(seq. 4)

Post Office Box 100,
Charlestown, Mass.

January 29, 1930.

My dear Miss Holzschuh:

Thank you very much for the lovely calendar, and for
the letter which accompanied it. I am very sorry even to seem tardy
in acknowledging your courtesy and friendliness in thus remembering
me. But, strange as it may appear, I too have been rather busy with
new books to read, lessons to do, and earlier-received letter to
answer. But if I am a trifle late I am none the less grateful. Here,
where days are so carefully watched and so eagerly counted, any
calendar is quite an important thing; therefore, a beautiful one, such
as you sent me is really priceless.

It is gratifying to learn that my ideas about
juvenile delinquency and the proper treatment for it are in harmony with
the findings of trained workers in this field. Since one can usually
feel fairly confident about the things one had learnt from personal
experience, and direct observation, I was, of course, fairly confident,
that I was on the right track. On the other hand, since close proximity
to things often blurs one's perspective, there was the possibility that I
might be merely reactionary in my ideas, and so doubly wrong. But since
it seems that we all agree, I am very glad the social workers are working
in the direction indicated. so that more boys may be given the
chance in sympathetic foster families to straighten themselves out
before they get too badly bent.

It is kind of you to speak so generously of my little
essay, and I shall certainly follow your advice about making the best of
what chances there are of acquiring a good education. In fact, I have
been doing it ever since I came here! Just now, aside from my regular
studies in the prison school, I am reading the "Rise of American
Civilization" by the Beards, and find it a most interesting and
thought-stimulating book. And each month I read some fine magazines, such
as "Harper's" "Scribner's", "The Forum", and the "American Mercury".
In this way I try to keep abreast of the best thinking that is being
done in the outside world, and I find a very good antitode to the one-
sidedness of the inside world. I realize that it is up to me to
improve my mind now, while I have plenty of time; because when I get out
I shall be pretty busy earning a living, and may not have much time
for studying.

Your letters are very encouraging to me. So I hope you
can and will find time now and then to send me more of them. They make me
feel that I am not entirely forgotten by the busy world outside, and that
I have friends to whom it really matters that I am making a real effort to
redeem myself. You are very good to be so friendly as to write to me.
I appreciate it, believe me.

Sincerely yours,

Harold Smith.

Nelson joins me in sending best wishes.