1915 World War I era two page hand written letter to "Johnstone" with reference to the Red Cross and being at the "Front". [INCLUDED WITH] Photograph portrait of Davis

Mount Kisco, New York: n.p., 1915. n/a. Letter. Very good. Letter. Two pages. Paper measures approx. 7" x 5". Written on the writers printed letterhead with removed staple upper left corner. Included with the two page letter is a silver gelatin photograph portrait (approx. 5" x 3.5") of a well groomed Davis. Davis was a writer, journalist, and World War I correspondent. He was friends with Theodore Roosevelt. This letter was written less than 1 year before his death from heart attack at his home in Mount Kisco, New York at the age of 51. Transcribed letter reads:

Dear Johnstone,

As the man says in the play to the girl who wants (truncated) to marry her, "Don't ask me for one thing I can't give you." I would do anything for you, but, write about something I don't know anything about. Besides, even if I studied the subject, and "read up" the material you threaten to send me, what I would write in that way would do none of us any good. Please wait until we are all once more at "the front," and I can see the Red Cross people at work, and then I shall only be too glad to give them the thanks and praise we owe them.

I hope you are feeling fine and daisy, and I send you my best wishes always.

Sincerely yours,

Richard Harding Davis. From wikipedia:

Richard Harding Davis (April 18, 1864 – April 11, 1916) was an American journalist and writer of fiction and drama, known foremost as the first American war correspondent to cover the Spanish–American War, the Second Boer War, and the First World War.[1] His writing greatly assisted the political career of Theodore Roosevelt. He also played a major role in the evolution of the American magazine. His influence extended to the world of fashion, and he is credited with making the clean-shaven look popular among men at the turn of the 20th century.[2]. (Inventory #: 26934)