Charles W. Chesnutt to George Washington Cable, 3 February 1890 Charles W. Chesnutt Stephanie Browner Kenneth M. Price Matt Cohen Transcription, encoding Gilmore, Samantha Matheis, Caitlin S. Weakly, Laura K. McMullen, Kevin Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln The New School 2022 The Charles W. Chesnutt Archive
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 Charles W. Chesnutt to George Washington Cable, 3 February 1890 February 3, 1890 Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University George Washington Cable Papers LaRC-2 17 9 Correspondence House Behind the Cedars typed letter signed Chesnutt, Charles W. (Waddell) Cleveland, Ohio Cable, George Washington Northampton, Massachusetts Kevin McMullenproofed; corrected Laura K. Weaklyproofed Samantha Gilmoreadded correspondent ref Samantha Gilmoreadded source text code in header Laura K. Weaklyproofed Caitlin Matheisproofed Samantha Gilmoretranscribed and encoded
30 Blackstone Bldg,
Cleveland, O., February 3, 1890. My dear Mr. Cable:-

I have been able to devote a few days almost entirely to literary work, and I took up my unfinished story first, although I suspect you regard the article on Southern schools as of more importance. I have cut the story down from about 20,000 words to 14,000, without eliminating a single incident that I can at present think of, but simply by following the line of condensation suggested by you when you were at my house. I have adopted your suggestions with regard to Rena's speech and appearance, and I think I have made a compact story of what was before a rather rambling collection of thoughts. I have studied to reduce the number of words, but I do not see where I could do ‸so furtherit except in the preliminary descriptions, and then not without loss to the story.

If you can get the Century people to read the manuscript, and if otherwise available to make a concession in regard to the length, it will be a favor which I can appreciate if not return. The story has been read in its crude form to several people of taste and culture, as well as to some plainer people, and it seems to strike a chord of sympathy. I hope it will be as successful with the editor you send it to. If by reason of its length or any other cause you think it or find it unsalable, I will try my hand at it again, and will thank you for any further sufggestions.

I am now going to work at the article on Southern schools. I have just received a copy of the Report of the Com'r of Education for 1887-'88, the latest of the series, just recently issued; and with the data I already have on hand I think I can write a readable and reliable article; at least I shall try. I shall send it to you when completed, which I think will be very soon.

Very respectfully yours, Chas. W Chesnutt.