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Woodby , Pelham, NY., December 23, 1912. My dear Scootcher-loving Scot, I've been following you -with delight through
all the experiences of your boyhood in Scotland and in the wilderness. How vivid it all is How it explains you. Such lads
fighting, and even in their games flogging one another Yet tender hearted withal. My heart warmed to your poor bereft grandfather
- I wish you had told us more about him. It was quite a scootcher for your father to pick up and come with you lads to America,
but I'm glad he did it. And you've been seeking out scootchers ever since. Mr. Burroughs has been here and made me a visit
and read aloud both numbers of the Atlantic to me - your articles - and we thoroughly enjoyed them. Dr. and Mrs. Ashley were
here last week, too. Harriet will never cease to grieve that she did not see you last spring. I had a delightful visit from
Mr. Browne and Mr. Burroughs in September. It was good to have them here together. I wonder if you saw the article I wrote
about you in the December Craftsman. They didn't send me the proof, and a few minor errors got in. I hope it will not displease
you in any way. I saw Mr. Johnson the other day in N.Y. at the public meetings of the Academy of Arts and Letters. There
were some interesting papers. Mr. Burroughs is as yet undecided about his winter plans. I doubt if he goes as far away from
home as California. I hope there are a lot more of the reminiscences, and that you are well and making other delightful books.
May the New Year hold much good for you. Sincerely yours, Clara Barrus 05329