News from the Houses

An ex-convict, expert knife handler, and 12-string guitar artist styled "Lead Belly" will play to the Leverett inmates and their guests Wednesday evening in the Dining Hall.

Lead Belly, whose registered name is Huddie Ledbetter, was discovered by John A. Lomax, collector and editor of folk songs and ballads. Mr. Lomax has searched for Folk Songs in the South and the Southwest, and has been aided by a Carnegie grant in making records.

Hunting for "reels" and "sinful songs," Mr. Lomax found that the penitentiaries were the most fruitful places. He took a recording of one of Lead Belly's musical pleas for pardon to Governor O. K. Allen of Louisiana and a month later the darky got a pardon.

Mr. Ledbetter has sung at meetings of the Modern Languages Association in Philadelphia and has appeared many times in New York. He plays, sings, and recites.

Upon purchase of tickets, members of the House will be permitted to bring guests