Transcribe Lucas, Frederic A. (Frederic Augustus). Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1883-04-21)

we are and it needs all my philosophy to bear up against it. The catalogue must have cost $75. probably more and it is a dead loss. Poor as we are I can not consent to have a botched and incomplete catalogue go before the New York public. Moreover why in the name of all the Gods did you have them sent </u here>, and above all to H's house! It is not a pleasure to express catalogues over the country or we could have had the sent via St. Louis and New Orleans. Truly this is the irony of fate on all of us, and I see in it the hand of providence. Monday we will get the books and if you have one, as the proofs please take it to the Printing Co. and tell them if the matter has been distributed to await instructions by telegraph. Meanwhile we will make </s addi > . all changes, corrections and additions necessary and forward at once.

      Yours regretfully
                            Fred. A. Lucas

P. S. Do not tell them to set the matter up again as we wish to attend to that ourselves. [another hand vertically in the right margin - </u Lucas > May '83 [YBG]