stefansson-wrangel-09-20-015

Maurer

May 27

Canton, Ohio May 17th, 1922.

Dear Mr. Stefansson:

It seems I must write to you, tho when I received your last letter I intended to just wait quietly until you should tell me definitely of the sailing date of the expedition.

Perhaps you are meeting unexpected difficulties. No doubt the expedition seems very uncertain at present, but

I believe we are going this year - this year - perhaps in July or early in August.

Our work may not be exactly as you had planned it a year ago, but there is something in the North yet for you to do, and as long as there is work there for you to do, you will do it. This may be your hardest trip North, and the most important.

What is this financial difficulty you are up against? Who is responsible for it? Does it hinge largely on one old, gray-haired gentleman, and is he very obstinate? The present conditions are a little

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discouraging but with persistent effort they will work out nicely. I wish I might do something to help you. Is there anything I can do? Tell me.

But please do not bring Fred back here. Let us keep him in the North if we can. That is where HE wants to be.

I am making no definite plans for the summer; everything is bending toward my going North. I shall be glad when the time comes that I may go ahead and pack the things I have on my list. If we don't soon go that list will be endless! My latest addition to it is the cat - a white Persian! (Nobody else loves her much, and I know she will miss me when I'm gone.)

Mr. Stefansson, I am not expecting to have an easy time in the North. I shall not be surprised if we must go hungry more than once. The work and experiences will be wonderful, but there may at times be physical dangers and hardships greater than I can now imagine. I am willing to face them. That will be LIVING.

Ruth Maurer.