Please drop by her room alone on Wednesday evening. Willa Cather [Stout #7]
Has been lonely since Louise's visit. Tried to bribe James to leave them alone. Spent a few days at uncle's home near other families from Virginia. Aunt hosted a "literary" at which a truly atrocious singer did twelve songs. Climbed the windmill in the evening and enjoyed the sight of moonlight glistening on ponds and corn tassels. Had to pull off skirts to climb down when a storm approached. Roscoe away haying, but when he gets back they will go up the river to their island. Baby brother Jack has been ill. Please greet a certain blonde [Louise?] if she sees her. Drove her about the countryside with one hand or none, but she didn't object. Still dreams about it. Don't read that part to Ned [Ellen] and Frances. Cather [Stout #15]
Won't be able to send material for newspaper until next week. Has met C. L. Magee, managing editor of two Pittsburgh newspapers and political boss of the city. Had a letter of introduction from an actress friend. Magee's office crowded with people, but he had a kind word for each, gave letters to several to help them get jobs. It was hard to ask a stranger for a job, but he encouraged her to come back. Asked her into his private office, said he would take some articles and there might be a job coming open on the evening paper. Willa Cather [Stout #34]
Enjoyed Saturday evening. Probably will not see them again before she leaves. Jack will enjoy the brownies [rubber stamp] being sent by Erna [Seibels' baby]. Willa Cather [Stout #38]
Has finished first month of teaching, but may quit and go home to Red Cloud. So much effort, if one is serious about it, for so little pay. The "letters" have been rejected [projected book of open letters to actors]. Just as well; they were overwritten and not of lasting interest. Maybe some can be placed in the Critic, with Dorothy's help. "Jack-a-Boy" in the Saturday Evening Post with good illustrations. Has been reading Lemaître. McClungs have moved into new house. Would like to discuss the Pittsburgh novel. [Two poems are enclosed: "Caliban" and "The Inexorable."] Willie [Stout #68]
Sorry to cancel visit, but must keep at work on stories, then going to New York to try to arrange book publication. Still regrets misunderstanding in the fall. Some of the stories good, but "Paul's Case" shows haste and "Pilgrim Joy" has to be discarded and replaced. Cycle will be two painter stories, one actor, one sculptor, one musician, one musical study, one writer, and one case of an artistic temperament without talent, and Fulvia. Title to be The Troll Garden, with epigraph from Charles Kingsley to explain. So wishes to come see her. Please apologize to parents. Wants her and Mrs. Canfield to read Phaedra story. P.S.: Mrs. McClung has been ill. Has scarcely had an evening to herself to work. Willie [Stout #80]
Is something wrong? Is she ill? Isabelle had diphtheria while in Boston in January and is still weak. Please write. Hopes to have a finished manuscript to ask her to read soon. Willie [Stout #93]
Glad to have his letter along saying he has confidence in her. Has started to work. Needs to have the April article to the printer in two weeks. Mr. McKenzie very helpful and a born editor. Willa S. Cather [Stout #126]
Has held up illustrations for the first article. In a rush to get out Harper's Weekly with shortage of staff. Won't lose much time, as still has some Boston material. W. S. C. [Stout #127]
Will need to treat the current litigation in the last chapter of the History of Christian Science. Wants to approach it by way of Eddy's relationship with her son, George Glover. Is going to Nebraska in late July, would like to see Mr. Glover while in the West. He could edit the article to safeguard Glover's interests in the suit. Would he like to borrow her copy of the 1881 edition of Science and Health? Willa Sibert Cather [Stout #129]
