Personal & Confidential
Oct. 2.
Dear Miss Addams,
I am writing today on a matter which is purely personal -- And the circumstances are so desperate that though unknown to you personally -- yet I believe you are one who can keep the confidence that I am about to tell you. I know of your activities -- and I know your interest in humanitarian field, hence this letter.
Before I come to the subject, let me tell you that I am one of the Exiles from India, on whose head a price of $2,000 (Rs 25,000) was Proclaimed in 1916 by the British Indian Govt.: I came out to U.S.A. as a stoker; was spotted by Br. agents, but in N.Y. Tombs 1918 -- [page 2] and released 1919 -- without conviction. Later on I was one of Six Hindus ordered to be deported, but through our activities, through this organization, through friends of freedom for India was allowed to stay here & deportation Proceedings dropped.
I, who have given whole life to the cause of Indian Independence, then became active in the only way I can serve my country and took up this work by bringing about a better understanding of India in America. For the last seven years we have kept up the work, but at a cost which is superhuman.
When it became definite I could not go back, I got married and settled up. I have a baby, [page 2] just 17 months (a girl) old.
So long I have managed to make my ends meet. But [as sudden] baby Mariam got an attack of Influenza the first week in August this year. We spared no money and did save her, but it has cost me over $200.00 over two hundred Dollars in doctor's bills etc.
I [economized] on food, & other necessities and finally paid up a Part of the Doctor's bills. But day before yesterday my landlord has brought a suit to dispossess me for failure to pay 2 months rent ($110.00) [page 3]
I pleaded with him but to no avail: -- our organization is also in a poor condition now. I have not drawn a cent for the last five weeks, because it has none.
I face eviction -- and starvation a situation I never faced. The situation is so humiliating to a man that I cannot approach any one, who may misunderstand me, -- and who may pity me.
In going over the list of our friends I come across your name as the only one I can trust.
Can you help me to a certain extent for this purely personal use. [page 4]
And whether you can or not, please do not let a single individual besides you know of this condition.
I do not make wish to make myself a laughing stock. It is too humiliating to accept charity for personal purposes, but I am doing it for my baby.
Hoping you will understand my position,
sincerely
S. N. Ghose
The case comes up next Friday -- Oct 9th
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