[Accepts invitation to meeting of the American Booksellers' Association on May 16, 1905. Mentions Mr. Pratt.]

[Regrets that he cannot take part in the excursion due to a business engagement, but knows that Moffatt has plenty of entertainers and that "I have read my fellow Hackensackers to death." Sends "regrets and regards" to Dan Beard and [Hamlin] Garland . ]

[Expresses reluctance to go to New York due to the hot weather and the pressures of his next book. Asks Vance to thank Mr. Anderson for his Galusha the Magnificent pictures, which he praises. Requests that Vance press the Pictorial Review financial department to send the last installment of the Galusha the Magnificent payment. Suggests eating together if he gets to New York . Asks about Vance's vacation plans.]

[Explains that Cape Cod is the locale for his stories because he knows and likes the area. Says his characters are all composites of people he has known.]

[Regrets that he and his wife [ Florence Sargent Lincoln ] cannot donate to Rollins College because "the appeals here at home are overwhelming . . . in these distressful times [the Depression]."]

[Details the basic idea behind Shavings , which took six or seven months to write. Says people like the main character J. Edgar W. (Jed) Winslow and that the book is one of his most popular. Mentions a dramatization of it by Henry Wilson Savage , starring Harry Beresford , which had good runs in New York and on the circuit. Says he looks forward to reading Munson's book.]

[Regrets that he won't be with Holt to honor Franklin D. Roosevelt . Says that if Roosevelt is even half as proud of his honorary degree as Joseph Crosby Lincoln is of his, he will return to Washington "with his chest wall extended." Mentions Florence Sargent Lincoln . ]

[Says he hopes that Paramount Pictures Corporation 's interest in Queer Judson for Cooper will lead to something.]

[Says he hasn't been well. Thanks Beebee for the monogram. Says he does the work extremely well.]

[Says their letters must have crossed, as he remembers writing Beebee about his "dainty and well executed" monogram. Says he will send Beebee the autographed photograph he asked for when the ones he requested from his publisher arrive.]

[Says that the photographs have been ordered from his publisher and that he will send Beebee one when they arrive.]

[Mentions a recurrence of bronchitis and questions how well he could read aloud in Woodstock, CT. , by July. Says he might be able to read a few of his Cape Cod verses but hopes to know better by July 1. Mentions Florence Sargent Lincoln . ]

[Asks if Lincoln could come on either July 21 or 28 to do a reading. Says he would be glad to have him and his wife Florence Sargent Lincoln as his guests for the weekend. Regrets not being able to pay anything except traveling expenses, as the proceeds will go toward the restoration of a church. Mentions having Arthur Guiterman , Irving A. Bacheller , and the Bloch Quartet the previous year. Encloses a leaflet about the church (not included with letter).]

[Mentions the crossing of their letters. Regrets that Lincoln's bronchitis is acting up. Repeats his request in his previous letter for Lincoln to read a few poems on July 21 at 4 p.m. Mentions having Irving A. Bacheller , Arthur Guiterman and the Bloch Quartet the previous summer and plans to have Walter Trampler , Hans von Kaltenborn and Karl Reiland this year. Says he would be glad to have Lincoln and his wife Florence Sargent Lincoln as his guests for the weekend. Says he will pay Lincoln's traveling expenses. Encloses a leaflet about the restoration of the church.]

[Says they have postponed their five Sunday afternoons, which now run from August 18 through September 15. Asks Lincoln to place the four dates, other than the 18th, in order of preference. Hopes Lincoln can take at least half an hour and he will fill the remainder with music. Expresses pleasure at the prospect of having Lincoln and his wife Florence Sargent Lincoln as his house guests.]

[Says he hasn't written because of blood pressure problems. Says it is doubtful that he and his wife Florence Sargent Lincoln will be able to come to Woodstock, CT. , as his doctor has forbidden public speaking and travel. Says the change of dates might make a difference and that he should know by August 1.]

[Expresses sorrow at Joseph Crosby Lincoln 's blood pressure problems and says he wouldn't want Joseph Crosby Lincoln to come to Woodstock if it would set him back. Suggests that Joseph Crosby Lincoln speak Sept. 1 and requests permission to list him on that date on a circular. Says he can "give reasons" if it doesn't work out.]

[Says he will be unable to come to Woodstock, CT. , and may even have to cancel a promised talk in Chatham, MA. , as his doctor doesn't want any strain on his throat. Mentions Holt being able to "give the reasons."]

[Expresses disappointment at Joseph Crosby Lincoln 's letter, but says not one of Lincoln's friends would jeopardize his health. Says he hasn't used Lincoln's name in their announcements. Invites him to come to any of the subsequent Sundays and read a poem or two if he finds he can. Encloses one of the invitations. (no longer with the letter).]

[Regrets that he can't contribute a short article to The Writer in the near future. Mentions not being well and, since the completion of The New Hope , being forbidden by his doctor to write. Says he must soon begin to think about another story, which will take all his time.]

[Requests reserved seats for himself, his wife Florence Sargent Lincoln , and Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster at an Alexander Procofieff de Seversky talk and picture, health permitting.]