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] RIO de JANEIRO
11 Fev 1919
3A SECÇÃO

Hotel Carlton
Telephone 2956-Central
Rua Libero Badaró
S. Paulo

Mascot Moskovina Vesely
c/o United States Consul
Rio de Janeiro

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


[p. 1]
Mascot Maskovina
c/o Senor Solomon Mizcs
S 26 Ayacucho
Buenos Aires


My dearest friends Billie and Nondas.
Yesterday I received your dear letter of November 12th, 1918. The first since ages and ages ago. But forgive me, I too have been very slack in writing. I have made several attempts but never got to sending them off. I always think of you, but with all I have had to do with one thing or the other I hardly even wrote to Mama. But I told her to write to you and excuse me. Since last August I have been dancing in the Opera. We started in Cordoba, Argentina where I got an attack of appendicitis, but the doctor froze it away. From there we traveled via los Andes to Santiago. I was still very ill and there I got a chronic attack of stomach poisoning—"Romain Pasiening." So I was steadily sick for over a month and a half, unable to work or anything but luckily for me, the Director Salvati liked my work very much and rather than lose me paid my salary all the same though I was ill. Later we went to Talca and Conception of Chile and I got better and

[p.] 2
Oh, so fat. You would have laughed had you seen me. Then we went to Valparaiso and from there to Lima, Peru, where my real troubles started, for you see my illness took up every cent of my salary and I had no money saved. So although I had my passport which I was able to secure in Santiago and cost me lots of money, I had not my return fare so that I could have gone home straight from there. But I had to sign on the contract for another year and am back in Buenos Aires and we will here start a big Russian Ballet. But Oh, my, I feel just awful as you dears can imagine. Here I am freed to be when now I am free to return home. You can hardly blame me for not writing for I have not got the heart. I feel so miserable. It is terribly hot here. I have no friends except from the Company, and they are mostly all occupied with themselves and have no time for me. Christmas was the saddest day I ever spent. I only knew it was Xmas by a card I received from Mama the other day. But I have to cheer up if I keep well now as I hope I do. I will be able to be home by May or June, for I will not keep my contract for all that time. Did you write to the

[p.] 3/
address on top of the 1st page, for then I surely should have recieved your letters as these people are quite safe. Mama addresses all her mail there. Things are better at home. Papa has started a store and seems to be doing well. Only Mama helps him and it is terrible lot of work for her between the Baby, who by the way is thee years old now and from the Pictures Mama sent me such a big girl. And also they have moved to be near the business. That is why she may not have answered your letter having [page torn] to bring. But also she may not have received them for she always mentions when she has letters from you. What a pity you can’t be in New York, so much nicer for yourself and Nondas; for I am sure you would like my Mama very much. The heat here is terrible, just like July in the States, but it gets worse & worse. I luckily have a room on the 3rd floor with no windows opposite so I can leave my balcony door open night & day. What is Nondas doing now? Why do you not go to Oukrainsky or Pavly and speak to them? They are so nice, and they would let you pass in. You need not be afraid of troubling them. They are certainly getting on splendidly, but Oukrainsky had a lot of money for a foundation. It seems that nearly everybody

[p.] 4/
who leaves the Pavlova Company gets on better than in her Company. Enclosed I send you some photos and some cuttings for Nondas. I also sent a New Year’s card, which I hope you will receive from Lima. I sent Nondas a post card of a Ballet Dancer painted by a french artist. Did you get that? Well, dearest friends, I am so glad to have heard from you and I will try and get rid of my melancholy feelings and write oftener. Sometimes I think I really will go crazy, yet I have nothing to complain about. All would be well only I am so homesick for my Mama and my Baby. Mama’s new address is Mrs. F. W. Lucas 564 West 171 Street New York City and Papa’s new Business is 228. Fort Washington Ave. N. Y. C., but you had best write to the 171 Street address. My address is always the same and reaches me no matter where I go even if I return home. So dearest write there please.
With Love and Kisses and Good Luck
Best Wishes for you both
Throughout the New Year.
From your
Mascot

< Excuse the blotches I don’t know what is the matter with this pen. All the costumes on the photos except “Marmy”[?] are my own. >

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