A letter from Annie Fellows Johnston
to 14-year-old Emmet O'Neal, whose parents, Lydia and J.T. O'Neal
owned a summer home,
Olde Pine Tower in Pewee Valley and were personally acquainted with
the author. The letter was written December 27, 1901 in Walton, New York.
Emmet O'Neal was a childhood friend of the real Little Colonel, Hattie
Cochran; roomed at Centre College with Albert Conrad Dick; and was the
best man at their 1912 wedding. He grew up to serve in the U.S. House of
Representatives from 1934-1946 and as the U.S. Ambassador to the
Philippines from June 20, 1947, to January 20, 1949. Letter from the
private collection of his daughter, Mary O'Neal.
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Walton, New York
December 27, 1901
My dear Emmett
You cannot imagine how surprised and pleased I was to receive your
lovely Christmas remembrance. It is so dainty and sweet that I am glad to
welcome it for its own sake, and more than delighted at the kindly thought
that prompted you to send it. Thank you many times.
It had to follow me a long way for I am in Walton, N.Y. now, with John.
It is a pretty little village high up in the spurs of the Catskills. It
has the reputation of being extremely cold here, and the thermometer
stands below zero a great part of the time.
But it is so beautiful that one does not mind the cold. The evergreens
on the mountains are covered with snow till they look as if whole groves
of Christmas trees were planted there and the sleigh bells jingle by all
day long with such a jolly sound that I like it immensely. You would think
that this part of the world was a huge frosted cake, if you could see the
way Winter has iced it this morning. I suggests Whittier's "Snow bound" at
every turn.
Although there were only two of us to celebrate, we had quite a festive
Christmas. I have written so many letters these last two days that I have
used up my paper and begun on John's, which accounts for the gorgeous
color of this epistle. I didn't want to go down town until I had all my
pile of letters ready to mail. The post office is a good mile away, and I
have been going several times a day.
Give my best regards to your father and mother, and accept my earnest
wishes that your new year may be a happy one. It ought to count for a
great deal with you, just at your age and I am sure you will accomplish
much before another twelvemonth rolls round. You see you have a better
start than most boys, in that your ideals are high and your foundation
well laid for a successful manhood. May you be a blessing to every one
whom your life touches.
Sincerely yours,
Annie Fellows Johnston
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