Schlesinger Library

REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN Framingham, Mass.

February 9, 1933

Miriam Van Waters Superintendent

Mr. Jack Black 19 West 103rd St New York City, N.Y

Dear JackBlack

Your letter was greeted with joy. Last Saturday we had the Connicks out too, and Mr. Dennison and his son-in-law, Edmund Smith I let Mr. and Mrs. Connick see your letter, and it brought them a feeling of happiness. Young Mr. Smith says that the Boston Ad club wants you to talk here in Boston If this want is accompanied by money, I shall let you know at once.

I wish you could stay with us for a visit. You will try to do this, won't you? Bode and Sarah are counting on it.

Jack a lot of things have been happening to me. On December 6th I left for a two week vacation, and spell of writing and visiting prisons in Georgia and Florida I stayed on the plantation of Mrs. Lewis S. Thompson. I was a little out of my depth because Ex-Secretary of Her Haker was a guest at the same time. Also they played bridge. I learned what I could, and maybe it has helped me with my Civil Service problems here. Mrs. Thompson as I think you have heard me say before, is one of the world's wisest and most generous persons. I enjoyed my visit there more than I can tell you, and it really rested me. It knocked my preparations for Christmas off considerably. I am telling you this because it makes Sarah's gift to you more significent. During my absence she boarded in a fine country home, but she insisted on going to town to shop for you herself. She counts you as one of her heroes.

We had a really beautiful Christmas here with plays, good music and I think as happy a time as can be spent in prison. I have been doing a good deal with the leisure time activities of our group, and have now arranged for fairly prompt sales of the produce. Ultimately the women will get something substantial