Never robust, Lucille of late years had been disturbed by thyroid and high blood pressure troubles. It was gratifying to learn of this so satisfactory arrangement of living with a friend of common interest and mutual sympathy, but it was not to last but a few months - the exact date unknown. Had I the hope of seeing my boys as promising as your abilities are, ti would go far to further swell my pride in them. In whatever you do though, my dear boy, guard your health. Remember that ill health is the awefullest handicap, except vice, to a successful career, to happiness in any walk of life.
Moral health is as necessary as physical.
If you have the good fortune of making friends easily as did your father, teat your friendships by their moral worth and when you make friends of good and true men, no matter whether poor or rich, or of what creed or none, make them part of you life. Your soul will grow and expand by giving its strength to such friends. When you find by chance a friend diseased in principle, one in whose friendship you find no better moods and better aspirations prompting you, cut it off to casual acquaintance. Exchange no salt with such Arabs, for their life is poison to you. I never have indulged such a friendship without finding myself lower by it, weaker, less happy and in danger perilously.