This is the “standardized text” version of the Mascot Moskovina documents. This version is presented in an easily readable and searchable format. Punctuation is modernized and inserted where needed for clarity. Abbreviations are spelled out, insertions are incorporated, and crossouts and duplicate words are deleted. First words in sentences have been capitalized; other capitalization issues have not been edited. Moskovina’s spelling is routinely irregular and creative; where it is possible to discern her meaning, spelling has been standardized.


[envelope]
[postmark] HABANA, CUBA
FEB 14 12-PM 1917

Mrs. B. Morton
2150 Lincoln Park W.
Chicago Ill.
United States America

Feb. 14th 1917.
Grand Teatro National
c/o Mme Pavlova
Ballet Russe.

[p. 1]
My dear Mrs. Morton & Nondas.
I am so sorry not to have written before, but they have just been keeping us rehearsing morning noon & night with just barely times for meals. We rehearse a new ballet during the day & go on and do it in the evening. I am not enjoying my time all this time. Last time we went sightseeing and swimming etc & had lots of fun.

[p. 2]
Also business is bad as there are revolution rumors in the air here and already they have been fighting in the surrounding country. I think we will soon be back in New York and our tour through Cuba abandoned. It is very funny; here it gets dark in two seasons. When I started this letter there was the brightest sunshine and now it is too dark to write and so I have the electric on. It is just 6.30. From our Hotel Balcony window I can see nearly all Havana it is a lovely view. Mr. Dandre has been very ill with

[p. 3]
gout and is laid up. And we have a new conductor not Mr. Stine any more. Did you get my card which I send to you? I wish I could send you some of the heat here. It is too hot in daytime; in the evening it cools off a bit. I have no particular news because as I say they keep us too busy. I play the part of Mother & “Giselle” & “Flute.” The “Magic Flute” you saw in Chicago. Well, I have to go to dinner now; they just rang. We live here on American plan. It is the cheapest [there] was here for everything is terrible expensive. Please write to me and let me know how you are and how is

[p. 4]
dear little Nondas. I was sorry to hear she was so ill. As for those shoes from Hilda, well, they are still being promised to me. It is one bad thing in the Company and that is they do not know how to keep a promise or pay you anything back when they owe it to you.

Well dears so long
With Love and Kisses to
you both from
Mascot

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