on: Raggedy Ann bowing]

All the little girls of my acquaintance have your Raggedy Ann book and
doll, and for the happiness you have brought to them let me give to you
the doll of all my dolls, the doll I loved most dearly.

May it prove to you a gift from Fairyland, bringing with it all the
"wish come true" that you may wish and, if possible, add to the sunshine
in your life.

My mother called the doll Raggedy Andy and it was by this name that I
have always known him. Is it any wonder that I was surprised when I saw
the title of your book?

Introduce Raggedy Andy to Raggedy Ann, dear Johnny. Let him share in the
happiness of your household.

Sincerely yours,
Raggedy Andy's "Mama."

* * * * *

Wilton, Connecticut,
January 12, 1919.

Dear John:

Your letter brings many pleasant memories to my mind and takes me back
to my childhood.

Living next door to us, when I was about four years old, was a little
girl named Bessie; I cannot recall her last name. When my mother made
Raggedy Ann for me, Bessie's mother made a rag doll for her, for we two
always played together; as I recall, there was no fence between our two
houses.

Bessie's doll was made a day or so after Raggedy Ann, I think, though I
am not quite certain which of the two dolls was made first. However,
Bessie's doll was given the name of Raggedy Andy, and one of the two
dolls was named after the other, so that their names would sound alike.

We children played with the two rag dolls most of the time until
Bessie's family moved away--when I was eight or nine years old. They had
faces just alike; the mother who made the first doll probably painted
both doll faces. I do not remember just how Raggedy Andy was dressed,
but I know he often wore dresses over his boy clothes when Bessie and I
decided that he and Raggedy Ann should be sisters for the day.

You will remember I told you about Raggedy Andy long ago, John.

Isn't it strange that the two old rag dolls should come together after
all these years? I wish Raggedy Andy's "Mama" had signed her name, for I
should like to write to her. Perhaps there may be some way of finding
her out.

Anyway, it seems to me you have the subject for another rag doll book,
for Raggedy Andy must have had some wonderful adventures in his long