The following letter was sent from Margaret Porter to Dr. Smith (concerning meeting with Al Jennings) on December 9th 1914. The original letter is housed in the "Porter, Margaret -- Correspondence" Folder of the Greensboro Public Library's O. Henry Collection.


Dear Dr. Smith:

The one little regret--and it by no means small--in connection with the dedication of the tablet was that I did not see you again after that one moment at the top of the stairs.  If I had had all the time in the world and all of the English language

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at command I don't believe I could have expressed better what I wanted you to know was than that "I loved every word you said about my father."

But I did want to see you more and talk to you.  I shall hope for that privilege again.  I did so want to talk to you about the biography.  I have

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been thinking that it would be a help to you in regard to that one period of my father's life if you could see or communicate with Al Jennings who, as I believe you know, was with him then.  Mr. Jennings lives in Oklahoma City but is frequently in the east and expressed his desire to be of service in connection with the biography if desired.  If you have any wish in regard to communicating with Mr. Jennings about this I'll be more than glad to assist you in any way that's in my power.  I saw him in New York in the summer and he expressed the desire to help if he could by seeing you or writing you of his friendship and association with my father but it seems to me that a meeting would be much more satisfactory if it

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could be accomplished.  Will you let me know sometime how you feel about it?

A very sincere greeting and regard to you and Mrs. Smith from
Margaret Porter.

Asheville, December the ninth
   1914.