Thank you for the clippings. I had seen only the stuff in the Des Moines papers. Also, I want to thank you for your introduction that night. I was very sorry that you couldn't stay. I wanted a real talk with you very much.
I was greatly dissatisfied with my voice at Des Moines, for I struggled with a frog in my throat all evening. Then, too, the room was very poor for speaking, & the crowd close about me dulled sound. So I was surprised to hear from several sources that the impression was good.
At Indianola it was very different. My voice was quite clear, and the auditorium there is good. I felt half gagged in the Younkers Tea Room, free and easy in the Simpson auditorium. It isn't in the least a matter of nervousness, for I've never felt nervous before a crowd. Even if the audience should seem against me, I'm sure I couldn't feel nervous. I'd feel defiant then, audacious. Luckily, I've never had an audience that showed the least discourtesy. They've always been good to me.
Since you were responsible for my appearance at both these places, I'm glad indeed to know that I seem not to have betrayed you.
Jno. N.
