Miriam Van Waters Papers. Male Prisoner Correspondence, 1927-1971. Correspondence: P, 1965-1966. A-71, folder 603. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Your guests Mr. and Mrs. marshall, Miss Davidson and Miss Orsbonne made a profound impression on all who met them. It was thoughtful of you to bring them. Chuck and Cynthia are old hands now, but nonetheless, it didn't detract any from their presence. We were all very happy.

Christmas draws ever neared but without the presence of snow something seems lacking. My forecast is for snow and I am sure we shall have enough to make the children and carollers happy. About three inches would be just fine and not enough to cause any real disposal problem.

I do hope that your cold is better. Perhaps it was thoughtless of us to let you speak, but that is the penalty for being so much in demand. We all love you very much.

Yours in the common cause of friendship, Donald

Donald M. Painter Box 00 W. Concord, Mass. January 15, 1966

Dear Dr. Miriam,

Well, the rush of the Christmas season is now well behind us, so I can no longer postpone answering my belated correspondence. The real reason is of course that I got lazy and made a poor entrance, as far as letter writing is concerned, into the new year of 1966. I hope to make up for it as it progresses.

I was very much moved over your concern in regards to my next seeing or meeting with the parole board. That meeting is still some five months hence, and I am hopeful, as well as fairly certain, that all will go well at that time. Of more importance at this time is the fact that Jim will be seeing them again in March. When I mentioned to Jim that I was going to mention this to you in the course of my writing, he was reluctant toward my doing so. But of course he has little to say of what I write and to

to whom I write it. As this information is something I know you wish to have, it leaves me with no qualms in passing it on to you. And if he fails to realize the fact that he will need alot of help and support, I haven't. So I don't in the least feel that I am breaking any confidence.

Prof. Clark was up a week or so ago with a former student of his who is now a librarian. World Publishing will accept "Grain of Frie" providing some editing, revision in the form of continuity and some [filing?] up is done on the manuscript. This young fellow (47) is going to provide the necessary mending and editing. I am pleased with the arrangement and am well aware that it needs alot of editing. He, Tom Little, has read the manuscript, is pleased with the story content and wishes to preserve all that is possible. I will write you as our work in this dept. progresses.

Your in friendship + love, Donald.

Donald M. Painter Box 00 W. Concord, Mass January 29, 1966

Dear Dr. Miriam,

If you detect a smudge here and there on this page do not be alarmed, for they are not tears of sorry, but only marks left from my trying to do two things at one time. Mainly, pasting a few things together and writing you a letter at the same time.

All is well here and your last letter was received with much gratitiude for your thoughts. I am always a little amazing at how swiftly the time passes between the times I receive your letter and the time I answer it.

Yesterday I received a letter from Tom Little advising me he will be making arrangements to see me this coming Wed. or Thursday. I have a good feeling about this man and I feel I am going to enjoy working on the manuscript with him. He has a sort of dry humor that tickles me. I have

also surmised that he has had his share of trials and errors in life. Dr. Clark, I feel, has made a wise choise. And I most certainly would be pleased to have the honor of having a statement from you appearing on the jacket of Grain of Fire. And I think the publicshers would also!

S.D.G. is moving along slow, but sure. The men, J. Anthony, R. Offley, S. Mathews, R. Adelison and H. Halpin met last Tuesday will Lloyd Weinreb at the Halfway House, 79 Chandler St. Boston. While things are moving I cannot help but feel and write how much mroe could be accomplished if only Jim were there to guide things. As you are aware and because of his past record, he is greatly in need of substantial support and were it within my means, I wouldn't hesitate to write the President asking him to take acouple of days off from his Wash. durities in order to make a personal appearance in his behalf. This might be the type of support he will need. But all I can really do is pray. And of course I shall continue to do this.

Constantly yours in friendship and love, Donald