Letter from Grace Greenwood (Sara Jane Clarke Lippincott) to Hammatt Billings

Phila'a Nov 17th 1854 Dear Mr. Billings: Sometime since Mr. Fields put in your hands a poem by Mr. Whittier, which I wished illustrated for my paper - "The Little Pilgrim". He writes me that you have a great deal on hand and he knows not when you will be able to do this. - now, my dear Sir, we have

set our hearts on having that picture to embellish our January Number We count upon it as one of our highest trump cards - and really, you must not disappoint us. We want it by the first of December drawn and cut. Mr. Fields will send us the block

and please be sure to return the poem "The Bare-foot Boy" as we have no copy. Now if you cant do this for us - tell us so frankly - dont keep us in suspenders - to me at last they are exceedingly uncomfortable and unnatural. Very truly yours - Grace Greenwood