell, old Abdelkader, my family sends their regards to yours. Alphonse Daudet .