Transcribe Hornaday, W. T. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1881-09-18)

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Society of American Taxidermists, Rochester, New York Sept 18 1881 and for the next ten years I shall ask for nothing more. Now that Webster is going to marry Mrs Gilbert and settle down here & & Wm Critchley is improving so rapidly in his work, my going away would affect the necessary working force but slightly. Mrs Lucas has sold her house & is to coming here this Fall to set up house keeping, which would imply that Fred expects to stay here some time. On the whole I think it is my duty to get to Washington if I can, and^ remembering^ </s knowing > that you first suggested it I have pushed the matter vigorously. Baird asked what salary I would expect. I said $1500 per year, which he said he did not consider too much provided I met the requirements of the position.

   So I shall go on late in Oct. taking with me

the specimens I have prepared to summit to him, and I think I will so far presume upon your good will as to take the two or three small specimens I have done for you, which of course will be brought back with me. I believe that were you here you might be willing to go to Washington for me, or with me, & seeing that that great advantage is lost to me I will have to content myself with borrowing one or two specimens, without asking Mr Lucas or telling him what I want them for. Right here let me </u beg > of you to not let any one here know that I am trying to get into the U.S.N.M. for so far