Edward W. Axson to Margaret Woodrow Wilson and Jessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre

I have let your letters go so long unanswered that I think I had better answer both at once by writing a letter to you both—and then neither one can feel slighted. I certainly had no intention of letting either Margaret's or Jessie's fine letter go half this long unanswered, but since I got into my laboratory about six weeks ago they have kept me so very busy that I have had little time for writing letters. I dont try to analyze all the iron made for with both of our furnaces running it would be more than one person could do and look after the other things too. I have an “assistant” in my laboratory, the son of the Vice President of the company, but he doesnt know any chemistry and ol only helps me by getting my samples ready, washing up my dishes &c. He is a very nice young fellow who has just come back from the Phillippines where he was in the army. I told Madge she could have him for her beau if she comes down here next summer.Cousin Robert and I were going to take a trip up the road today to look over some our land—we intended to have our furnace engine take us part of the way and go the rest on horses but the rain has prevented—hence you get your long delayed letter instead.Prince is such a tremendous dog now that if you could see him you would never recognize him in the world. He is as playful & full of mischief as ever though—and very affectionate too. Every night when I come up from my lab he comes bounding up wagging his tail as if he would break it off, and puts his feet & head up on my lap to be petted awhile. He sometimes puts his paws on my shoulders as I sit, standing on his hind legs, and then tries to lick my face—and he doesnt seem at to understand at all why I should object to that proceeding. Another favorite trick is to try to put one of his big paws in your mouth as a mark of affection, and if you prevent that he comforts himself by planting both of them in the middle of your shirt bosom—particularly if it be a clean one. He and I have great boxing matches, he pawing at me & trying to bite my hand when I slap his face—he snarling and growling all the while as though he was furiously angry. He will keep that up indefinitely no matter how I pound him & throw him around, but once in a while I hurt him a little unintentionally and then he gives a funny little sound and runs & puts his head up under my arm, as though trying to make sure that it is only a joke and I am not angry. Sometimes I land a good square one on his nose which starts him sneezing, but he always comes back for more. Once in a while he succeeds in catching my hand and giving me a good nip—he drew blood once or twice—but when he is not excited that way he never bites hard enough to hurt now though he still loves to chew your finger. There is one way I can always make him behave & that is by pinching his toe—he cant stand that at all but breaks right down and begins to holler. Every morning he comes out of his box before I get up and begs to be taken up on the bed for a romp. If I pretend to be asleep he goes back to his box but if he catches me peeping at him nothing will do but I must take him up. I send you a picture of him taken in Virginia with some of his little playmates there—and will send you another of him as he is now when I have time to take it.
You all must have taken excellent care of Uncle Stock for him to get well again as promptly as he is doing. I suppose Mrs Howe and Little Annie are still with you—it must be fine to have such a nice long visit from Little Annie.
The papers come safely and I enjoy very much looking over them when I get the time which sometimes isnt for a week after they come but it is just as interesting then down here. Be sure to let me know Jess when the postage fund is getting low for I am not keeping any track of it.
Now dont you girls treat me as badly as I have you but let me hear soon. Give best love to Little Annie, Nell & everybody else including yourselves—