Had hoped to be there for commencement, but is leaving for London on business. Has kept up with Red Cloud schools through brothers and sisters. Remembers with love Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Goudy and Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Case. Mrs. Case, then Miss King, was principal when she first entered the school. Remembers her first teacher and some of her fellow pupils. Always tried to please Miss King, who helped and advised her all through high school—even tried to teach her algebra, an impossibility. Hard to believe it has been nineteen years since she graduated. Best wishes to the new graduates. They should try to live up to their teachers' goals for them. Willa Cather [Stout #159]
Is pleased to see his success. Looking forward to his article on Gilbert White. Always expected him to write well, if he could get beyond youthful egoism. Since they have no book publishing now, can't consider his book of nature essays. Suggests Doubleday Page, which bought them out, or Houghton Mifflin. Ferris Greenslet there an old friend. For the magazine, more interested in content and a style more scientific than literary, designed to convey information. P.S.: Has been running the magazine alone past six months, as Mr. McClure has been ill. Will be going abroad this winter. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #182]
Liked his paper on White. Glad he's no longer trying to imitate Pater and Swinburne. Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #183]
Not feeling well, and now Miss Lewis isn't also. She had better not come. W. S. C [Stout #187]
Has sold the Bohemian Girl story for $500. Was offered $750, but that was too much. How can she [Cather] leave McClure's when they are so nice to her? Mr. Mackenzie already wanting to advertise the opera singer story, when she hasn't even written it. Thinks she caught the germ of selling manuscripts from her! It was a good one to catch. Is staying in town for the dinner for William Dean Howells. W. S. C. [Stout #213]
Wishes she were there to go on top of a bus with her to the park. A fine day. Enjoyed last Saturday. Enclosing a note from Mrs. Fields. W. S. C. [Stout #214]
It was hard to get away from New York, because Mr. McClure had arrived. Isabelle's mother is very ill, unconscious following a stroke. Has been able to keep from getting tense and nervous so far. Would be glad for her to come to Arizona, but doesn't know when she will leave, how long she will stay with her mother, or anything at all about Winslow. Was just called to Mrs. McClung's side for a brief interval of consciousness. W. S. C. [Stout #216]
Mrs. McClung had a relapse on Saturday that seems serious. Has been taking refuge in Michelet; just finished the third volume. Recommends Richard Wagner's autobiography; it is so honest and direct. W. S. C. [Stout #219]
Has reached Winslow. Is worried about Elsie's news. W. S. C. [Stout #220]
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]
