158 LETTER-FILES OF S. W. JOHNSON 



for the sake of Lizzie, who I doubt not owes very much of 

 her health and comfort to her society, and not less for her 

 own benefit. If, however, IMother needs her or only strongly 

 desires her presence at home, I am sure both Libby and Lizzie, 

 and myself not less, hold our Mother's claims in every way 

 paramount. . . . 



I am nearly resolved to dispose of Pony, either entirely or 

 for the winter, — $200 a year is more than I can well spend 

 on him, since, in the present depression of business, I have 

 few odd jobs or little to rely upon besides my salary. What 

 had I best do? . . . 



Behold how long a letter I have written with my own hand ! 

 Affectionately, — with love to all, Samuel W. Johnson. 



(A. A. J. TO S.W.J.) 



Deer River, Oct. 7th, 1862. 



Dear Son, — Yours of 4th inst. I just received while at the 

 P. 0. to hear the war news (which by the bye, was not much). 

 We congratulate you and Lizzie on the birth of your little 

 angel daughter, and rejoice none the less because we have not 

 written to say we rejoice. May a kind Providence bless the 

 little stranger and parents too, and enable you to "train her 

 up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" that she may 

 be an angel indeed, whether her stay on earth be longer or 

 shorter. It is our desire and prayer to our common Father 

 daily that our children, and theirs, may wisely use the time 

 given them in laying up a treasure in Heaven and so fulfill 

 the great end for which they have a being here. While you 

 rejoice in the gift you doubtless will feel the responsibility 

 resting upon you in consequence of the gift, as well as all the 

 other gifts your kind Benefactor has bestowed upon you. . . . 



Libbie can do as she likes about staying. Lizzie wrote to 

 your mother for her assent to name her little granddaughter 

 after her and her own mother. She assents cheerfully to her 

 wishes. As to Pony, you can better judge than I, as yet the 



