The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume VIII

WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1860

8

from home. I am still compelled to eat my Dinner in the office, owing to the press of business. Your Ma received your drawing yesterday, and last evening when I went home, "My Dear Pa, you must see Brother Sam's beautiful drawing of the mansion and the Comanches," [greeted me]. · I looked at it and thought it quite clever. Your Ma re- quested me to go to the City and look for the "Trapper's Last Shot." I hunted in a half dozen places, but found that the men have sold out of it, so I could not obtain one for you. I have procured for you Caius Marius sitting on the ruins of Carthage. At your first leisure, I wish you to read the History of Caius Marius. I think that you will find it in Rollins', or Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." If not in one of them, you will find it in "Plutarch's Lives." Colonel Allen or some one of the Professors can point you to it. You will be instructed and delighted with it, as he was one of the Proudest Romans. I am glad that was a Rearback about the Hat. I have written to Independence to know if it is true about Cousin Mart Lea, as I hope it has been exaggerated by the Reporter. Little Willie is better today, and I hope that the Dear little fellow will soon be well. Your Ma's health is improving much, and as the warm season advances, I hope her health will become established. The Girls are all learning well, and have an oc- casional spat with the "fair haired Octavia." I hope that it will be for their advantage. I do not recollect any other news than what I have imparted to you. Mr. Pendleton sends regards & says he met Miss Oldham on the street this morning, and she looked as blooming as a Pink & as attractive as a Swamp Cabbage. Things that are familiar to you in Bastrop would be news to us at home. Maggie Ragsdale has not. been at the house for some time. She is one of the sweetest girls I have seen in Austin. I think she sends "regards to your son." Andrew is the cleverest ·fellow in the world, if he can do as he wishes. He had been hugging the dogs the other day, and that night I had to get up, take off his flannels, turn them inside out and whip them in the Hall, as I \hink the Fleas would have nearly eaten him up otherwise. Since then I think he has not been so familiar with them [the dogs].

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