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 front]
[postmark] BUENOS AIRES 6. P.M.
FEB. 27 1918

M. Moskovina
c/o Senor F. Zalenka
531 Calle Coshabamba
Buenos Aires
Argentine

Mrs. Billie Morton
2150 Lincoln Park W
Chicago Ill.
United States America
U.S.A.

[envelope back]
[label] Opened by Censor. No. [illegible]

[p. 1]
Feb. 27. 1918
M. Moskovina
c/o Senor Zalenka
531 Calle Coshabamba
Buenos Aires Argentine

My Dear Mrs Morton and dear little Nondas,
I think there is such a saying as this: "As the Hill will not come to Mohamed, Mohamed must go to the Hill." Well, the same thing is here as you people refuse or will not or want not or do not wish to write to me. I must again write to you as to my letter from Rio and my two letters here, one with a picture of myself and another a clipping to all of which you still

[p. 2]
keep mute and silence. Why all this [thoughtlessness?] for by now you should be able to have answered even by a post card such pressing letters as mine. Mama wrote to me that you had written to her and the extracts of her letter concerning you are as following: – "If Mrs. Morton was here, I am sure I should like her, and we'd be good friends, for you know how I am, I don't like to make friends of every body, I keep very aloft and find it is much better for one finds in the long run there are so very very few really true friends People are jealous if one is successful and glory if one has a downfall isn't that so."—.
So you made a very good impression on Mama. I told you so for even from your photo Mama liked you very much. Your natures are

[p. 3]
a little alike. That’s why I like you so much. I would not be rash to say but I think really you and Mama would be very true friends.

I do a lot of exercising now, as now is the slack time and we are preparing for the Season. I suppose you received all the letters so I need not repeat that I had been working here with Mr. Jacoveleff, a very fine Russian Dancer who left Pavlova's Company here. The rumor is that Pavlova has put the whole Company in a big house in Puerto Rico where they are rehearsing new numbers etc. And "X" and Mr. Dandre were in New York. Also that Mme. PX. is having a young girl from Russia coming down and that this girl about 18-19 who has just finished at the

[p. 4]
Imperial school is her own daughter. Anyway she is going [to] star this girl and only have her Dance about 3 times a week. They are to come Down here in one or two Months. Also Sarah Bernard with Albertina Rash and Kobeleff who formerly used to be in "X" Company. I think you must know him; he danced Pradeskie Minuet with Stephen. Well, dear folks I am waiting to hear from you. The last letter was last July 1917 which I received in Santiago de Chile. I am really glad to hear you wrote to Mama. Thank you very much. Also I am not worried about anymore as you must be all right yet if you wrote there. With Love and Kisses from Mascot.

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