Letters to His Children — 08. from White House Oct 1902 - The Dog Gem, and Presidential Nurse For Guinea Pigs

THE DOG "GEM"

White House, Oct.

13, 1902. BLESSED KERMIT:

I am delighted at all the accounts I receive of how you are doing at Groton.

You seem to be enjoying yourself and are getting on well.

I need not tell you to do your best to cultivate ability for concentrating your thought on whatever work you are given to do--you will need it in Latin especially.

Who plays opposite you at end?

Do you find you can get down well under the ball to tackle the full-back?

How are you tackling?

Mother is going to present Gem to Uncle Will.

She told him she did not think he was a good dog for the city; and therefore she gives him to Uncle Will to keep in the city.

Uncle Will's emotion at such self-denying generosity almost overcame him.

Gem is really a very nice small bow-wow, but Mother found that in this case possession was less attractive than pursuit.

When she takes him out walking he carries her along as if she was a Roman chariot.

She thinks that Uncle Will or Eda can anchor him.

Yesterday she and Ethel held him and got burrs out of his hair.

It was a lively time for all three.

PRESIDENTIAL NURSE FOR GUINEA PIGS

(To Mrs. Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward) White House, Oct.

20, 1902. At this moment, my small daughter being out, I am acting as nurse to two wee guinea pigs, which she feels would not be safe save in the room with me--and if I can prevent it I do not intend to have wanton suffering inflicted on any creature.