Duke University, Perkins Library
Special Collections Department
William Sydney Porter Papers, 1905-1953
Collection No. 4279
Sydney Porter to Henry Wysham Lanier - February 13, 1909
The Caledonia Feby 13th [1909]
No. 28 West 26th Street
New York City
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Tel. {2031 } Madison Sa.
{2032 }
My Dear Mr. Lanier:
I’ve been “ailing” for a month or so – cant sleep, &c; haven’t turned out a piece of work in that time. Consequently there is a temporary hiatus in the small change pocket; as I haven’t been able to finish an “Everybody” story that will bring me in a few hundreds.
If I have enough “stuff” in your hands in the way of collateral would it fetch a further advance of – say $50 for temporary emergencies?
I hope to be in shape Monday so that I can go to Atlantic City, immure myself in a quiet hotel and begin to get the “Great Novel”
in shape. If the financial proposition strikes you favorably please send cash instead of a check, as I’m feeling to rocky this morning to get out and hustle. If it’s asking too much,-- “Forget it”, and we’ll still be the best of friends.
Yours very truly
Sydney Porter
P. S.
I will have a talk with you – at your convenience – before I leave.
S.P.
[A penciled-in notation on the letter states:] I delivered the $50 cash to Mr. Porter’s messenger HL 2/13/09.
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