Ah, you never know what the day will bring. Thursday brought this interesting story:

One of the students in Dr. Whiting's class checked out the copy of True Grit from the Fort Smith public library. On closer examination they noticed that on the inside cover was a taped-over synopsis of the storyline. It was also apparent that some type of message with an accompanying signature was underneath the yellowing "recap." The student believed that the signature was Charles Portis's, the author of True Grit. Well, right at that moment they knew they had to find out. Don't try this at home: the student produced a small pocket knife, and carefully pulled off the pasted on synopsis. Sure enough, it was a book dedicated to the Fort Smith Public Library with a "thanks" for some obvious historical help through mimeographs or microfishe. It was signed by Charles Portis and the date was 1968. In other words, the student checked out a signed FIRST edition of True Grit. We may have to talk to them about getting the book out of circulation.