To A. I. Sumbatov, 1890. Petersburg.

it opens with a full salutation ("Dear Alexander Ivanovich"), runs in complete, ordinary syntax with prepositions and conjunctions intact, and closes with a standard epistolary courtesy formula ("Yours in spirit") above a signed name. Nothing about its brevity is telegraphic economy — it is simply a short, dashed-off note between two men on easy terms. (Contrast the genuine telegram at, which drops articles and prepositions and is bare-signed "Chekhov" with no salutation or closing at all.)

dateline, one paragraph of business, a one-line apology, and a closing/signature – the ordinary shape of a short personal note, not several documents spliced together.

Addressed to Prince Alexander Ivanovich Sumbatov (stage name Yuzhin), actor-playwright at Moscow’s Maly Theatre, on easy first-name-and- patronymic terms with Chekhov. The note is a small theater favor: Chekhov relays a request from a third party, Tatishchev, to have a box held for a performance of Victor Hugo’s "Hernani" – and, failing a box, two stalls seats – then apologizes for the bother with a throwaway "it’s not my fault... etc.," implying Tatishchev’s request reached Chekhov secondhand and he is merely passing it along.