Transcription:
On March 15 is the 10th birthday since the loving cup and loving words - gave me such a glad surprise that has been musical
in my soul ever since. I was 1/2 inclined to shut my doors because Agnes who a year ago had a serious sickness - six weeks
ago was doctor-driven to her brothers so far north that the debility which possessed her dares not follow but so many are
eager to be with me - in communion of mourning the absence of so many who shared in the first convocation yet walk the earth
no longer. New friends have clustered around us. Anna is here - at no time have I lacked a daughter under my roof as restorer
of life and nourisher of age. Nor do I lack visits from both my boys in seasons better for household saneties and sweetness
than the crowded hours of birthday festivities. - Not only shall I all day keep open house, heart, tongue and hand - but have
a special call to be Senatorial Chaplain - on birth morning as the very oldest man (woman's age here a secret) - who has or
three years found among us. If am killed by kindness what better death to die? Is it not the euthanasia of Moses who as Robbins
translated Deut 34.5 died by the Kiss of God. Yet aware that age has clawed me in his clutches and only grants me such a
reprieve as the cat vouchsafe's a mouse I am impatient for your letter in the Sabbath of my years. Regardfully from Anna as
well as me the patriarch of the place. James Davie Butler