re. Squirming and crawling about from place to
place can do no good. You have raised no crop this year; and what
you really want is to sell the land, get the money and spend it.
Part with the land you have, and, my life upon it, you will never
after own a spot big enough to bury you in. Half of what you will
get for the land you will spend in moving to Missouri, and the
other half you will eat and drink and wear out, and no foot of
land will be bought. Now, I feel it is my duty to have no hand in
such a piece of foolery. I feel that it is so even on your own
account, and particularly on mother's account. The eastern forty
acres I intend to keep for mother while she lives; if you will not
cultivate it, it will rent for enough to support her; at least, it
will rent for something. Her dower in the other two forties she can
let you have, and no thanks to me. Now, do not misunderstand this
letter. I do not write it in any unkindness. I write it in order,
if possible, to get you to face the truth, which truth is, you are
destitute because you have idled away all your time. Your thousand
pretences for not getting along better are all nonsense. They
deceive nobody but yourself. _Go to work_ is the only cure for your
case.

Sincerely yours,
A. LINCOLN.

In still another letter he reveals his tender solicitude for his
step-mother, as well as his care for his step-brother's unfortunate
children.

Shelbyville, Nov. 9, 1851

DEAR BROTHER:--When I wrote you before, I had not received your
letter. I still think as I did; but if the land can be sold so that
I get $300 to put at interest for mother, I will not object, if she
does not. But before I will make a deed, the money must be had, or
secured beyond all doubt, at ten per cent. As to Abram, I do not
want him on my own account; but I understand he wants to live with
me, so that he can go to school, and get a fair start in the world,
which I very much wish him to have. When I reach home, if I can
make it convenient I will take him, provided there is no mistake
between us as to the object and terms of my taking him.

In haste, as ever,
A. LINCOLN.

In speaking of Lincoln's regard for his step-mother, it is interesting
also to learn her opinion of him. A gentleman visiting the old lady
after her son's death sa