#6177-h

#6177

#6177-a

#6177-b

#6177-i

#6177

Fitzgerald laments that Ruth left, but "Helen Walcott lightened our misery." Ruth showed "extreme partiality" to one of Fitzgerald's friends, Mr. Obrien-Moore, because she "preferred his conversation." Fitzgerald explains, contrary to Ruth's understanding, that he could make it to her dance because "there are from three to five days between every exam." Fitzgerald expresses how devoted he is to Ruth and thinks they "could have a wonderful quarrel...because we're both blondes and could find the other's weak points." Wishes he was a "Washington parlor Snake." If both lived in St. Paul they would have a "desperate affair- wouldn't it be interesting." Writes that they may never see each other again (sketches a person crying), and ascribes Ruth some thoughts, "Is he trying to slip over some second-class stone-age sentiment when he's only met me twice in his life the fresh thing," but denies this sentiment because he's too "suspicious of blondes." Fitzgerald sketches three different portraits in letter: the "Princeton type," the "Yale type," and the "Harvard type." Asks Ruth how it is at Yale. Signs with "Suspiciously Yours" and draws his "trade mark" sketch. #6177

In list format, Fitzgerald tells Ruth that he is in Montana, visiting a classmate, 5,000 ft. above sea-level, on a 32,000 acre ranch, happy, healthy, wearing a cowboy costume, flirting with the village belle, and thinking frequently of Ruth. Describes the four day house-party he went to hosted by Catherine Ordway, of which he was disappointed because "she doesn't touch her famous running mate Ginevra King whom I declare to be the fairest [facinator] I ever hope to fall for." Discusses how beautiful Montana is, although he wishes they didn't talk with an accent. Fitzgerald does, however, desire to be in Washington D. C. with Ruth to "flock around" her like all the other men in D.C. Tells Ruth that she is "the first blonde [he] ever met that had it. But you've certainly got it. Haven't you lady." #6177-c

Ruth met another girl who knew Fitzgerald, and Fitzgerald writes of the three girls he knows at Farmington, Aleda Bigelow, who is an "awfully good-looking dark haired girl," Margaret Armstrong, and Helen [James]. Fitzgerald and "Elkins O." talked about Ruth one night. Asks why Ruth tore up letter, and that she should rewrite it from memory and send it. Fitzgerald then mimics Ruth's large handwriting: "See I've filled almost a page already and I haven't said a single blessed thing." Mentions how it is "swell to be a junior." The faculty committee on non-athletic organizations refuses to let Fitzgerald go on the "triangle" trips "because of a chemistry condition," but is "allowed to keep the secretaryship and be Pres. next year" which is all he particularly cares about. Fitzgerald planning a trip up to see her. Asks Ruth to drop him a line and "answer all questions." #6177-c

In a "blue and despondent mood." Sketches two figures, one a "Yale man after game," and the other "Princeton ditto after ditto." Mentions that he saw Stu Walcott during the game but the second half started before he could get over to him. The game was a "heart-breaker" and he "gloomed all evening." Spent the evening at the Elton Hotel with Geneva King, "another Westover girl," and another Princetonian. The Yale crowd kept taunting them. Wants to see Ruth "a lot right now" because she is "an awfully cheering person to talk to." Ruth would leave him in a good humor as opposed to "GK" [Geneva King] who leaves him in a "pronounced case of melancholia." Fitzgerald jokes about Ruth getting out the penitentiary. Nothing to look forward to except weeks of "grind and [triangle] work." Wonders why Ruth begins her letters to him with "My Dear Scott" which is too formal. Clears up misunderstanding about Fitzgerald comparing Ruth to Aleda: "Your resemblance to Aleda is purely in one thing which I won't put on paper as you'd surly show it to her and I don't think either of you would like it." Wonders if Ruth got "rushed to death" at the St. Anthony dance and probably met a wonderful Yale man. He would "illustrate" the letter but lacks the pep. Asks Ruth not to mention the football game. Signs "With Love" and a sketch of his trademark. #6177

Fitzgerald apologizes to Mrs. Sturtevant, Ruth's mother, for not responding to her invitation, as he was sick with malaria and left for St. Paul immediately from the infirmary, and thus was not able to get her invitation. #6177

Jokingly admonishes Ruth for her "cold, formal letter," and sketches a picture of him at the North Pole with caption: "I want to get warm-I've just been reading one of Ruth Sturtevant's notes." Then wonders why she always mentions in her letters that they have only known each other a little while. He writes that Time is the only remedy and, to all intents and purposes, he has known her all his life. Here Fitzgerald sketches two baby carriages, one with "Scott" and the other with "Ruth" and they both say "GOO!" to each other. Wonders how her time at the Yale Prom went. The Doctor ordered Fitzgerald to stay at St. Paul through the winter. Besides Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Clarkson is the only one left "of the four" who were originally sick. Elizabeth and Fitzgerald spent the afternoon "playing calls on grim, unsympathetic matrons who looked quizzicly [sic] at us." Claims he is much more "a prompt correspondent" than Ruth, but that Ruth is the "one girl between [Fitzgerald] and social starvation." Encloses a picture of Bob Dunn, "One of the invalids and the prize parlor-Snake of St. Paul," but adds in pencil: "Can't find darned old picture- will put it in my next." Discusses how Sandra's ex-fiancé ran off with another woman (draws two stick figures running to train station). Fitzgerald explains how he is surrounded by holy pictures, but "turned them all to the wall." Signs "Love Scott" and sketches his "trade mark." #6177-c

Decides Ruth is "awfully nice" and states he is going to see more of her. Tells her it is going to be a long letter, and separates March section of letter into 13 parts: 1. Ruth must send picture of her to Fitzgerald so he could wake up to her every morning (sketches Fitzgerald in pajamas kneeling to Ruth's picture with caption: "True Devotion" or "The Idol Worshipper." 2. He just got a Chalmers. 3. "Alida Shoebutton Bigelow" told Fitzgerald that Ruth performed well on the piano in her recital. Asks her, "Are you really fat?" and sketches a heavy set woman lifting barbells. 4. Writes a story: "'Little Minnie McCloskey' or 'Girlhood hopes and dreams' or 'Life at Farmington' (A story for Young Females)," about a secret gathering of girls, including Ruth. They decide to do a prank, which is to hang Miss Porter. 5. Fitzgerald just read "Sub-Deb " and asks Ruth to please read Booth Tarkington's new book, Seventeen . 6. Compares Ruth to Ginevra. 7. Explains that picture of him was taken when he was sixteen. 8. Asks Ruth to read "Town Topics " for January 27th [1916?]. 9. Received an offer to be a female impersonator in a vaudeville act. 10. A man wanted to meet Fitzgerald when he saw a picture of him dressed as a woman, and Fitzgerald asks that he be poisoned. 11. When Ruth is married will show her his scrapbook. 12. Fitzgerald claims he is conceited. 13. Ends with a quotation: "Beauty may be only skin deep, but curves is curves." Continues letter on April 9th. Writes that he is old and grey haired and sketches his face. Discusses the "Sweat girls." Fitzgerald writes of Mary Glassford "who I understand has been repudiated by Minneapolis 'Society' (they think they have one) for Painting, puffing and petting." Bob Dunn bet Fitzgerald a dollar that he wouldn't introduce himself to the Sweat Girls but they had already left. Fitzgerald misses Ruth and is mad that he couldn't see her. He tried at the Yale Game but the half started before he could find her (sketches picture of football game and stadium with caption: "Stop the game. I haven't seen Ruth"). Sketches a scene of a couple in St. Paul: "Oh! that you were a manicure lady and I your loving shoe clerk- How simple everything would be." #6177-c

Writes a short story for Ruth called "The Other Mission " about Miss Blinkton [i.e. Ruth] meeting a "monkey-wrench, huge and ugly." Fitzgerald writes an Editor's note: "The omitted words in the wire tappers remarks are-(censored by the Distric of Columbia board of censors)." Fitzgerald then sketches a scene from the story. Then he claims that Ruth's last letter "had nothing in it" and thus he is writing a "letter with nothing in it." Fitzgerald then writes a poem to Ruth: "Ruth Forsooth In my youth In a fortune telling booth A lady with one lone tooth Said I would always be ruthe [sic] To tell anything which resembled the truth She was wrong was she not Or do you think I've got The mania for making a plot Of silly rot As she told the tot." He then begins to write a limerick but crosses it out and writes: "I think we'd better stop." He apologizes for being rude and asks her to write a letter that will "cheer up a poor defenceless [sic] invalid." Talks of an account of his "wierd [sic]"adventure but because some of it was "improper" it couldn't be published in the newspaper. Wonders if Ruth is getting over her January and February gloom but that the Yale prom will help out. Fitzgerald complains how dull life is in Minnesota but "we've managed to unearth two Minneapolis charmers." Fitzgerald glues clipping to illustrate "The Other Mission. " Signs "Love Scott" and sketches his "trade mark." #6177-c

Fitzgerald worried that they are not writing as often and as much as they used to, and stresses that they "have got to have a big affair sometime, someplace." Claims that summer is not the time for writing letters because "summer is a time for action and not words." St. Paul is more lively as there have been "loads of visiting girls." Just returned from a trip to Lake Forest, Illinois. Two of the "big four," Courtney Letts and Edith Cummings, were out west on a ranch but Margaret Cary and Ginevra King were there. Also met Marion Clough and Helen James. Writes "This is absolutely the last summer where I'm going to take life easily and float around with girls. Next summer I'm going to get a job in a newspaper office and see what I can do in the way of supporting a wife and family (not that I have anyone in mind.)" Tells Ruth that he hasn't written to another girl since last May. Asks Ruth to write soon. Sketches his "trade mark" and writes a postscript that he is sorry to hear about Ruth's mother being ill. #6177-c

Glad to hear Ruth is still in the "land of the living." Argues with postman that he has a letter from Ruth to give to him, but the postman always denies it. Expecting results from chemistry exam to see whether he is eligible for the "triangle" show. He thinks he flunked it. Talks about his summer where he met Marion or Martha Clough. Explains why Virginia Sweat didn't like him. Decides to include a picture of him, "a very athletic looking picture," (glued to letter) so she remembers what he looks like. Asks Ruth to send a similar picture. People are kidding him about being a priest. Fitzgerald wonders why, because he would "make the conversion of wild young females" his specialty. Still writing "triangle" lyrics. Returns to his need of a photograph from Ruth, and sketches her nose, eyes, and lips. He concludes with a limerick: There was a young lady named Ruth Who lived in a telephone booth Every day without fail She'd be calling up Yale And telling all things but the truth. [On margin is a small blood stain with caption: "gore from a cut finger. Pretty cold effect. Don't faint!] #6177-c

Admits that he always writes Ruth in the "gloomiest sort of moods on the gloomiest sort of days." Tells her that her last letter was the best she ever wrote. Fitzgerald provides "Futuristic impressions" of the people they know: Sandra, Alida, Elkins, Stuart, Ruth, and Scott. Thanks for the invitation to meet on Washington's birthday, but doesn't know if he has an exam that day or not. Ruth would probably be embarrassed when they met. Wonders if Ruth, when they meet, will think: "What- is this the poor [nut?] I've been corresponding with off and on for almost two years. -Good night! This ceases to be funny." Saw the movie Seventeen , which Fitzgerald complains "isn't half as good as the book." Asks Ruth for a picture. Inquires about Ruth's roommate. Writes "I'm becoming a distinguished author." Plans on seeing Robert Frost lecture. Quotes Swinburne and asks for picture of Ruth again. On front cover of envelope is a self-portrait [?] pencil sketch. #6177-c

Concerned about Ruth's mother being ill, which explains the tone of Ruth's last letter. Admonishes Ruth for refusing to send him a photograph because "his dresser is not littered up with girls pictures" as she thinks. Her picture would accompany his sister, cousins, and aunts. Discusses his favorite poem by Swinburne, "Roccoco [sic], " where he compares himself to the spurned lover in the poem. Has a bet with "a very dark haired man" that if he loses he would have to dye his hair and eyebrows black. Will send Ruth a photograph if he loses bet (Fitzgerald then sketches a scene of photograph handed over to Ruth with caption: "Here Delia for Easter" and response, "I give notice mum!") Fitzgerald hopes to see her at Easter as he is planning on going to Norfolk. Remarks that he is "very religious these days." Finally complains how he keeps flunking Chemistry, which is the only course he ever flunked, but cannot be eligible for anything until he passes it. #6177-c

Complains that Princeton has become a "melancholy place" as everyone is rushing off to war but that he is not permitted because he is under twenty-one. He could join as a private, but that "hasn't the least attraction" to him. Decided not to go to Wilmington to see John Biggs. Apologizes for criticizing her "nice rotund handwriting" and that he talked about himself more than he should have, which "probably bored" her to tears. Fitzgerald says he is not usually like that: "blame it on the heat, the war, or the shock of seeing you." Claims Ruth embarrasses him because she is "one of these calm, cool, deliberate and ethicly [sic] superior persons who drop an occasional crumb of conversation and expect the other to scratch for it..." Would go to Wilmington if the girl Durham were there. Finishes with "This is a weary life- I hope we all get shot soon." #6177-c

Writes to Ruth that he enjoyed Sonia , and that she should read Youth's Encounter , Changing Winds , T he New Machiavelli , and Tono Bungay . Discusses his relationship with [Zelda]: "My affair still drifts- But my mind is finally made up that I will not, shall not, can not, should not, must not marry- Still she is remarkable- I'm trying desperately exire armis" #6177

Declares to Ruth he is in love [with Zelda]. He is aide-de-camp to General Ryan. Happy that the two "like each other again." Fitzgerald will be out in April. Signs "Your obedient Servant George Washington." #6177

Fitzgerald, in a fit of despair, writes to Ruth, the "only person in the world that knows the other half... I've failed- it's a great tragedy to me and I feel I have very little left to live for..." Fitzgerald asks Ruth to tear up letter, and ends by saying, "Unless someday she will marry me, I will never marry." #6177

Admits that he has finally landed on his feet. Asks forgiveness and sends her a belated wedding present. Mentions that he wrote to Ruth "a wild letter where my world collapsed last June." Acknowledges that he is a "fairly well established author," with stories being published in "The Saturday Evening Post, ""Smart Set, " and "Scribner's, " and a novel coming out in April [ This Side of Paradise ]. Admits that he is "probably" going to get married in March, "the same girl, of course." Tells Ruth that he is "immeasurably older" and would "rather talk to [her] sometime." Ends by saying, "Life is so damn odd!" #6177

Tells Ruth that he is getting married April Fool's Day. Doesn't know where they will live. His book came out "today" and is "frightfully excited." Mentions that he sold the movie rights to his story, "Head and Shoulders, " for 2,500 dollars. Wants Ruth to meet Zelda because she is "very beautiful and very wise + very brave as you can imagine- but she's a perfect baby + a more irresponsible pair than we'll be will be hard to imagine." Gives his address for the next ten years as being in care of Scribner's. Hopes they can have lunch or dinner. Ends by asking Ruth to read his book. #6177

A short note telling Ruth that he is a "married fella. Isn't it odd?" Asks Ruth to call them because Fitzgerald wants Ruth to meet Zelda. #6177

Fitzgerald dismayed because there is "no swimming in Lake Champlain," which was the "shock of [their] lives," because if "Zelda can't swim she's miserable." Finally they found the "slickest little cottage" which put them in "the most jovial mood imaginable." Hopes Ruth is feeling better. #6177

Responds to Balch's request for biographical information, providing some "facts" about his life. Writes that he began writing when he was ten years old and that he wears "brown soft hats in winter, panamas in summer, loathe[s] dress suits and never wear[s] one and prefer[s] people with greenish-grey eyes." #6177-c

Fitzgerald is seeking out information about a columnist, either "H. O. or O. H. McIntyre." #6177

Responding to a teen-age fan who wrote a letter after reading This Side of Paradise , Fitzgerald responds: "I will be at the corner of Boston Common on Monday Evening, April 22nd, 1930 wearing a red rose as you suggest, a quiet suit of royal purple and red whit and blue suspenders." In a postscript, Fitzgerald seriously thanks her and writes that he was "pleased and touched." #6177

Fitzgerald, in Venice, came across the boat "Sturtevant" named after Ruth's brother, Albert Sturtevant. Mentions how the officers of the boat were curious about Albert. A biographical note regarding the death of Albert Sturtevant reads: "On 15 February 1918, while flying an escort mission with another plane of his unit, the two American were jumped by a flight of 10 German planes. Sturtevant's companion recognized the hopelessness of the 5-to-l odds and escaped to safety, but Sturtevant gamely fought it out with the enemy. When last seen, Ensign Sturtevant was hit and crippled, falling toward the sea. For his heroic actions, he was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously." #6177

"For Joseph Hergeshiemer [sic] from F. Scott Fitzgerald who thinks he will find no warmth in this cold hell. St Paul." Barrett PS 3511.I9 B4 1922 c.4

Fitzgerald turns down an invitation to speak at the University of Illinois jokingly because the University wouldn't want "a collapsed novelist wandering wildly over the campus" but seriously because he is "absolutely incapable through constitutional stage fright." He is honored by the invitation, though. #6177-c

Apologizes for his inability to write a review for Sherwood Anderson's new book [ Many Marriages ] because "it's an amazing book and affected me profoundly." His first attempt at a review was "the worst drivel ever launched." [Zelda] decided it to be "criminal to hand it in." Anderson's book needs the "most careful consideration else one is temped [sic] to say the wildest things about it." Admits it is the first time he can remember having failed to live up to his word "on a thing like this." #6177

In Provence, France for their third summer, and would like Northrop to dine with them. Fitzgerald working on a chapter for a new novel [ Tender is the Night ]. #6177-e

Writes an anecdote about a priest giving a form of Absolution to a boy. Concludes by saying the reason he hasn't written many stories is that he has "been working on a novel [ Tender is the Night ] for several years." #6177-d

Cannot attend a [literary conference?] because his wife is sick and he has to take his mother to Carlsbad. But [Ernest] Hemingway and John Peale Bishop should be there. #6177

Accepts offer to do article [ "Echoes of the Jazz Age "], and will send it to [Scribner's] by early July. #6177

Apologizes for late response because just after he received Kohler's letter he "left France for Switzerland in terrible confusion because of the sickness of [his] wife." Delighted with article Kohler wrote about him, which covered him with a "soothing oil" and made him feel "more important" than he has felt "for ages." Writing a novel [ Tender is the Night ] which should justify everything Kohler wrote about him. Fitzgerald feels he is "forgotten by the whole new generation which has grown up" since he published his last book in 1926. #6177

Offers thanks for writing Fitzgerald about the article on Ring Lardner, [ "Ring, "The New Republic ]. #6177

Responds to a letter from Dos Passos that disturbed him, but remains glad that Dos Passos remains "in touch with Ernest [Hemingway] during this trouble." Thanks Dos Passos for the long letter and asks that his "love" be given to Katie [Dos Passos]. Fitzgerald is writing from the hospital at John's Hopkins where Dos Passos spent some time, and the "nurses and attendants" remember him affectionately. On verso seems to be a grocery list in unknown hand: "M. Fish, asperin, soap, alcohol, tooth paste, new cap,..." #5950

Asks Mary Brown a favor although she "did not duly acknowledge" the books which he autographed for her. Requests that Mary Brown find a job for his secretary [Alyce Wootton] in the advertising department, as Zelda and Fitzgerald are "very fond of her." #6177-a

Fitzgerald perplexed that "someone didn't like the book." Stresses that the actress in the book [ Tender is the Night ] is only a "catalytic agent." Asks Joe to read from the middle: "Sometime will you open it at the middle, perhaps at page 155, + read on for five or ten minutes-?" Fitzgerald would like Tender is the Night , the "favorite" among his books, to have another chance with someone he sincerely admires. Original inscribed in Tender is the Night , PS 3511.I9 T4 1934 copy 4. #6177-g

Fitzgerald writes a letter of introduction for Alyce Wootton, "a very intelligent, competent and pretty Baltimore girl." Fitzgerald "boasted" to Wootton of having been classmates with Simon at Princeton. #6177-a

Admitting that he hasn't "touched liquor for a month," Fitzgerald tries to remember what he has done in finding Wootton a job, as he seems to have forgotten much of what he did. Then he criticizes her manuscript: "It won't do, Alyce. It is in part too personal and in part not personal enough." In reference to her description of a woman's tonsils, Fitzgerald responds: the description "gives a revolting picture of the lady's throat." Tells her the stories about "the writer [Fitzgerald] living in a dressing gown isn't sufficiently new or startling," which is "sad but true." #6177-a

A letter of introduction for [Alyce Wootton] for a position as script girl: "I know you could count on a hard worker and a most attractive lady indeed." #6177-a

Cannot recall any "Jack Williams" that went to Princeton with him. Tells Alyce that "the establishment here is breaking up" and that he has to go south to recuperate. Claims he doesn't drink any more "(4 mos.)" and that she would like him better. States that he put a "tail" on Wootton's husband and has found out that "he is running around with a lovely high yellow girl named Sally Washington." Jokingly ends with "Scottie has leprosy. Mrs. Owens is in prison for assault and battery." #6177-a

Fitzgerald writes that he just finished reading "the Book" which "interferes" with everything he does. Discusses his conversation about a "Cuban boy." Has not read "Mary French" [character in Dos Passos Trilogy] which Fitzgerald heard was the "best of all." Reading has been the most exciting thing to happen to him between the time he broke his shoulder and the "blowing up of Gerald and Sallie in the Alcazar." In pencil beneath note he writes "dictated- I have a cracked shoulder" and "God help us!" in reference to "Margle." #5950

Long paragraph about Scottie "seeming happy" in Los Angeles, where she had "much more poise... than during her lamentable career as the Belle of Baltimore." Discusses the near completion of Three Comrades . Asks a favor, that his business papers and scrap books be sent out to him in California. Likes it in California, and believes he will be very good at script writing, which is "most often like fitting together a very interesting picture puzzle." #6177-c

Fitzgerald wrote: "The phrase 'Beautiful but Dumb' was this book's contribution to its time...It has awful spots but some good ones. I was trying to learn." Barrett PS 3511.I9 B4 1922c c.3

In a deeply religious letter, Zelda concerns herself with "the salvation" of her friends. Zelda corrects her friends, stating that the "commandments of Christ" were not learned at "Princeton and Yale." Then she demands Dos Passos to stop calling her "a man-eating night-blooming [tarantulus syringa] just for the sake of the mode." She writes that Scottie is "the spirit of the truth" and if [Sheila Lewis] "or the absence of cognac in your coffee or the [restless] usage of war make you cry or cause you to think with every one of the dead, call her up. She will be able to solve things..." Zelda continues to write her book and continues to tell people about God. 5950

Scribner's asks Fitzgerald if article [ "Echoes of the Jazz Age "] has been sent, and if not, to please rush it. See Fitzgerald to Dashiell, [ca. 1931 June] for letter regarding article. #6177

News clipping entitled, "Stunning Blond Stuns 'U' Men: F. Scott Fitzgerald in Feminine Attire Invades Fraternity Ballroom. " Also includes a page from a 1916 desk calendar for the month of February. #6177-c

Fitzgerald composed this one-page note to be tipped into copies of the third printing of This Side of Paradise and distributed at the May 1920 convention of the American Bookseller's Association. The "Author's Apology" includes Fitzgerald's theory of writing: "My whole theory of writing I can sum up in one sentence: An author ought to write for the youth of his own generation, the critics of the next, and the schoolmasters of ever afterward." #6177

#6177