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[Letter from Young John Allen to George Gilman Smith, Jr.]

Shanghai ChinaNov 30 [deleted] 29th [added] 1880
My dear George,

Another of your ever welcome letters came to hand on the 19th inst. I fear that you are put to some stress to meet all your calls and write so regularly to me and such long and interesting letters at that. But to a working man engagements are easy and hands always full the normal state of existence. I sincerely pity the dolce far niente of the many laissez faireof [deleted] whom you and I know. But beside you I seem as nothing. I greatly admire your pluck and industry. Many a man under your weight would sink; but you don’t seem to mind the draugh [deleted] fts made on you and bear up astonishingly. Go on brave boy — the reward of all

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shall in due time appear. I sincerely sympathise [sic] with you in your want of a few “Scoundrel appus [unclear] ” and if I can be of any service to you in effecting the [deleted] payment for [deleted] on [added] the little home you have lately bought for your dear wife please utilize the following — which I assure you it gives me great pleasure to place in your hands.