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FREEDOMWAYS       FOURTH QUARTER 1972

and a very humble mind it is—only an idea incarnate.

But let us not be literary in our letters, let us be friendly. I like it better, don't you; and won't you send me some of your work when or if you write again? I shall be only too glad to have a copy of your book when it is out if you will pardon me for taking the liberty of mentioning its anticipated appearance in our columns this week. 

Will you write to me soon Miss Moore? I do want to hear from you very much. Write if it is only a word or two. I feel that the bond of a fellow-craft joins us together. If I am somewhat enthusiastic over having found you out or if a visionary vein peeps through the fabric of this letter, shut your eyes to it as if you had been my friend always and, like all my friends, was used to making allowances for me.

I put no verses in this letter because I can think of none that I believe you would like. However, I hope this will not be my last opportunity to send you verses.

I shall be impatient until I hear from you.

Sincerely,
Paul Laurence Dunbar
140 Zeigler St.
Dayton, Ohio

Back home in Dayton a month later Dunbar starts their photograph exchange topic, tells of the commencement exercises he attended at Wilberforce University and announces his "When Malindy Sings" a "little lyrical bit in seventy-two lines":
Dayton, Ohio, June 25, 1895
Dear Miss Moore: Your letter found me at Indianapolis, but I dispatch this to you from my home where I have come to spend my birthday which occurs the day after tomorrow. I came several days ahead of time in order to go on and attend the Wilberforce commencement. I did so and enjoyed the experience very much. 

The "World" will go on in my absence just as usual (a thing

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