Hoboken, N.J. Dec. 28, 1879 



Dr. George Engelmann, St. Louis 

 Dear Sir, 



With sincere regret I see in your esteemed letter of the 2kth instant that 

 you have not been well and I hope and wish that you are feeling better again. 



The friendly realization of my request to help me with a loan of #50. ~ after 

 New Year, compels me to most sincere thanks and gives me new courage for the 

 future, because it places me in the position to again eam in my own business. 

 I have no debts to pay; here we have lived an extremely restricted and economical 

 life and never used credit either from grocers, bakers or anywhere, also I have 

 always earned something through Orders from Texas for seeds, plants etc., but 

 could have earned more, if it had been possible for me to defray the expenses of 

 often only a few dollars. In addition I have contacts with Europe and receive 

 seed from there for selling, but I did not have the means to defray the small 

 expenses for freight and custom-house fees. There for I can assure you in füllest 

 confidence that your loan will be used for the establishment of my business and 

 I am sure that I will be able to repay you. My son is entering a business in 

 New York at New Year and will thus help in earning, because under such circum- 

 stances, ours and his desire to study must naturally reraain disregarded. 



That friend Lindheimer has died I did not know. As I informed you at that 

 time, he was weak in body and spirit. 



With best wishes for the coming New Year and looking forward to your "further 

 Communications, I am, 



Your devoted, 



Otto Ludwig 



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