Let us remember, however, that his mother-in-law was charitable
enough not to unveil his weakness. "At home," she said, "he was as simple
and affectionate as a child."
[Illustration: POE'S COTTAGE, FORDHAM, NEW YORK]
The principal part of the rest of his life was passed in Philadelphia and
New York, where he served as editor of various periodicals and wrote
stories and poems. In the former city, he wrote most of the tales for which
he is to-day famous. With the publication of his poem, _The Raven_, in New
York in 1845, he reached the summit of his fame. In that year he wrote to a
friend, "_The Raven_ has had a great 'run'--but I wrote it for the express
purpose of running--just as I did _The Gold Bug_, you know. The bird beat
the bug, though, all hollow." And yet, in spite of his fame, he said in the
same year, "I have made no money. I am as poor now as ever I was in my
life."
The truth was that it would then have been difficult for the most
successful author to live even in the North without a salaried position,
and conditions were worse in the South. Like Hawthorne, Poe tried to get a
position in a customhouse, but failed.
[Illustration: VIRGINIA CLEMM]
He moved to an inexpensive cottage in Fordham, a short distance from New
York City, where he, his wife, and mother-in-law found themselves in 1846
in absolute want of food and warmth.
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