when one of the gentlemen said " Mr. Salsbury we are requested
by the audience to present you with this as a token of their
regards for you both as an actor and a gentleman, at the same
time handing me a little square box. I opened it, and my heart
arose in my mouth. I saw inside a splendid merschaum pipe and
around the stem was a beautiful diamond finger ring. I could
do nothing but stammer my thanks, as best I could, and retire. "

Hoping you will enjoy this imperfect story of your father's
boyhood, for all this happened before I was 21 years old I
remain your

Loving Aunt
Clara

I say aunt because early in 1862 papa and Aunt Clara agreed
to be brevet brother and Sister.