Elsie enjoying studies, but learned more with her. Please visit if in town. What does Louise think of Arnold Bennett? He may be overly documentary, but is at any rate substantial. Willa Cather [Stout #190]
Has just seen a report of G. P.'s accident in the Red Cloud newspaper. It appears he is out of danger but must be in a lot of pain. Has always been afraid of automobiles, and gasoline seems inherently dangerous. Only a week ago an explosion a couple of blocks away caused several apartment buildings to burn down. G. P. is a very strong young man, but this is a terrible ordeal. Elsie is enjoying Northampton. Hopes to see her next week during a trip to Boston. Willie [Stout #194]
Sorry not to be sending Christmas gifts to the children. Has only some little handkerchiefs for Mary Virginia. Nothing to buy here. Hears from mother that the new baby is pretty. Willie [Stout #210]
So glad to get Fanny's letter and to hear she is opening a book shop. Would be pleased to have her [Cather's] picture displayed in it. Going abroad in late spring, but must go see parents first. Knows handwriting is hard to read, but wanted to send a personal message. P.S.: Will come by to see the shop if possible. Willa Cather [Stout #212]
Has been knocking about the West for two weeks. Sorry to hear she is ill. Hopes she will rest up so she can get back to writing. The West so big it is almost frightening. Used to fear she would never escape it. Visited the Bohemian area while in Red Cloud and believes the story catches it just right. Winslow is unattractive; not so nice as New Mexico. Houses are flimsy, her brother's is tiny. Can't write there. Believes she [Cather] could work in Albuquerque. Please try to write clearly when she writes. It is often hard to read her script. Willa S. C. [Stout #221]
Will be glad to assist with autobiography. Is enjoying her trip, especially seeing pueblos and cliff dwellings. A wonderful part of the world. Planning to see a Moki [Hopi] snake dance and go into Mexico with Douglass. News of the Titanic is shocking. Willa Cather [Stout #222]
Has just learned of Mrs. Gere's death. Hard to believe. Can still hear her laughter at the pretensions of young people. Benefited from that laugh when she was an unpolished country girl. Always coveted Mrs. Gere's good opinion. Health is better; is visiting Douglass. Willa Cather [Stout #223]
People are ultimately more interesting than scenery. Feels restless when the wind keeps her from going riding. Douglass has been on a run for three days, leaving her with a brakeman named Tooker, who keeps house and goes off drinking at night. A big talker. Has been target-shooting with a pistol and may use Tooker for a target if he doesn't drop the polysyllabics. Mainly enjoying the Mexicans in the area, who live south of the train tracks in a delightful village. Hopes to go to Flagstaff and see cliff dwellings tomorrow. W. S. C. [Stout #224]
[Note by Sergeant indicates that Edith Lewis asked her to withhold this letter from the library.] So much has happened, no time to write. The beautiful young man she met when riding to the missions with the priest is named Julio, pronounced hu-lio. Has been camping in canyons with Tooker and doing some pretty daring climbing. Went down a cliff using hand-holds. Spent a day in the Painted Desert with Julio and could hardly get over it. Now the Grand Canyon. Wonderful how unspoiled it is, not a single souvenir shop. New Mexico is wonderful but expensive. Elsie would love it, but her money would go and she would take up with a sweetheart who would take all her attention. Has been asked to a Mexican dance when back in Winslow, and then if she can tear herself away from Julio will go to Albuquerque with Douglass. Didn't mean to go on and on about Julio—it's just that he's so fascinating. People would be fighting over him as an artist's model in New York. W. S. C. [Stout #229]
Hasn't answered her letter because traveling. Spent two adventurous months with Douglass. Probably won't get to Lincoln. Needs to return to New York as soon as possible after her brother Roscoe comes to visit. Was ill most of the winter but quite well now. She shouldn't bother reading "Alexander," but may like "The Bohemian Girl." Willa Cather [Stout #238]
