Monday, May 16, 2011

Magpie Tales 66


Belle's heart was pounding as she hastily placed the book back on the shelf. She loved this library in the 36th and Madison mansion and spent hours here, sorting, examining, reading.

Today she could not believe her eyes: Walden, innocuously placed in a row at the back of the desk, had been autographed several years ago by Henry David Thoreau!
"My dearest John,
Allow me the pleasure of presenting to you a line from this book:
'Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.'
I beg you to receive, dear Sir, the expression of my very best sentiments.
I remain yours truly,
Henry David Thoreau."

She had heard the clatter of John's carriage in the passageway, and he would be coming in the downstairs entry any moment. Belle retrieved her feather duster and studiously began dusting. She mentally went over her plans to be very gracious and impeccable in her work with both John Sr. and John Jr.


John~ John Pierpont Morgan, Sr. and Jr.

Belle~ Belle de Costa Greene, first director of the Pierpont Morgan Library



Magpie Tales is the vision of Tess Kincaid. If you would like to participate, just post your poem or vignette--based on Tess Kincaid's photo prompt--on your blog and link back to http://www.magpietales.blogspot.com.

33 comments:

  1. You make me want to learn more about these people.

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  2. Wow! What a find! That is very special!

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  3. Intriguing choices! Thanks for sharing. My magpie: http://verseinanutshell.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/open-book/

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  4. Very nice Margaret! I did get your comment. I don't know how often I'll be online. It seems I've been very busy lately!!
    Love Di ♥

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  5. ah you bring just a bit of history to life...nice vignette...

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  6. Very nice. Have you seen the film Possession?

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  7. Great write...and it makes you wonder if belle has some plans for that special edition? perhaps i am just suspicious by nature. really enjoyed this historical write. vb

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  8. Hi Rinkly~ I think that era was best captured in the novel Ragtime by Doctorow. Of course, Thoreau was a little before them, a transcendentalist and a social reformer. Now how did I think I coud make him a friend of JP Morgan, Episcopalian and capitalist? Poetic license, I guess!
    Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Thanks, Smiles! I'm glad you stopped by!

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  10. Thanks, Verseinanutshell! I did visit you and read your poignant poem--loved it! I commented more on your blog.

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  11. Hi Diana! I'm glad you'll be stopping in from time to time! I'll be checking your blog! I feel as though we are old friends... Love xxox

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  12. Thank you, Brian! It was fun to attempt historical fiction. I love the opportunity we have here to explore different genres, ideas...

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  13. Thanks, Tess! No, I haven't seen Possession--the one with Gwyneth Paltrow? However, you piqued my interest, and I googled it: I love the way they unravel the trail of the Victorian poet and poet laureate at the same time they write secret letters to each other that are uncovered! I'm ordering it now! Thanks for the suggestion. Do you remember Ragtime by E. Doctorow, another historical novel? I understand that the new Lincoln movie is quite good, too. xxox

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  14. Thanks, Versebender! Yes, I don't have much faith in Belle, either! In actuality, a portrait of JP Morgan with his granddaughter Mabel (resting on an easel) was stolen from this very same room!

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  15. Ah...the plot thickens!

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  16. Just enough of a morsel to wet the appetite... just enough to keep us searching the shelves.

    I really like what I am seeing on your site. Nicely shared.

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  17. margaret! this is great! economical and compelling. i love her decision to be gracious and impeccable.that is so cleverly written.

    how are you? i hope fine.


    kj

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  18. Now that is quite a find. Excellent.

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  19. Hmmm...what will Belle do next? Interesting piece.

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  20. Very interesting. Actually a signed first edn. of "Walden"? I was surprised to learn (Wiki) that H.D.T's log cabin was only about 2 miles from the bosom of his family!
    I read "Ragtime" a long time ago. Tremendous book.

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  21. Well this is fabulous. Now I know what you have been up to. I have not seen you and was worried. I am glad you are thriving here. Wonderful story!
    xoxo,
    Noelle

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  22. What fun to witness your imagination taking flight with a photo prompt, creating another time and world.

    WV: ovenslyt
    Where one inserts pies into an oven.

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  23. It does indeed, Versebender! Maybe this can be a historical novel!
    Thanks!

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  24. Thanks, Petrina! Cute--that is enough to keep us searching the shelves! Can you imagine?!:)
    Your delectable poem also depicted the treasures to be found...

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  25. Thanks, kj!
    I'm planning some adventures so I can at least halfway catch up with you! I admire your energy! You should have called me when you were in NY! (I live in NJ.)
    Love and all good things, Margaret

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  26. Thanks, Anthony! That kind of find would really make my day!

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  27. Thanks, Mary! Yes, this is turning into a compelling historical mystery!

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  28. Hi Dr. FTSE! Thoreau was pretty independent, though--quite skilled at woodcraft. He was a good friend of Emerson's, and I believe he went into town from time to time to visit him. Thoreau very much supported Emerson's ideas on civil disobedience and his "freedom fighters."
    Ragtime was made into a Broadway musical--also excellent! I can't remember: was it also made into a movie?

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  29. Noelle, thank you! You are the most thoughtful person. I'm definitely doing haiku my heart Friday tomorrow and hope you are, too! Love, me

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  30. Hi Lynne! It is fun! You should try it! Monday morning go to http://www.magpietales.blogspot.com to pick up the photo prompt and instructions. You can write either a vignette or a poem.
    On Friday mornings, you can post a 5-7-5 haiku with your own photo and go to http://corazon.typepad.com/recuerda_mi_corazon/haiku/ to link back to your post.
    On Thursday mornings, you can join Share the Joy Thursday by posting your joy (photos, musings, poetry, artwork...) and going to http://meriak.blogspot.com to sign in and link to your blog.
    The sharing is really fun!
    I am embarrassed to say I just got the meaning of WV! Yours was a good one! I'm heading over to you to do it back! Love, me

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  31. Thanks, Steve~ You didn't link up to Magpie Tales this time? Well, I read your next installment (for theme Thursday), and I'm really wondering what Sandra has on her mind: not anger or resentment, more like grief? Hmmm, tune in next week...

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