William Clark Breckenridge Letter to William Porter - December 24, 1915

Transcript

[St. Louis, Missouri] December 24th, 1915. Dr. William Porter, While-A-Way Lodge, Ocean Springs, [Mississippi]. Dear Doctor:- Your welcome letter of December 19th was duly received. Thanks for the pills. In regard to Patience Worth! I hesitate to say anything. Literary schemes somewhat resembling this have been tried before, but never with success in the past, therefore never with success in the present of in the future. The idea is novel-it catches the attention, and holds it. But when the inevitable comes I dread the effect on someone’s future. Mr Curran is in high feather-right in the glare of the brightest lime light, -Mrs Curran is keyed up so high that something will soon snap. There are many inconsistencies in the writings of Patience Worth, -for instance this Puritan Lady has written a hymn or poem in praise of The Virgin May--imagine any consistent Puritan doing such a thing. -Again her language is supposed to be old English never, its only a jargon. I have some knowledge of everyone who has aspired to write in Missouri during my time at least. I have a suspicion that I know who wrote like this. But mind you only a suspicion, so what I am telling you is to be regarded as confidential. Glad to hear that you are living in such a Summer Land. We are now having the first heavy snow of the season-in preparation for Xmas, With best wishes to you and Mrs Porter for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, I am Your friend, 4121 Morgan Street, St. Louis, Missouri.