[?]for Lucile)
Dear Lucile: (Arf! Arf!)

Answers to your questions:

My work for the Minneapolis Journal appeared on my literary page while I was in Minneapolis; and after I went back to Bancroft, it all appeared in my weekly column. The only editorial I wrote for the paper appeared on the Sunday Editorial Page and was entitled "Wanted a New Cervantes". This is the one old Jones admired, but did not understand until someone explained it to him some days late. I had done this editorial as a sample when he was about to make me a proposition for doing the whole sacred Sunday Editorial Page. It had been done by one Phillips (I believe) in New York. Incidentally that chap could sling a neat pen now and then. You should know that editorial! It's a real Wow! I wanted a Cervantes to do his old stunt, but this time against another system. I did not get the sacred Editorial Page - for reasons that will be clear when you read the editorial!!

When I wrote the weekly column from Bancroft and later from Branson, I wrote an installment each week. There was no question as to what would be printed. The column I wrote was always run as I sent it. I was furnishing a column, and the column was used.

Yes, I received the paper regularly.

I wrote about books I chose to review.

When you need to consider my Socialism of those days, first remember the condition of labor then, and, second, review my statement of So regarding Socialism which I sent you soon after you went to Eugene. Bower said something to the effect that my statement was the best he knew. I did know what I was talking about.

I think I know how the term Socialism affects you. I [?] I was (for a short while) working with Socialists, I had a suppressed feeling of repugnance for the ordinary Socialist I have yet. As for Communists, I've known only one for certain, and I disliked him as a person very much. If you have any prejudice against professing "radicals", I'm afraid I share the prejudice heartily. And yet, we of that time who dreamed of a happy happier world were not essentially wrong. Since then a tremendous revolution has taken place (rather in our direction of that old time!) And the revolution is still in progress and gaining in momentum. My Cry of the People deserves respect. It and The Red Wind Comes were prophetic certainly. They were both done before, long before, the Czar was kicked out. And there is power in both. I am seeing the fulfillment of the prophecy, and it saddens me. So much is lost, that or seems to be. I am no longer sorry for Labor (!), and I see the values for which I lived seemingly in danger I'm afraid I never was a "democrat" in the matter of our higher values - only on the level of fundamental human need.

On the Post-Dispatch I wrote an editorial about what was being done to our higher values, and I remarked that if the same were being done to our material values, there would be machine guns stationed at all strategic points along our city streets! Even the Post-Dispatch would not run that editorial, altho' Clark McAdams was then head of the Editorial Page. It was a corking good editorial. I wish I could find it. Old Clark McAdams chortled gleefully over it, but couldn't run it.

No, Bismarck was never a hero of mine, altho' I admired a and still admire him for his strength as creator of the German Empire. I must have been reviewing some work on him, I suppose. When the Kaiser dropped him, it was a sorry time for Germany, I'd say.

On second thought I feel almost certain that the Bismarck stuff is not mine. As you present it, the thing does not ring true for me.

Dear Lady, I judge that you are working slowly and meticulously towards a definitive biography. I admire your skill in research - by which I mean I wonder at it. There will be no lack of material for anyone who may care about me and my work in the future, thanks to your devotion, industry, skill and judgement. I'm grateful to you for this (altho', as you know, I don't like you very much, do I?)

I am a bit troubled, perhaps unnecessarily, about the fact that we are nearing a strategic moment for the appearance of a biography - not the definitive one I believe you will publish when I'm "over there", bless you! There are only 220 copies of the new printing of the Cycle left, and these will go next semester. After that, the U. of Neb. Press will bring out the paper-back Cycle and the Lyrics and Dramas. Mrs. Winkelman talked to Nicoll, and she thinks he is inclined now to publish the Lyrics first.

Is there a possibility that your book may be ready within a year?

Another matter troubles me, vaguely at least. I know I can't have many more years in this world, and you do need me to check your work against the drawing of mistaken

Nov. 15, '62
inferences. Such are inevitable in working with the "documents" alone. I'm the only one who really knows, and I'm still alive!!

I'll very soon receive a formal invitation to lecture at Calcutta University. The Head of the English Dept there wants me to live in his family while I'm there. I may go. In my next I'll tell you more.

I never cared much for Edith Wharton, altho I've always respected her, of course.

My mother's view of the World War was, I'm sure, much like mine. At any rate she got her ideas about the whole situation through me, and at that time I was really well informed on world affairs, having all the best works on it passing through my study in a steady stream. Those days, I really knew the pattern. Today it is so complex and mixed, altho' the large pattern does seem legible in a general way.

Have you had any contact with Bruce Nicoll of the Neb. Press?

My TV course is on closed circuit and is given to two sections. We'll do this again next semester by way of perfecting the permanent record (on videotape). I note that students coming out of class look especiall especially happy. Also, I hear epithets like "fabulous", "fascinating" "wonderful" and such wowish utterances., which I regard as favorable.

The stuff I've been giving is really interesting - even to me as I give it. It's rich in beauty and meaning.

I had not realized that Charles would be right in the forefront of the ruckus. Surely you had reason to be frightened!!

And I know how you felt on election night. I went to bed at 1 a. m.

How did you feel about Nixon?

When do we invade Cuba? (The "feel" of it does seem to be in the air).

You see I've really tried to answer your questions.

Jacques runs with the big boys when he can get away, and whenever possible, he rolls in liquid mud! My golly! You should see him! And he seems perfectly happy about the whole thing! He sends love to Perky, who can never, never get all the beautiful colored leaves properly chased. How he would love to help her! (arf, arf, arfity arf!)

Love for distribution

John (same as Drs. Neihardt).