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in pencil in top margin Field, Ben

Feb. 23, 1980 7:45 A.M. Dear Jack,

   In your letter of November 20, which has as its opening chord, (from The Disinherited) the crack about the non-constipated bum, you wrote:  It looks as though Burt Franklin is about to issue the Jack Conroy Reader.  You add:  I look for a maximum sale of 236 copies

Poor red Jack: - why cut yourself down to 236? Why not 2360? Or better 23,600! I am afraid, my dear fellow, you are constipated. Jack it up! Jack it up! Of course I am referring to the sales, not to anything private. As if, I'd dare!

   During your W.P.A. days, you were connected with the Illinois Writers' Project.  What has become of John Frederick?   I met his family, wife, boys, and father.  The old man ran a large farm, acreage about 1200, in Glennie, Alcona Co., Michigan.  Jeanette and I spent a summer on the farm.  I helped with the hay.  That was close to 50 years ago?
   Is the Dinsiherited in paperback?  If so, I want to send a copy to our Joe and his Vicki.  A couple of copies on our shelf will be noticed by friends, and so there will be a "trickle" your way, I hope.
   Paul Corey's wife, Ruth Lechlitner, is arthritic.  Paul is also in harness.  underlined:  Ruth is 80, and in spite of her underlined:  cross, continues writing.
   Greetings to Gladys from both of us.

Sincerely, Ben P.S. How far is Hannibal from Moberly?