in this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all and to the young with bitterest agony, it takes them unawares. older have lrned to ever expect it. i m anxious to aleve some of your distress. you cannot now realize that you will ever feel better. is this not so? and yet it is a mistake. you are sure to be happy again. to know this, which is certainly true, will make you some less miserable now. i have had experience enough to know what i say. the memory of your dear father, instead of an agony will yet be a sad, sweet feeling in your heart. of a pure and holier sort than you have known before. then he signs off, please present kind regards to afflicted mother, sincere friend, a. lincoln. one page. that s how it s done.