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16 [printed letterhead] No. Smith [written] timp [printed] sonian Institution, [written, circled] 67 [printed] Washington, D. C. [written] Nov 19 [printed] 18 [written] 58
Dear Major y
Yours of last Sunday rec’d this morning – Sorry to hear of the bad go about the trees that got their toes frozen. Better luck next time. I like your style of considering affairs and prospects better than father’s I must say. It never pays to be discouraged. No good can come of regret for misfortune that we dont cause ourselves. If Charlie horse dies, and the trees get frozen, and even Funny meets an orrid fate that needn’t incapacitate you from enjoying other things. Better the horse die than some of us or the trees get frozen than we. And of Funnys skin make a rug for Jack to lie on and thank our stars that none of us will have our consci ences ploughed & harrowed by the thought that we caused the death of that amiabl
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amiable and innocent being. I trust you tied a black ribbon on Jack’s tail – The Club dog was put in mourning.
You will be much better satisfied in the end that you have given Charlie so good an outfit.
When a green house can be afforded we can stock it very splendidly; but I should suppose you yo would prefer to wait till a good one could be afforded without pinching in other respects.
Cactacea and such like we can beg lots of – as of other fine things and give in exchange western plants – Ill bet I can get you a great many jolly plants not in ordinary western greenhouses.
I enclose several seeds of the “American wistaria” given me by smith the government garden -er – try it.
If the tulips have to “stop out,” they’ll keep very well in sand; and tho they wont flower, grow the next year if planted in spring.
How do Jenks and Cracky come on? will they trot square
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2 or rack? [circled] 69
I have not yet got to work on the reptiles am helping Prof Baird in the museum – all this is done while employed by Mich University because this work is necessary before we can pick out the specimens. Very nice arrangement.
Prof Henry’s family recently is returned – Havnt seen the young ladies yet tho; but will soon.
Dont go across the street much. Megatherium Club flourishing. I have before described orur splendid fodder – It continues as good. For dinner to day soup, fresh cod, friccsse veal, roast beef, roast chicken, three or four sorts vegetables etc – we live high and no mistake – I counteract my the evil effects of my gastronomic by gymnastic feats. Ill beat you if you dont look sharp.
Im studying French
Love to all Bob
Write oftener please }