30 LETTER-FILES OF S. W. JOHNSON 



He continued: 



— I had an invitation from my friend Mr. Bunce of Hart- 

 ford (who stays at home this summer but intends to return 

 to the Lab. next term) to visit him last vacation. His father 

 was anxious to make my acquaintance as I am to be his son's 

 companion in Europe ! Am I, or am I not ? $2000 separates 

 me from Europe besides 3000 miles. I can borrow any quan- 

 tity of money at the savings bank here, at 6 pr. ct. interest, on 

 the strength of three responsible endorsers. I can secure, by 

 a life insurance for $2000, costing about $30 per annum, my 

 endorsers in case of death, but can I get anybody to endorse 

 while I am expected to live ? If some of my rich friends want 

 to invest money, here is a chance. I am more and more con- 

 vinced that a European education is necessary to put me in 

 the front rank where I want to serve. I don't fear but that 

 I can pay the debt in two or three years after my return, if 

 health and strength are permitted. I have no doubt that, with 

 such an education in my profession as I shall then possess, I 

 may do my share of duty in life, and assist in bringing up to 

 honorable and useful womanhood the sisters who may before 

 many years be consigned — parentless — to their brothers' care. 

 May Heaven long delay the time of their orphanage ! — 



In June, Mr. Johnson suddenly postponed all prep- 

 arations for going abroad, owing to a most unexpected 

 opportunity for earning what was at that day a hand- 

 some salary. Concerning this, he wrote: 



Dear Father, — This letter has a secret which it will be best 

 not to tell anyone of except mother. 



Prof. Norton has had offered him, in addition to other 

 employment at Albany, the Professorship of Chemistry and 

 Natural Philosophy in the State Normal School. He does 

 not wish to accept, and intends recommending me to the post, 

 and says he has no doubt I may obtain it. The work is 5 

 hours a day, commences in Sept, 5 days per week during the 



