On October 26, 1898, Paul Laurence Dunbar in Washington, D. C., wrote to Booker T. Washington in Tuskegee, Alabama, about a proposed speaking engagement in Boston. At first, Paul doubted he could participate, due to illness and his duties at the Library of Congress. He suggested that Washington contact John Russell Young, director of the Library, about granting him a leave of absence.
As it looks now, unless I am able to get a leave until the first of the year, I shall not be able to go to Boston with you. I am now at home sick, and have been for two weeks past. If you can, as you thought, use your influence with Mr. Young, I shall be most happy to join your enterprise.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Booker T. Washington, October 26, 1898. Booker T. Washington Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
Paul later told Washington that he had been granted a temporary leave from his job at the Library, but that he still would not be able to appear at the Boston event.
I am truly sorry that you will be forced to postpone the meeting until Lent, as I will not be able to be with you at so late a date. Mr. Young has just been kind enough to grant me a leave of absence until Jan. 1, 1899. My health is so poor that I am compelled to take these two months to recuperate shattered energies. Of course, after being so long away from work, I could not conscientiously ask for even a day until my annual leave in August. I should not wish to take more time, even were it offered. I sincerely regret this, as I would like to be with you in Boston.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Booker T. Washington, November 7, 1898. Booker T. Washington Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
Despite his "shattered energies," Paul went on a lengthy speaking tour during his leave of absence, giving recitals in Albany and Troy in New York, and Bowling Green, Toledo, Granville, Columbus and Marion in Ohio.
Paul Laurence Dunbar has returned to the city, after a very profitable series of readings in Albany, Troy and other New York centers. His appearance before the famous Knickerbocker Club was a triumph and added to his rich store of laurels.
"People Who Entertain." The Colored American (Washington, D. C.). December 24, 1898. Page 5.
Paul wrote to Washington again and said he was available for the event in Boston. He resigned from his job at the Library effective December 31, 1898.
I shall be able after all to take the reading at Boston whenever you are able to do it. If agreeable to you, let me know in time.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Booker T. Washington, December 22, 1898. Booker T. Washington Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.
The Boston event took place in March 1899, and Paul appeared alongside Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois at an enormous fundraiser for the Tuskegee Institute. Paul later explained in a newspaper interview that he resigned in order to devote more time to writing, and he mentioned his novels The Fanatics and The Sport of the Gods.
I am hard at work on my two books, which will be given the public early in the coming spring. I am working with much ease as to the furnishing of my characters, and believe I am doing in them some of my best work. Owing to the demands of my writings upon my time, I have been forced to offer my resignation as a clerk in the Congressional Library.
"The Colored Poet. Paul Laurence Dunbar in the City on His Way East." The Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, Indiana). October 26, 1900. Page 3.