You must forgive an old woman calling you Richard, who
worked so hard for you when you was a boy. You must be
quite a man by this time to be made Secretary of the
Navy as I was told by Deacon Stillwater. I am proud of
you, Richard, and so is everybody here, that one of my
boys should rise so high, whom I never thought of
except throwing apples at Mrs. Abbott's goat and
playing baseball in the middle of the street. I was
hoping to hear from you that you had married some
lovely young lady in New York. Don't put it off too
long. If you are not going to fight you would not even
have to wait until after the war. I am glad you are
not going to fight and yet will serve the country.
Think how long it is since I lost my dear husband at
Antietam--nearly fifty years. I am an old woman,
Richard, and shall not live long. I am going to leave
you my chest of drawers with brass handles you used to
like--you remember you used to keep chestnuts in the
bottom. Be a good boy. If you can spare the time from
your duties I shall be pleased to hear from you.
Your old friend,