16. 1923:
Rapid City, Man.    [no date], 1923

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Dear Mr. Phelps,

I received the Ms.

Macmillan's wrote me after the publication of both books they would like to have my name on their list. They had had the offer of both before M. & St. had it. They have since had the offer of the three further books which I consider publishable in their present form. They invariably declined - always with no end of compliments. I shall not offer them any more books. You say "surely the books will get publication". That is exactly what I no longer believe. I have, for the time being, given up the struggle. No doubt, if the books should be published, they will some day appear. But I do not see that it can hurt them if meanwhile I try to get a little money out of printing some incidentals in whatever periodicals I can get to take them. As for the "Search" - I have no idea of its value or lack of value myself; but I am firmly convinced that the "Pioneers" is a good book. I feel that if I could get it before the eyes of such as are the judges whom I would acknowledge it would make its way.

The trouble is I can't.

F.P. Grove