All the Days of My Life: An Autobiography Part 65

I return to you by mail "The Beads of Tasmer" which I have read through with great interest; in fact nearly all before I reached New York, after my delightful visit at your home. It is a capital story.

After my return I called on my Newark neighbor, Reverend Dr. Waters, a Scotchman, and I found that he knew the book well, and said it was a good Scotch, and he has read nearly all your stories with great pleasure.

I had a delightful time in your pleasant home. Give my love to the two daughters, and perhaps I ought to say especially, to the one who enjoyed my story of the man who died, and went to h.e.l.l, but got out of it again. But you are all in Heaven.

Ever sincerely yours,

WILLIAM HAYES WARD.

CRESCENT HILL, SPRINGFIELD, Ma.s.sACHUSETTS, Nov. 13, 1909.

MY DEAR MRS. BARR:

I saw your friendly expressions of me in your letter to the G. & C.

Merriam Co. And I was pleased to receive the _Bookman_ with the excellent portrait of you. Be sure that I cordially reciprocate your sentiments of regard. Your always welcome visits to the _Christian Union_ office are fresh in my memory so that I well remember the thorough, patient, workmanlike beginnings of your literary career.

Then before long you found your wings, and began that course of admirable imaginative fiction, in which you have had so long and enviable success. It is a great thing to have carried entertainment, stimulus, hope to thousands upon thousands, as you have done.

I am sure that in the essential things, life has dealt kindly by you, or I should perhaps say rather, that you and life have met in the right way; but I hope in the externals and incidentals your path has been pleasant to the feet.

With kind remembrances and best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

GEORGE MERRIAM.

THE MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH 5th Avenue and 29th Street

November 26, 1901.

MY DEAR MRS. BARR:

I have been prevented by sickness in my family from getting at "The Lion's Whelp" until now, and I am in the middle of things. I love a good book, and I love Cromwell, so I am twice blessed in your gift.

Everything you do with your pen is well done. I wish all writers were like you.

With thanks and sincere regards,

I am yours,

DAVID J. T. BURRELL.

AVALON, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY.

MY DEAR MRS. BARR:

Thank you for your very kind and cordial letter, and for the gift of "The Lion's Whelp"; which I shall read with great pleasure. We have already put something about Cromwell's Time into the Historic Scenes.

I was anxious to get a bit about Dutch New York, and for this reason am particularly glad at the prospect of having a scene from "The Bow of Orange Ribbon." I read "Jan Vedder's Wife" over again last summer, and enjoyed it more than ever. It is straight, strong work.

Faithfully yours,

HENRY VAN d.y.k.e.

Oct. 30, 1901.

CORNELL UNIVERSITY, ITHACA, NEW YORK.

MY DEAR MRS. BARR:

I greatly enjoyed your lovely letter of about a month ago, and likewise even the winsome book of your story of Shetland; for as to the latter, the pleasure of reading, will have to remain among the joys of the next summer vacation. You see it is term time, and I am usually driven by its tasks as well as by some outside affairs just now.

You are right about our Professor Wheeler; he has a very attractive personality, and the charm of brilliant gifts and attainments. Nor do I wonder at the impression you formed of President White, although it might be modified by better acquaintance. His bodily strength is not exuberant, he holds himself in reserve; he is also a little deaf, and he does not come out so easily as does Wheeler. After so many years, there is a risk in asking about dear ones, but I well remember your two daughters, and should be glad to hear their history.

Sincerely,

M. COIT TYLER.

1, May, 1897.

MRS. AMELIA E. BARR.

DEAR MADAM:

Pardon this intrusion from one who has just finished reading with intense enjoyment "A Maid of Old New York" and who has been fascinated with its deeper meanings--its words of wisdom, written between the printed lines. On reading to my wife your post word, we both felt that you surely intended us to recognize, as you have, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt as the present name of the courageous and dominating soul, known to the day of which you write, as Peter Stuyvesant. I cannot think we are mistaken in this. We were also keenly interested in a sketch which appeared recently in the Hearst papers, of an autobiography shortly to appear from your pen, giving your beliefs and knowledge as to reincarnation and spiritualistic phenomena. We are very desirous of reading this crowning synopsis of your life's rich experience and unfoldment, and will be very grateful if we may know when it is off the press and from what publisher to obtain it.

Let me close by thanking you personally and heartily for the pleasure and the profit this book has brought to my wife and myself.

Very sincerely yours,

CHARLES STACEY DUNNING.

_The Los Angeles Evening Express_, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

July 14th, 1912.

540 WAs.h.i.+NGTON AVENUE, BROOKLYN, N.Y.

MY DEAR MRS. BARR:

Perhaps you do not recall me, as I was but a mite in your busy life, and among so many friends and strangers--Mrs. Terry. I used to call upon you at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and you perhaps remember my daughter and son-in-law, Colonel Allen, whom you met at Fort Monroe.

You surely remember you were made an honorary member of the Officer's Club at the Fort; the _only woman ever so honored_. I have just finished reading your latest--"Sheila Vedder," having long ago read "Jan Vedder's Wife."