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  Jan 23, 74 Dear Boy Pete, 74

Your letter came Wednesday—You must try to cultivate & keep up a gay & cheerful heart, & shed off botherations, & the impositions of employers, &c. as a duck sheds water in a rain storm—that's the best capital a fellow can have through his whole life, I find.

I am only so-so—had a very bad night last night—it's a tough pull Pete—still I think I shall come out of it— We are having it very mild here now—after snow & cold the first of the week—too mild, like April to-day, cloudy & some rain. I keep myself some busy writing—have a piece in Harpers' Monthly just out (February)—shall have another in the March number—Can't seem to do, without occupying my mind through the day—nights are worst for me—I cant​ can't​ rest well—has been so now for a month—But I must not fill my letter with my complaints—To-day is just a Year, since I was paralyzed, (23d Jan.​ '73)—What a year it has been to me—Good bye my loving boy—write me all the news & gossip.

Walt