n months they had no contact. Still having financial problems, Edgar moved in with his aunt Maria and his cousin Virginia in the spring of 1833. That summer, John Allan became very ill and Edgar decided to visit. Edgar, however, was very not welcomed. He had to push past Louisa into John’s sickroom and then John raised a cane to Edgar threatening to hit him with it and ordered him to leave. John Allan died March 27th, 1834, while sitting up in his armchair. Edgar had not even been mentioned in John Allan’s will and received nothing. At the end of the year, Thomas Willis, who had just began a new magazine in Richmond, The Southern Literary Messenger, had asked for Edger’s advice. Edgar’s advice was much welcomed. Shortly there after, Thomas offered Edger a job on his permanent staff. Edgar accepted without hesitation. He needed this job badly. Edgar had fallen in love with his thirteen year old cousin and now he had the chance to support her and Maria. Neilson Poe had also offered to take them in, but most likely just to prevent the marriage between Virginia and Edgar. Edgar quickly wrote to Maria, expressing his deep love for Virginia and that he would be “blinded with tears” if they were to turn down his offer and stay with Neilson. Edgar was very successful with his job, but was unable to take any pleasure in his success. He often spoke of suicide during this time, and he then turned to alcohol. Edgar then left his job. Edgar, then, returned to Baltimore and In September, he and Virginia received a marriage license and were probably married privately. Edgar wrote back to Thomas Willis asking for his old job back. Willis would love to have him back, but couldn’t risk Edgar’s drinking again. Edgar promised that he would not return to drinking and if he did then Willis could fire him immediately. Edgar returned to Richmond for his old job along with Virginia and Maria. With this...
