Fort Slocum D.C.

Jan 10 1865

 

My Dear Son

                        There, now I think they look splendid there is Mother in a frame made in a Hospital of a cigar box there is Georgie in a frame made of a twig of hard wood there is Willie in a frame made of a twig of cherry tree there is Fred in a frame made of a twig of birch and they hang up on the wall like this. I have just finished Willie's frame and hung them all up and stood and looked at them some minutes and felt quite satisfied with my job I have made three rustic frames of branches of wood and put your photographs in them and hung them on the wall as you see and no artist ever felt better satisfied with his work than I with my my frames

 

[text surrounds a drawing of the interior of the shanty showing the frames displayed on the wall and the furnishings of the room]

 

it is a dull rainy day and I have felt just like this kind of work above you see one side or end of my room or office you see my chair wont you sit down in it only be careful or you will tip forward it is a kind of chair that requires some practice to use safely you see the "picters" hanging up dont they look pretty in their homely frames or rather pretty frames nature made them and I put them together in that form. the thought struck me on Sunday last as I was cutting some twigs out by the picket / and so when I got home I went to work and made up what you see I tell you they look handsome or the pictures look handsomer now and I feel quite proud of my picture gallery through the door in the next room you see the stove and desk. Mr Stoddard sleeps in there my room I sleep in is next on the left of the office, in the corner is my table over it my book shelves on the side my tape stick at this end of the table is a window. there I have given you a description of my shanty now I will draw the outside just walk in and sit down

                                                                                               

[pencil sketch of the outside of the shanty]

 

it is a very cosy in side all plastered but the floor has some ventilating places which make quite a free circulation of air when the wind blows it is divided in to three rooms. there I guess that will do for that subject

 

Now for your letter dated the 5^th I was very glad to hear from you and hear that you was prospering so satisfactory. I have no doubt now but you will always have enough to do to keep busy for it is so with all young folks well I am glad of it, it is a good thing to be always busy if you are always benefitting somebody by it and yourself too. You speak abt being perfectly happy if I were only at home, that is a strong expression Georgie I do not think I should wholly accomplish that if I was to turn up at home, but I will see if I cannot do my part towards making you so happy as soon as I can in justice to myself and all of you 

 

I would advise you to practice adding and add slow and sure and gradually add faster as you acquire confidence, it is a very important thing in a Bookkeeper to be very correct in his figures and it will command you better wages quicker than anything else allow me to suggest this always in writing an order letter or note or any document to read it over twice at least look at every word the second time before you send it off always add your figures twice at least no matter how small the amt. get in this habit and you will make a very few mistakes. be very particular in spelling keep a dictionary near you untill you feel sure you have mastered the spelling book. Never feel as though you knew enough about your business but always strive to know more or be more perfect in it. Now you are young is the time to acquire good habits in business. Never refuse to listen to advice in business matters but learn to have confidence in yourself and others will have confidence in you. I am glad you like your employer and hope he likes you it is a good place to learn business and you must make up your mind that you have got to work hard for the 1^st year do not allow amusements to enter your thoughts during business hours when you leave the factory at night leave all the business in it and then turn your thoughts on you or anything that will amuse or instruct you 

 

I shall not always write such letters for I know that they are dry to young folks but I must give you the advantage of my experience you are richer than I was when I begun business for I had no father to give me the benefit of his experience. What I have learned has been dearly bought, and of no benefit to me in my younger days and if it is of any use to my boys I want them to have it for it is all I shall ever have to leave them. Now Georgie be careful of your health and strength exercise enough to keep up a good muscle and in good health. Keep in good spirits I am very anxious to know just what you have to do as I wrote Mother, I hope you will improve and you and your employer will be mutually satisfied with each other. Go round with Mother as much as you can to keep up her spirits do not let her sew too much but make her go out to walk with you often after you get through with your labors of the day. it is not necessary for me to say any thing to you about taking care of her or doing for her for I know how much you love and respect her and you will prosper all the better for it My love to all kiss Mother and the boys for me. I shall expect a letter from Mother tonight So good by for the present write very often if only a few words

                                                           

Your Affect Father

 

Did not get a letter

 

Lt Shaw starts tomorrow for home I shall send that frame to Mother if he can carry it safely

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