Rec'd, August 12, 1881, , My dear friend Lysander, , , Your postal card of the 28th all came duly to hand. I was glad to hear from you again, learning thereby that you were still among the living. Every time I hear from you, giving me the assurance, as it does of the fact, that you, my old staunch friend, whom I appreciate and love better I am sure, than any other friend I have in existence, are not yet among the departed, gives me strength and courage to continue to fight out this hard battle of life. You are aware, my Lysander, that one cannot love any in this uncertain world, greatly, without that love being accompanied with the painful solicitude in regard to the health