19.
1923:
Rapid City, Man. October 21,
1923
Dear Mr. Phelps,
In looking over the Ms. of Book 1 of the Pioneers which
I have here, I notice that the part beginning with page 144
is quite legible. So, if you would like to keep that second
piece of the Ms. which I sent you till Mrs. Phelps returns
and haven't sent it yet, please keep it. If I receive the
first 143 pages, I shall be able to make up a Ms. good enough
for the publishers. I simply want to live up to my contract
with M. & S. by offering them the book. I do not think
at all that they will want it. On the other hand, I have
given up all thought of offering it in the United States
. I have done too much huckstering there in the past. The
book is Canadian and should appear in Canada . If Canadians
do not want it, well, there is no necessity of publishing
it. However, as I have said before, I must try to make some
money; I have no other way to do so except by selling some
of my writings: so, if M. & S. decline, as I expect them
to do, I intend cutting a few chapters out, rounding them
off, and offering them to the few Canadian magazines which
we have.
By the way, if you would like to read the chapter 1 of Book
2 (The White Range-Line House), I'll send it along. That
is as far as I have been able to see my way last summer.
As I have said, since I returned here, I have been at a standstill.
I have neither concentration nor inspiration to proceed.
I ham worm-eaten with worries and annoyances. And possibly
I am ill. I know that rheumatism hold me in its grip. And
I fear there is, in addition to my usual sufferings, something
new developing. I went to Ninette the other day; but I came
back with an entirely negative diagnosis. Pardon me, please,
for talking of myself in this way.
Yours,
F.P.G.
