
Thank you for the papers sent the other day. I sent you one yesterday, with various opinions on immortality. Thomas Davidson says one of the strongest proofs is that we can't prove it!
How comes on the preface to the stories? is it nearly done, or not begun, or how? or
am I "too previous" in assuming that you are doing, or to do it? I only know what Dr.
Bucke wrote me, as I have not heard from you on the subject
at all. My plan is, & do you like it? My plan is to put the six published stories, & the new one, "The Brazen Android" in one
volume,—with the sketch or preface, or whatever you may think best, & feel
to do. Then you know that Appleton proposed to publish the "Carpenter" as
an illustrated story
for the next Christmas, & Dr. Bucke says the illustration must be a picture of
you. I hope that the death of O. B. Bunce has not changed the
plan, he was the one who had it in hand. You know dear Walt, that they begin early
to get up the books for Christmas, & I want to have the volume out early, &
am having "The Brazen Android" put in type now, by a type
writer, as there was but just the one
copy in the world; & I would not risk that in the mail. So, if you are in the
mood, I shall be very glad of your part as early as you can let one have it, if I am
to have it; which is for you to say. I have told you what a great help it will be to
me in many ways, so shall not enlarge upon that now. I feel that you, & you only, are the
one person in all the
world to say the right thing about William O'Connor.
If you have any suggestions to make about the volume I shall be very glad of them, for I feel that I am & have been very much working in the dark. If you feel like it, I should like you to confer with Horace Traubel, & see if he likes the plan of republishing in one volume.
How are you these hot
days? We have had it very hot, an old fashioned June.
For some weeks I had two school girls with me, & we went out several times in the
evening & took long horsecar rides; & it brought back to mind the old days
when you & William, little Jeannie, Charles Eldridge & I used to go in the same way. I am alone again, but not
for long, I
think.
I enjoyed the visit from Dr. Bucke much.
I wish I could see you—
with love ever— Nelly O'Connor.