RK-912

[printed letterhead] No. Smithsonian Instituttion, [written] 1865 [printed] Washington, D. C., [written] Feb 24 [printed] 18 [written] 65

Dear Jem

Too busy to write now - will be over the rush in a few days. - I'm quite well and equal ld[strikethrough] any[strikethrough] to any amt of hard work. -

Got letter from Flint 'tother day. Tell him Ill write to Bruno and him soon - meantime tell the boys I think they would do well to get paper collars as they suggest as this saves washingt - They had better get "turn downers" instead of garrots[strikethrough] "garrotes" tho. -

mildly suggest to them that as their object in Chicago is rather to study than to show them clothes they would do well to cultivate a certain amt of indifference to personal appierence beyond clenliness and ordinary decency.

My affairs are prosperous - My delay in selling my stock entails a loss of several hundred dollars - but for the 50 shares I will get about $[illegible].50. $1250. - clear after paying the calls. - as I shall also get a small advance (say $200$ oor afc of Salary and as the teleg co is very liberal in regard to paying for all personal outfit beyond mere clothing, I hope to have 500$ to $ 700$ to use for Mother besides paying all debts and leaving 300$ for Flint and premium on life insurency. -

I'm afraid I have not done right in regard to my income tax. - It may very likely be the case as Dr Andrews and other quite honorable men have suggested - that the officers in Chicago might be willing to let the matter slide - But I cant help thinking it is my duty to see to it. -

On the whole I wish you would

[printed letterhead] No. Smithsonian Institution, [written] 2 [printed] Washington D. C., 18

[written] would please attend to the matter for me - Ill ask Geo Walker to advance you the amt necessary for me on my afc. -

But. - The law says distinctly that money expended in carrying on one's fam homestead or farm etc shall be deducted. Whatever I have furnished mother including the amt expended for Flint, and per must thus be deducted - That spent for Flint was intended as for mother and was handed of over to him under instructions from her.

Please read up on this point, and Perhaps better wait till I come before paying the tax unless the delay of two weeks be objectionable - As I read the law I shall have to pay tax on

very little - if anything -

When I wrote the first sheet of this letter I supposed I would have to pay on the full amt of my salery minus only the $600. allowed - But Prof Baird has just now been reading me the law and giving his experience etc -

So please get from Mother the amt I have furnished her during the current year for which I first have to pay income tax - I suspect now that I shall really have nothing to pay. - The Grove being really my home whatever Ive furnished Mother will apply. -

I will arrive at Chicago about March 8th 9th or 10th and stay there and at The Grove five days. - Tell the boys & mother, major & charle and the whole bilin that we shall have plenty of time to do all the talking that is necessary or needful - We will "do" the feeling, the sentiment etc just as well after

[printed letterhead] No. Smithsonian Institution, [written] 3 [printed] Washington D. C., 18

[written] after Im gone or before I come. In fact I think I have a certain advantage in that respect when absent - "distance lends enchantment etc"

[drawing of a hand pointing to the right] N. B. Jem I've gone and done it! - On sundry occasions Ive wished to be rich I've talked about getting rich and even resolved to begin making money at some future time -

But now I have resolved to begin at once - In short I announce myself to you in the new positive of a money making man. - Not making money merely to spend it for some specific purpose - but