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#0477: Willa Cather to Zoë Akins, October 8 [1919]

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STEAM HEAT
ELECTRIC LIGHTS
GARAGE LIVERY
ELEVATION 1200 FEET
PRIVATE BATHS
OPEN FIRES
The Shattuck Inn
AT THE FOOT OF MONADNOCK MOUNTAIN
OPEN ALL THE YEAR
JAFFREY, N.H.2
My Dear Zoë1;

A large, unexpected check could not have given me half as much pleasure as did yesterday's "Times"3 with its account4 of your5 triumph6. That seems, from the account, not too strong a word,—and since trench warfare came in the theatre is the only place where a "triumph" can happen. I wish I'd been there to see yours. Writing for the stage seems to be the most difficult form of writing, and to make a brilliant success without the help of maudlin sentimentality, seems to me the most gratifying form of achievement.

STEAM HEAT
ELECTRIC LIGHTS
GARAGE LIVERY
ELEVATION 1200 FEET
PRIVATE BATHS
OPEN FIRES
The Shattuck Inn
AT THE FOOT OF MONADNOCK MOUNTAIN
OPEN ALL THE YEAR
JAFFREY, N.H.

It is pleasant, I find, even at this distance to know that however you captured the unspeakable public, you didn't do it by the common sentimental tricks that go so well on the New York7 stage. To be sitting here on the side of Monadnock and to be absolutely confident [illegible] of that, is really a great tribute to you—better than any I could compose.

You'll get many letters like this, Zoë, but no one will be gladder than I. Next week I return to Bank Street8, and I shall make a bee-line for the Empire Theatre. STEAM HEAT
ELECTRIC LIGHTS
GARAGE LIVERY
ELEVATION 1200 FEET
PRIVATE BATHS
OPEN FIRES
The Shattuck Inn
AT THE FOOT OF MONADNOCK MOUNTAIN
OPEN ALL THE YEAR
JAFFREY, N.H.
My God, to think of having a good play to look forward to—and that this play should be Zoë's! It puts me in a good humor with life, it does! It amuses me to hear myself blowing about you to the nice old Boston9 ladies here at this hotel10. I love you for doing it, Zoë!

Yours always Willa Cather