The Tar Baby and the Tomahawk: Race and Ethnic Images in American Children's Literature, 1880-1939

I do feel mighty shabby: I got [?] letter two months ago and put it aside for a long answer: and here it is unanswered yet. My eyes are getting worn out and I can only write a little at a time. and I have such a lot of miserable business letters to write that the letters I want to write never get written.

I am very sorry you have been so ill so long and so seriously: and very sorry you are not yet strong and well; I hoped you were all right again by this time and I meant to write and tell you so: for I do think
cots.har.IMG.0174.jpg about you very often: we all do: your books are the delight of my boys lives and the standard of comparison for all things they read: they are reading some African stories by Stanley and Mrs. Frost and I explain again and again that they are not thefts from the Unc' Remus, but that they both come from the same sound. but they don't half believe us: Uncle Remus is a real living character here at home. he wouldn't be more solid and real if we had all lived with him. and we love him and believe all he says and quote him at all times: I wish I could paint his portrait and
cots.har.IMG.0175.jpg I will some day: I have a strong hope that we will spend a winter in the south some time in the near future and when we do, you and I will make that trip "from Kennesaw to "Coon Mountain" and we will hunt up a good negro type or types and make a painting of Uncle Remus and do a lot of nice things: but Mrs Frost must be stronger than she is now: she cannot stand travelling now: I want you to see my boys. They are first rate chaps. Arthur is fourteen and a half and Jack is twelve: they will both be artists; painters: I am sure. for they have strong talent and love it al-
cots.har.IMG.0176.jpgready. But this is almost enough about myself: I only want to add that if you are well enough to come north we will give you a mighty warm welcome here at the farm and will take good care of you: It might be the very place for you to recuperate in: We go away on the 7th of June to stay till July 1st and after that we would be very glad to have you: Arthur has hay-fever and we take him to the seashore on the 7th.

I am very glad you like the rabbit; I think he is the best one I have done yet. I did him over four times and then I hit it, and I am sure I hit
cots.har.IMG.0177.jpgit now that you tell me so: I made a moonlight scene first, as being the most correct. but it was all moonlight and no rabbit. and didn't illustrate the subject: Thank you heartily for what you say about my work. It gives me more pleasure than any praise I could receive. Your beautiful letter in the "Uncle Remus and his friends" is more to me than I can tell you: no one but a sincere friend could have written it. and I feel it and return it with all my heart.

I tried to get Houghton Mifflin Co to let me illustrate "Nights with Uncle
cots.har.IMG.0178.jpgRemus," and we corresponded on the subject. They put it off: I wish they would let me do it this coming Winter: If price is in the way I will reduce my price. for the sake of getting the work. I would love to do it and would make it the best yet: I spoke to Drake about doing one of your books from the Century and he was very much pleased with the idea:

My eyes are done for tonight. I must stop tho' I have a dozen more pages to fill: please give my kindest regards to Miss Helyn and say I will answer her kind letter when I get to
cots.har.IMG.0179.jpgthe sea shore:

Do write some more things for me to do. will you. I wish you could do a "Brer Rabbit" story for the Century. They would give it such a lot of illustrations.

I hope you will be well and strong again very soon:

Arthur B. Frost.