Letters: Apr. 26, 1926

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(3 of 3)

South Pasadena, Calif.

Mother Fitch

Sirs:

Under the heading Music in your issue of April 5 I read with eye-protruding astonishment the article "In Little Rock," in which you grossly misstate the true manner of our Mary Lewis' departure from the City of Roses. True it was seven years ago she heard the voice calling, but Mary was no abused Annie washing pots and pans for the good parson and his wife—for she was a matron of some odd years, and hadn't been living with Rev. and Mrs. Fitch for some time before her marriage. True the stairs still creak at the Fitches' but only because the aged apple-cheeked widow lives there with only her memories of the frolicsome child she loved so well—and the parson sleeps under the elms.

Mrs. Fitch is a neighbor of mine and a wonderful character. Even Mary agrees with that, and on her visit here they had two reunions. No mother could have been prouder of her child than this dear soul of the girl she adores. Visitors to her home are shown countless pictures and clippings of Mary.

I do not know who sent you the report of Mary's homecoming. No mere words could do justice to the glory of her, but a little homage is due my friend and neighbor who "bent the twig" and all the world knows how successfully. No one insists or presumes to think that Mary is common clay; but all the rock-bound faith and convictions of our Puritan ancestors speak from the shining eyes of Mother Fitch, and while she may have firmly believed in sparing the rod and spoiling the child, she at least stamped her wonderful character on the plastic clay.

I wish editors had time to investigate before they print these seemingly innocent articles, or that someone had got Mary's opinion and not written as if Mrs. Fitch were the cruel godmother, when she is the kind of grandmother one dreams about—memory boxes, cookie jars—not lavender and old lace in the least, but just herself in printed calico, tending her lilac bushes and baby chickens and her business. Please do not print any more articles making her a feminine Simon Legree.

MRS. WALTER TERRY

Little Rock, Ark.

If TIME has been unfair to Mr. & Mrs. Fitch, then the wrong must be righted. But Mary Lewis herself has said: "When I did not practice [music] enough to suit him [Mr. Fitch], he spanked me . . . I would dance by myself in my own room without music. My foster mother punished me every time she caught me and I was continually at it. . . . I think it was because our ideas were so different that I ran away and joined the chorus of Reckless Eve when it came to town."—ED.