7 oa will be sorry to heap some news I gathered this morning about ■"'lays, 
a time it seems he was actually poverty strioken,and unable to earn his 
daily food.Then he beoame ill,aad his wife,who it appears has been earning her 
own living for quite a while, went to his assistance, an4 set him on his feet.He 
is now in France in the auditor 's pffice there as olerk, and is without doubt 
receiving a good salary,probably moreshan he received in the Survey.I am mighty 
sorry for the fellow.Hi^s crime was no greater that to overestimate his abilities 
in a sjbeoial line, and he has suffered heaviky for ah® mistake.His wife from the 
very first opposed his resolution to leave assured salary of the Survey for the 
doubtful possibilities of an independent career,and now she has the melancholy 
pleasure of saying "I told you so".After all his failure fell more heavily 
upon her and her daughter than upon him.He has a son but he has been self sup¬ 
porting for a number of years.The probabilities are that if he chooses he can 
retain his presant place for he is a good clerk,and ,as you know,very capable in 
many ways. 
By the way you have never taken any stimulants.Ask Dr.Stevens what he think 
of the plan of giving you a thimble full or two of rich red wine two or three 
times a day.Sot California wine but the very best vintage of Prance which you 
can get in Boston by paying a big prioe.Mo doubt Pieroe has it but he will charge 
you a sinful price for it.that's the odds? It is said to be a great blood maker, 
and good red blood is what you need .just now.I am jsst suggesting the idea for wh 
what it is worth.Bather late in life for you to turn toper, but you are the very 
man to be benefitted by such indulgrnoe,which might be criminal in others. 
That you may see to what depths the erstwhile Cosmos Club has sunk I en¬ 
close the latest baft list. T magine a gentleman of a convivial turn of mind try¬ 
ing to surprise his stomach by " Bief's Special".The very name is enough! 
Sincerely your friend 
