p.

knew then the end was near.
Smith stuck to him day & night til the last.
When I was home in August he
was [cradling ?] on the hill, & it
was a picture to see him walk
through the grain. All work
seemed play to him. He had
no vices any more than nature
has & was beloved by all who
knew him. I have written thus
to you about him, for such
young men belong to you; he was
of your kind. I wish you could
have known him. He had the
sweetness of a child & the strength
& courage & readiness of a young
viking. His mother & father are
poor: they have a rough hard
farm. His mother works in the field
with her husband when the work
presses. She has had 12 children, &
lost 6 of them. But I must stop.
We are well. The baby grows finely.
Send me a picture if you have one
John Burroughs

[n side of page:] Where are the Gilchrists?