BLACKWELL FAMILY LUCY STONE SUBJ FILE: Lucy Stone corresp. (Maud Wood Park)SURF ROAD CAPE COTTAGE CAPE ELIZABETH MAINE Sept. 11, 1937 Dear Miss Blackwell, Here is the dramatized "Lucy Stone", to carry birthday greetings to you and heartfelt good wishes! The purpose for which the play was written will be fulfilled if it helps to bring your moving biography of your mother to the attention of young women for whom the example of her courage and your own may prove to be in the future—as it has so often in the past—the morning star of lighter days. Gratefully yours, Maude Wood ParkCape Cottage, Maine Oct 15, 1937 Dear Edna Stantial, Thank you very much for sending the fine scenes of Lucy Stone, which came Saturday morning, as I had hoped they would! Please let me refund the postage which I noted as 46 cents and now enclose. Sunday I had a short talk with Mr. Johnson during which he said very nice things about you. He assured me that the script went to the type-setter in Pennsylvania on Oct. 6 (Idon't see why not on Sept. 14, when he received the signed contract) and that the proof sheets would be ready for the Portland Players to use by Nov. 1. He offered to let them have the play without any royalty "in compliment" to me, but I thought it was better to have them start us on the road to 50 full productions this year, so he agreed that they should be charged $10, as the local League of M.T. will be, if they decide to give it. No definite number of play-books is to be required. I hope earnestly that you are having no after effectsof plan and that the examination of your mothers' eyes brought a good report. I shall be interested to know the decision of the Mass. [L?] Committee, but I don't want you to write when you are rushed with more import matters. Cordially yours, Maude Wood ParkP.S. I'll give you your suffrage [?] book when you come. It helped a lot. Aug. 26th 1937 Dear Mrs. Stantial, I'm hoping with all my heart that your "check-up" will show a big gain for you during the summer and that a trip to Maine will not seem too great an effort. By the second week in September I take it that you mean between the 6th and the 11th. Any part of that time will be convenient for me: and if you can come Wednesday the 8th and stay at least until the 10th, on the morning of which the local L. of M.V. has the last of publication, and supplied me with a contract to sign, in which my Lawyer thinks a few of the provisions ought to be changed. So I've written Mr. Y. about them and heaven only knows Sunday, Aug. 29. I was stopped at this point two days ago by an unexpected visitor and one thing after another has kept me from finishing this letter. I started to say that heaven only knows where we are at now. But yesterday I had a slightly irate letter from Mr. Y. - sticking to most of the points of the contract. But yielding with rather bad grace, on two. So to-morrowits summer finance gatherings, a "coffee" at 11, followed by some kind of entertainment, at the summer house of the president, on Falmouth Foreside, I shall be happy to take you there. We can get away by one, if you have to drive back that afternoon. I wish I knew how we could entertain your daughter, for then I should urge you to bring her along. Please do so, if you think she wouldn't be too bored Mr. Johnson has sent me a highly complimentary letter, returned the ms., for what he calls "a final printing" beforeI'll have another talk with the lawyer. Mr. I. said that as soon as I signed the contract & got the ms. back to him, he would set the printer to work on it. I'm so tired of the whole business end of it, that I'm ready to agree to almost any thing. In fact I begin to think there's far less trouble about having a play refused than having it accepted. But by the time you come, I hope the worst will be over. As soon as you can set the date, please let me know so that I can reserve your room at the Inn - The easiest way to drive here is to follow the Cape Cottage Trolley track from Portland. Surf Road leads off the main road exactly opposite the Cape Cottage post-office & my house is the last, i.e. next the water - [*It has a white fence and the name Coe on the gate. With much pleasure in the thought of seeing you here - Yours gratefully - M. M. P.[*OK*] The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. Nov. 3, '37 Dear Edna Slantial. Miss Blackwell got the copy of the biography to me very promptly, and I gave it to Mrs. Stone, Monday Evening at rehearsal. To-day has come the enclosed rather distressing note. We'll have to think what can be done. I'm wondering whether Mrs. Field has read the play and didn't like it or whether her opposition is, in general principles, to any attempt to connect the League with the woman's rights movement. A Weston performance for the League seems a little strange. Did the Cambridge League give up the idea of a joint performance with Radcliffe? But I mustn't bother you toanswer all the questions I can think of. Some of them we can talk over if you come down, & I hope you and Mr. Stantial will, for the performance here on Nov. 21. Just let me know as early as you can, so that I may have a room reserved for you here at Mrs Eastons. I can't bear to think of Miss Blackwell having trouble with her eyes, for reading has always been the breath of life to her. It's a comfort to realize how much you do for her, and I'm sure that your interest and help mean more to her than you can know. That's one of many reasons why I am Gratefully yours, Maud Wood Park.1 Cape Cottage, Maine, July 29, 1937 Dear Miss Blackwell, When I called you by telephone nearly three weeks ago, I had just left a copy of the play, with the new scenes, "Mother's Flag" (the suffrage hearing) and "Mine Eyes Have seen the Glory," (the epilogue), with the Baker Company. Eight days later, Mr. Johnson sent back the script with many cuts and some suggestions for decided changes: the most important being the change of name to "Lucy Stone", and the word "dramatization of - [?]" on the title-page to "chronicle play", and the omission of the name, "Momma's Journal", which he thinks completely undramatic. I wrote him that I was willing to have the name changed, etc., and to leave out the "Momma's Journal" scene, though I thought it has the merit of filling in a long gap in time and of marking the beginning of your mother's great service to the cause during the later years of her life. I also agreed to most of the cuts, but protested against some others. My conclusions were sent in two separate letters, a day or two apart: The general considerations on the final, details in the second. Whether he had received the latter when he wrote the letter of which I enclose a copy 2 I'm not quite sure, but anyhow the letter indicates the present state of progress. I would send you the letter itself if I weren't a little fearful of loss by post of the only written statement that that he wants to publish the play. (His previous ones were all oral). You'll be interested to know that in general instances he made your point of too much talk and too little action. His criticism of "The Mamma's Journal" scene was partly in a letter and partly in a scene-by-scene report, both of which I quote: "I feel quite convinced that the "Momma's Journal" scene should come out. It is the marked place in the manuscript and has nothing to build on. With the indicated "cuts" and that scene omitted the play would be of good lengths for a chronicle play." and "Scene Seven "This scene seems to offer the greatest difficulty in finding ways through which it can be made dramatic. As it stands, it is only a recitation by the players of what has been accomplished, and has no high lights, and no climax. Was there never any crisis in the whole history of the Journal? Did it never publish any thing which provided a scene or an attack in the office? It certainly had the courage to speak plainly about matters not mentioned openly at that time. Did as that custom ever bring threats or opposition, or cancelling of subscriptions?3 The Journal might be treated in a graphic way by having a frame of an enlarged Journal, and within the frame a series of patterns of misdeeds and injustices and travesties which the Journal made [pathic?] and thereby brought about civic justice in the End. The scene as it stands is easy to give, of course, and costume, and courteous manners will help to make it acceptable. But there is practically no 'drama' in it." If I can [Eyns?], the Suffrage hearing, (with your changes included) he wrote. "This is finely arranged and compactly given almost throughout. Does it possibly drop a bit of its dignity and sincerity on p. 13 when this '[cattiness?]' is spoken of? Those lines do not add quite the right key to the great importance of the moment" and of the Epilogue. "Then the author has omitted to take advantage of color and music, such as men in the actual parade. By putting this scene into Mrs. [Armitage's?] house, it tones down and quiets what might be very moving. Is there no other place where Miss Blackwell might have them that day where music and singing, a distant land, perhaps, and arms full of flowers, someone carrying quantities of yellow [?ands?], all would add excitement and build up the Dramatization to a real climax? 4 "Certainly the Battle Hymn of the Republic is the most moving of songs, but it is not a suffrage song,-- It connotes something else. Even the words do not apply. Why not have "The Women's Doxology' and other verses Florence Luscomb wrote sung in the finish? "I would also support that in the Epilogue, more than in any other places, care be taken not to repeat and reminisce events and items that the audience already knows. Page 4 and 4a need to be cut, the final thru-[?] of 4 and single [?] in 4a appreciated. By this time, this and [?] has lost its freshness of attention, and should have only striking and [?] [moment?] [?] I [?] suspect after that the character Madeleine to [???th?]. Earlier in the 'Dramatization' she might have had [robins?] as a contrasting figure, but near the end, she only slows up the finish." As I wrote him, I suffer more from his opinions about the Epilogue than from any other point. And I took it up with Mr. [?]. h. Smith, for only a professional actor and director and now in charge of the [?] station here, who is strongly of the opinion that the [?] climax is dramatic, & that Battle Hymn and Madeleine should both be kept. I also told Mr. Johnson that I thought some of his suggested cuts might have to be made in the Epilogue because unless he can it seems that the5 precaution scene will always be played, there is no way for the audience to know that your Mother and father kept on with this work until their death, or - as a matter of fact, they were not living in 1920. Here is the latest letter 178 Tremont St. Boston Mass July 27, 1937 Dear Mrs. Park, "First of all I have good news for you in that Alfred McIntyre of the Little, Brown Company has given his blessings to our venture providing you can get the written consent of Miss Blackwell. This I am sure you will have no difficulty in obtaining, and I suppose that after you receive her letter you send it to me so that he may complete our contract file. "A little later I'll have a contract ready for you, but I've no necessity for haste in getting that paper into typed form. "Why don't you mull over the manuscript Lucy Stone and after you have come to a full decision of what to do and not to do, then mail it here so that I may have it in hand for a brief week in advance of your coming to Boston for a personal interview. Possibly if you're going to be up in Choc[?}, I can make my time meet with your convenience and that may be a pleasant way for you to solve your travel problem. However, any way that suits you will suit me 6 also. "It's been a real pleasure going along with you in the writing of your play, and I'm hopeful that because of your hard work you're going to have a lasting winner. Very truly yours, Walter H. Baker Company TY" I'll have a day or two for a possible letter in reply to my comments in detail on his report and then write him that I hope to have the script fast in his hands by August 10th. Meanwhile will you kindly write your consent to the dramatization as he requests? And if you think of any crisis in the history of the Journal that might turn as the basis of a new Scene [lever?], will you let me know? Otherwise I shall not try to unite that scene and then it will be dropped out. Also if you know when the words of Mr. Pitman's Morning Doxology can be found, will you tell me? I had a copy, but I've not been able to find it recently. This is a terribly long letter to bother you with, but I thought you would like to know - even in my handwriting - just how the matter stands Always affectionately yours Maud Wood ParkCape Cotton, [?] 26 - [?] Here are the chief changes, dear Mrs. Blackwell! If they seem to you in any way objectionable, I'll be glad if you can let me know immediately. (a special duty stamp will enable Sunday delivery) because there is just a chance that I'll be going to Boston this next Monday to see Mrs. Johnson. My lawyers couldn't affirm of 3 or 4 sections in the [?] [Conhart] Mr. Y. has sent me to [syn], written him about them and offend to go up Monday, my only free day for some time: His [?] do not expect his reply until tomorrow. Hastily affectionally Manel Morel Park. Cape Cottage, ME. Oct. 1, 1931 Dear Edna Slantial Thank you very much for your letter with all its interesting & helpful information! You were ever so good to send it, with grippe and a birthday party and the responsibilities in connection with your mother all making urgent demands! but I hate to be another anxiety for you and you mustn't let me. I expect to go to [Ch?] this next Thursday and to return Monday, the 11th. I'llWritten Mr. [L?] I think I have to have a talk with him then and also in reply to enclosed letter. That I approve of the plan he suggests for scene plots. Miss [Biscoe?] has much pleasure to have your message. I'm very happy because she seems to be enjoying her visit and the weather has been fine Gratefully yours. Mr and Mrs L ParkThe Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. Nov. 5, 1937 Dear Miss Blackwell, I can't tell you how sorry I am that your eyes are troubling you. Don't try to use them at all for a while, for complete rest is the best doctor. Thank you very much for the 80th birthday clippings! I have put them in my A.S.B. file, to be drawn on whenever I want to make someone understand how much you have done for the world. I do hope there isn't any doubt about a new edition of the [??i?p?y] Our [?] experience here in Portland [makes] proves how eager the players are to read it and how enthusiastic it makes them. Before rehearsals are over,about fifteen young persons, eight of them men, will have had a chance to learn a lot of things from your vivid account. I take for granted that you will talk over with Mrs. Stantial our need of a second Edition and that she will let me know if there is any way in which I can help. Perhaps Mr. Garrison would take the matter up with a friend of his who is in the Little Brown firm. Just now I'm going over the proof sheets of the play and I find a good many places in which I should like to condense or change. But I suppose it is too late for any alterations that interfere with the numbering of the pages. Mrs. Page and Mrs. Leonard, who read the Hearing Scene, Scene 7, while I was in [Ch?], didn't like the closing [sentence] speech, so if you dont mind I'd like to substitute something like this: Alice (resolutely) You're right, father. And there's a lot of work needed [before] to make her flag hang all over the county. We mustn't waste a minute. The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. At the end of the Epilogue I mean to write a sentence which my typist must have dropped out. You're the one to be thanked, dear Miss Blackwell. Every woman in the United States ought to be thanking you to-day - you and your mother. Again and again this last summer, I promised myself that I would write you about your Spanish-American translations which I read, little by little, out on the shore. I was much impressed by the range of imagery and the lyric quality of the verses. What gifts you have! They make me wonder how I had the temerity to try my hand at play-writing, even with such fine material as the biography to draw on. Ever gratefully and affectionately yours, Maud Wood Park.[*Maud Wood Park*] The plan is to give only 1 scene of "Lucy Stone," "Taxation without Rep." at the Congress. A copy of the Biography should go to Conn. College, though I'd say not until September, for fear it might be forgotten during the summer. Probably A.S.B. has told you about Mrs. Ann [W?], in Hollywood, author of screen play about Dr. Blackwell, who wanted to do another about Lucy Stone & when Miss B. wrote something about me kindly offered to help me in preparation of material. I thought it wise to write Miss Williams about the feasibility and sent copy of my letter to Mr. Wilk, from whom enclosed note came by return mail. But nothing yet from A.S.W. (Perhaps, I'd better not enclose W.'s note until I've heard from her. It said only that we'd talked with her & she had some "construction suggestions" which I'd be "well advised to follow.") If there should be a chance for regular production next autumn, I'm afraid the De Mille radio idea would have to be given up - Otherwise I think it's excellent. Evidently your prodding of the Baker office brought forth the enclosed check!! Size of book was estimated 12 40,000 words including appendix - and I enclose my onlyThe Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. "table of contents," which has already seen several changes. I beginning to get caught up on sleep & I certainly needed to, for 6 nights out of 7 that I was away I didn't get to bed until 1 or 2 a. m. & the 7th was spent in his until 4 a.m. Again I'm swamped with letters needing reply, one, very lengthy from a woman in Michigan who says she has "undertaken to write a book about early days in the suffrage movement "& evidently knows nothing about it & expects me to furnish most of the information. I'm sending her your slip advertisement of the [hog?]. Don't force yourself to be "happy." Relaxing is the surest way if not the quickest. I know how hard it is for you to take [?] matters, particularly when your mother is with you, but I beg you to try. Affectionately yours Maud Wood Park. Did you ever hear what happened to Misses Fitzgerald & Carr?P.S. Flying Yankee doesn't [?] see [?[ Nov 9. '37 Dear Mrs Stantiel, I want to see Mr. Johnson about a few changes in the galley proofs and so I have just written to him to say that I will go to Boston this next Friday, the 12th, if he can see me early that afternoon. In case he is not to be in his office then, I asked him to telegraph me as soon as he receives my note. So if I do not hear from him, I shall plan to go up Friday morning. Now I'm wondering whether it would be possible - and convenient - [?] you to lunch with me at the Touraine Friday at 12. 15, if I2. do not hear that he is unable to see me, the quickest way for you to find out about that. I think, will be to telephone his offices to inquire whether he was able to give me an appointment. I particularly want to talk with you about a letter I've had from Miss Blackwell, who evidently did not know when she wrote that you have taken up the head of a new edition of the [?] with Little, Brown. And of course I want to know the latest, also, about the League and Ford Hall. Then, if you could go in with me to Mr. Johnson's office, we might get a little combined light about the date on which the play books will be available. (I'll bring up a spare set of galley proofs, which Mr. Davis is to give me this evening, though I don't know whether that is according to Mr. Johnson's rules or not.) 3. Will you let me know, then, whether I may hope to see you Friday if I go, or - if it isn't convenient for you to meet me, [whether] when I can reach you by telephone after I have talked with Mr. Johnson? (I enclose special stamp to offset holiday non-delivery.) The supper before the play on the 21st is at 6.30 and very informal - poor food, I regret to say, and little of it, served in cafeteria style - so any kind of day clothes will be correct. I had hoped to have the Smiths and Ms. Davis for midday dinner with you and Mr. Stantial here; but perhaps it will be better to have them join us at supper, if the time of your arrival is in doubt. [?] I certainly want to give you at least one decent meal while you are in Portland. Cordially yours, Maud Wood Park.[*file*] The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. Nov 16, '37 Dear Edna Stantial That was a cut of hens in your last letter and I shall want to talk over several points when you are here Sunday. Meanwhile, since you are to see Miss Comstock Saturday, I'll say that if Radcliffe students decide to do the play, I'll go up for the performance. Though I think I'll be more useful if I could talk over the details of production with the dramatic committee while it was considering whether or not to give the play. At this moment, I'm inclined to think that if Radcliffedoes it and would give a second performance in Boston, your idea of a luncheon when publication is announced at which Miss Blackwell is guest of honor, could lead to the formation of a committee to sponsor the Boston performance, with the understanding that the proceeds are to go to the biography fund. And - Mrs. Field and Mr. [Rotch?] to the contrary not withstanding, I believe some real money could be made that way on the strength of the publicity that A. S. B.'s name would give, particularly if Mrs. Catt were to come on for that performance. I've collected another set of galley proofs from Allan Davis and this evening I'll try to mark on it some of the cuts and changes that are needed and then send it to you to-morrow, for use in case Miss Comstock wants a copy. I think you'll need to stress The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. with her the point that there is a choice of scenes, or else she'll think the play is too long. Also the fact that scenery and properties don't need to be [as so] extensive or elaborate. I'm sorry to say that the last [wk came?] & it wasn't very satisfactory because Lucy had a bad cold and seemed to have forgotten about half of her lines. I'm hoping she'll be in better shape to - morrow. My "Profiter" came yesterday and I enclose page with notice evidently prepared by young Theodore Johnson, the editor, from material which Allan Davis gave him. Johnson is a Dartmouth graduate, who is teaching inthe English Dept of the very modern Deering High School. Will you please return the [?] or bring it down when you come, for it is my only copy? I [hope] trust that the sausages and pancakes warded off a chill and all other ill effects for your daughter Saturday. I'm amazed and deeply grateful when I think of all you are doing. Faithfully yours, Maud Wood Park The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. Nov. 16, 1937. Dear Miss Blackwell, I was so happy to learn from Mrs. Stantial that the doctor has assured you your eyesight will be normal again if only you give your eyes a complete rest now; and that you are determined to follow his direction. I'm very pleased, too, as I am sure you are, at the excellent results of Mrs. Stantial's diplomacy with Mr. Jenkins of Little, Brown. Before your letter asking me to see him reached me, I had heard from her that she had already made an appointment with him. And I'm sure she accomplished far more withhim than I could have done. [?] it certainly looks as if we could have the new edition soon. The enclosed check is for the copy of the biography that you sent me about a fortnight ago. Mrs. Stantial told me what the amount should be. Don't bother to reply to this note I'm sure Mrs. Bryan must have a great many others to type for you, and I would rather, by far [have] spare you both any needless effort. Always, gratefully yours, Maud Wood Park The Eastlan d the Congress Square Portland, Me. Nov 18 Nov. 18 Dear Miss Blackwell, I've held the enclosed letter two days because I wanted to send with it some changes in the Hearing scene, which I [?] over with Mr. Johnson when I was in Boston, and which are marked on the enclosed proof sheets. They are intended to bring in the Kilkenny cat type of argument, but I think they're not satisfactory. I'm particularly sorry that I've done your rebuttal speech so poorly, for I look back on those I heard you make years ago as the most brilliant and convincing argumentswe ever had. If you see any way in which the speech can be made to do at least partial justice to your trenchant phrasing, I'll be very grateful if Mrs. Boyer will send back the pages with whatever changes you suggest. I think you'll [draw?] a breath as long as my own, when the play is finally in shape and I cease to pester you about it. Affectionately yours, M and Mrs Park Dec. 29. 37 Dear Edna [?] Your letter is here with all the enclosures and I am delighted to know that you are feeling "tip - top" Now to take your points in order: 1. I do approve heartily of the [?] idea and I will go with, though I shall have to ask for a little leeway in dates because I've committed myself to a number of things here. I hope that you will be able to get a definite word from Mr. Johnson as to what (and when) he intends to do about publicity. A note received from his father this morning say that he is away "for a short vacation period." 2. Yes, I think if Miss Comstock is willing, we can go ahead on Mr. Brown's statement, particularly as the [?] is already in2. demand. I also think It might be a good idea to have Miss Blackwell's written approval of the plan when she makes one. T he copy right to the trustees. Changes in patent advertising seems to me satisfactory. 3. Mrs. Goldhorn's letter is disappointing I'm afraid Mrs. Catt should have written first to Miss Wells. Heavens[?], I don't know anything we can do about it now. 4. I've sent a copy of the play to Mrs. Paije and she specially asked to be kept in touch by means of publicity, etc.. So I think you will be free to write to her about possible productions in Minneapolis to her and to all the others. You might stress the point that the play is not hard to gain and cite the Portland performance in proof. I suspect that the long list of characters and the number of scenes may prove misleading without some more explanation. Another point that you will need to give information about is the royalty (a) to League of Women Voters (b) to colleges, small and large (c) to schools. And that information only I can give. And still another, the cost of the books (I don't see why Y. didn't print it in them) and the fact that no definite number has to be [purchased?] ( as is the case with some plays) 3. I will send one of my copies to Mrs. Richard Edwards, (50 N. Hood St. Peru, Indiana,) from whom I had a long letter, The first in years, Shortly before Christmas. She is another person with whom I'll leave the way open for you to take up the matter of possible production when you send publicity. Minnie Fisher Cunningham is a Third with whom you might start something, though I've not written to her myself, except a brief word of Christmas greeting. Grace Abbott, at the University of Chicago, is a 4th, who could conceivably stir up some interest. President Aurelia Reinhardt of Mills College, California, whom I used to see occasionally in Washington, is a 5th. For all of these except Mrs. Paije, I think the precedent of a Radcliffe performance would have much weight and perhaps it would be well, therefore, to wait and see what happens there, before sending them anything except Johnston's letter advertising the book.The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me.5. I am really grieved about Miss Comstock’s letter, because her previous enthusiasm had led us to hope for something different. Evidently she and the [?] group have the idea that the play is hard to give, or perhaps the girls don’t like it. Certainly we can’t expect much promotion attention if Massachusetts holds back. Any way you’ll be free now to take the matter up with Mr. Coleman and Ford Hall. Perhaps. Too, if the luncheon comes soon we can manage to stir up a little [daring?] there. I think your suggestion of Virginia Tanner Green is excellent. Then heed to it Ruth [Delana] Delano, in college in my day, who was in great demand for for theatricals for years afterward. But where she is now I don’t know. Of course there is also the possibility of getting Allan Davis to go up long enough to get a group underway, even if it seems too expensive to have him all the way through. He is going to direct the League [?] [woman?] here, with [?], and 5- possibly thru, additional sums, be $25. It’s probably to be a Sat. matinee at the Plaza House Feb. 19th. Mrs. Harriet Eagen, West Dennis, Mass. has asked where she can get the play and might well receive one of Y’s letters. I'm tempted to send her a copy myself, but perhaps it’s better to let as many orders go in as conveniently will. I’ve been much interrupted in writing this scrawl and I know I ought to do it over; but if I do, it will not get out to-night. So I’ll let it go, as is, with only an additional word to tell you how much I appreciate that very dear Christmas note of yours. Gratefully always, Maud Wood Park Did the photograph get through to you?The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me.In the matter of the biography, your letter says "we are to sell it for $3." Whereas I thought the price was to be $1.50 I'm strongly for that price, Mrs. Catt's $2 to the contrary both withstanding. What we are after is a wide distribution and I'd rather get out 2 copies for $3 than one. Even if there isn't so much profit to pay back to the Fund. I'm inclined to agree with you that the Plimpton price is all right; though I have no standards of comparison and think if you can easily get another estimate it might be well to do so. Mrs. Catt's letters [is] are my characteristic thank you so much for making a copy for me. I think the publishing company idea is a good one and I'll be delighted to talk it over with Mrs. Catt when I go there , but I haven't got the date of it. [?] I want to find out first when the League here intends bring in "Lucy Stone" and after the Cambridge or Barton dates if this is to be a performance [?] there.The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. Thank you again and my warmly! M.M.P The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. Notes in reply to last Tues letter Mr. Johnson seems to be up in the air lately. About 10 days ago I sent him my suggestions for changes in the 2nd proof, together with a copy of the program and the advance notice of "Lucy Stone" The next day I sent back the proof by special delivery as he requested. Not a word of acknowledgement did I get until after I had waited a week. I wrote him that I was beginning to be worried. Then I got the enclosed note, which makes no acknowledgement at all of anything except the proof (and I sent 2 photographs, also) and tries to throw the responsibility for delay on me. Whereas the [1st proof] revised copy was put in his hands fully 3 weeks before he sent it to the printer -- longer than that for he refused to send ituntil he had the expired contract, which reached him Sept. 14th, and when I saw him in [Ch????] on Oct 9th he told me he had sent the script the preceding Wednesday i.e. Oct 5th. (having kept it 3 weeks after he received the contract), Well, let's hope he gets the play books on Dec 15th. He's lost the good chance of xmas sales as it is. I'm afraid he's going to be [back?] on you for the publicity, in as much as he wants you to give him a list of reviews. [He knows to] He must know whom he sends to for his other publications and he told no other he was in the habit of "breaking" in the "transcript."' So when you have a chance to talk with him, you might ask if he is going to make use of this own list and what this list includes. Also, he promised to send [publishing] [material] notices of publication to his college list, which certainly ought to be used in addition to your list and perhaps with something other than A. J. B.'s statement included. The Eastland The Congress Square Portland, Me. Dec. 1, '37 Dear Miss Blackwell, I'm ever so sorry that I misled you about Mrs. Lamb's call last Saturday. Two days ago I learned that her baby wasn't well that morning and she decided not to go to Boston with her husband. She said that she would write you and I trust she has done so. Under another cover I'm sending a photograph taken the evening the play was given here. It has a group representing Mrs. Stone, Lucy, Mr. Blackwell and Mr. Higginson as they appeared in the scene 'Marriage Contract." I realize that you will see the unlikeness, particularlyin the case of Mr. Blackwell; but the Portland audience seemed to get some[thing] of the underlying qualities of character, even without actual resemblance. Gratefully and affectionately yours, Maud Wood Park. 164 Westbrook St. Portland, Maine, November 29, 1937 My dear Miss Blackwell, Illness in my family prevented my calling on you last Saturday, as I believe Mrs. Maud Wood Park wrote you I might. However, my husband and I are planning to be in Boston on Sunday, December 12, and hope you may be able to see us early on that afternoon. I can't tell you how honored I felt to have the privilege of portraying the part of that great woman, your mother, in Mrs. Park's play. The role was inspirational, the play is inspirational, and left me feeling very humble, indeed. Womankind owesMrs Elizabeth Lamb a very great debt to your mother, which I think no one who has read your extremely interesting biography or has seen Mrs. Park's fine play can ever forget. I think women of my generation are far too willing to accept the advantage they enjoy without giving a thought to those who have made great sacrifice for them. I feel sure that your book and Mrs. Park's play will rouse a great many from that sort of self-complacency May I add that I am a very ardent member of the League of Women Voters, and then feel that I am doing my part in keeping Lucy Stones' flag flying. Very sincerely yours, Elizabeth H. Lamb (Mrs. Myron U. Lamb)