er to John Allan, “it is likely that pieces of flesh as large as my hand will be obliged to be cut out.” The quarrels with John Allan grew stronger, mostly because of Edgar’s financial problems. During the year, he got large gambling and other debts, which he was because John Allan didn’t provide well enough. That was why he “had to” stick to gambling to cover his expenses. 1827-1829 When Edgar returned to Richmond, he had debts that amounted to about $2000 - $2500. John Allan refused to pay the debts, and instead of sending him back to the university made Edgar work on the Allan’s firm. In March 1827 the strain between Edgar and John Allan climaxed. This was because of more than two years of indifferences going back to the death of Jane Stanard, and now the loss of Elmira, who was now engaged. Edgar moved out of John Allan’s home and where he went is uncertain. Edgar was looking for “some place in this world, where I will be treated not as you have treated me.” Edgar felt that Allan had misled him, restricted him and rejected him. The letters Edgar sent to John Allan showed, without concealment, that he did not feel as a part of the family. He also wrote:“I have heard you say (when you little thought I was listening and therefore must have said it in earnest) that you had no affection for me.” After several hostile letters in their correspondence Edgar was in need for money and his things, and changed the attitude in his letters. He wrote a friendly letter almost begging John Allan for help. The letter was returned and on the back of it Allan had written: “Pretty Letter” Edgar led a reckless life roaming the streets and drank a lot. He sometimes took his brother’s identity to mislead his creditors and John Allan. At the time no one knew where Edgar went, but some letters were said to be sent from St. Petersburg, Russia. In...
