[handwritten] Feb 25 – 08 My dear Mrs Russell ~ Your kind letter telling me about the paintings by your husband_named “Jerked Down” and “the Smoke of the forty-five recd_ I would sure like to have “Jerked Down” But owing to the extreme dull time here in the East I don’t feel as if I could put so much in a painting- It’s been so long since anybody(next) [page 2] has made any money here that they think they never will, any more – you couldn’t sell a gold dollar for Eighty Cents for [illegible] and just scared to death to buy anything – But I tell you there is no harm for me to make you a bid on “Jerked Down” _here it is _ I will pay you $500 for it payable as follows _ $100 on receipt of the picture (if it suits me) and $100 every three months untill[sic] paid for _ the picture to be in my possession but to belong[next] [page 3] to you untill[sic] paid for _ If you dont care to consider this offer you might keep me in mind and should you happen to get something in the future that you think would suit me I will appreciate it if you will let me know_ Thanking You Believe me most Sincerely yours Malcolm J. MacKay [underlined with swiggle] [Transcribed by Melynda Seaton, 2011-10-12]