The Clarence Darrow Letters

An old favorite of days that are no more, passing through town, has treated me to a happy hour over tea – etc. here and am availing myself of the opportunity to send this posthaste from the loop to reach you quickly as possible, to thank you most sincerely for the letter received this morning -

and to ask Mr. Stone and you to believe that you have afforded me greater relief than any let=up after a throbbing toothache – or – heartache! – and I am anxious to allay Mr. Stone's distress at the earliest possible moment, -- please, I did not need your assurances to appreciate Mr. Stone's art and ability, and honest portraying of people, and I did not anticipate any depreciation of anyone in the biography – but I feared he might have been given misinformation – or misrepresentation – without doubting it which should be corrected or modified – which he would rather state accurately, if to be. Certainly there was no question of his integrity and his high estimate of Mr. Darrow – and I have had every reason to think he would not discount my position – although I have not expected the biography to be about me–which, after all, is essentially about HIM.

I am sure you will both make allowance for my adoration of the finest person I ever have known, - the finest anyone ever could know – and I instinctively knew from the very beginning that Mr. Stone entertained for him admiration and understanding that would combine with his skill into a masterly story of the sort worthy to be called a little monument to Clarence Darrow ---

I deeply regret that I became alarmed when I learned that I was not to see the manuscript, fearing something not to my liking necessitated that decision. Not that I would question Mr. Stone's good taste and truthfulness; but no one has known and lived with Mr. Darrow so intimately and constantly as I through 36 years and I feel that no one could so exactly define and furnish fine shadings that might belong in the book and I feel keenly disappointed at the exclusion of likenesses --- of which I have a large assortment of him in all sorts of action and response – that I would have believed irresistible. However, I am resigning myself to the more expert viewpoints of you all – and it is beyond doubt that I shall be as delighted and grateful for this production as you naturally wish me to be. Indeed, your letter is so definitely an echo of all that Mr. Stone has indicated, and would say, that I want you to share this with him as from me to you both – and say that I shall do – as he asked me to: "Be happy!"

It is inconceivable that any difference of opinion or desire should lessen the friendship that has become as a part of Mr. Darrow, Mr. Stone, and me. All that I have been allowed to contribute to the shaping of the biography has been like the salvation of my body and soul from utter dissolution still kept conscious – and it has been a very great compliment that Mr. Stone has so definitely liked what I have been able to do and has so generously praised my part. We seemed never to disagree – but went along so harmoniously that I had become quite proud of myself as Mr. Stone's little helper – and as Mr. Darrow's unfailing assistant – and I trust I may always deserve to be regarded the all-around friend of all who have so splendidly made possible this dream of mine come true! Again, my deepest thanks for your letter, and I shall hope to hear from Mr. Stone when it suits his convenience. Meantime – much friendly love to you all from

(Mrs. C.) Ruby H. Darrow –

(P.S. – But ___ for just that one little picture of Mr. Darrow & myself together on the deck of the S.S. Paris sneaked into the book!- )