23 September 1887

Manila

Manila, 23 September 1887

MR. JOSÉ RIZAL

MY ESTEEMED JOSÉ,

With sorrow we saw a telegram, seemingly from your mother, which says: “Ipia dead, come with Choleng.” As they know that Sra. Anday is very credulous, we took it as a joke believing that some naughty person had taken advantage of her credulity so that Choleng and the one who would go with her would be greatly disappointed. All night long we had been thinking whether to go or not, and unintentionally at about 12:30 I approached Conchita and found her delirious with fever after having gone to bed in very good health.

Choleng went to bed very late and woke up very early, but she could not get up from bed on account of continued dizziness. She made an effort to get up and looked for Sra. Anday to go with her, though neither did she believe the afore said telegram; but she fell and could not stand up. I was also ready to go but as Conchita still had fever, I decided not to go, because this unhappy child would look for me continually. Being in this difficulty, at about 7:30 in the morning, your father’s telegram arrived which removed our doubts, and we realized the truth with sorrow. Choleng remained lying down and because of the pain that afflicted her, neither could she open her eyes nor much less raise her head.

[1]Mother, seeing this very sad spectacle, solved the problem and said: “If you are like that, don’t go any more, because she is already dead and if you become worse, your family’s sorrow would be increased. Now she is lying down crying, as it is very natural, but she is not in a condition to make the trip, though she feels already fairly well. The two little patients were treated by the famous Galicano,[2] our family physician, whom we called immediately and who said they were not seriously ill.

We would have made the trip with pleasure were we not detained by this providential accident. Our determination was great but our strength was very limited and I believe that you will bear this in mind and excuse us this failure.

Choleng requests me to tell you that when she gets well and her head clears, she will write you.

Do me the favor of presenting this letter to your parents, siblings, and brothers-in-law and especially to Silvestre.[3]

We accompany them in their sorrow and we believe that you have enough eloquence to convince them to be resigned.

You must have already received our telegram.

Of what did the poor Olimpia die? And the children, how are they? Unhappy, children!

Regards to all from Mother and the whole family particularly from Choleng, kisses to your nephews, and you can command your very affectionate relative who esteems you.

CONCHA

01-266 [Family]