he
_did_ write: but his mother thought it best not to send it: though I was
sure the President would have liked it very much; for he is such a
great-hearted, good man, such a pure patriot; and I happen to know that
he loves children dearly. Here is Johnny's letter. It is a simple, funny
little epistle, full of trust and faith.

"PRESIDENT LINCOLN:

"_My Dear Friend_,--Do you know my big brother
George? He is such a good boy! He never teazes us,
or the cat, or anybody. Mary O'Reilly (that's our
kitten) always rubs her coat against his legs when
he comes home; so you see that is a sign that he
is never cruel to animals. He once tried to teach
a crab at Long Branch to dance the polka, but he
didn't hurt it; no, indeed!

"Please, my dear friend, to make him a General,
with a long sword, saddle, bridle, and a whack fol
de rol; though I don't know what that is--I heard
a soldier singing it--and I will come and hug and
kiss you as hard as a rock.

"Clara and Anna say, they will hug and kiss you
too, if you will make George a General; only you
must promise not to scratch their faces with your
beard, as papa sometimes does--just for fun, you
know. Besides which, my dear friend, they will
give you a mitten apiece. How would you like that?
They make lots for the soldiers, out of skeins of
long yarn; mamma says you are a famous fellow for
spinning splendid yarns yourself. Ours is dark
blue; but mamma says, yours are all the colors of
the rainbow, and a great deal of black besides;
and everybody is delighted with them, and all the
soldiers love you, and I am your

"affectionate friend,
"JOHNNY."

I should not be in the least surprised, if the good President should
answer this letter after he sees it here; and send his answer to Mr.
Appleton for Johnny. If he does, I will tell you all about it, as sure
as my name is Aunt Fanny. Meanwhile, you must know that the fifty-seven
"little play mittens," as the children called them, and the eighteen
pairs, which they had made this time, and which they called their "two
story mittens," have gone to the brave soldiers. Do tell me, my litt