Transcription: Greensboro, N. C. Feby: 22nd, 1894. Mr. James W. Allison Richmond. Va. Dear Sir Your valued favor of 20th inst. came duly to hand at a most opportune moment to assist me in meeting some obligations, & also to carry out some plans looking to securing some work in this section before I return to Richmond. I have not sent you my bill as I gathered from our last interview in your office that it might not be agreeable for me to do so, or convenient for you to pay it owing to the extreme stringency of the times, & I thank you for now giving me the opportunity to do so. The amount you spoke of spending for your proposed house was I believe $17000.=, but you will remember that I told you that such a house as I had planned for you in accordance with your instructions would, if properly built & finished in good style, probably exceed considerably this amount. As you say it is probable that you will never go any further with the plans— they are consequently of no practical value to you, & as you have received no benefit from them, I prefer to base my charges upon the lowest figure that has been mentioned. You will see from the schedule of changes on the other side of the bill, that should you decide at any time to take this matter up again, that the payment of bill herewith rendered will be that much on account of any services I may be able to render you in connection with this piece of work, & I trust I may yet have the pleasure of perfecting & carrying out this design for you. Maj. Robt Stiles is kindly acting as my friend in attending to some matters for me in my continued absence from my office & which has been longer than I anticipated when I came away. I have therefore enclosed your letter in one to him, & would request that you send check for the amount of bill to him making it payable to his order, & he will give you a receipt if you desire it. It is my custom to keep office copies of all work that I do, & as the “studies” I have given you are the “orginals”, I would be glad on my return to get them from you for awhile in order to either make tracings or Blue prints of them. Very truly Yours C. H. Read Jr. [ALS, Charles H. Read Jr. to James W. Allison, February 22, 1894, on letterhead: Charles H. Read, Jr., Architect, No. 12 North Ninth Street Richmond, Va.. Envelope docketed: Chas. H. Read jr. Feby 22. 1894, Enclosing bill for service to date.] [edited by WDC]