The Christine Collins letters

    Dear Mr. Clark,
   

I was very happy to received your very encouraging letter of Nov. 3rd.
I want to apologize for not answering sooner and thanking you for your
kindness also in sending me the blank forms in case that I am
successful in obtaining employment for Walter. You are so lovely toward
both of us and your kindness is greatly appreciated.
   
    It means a great deal when folks like you show such consideration and we feel now that there is a brighter future.
   
    I have taken up the subject of parole for Walter with several prominent businessmen and feel that they are interested.
   
I had occasion to visit the lodge hall of the Knights of Pythias last
Wednesday evening to appeal for signatures of the brother knights on a
letter from them to the directors of the prison board. I was informed
beforehand that I probably would be called upon to speak before a small
group of committee men. Imagine my surprise when I was introduced and
then escorted to a chair next to the chancellor commander.
   
I was then asked to "make a speech" that is talk in behalf of Walter
regarding a parole. It was so unexpected and surprised me so that I thot I was petrified.

I
asked the chancellor to speak for me, which he did and I believe his
appeal was effective. He said, "as a daughter of a past chancellor
commander and a brother knight, now deceased, Mrs. Collins is asking
your aid in trying to obtain a parole for her husband, whom we all
think has suffered enough," etc.

I was then escorted back across
the large hall and as I was leaving I turned around and said, "I want
to thank you all for your kind attention!" to which they all applauded.
I do not know whether it was the "speech" I made or the recovery of my
tongue. My father had been a member of the K.Ps for 35 years. He always
said that that lodge always assisted the families of brother knights in
distress. Anyway I sent out my S.O.S.

We want to visit as often just as soon as we are settled. The invitation is standing.

Thanking you again for your encouraging letter.

I wish to remain