[This Letter was found tacked to the editor’s office door of the Maycomb News newspaper on the morning of November fifth with no name or clue as to the author of the letter. ]

             Mr. Editor,

            Let me be plain and simple about this Mr. Dowey, you were wrong. Now I find no reason for me to explain who I am for you will soon realize and my purpose for writing this letter I will now disclose to you. As I have already stated, you once told me something which I have recently found to be false. It was a day in early June of this summer. I had been in Maycomb three weeks helping my Aunt Joy. She had just given birth to twins and was in need of someone to work for her while she regained her strength. Aunt Joy worked for the Hinstins family on Maple Street as a full time maid.

            A week after my arrival I went to Maple Street where I met Mrs. Hinstins. I explained to her that I had come to offer my assistance as my Aunt was incapable of fulfilling her duties at the time. She asked me where I had learned to use such big words and that there was no point in putting on airs in Maycomb County. I was greatly surprised at this information and relayed my feelings to Mrs. Hinstins adding that I was from a small community in Maine and was unaccustomed to the mannerisms of Macomb. She said if I was going to start work I would have to speak to the Mr. Barkley first and when I asked where I could find Mr. Dowey she said he was the newspaper editor and she spected he would be in his office.

You weren’t in your office though. Mrs. Hinstins was wrong. You were sitting on the porch outside of the post office smoking a cigar and staring imperceptibly at the town around you. It was very hot and your jacket was lying next to you. I greeted you and asked where I could find Mr. Dowey. “Well I reckon you’ve found him already. What’s your business with me?” I told you about how I had come to stay with my Aunt and work for the Hinstins and how Mrs. Hinstins said I had to speak with you before I began working. “Well that sounds about right. When any Negroes from out of town plan on working in Maycomb County, I asked that their employers would send them over to the newspaper so that I can talk with them and explain the laws and code of conduct in Maycomb.” I sat down and we began talking. You did most of the talking though as you explained some laws and gave lots of advice about what parts of town I should avoid, what time was too late to be out alone, and other things that proved to be quite helpful during my stay. I asked you about the people in Maycomb and you were eager to tell me that they were all wonderful people who worked hard and went to church on Sundays.