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Shimer College Mt. Carroll, Ill. Dee. 21, 1951

Dear Jack: Many thanks for your note + the minatory tracts. Ruthie's busy letting all her hems down, so I'll have to write this. Our boys have enjoyed your Slappy Hooper + the Fast Sooner Hound — though we got them (deadbeats that we are) from the public library. They were really very nice jobs, though you had spoiled the Hound for me by telling me the original story once; the present version is — what shall I say? "Watered down" hardly seems the correct word. We'll look for Sam Patch and, in time, for Little Big Shorty. If the Univ. comes through with a raise, I may even buy a copy. Say hello to Nelson, + write again. — Merlin