Transcribe Hornaday, W. T. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1882-05-17)

the best leopard? Theobald wants me to send him a rifle & some other things. Sew the skins up in burlap to ship, to save Expressage on a </u box. >

    Webster writes me in great trouble. He wants

to come here (at $1200 per year) to a life position which will enablele him to marry & begin a new life. He told me all about his interview with you. I do not wonder that you do not want to let him go, for in spite of all tabulated statements to the contrary he is a rare man to have. I know that were I in your place, I too should be disposed to hang to him. But there is a higher side to the question. From what I know I believe that were to </u you > to work in earnest for Webster you could get him. in here within two months, but without your co-operation all heaven & earth could not get him in. When I look at all a life position here implies to a man in Webster's circumstances, it almost seems that other things should give way. Poor Webster is the most unfortunate of men. He works like a slave to get on & always has, but it always rains porridge when his dish is bottom up. I believe he was born under an unlucky star. He is the finest bird taxidermist in the country - or any other for that matter - he works continually, and yet at 36 he is worth $200 less than nothing, and cannot marry the woman of his choice. It is too bad. Now, </u you, > and you alone hold his future in your hand. If you are willing to make the sacrifice I am sure - I almost </u know > you can settle him here for life, comfortably & happily as a married man. At present he is dis- appointed, sour, miserable, </u almost > desperate. He is a man of disappointments. True, you are not his keeper