Digital Exhibits

Dear Sister Mary

I have long been wishing to write to you and especially since the death of our dearest Willy have I desired to pour into your bosom the sorrows of my own desolate heart your very kind and sympathizing letter I received this afternoon and cannot let the evening pass without saying something in return you wish me to write particulars both of myself and Wally of the life and death of our dear dear Willy I can say much but the anguish of a mothers heart bereft of such a child cannot be held I could not thank he would [?] [?] he was nearly gone and then it seemed like taking my own life. Not a thought now passes but who is in some way connected with his life and death I love to think of him as he was and as he is. = As he was beautiful lovely [?] and interesting all that found and devoted Parents could wish or desire but as he is Oh who can describe the glory with which he is surrounded free from the ills of him no longer subject to [?] or pain Oh blessed happy Spirit we would not call thee from thy peaceful [?] we would not [?] what thy pure Spirit should

should again mingle with the sorrows of earth Nothing more calculated to tough every tender feeling of the heart than the death of such a child and yet no death could be more of consolation I trust we are not [?] but my dear sister we [?] feel smaller and we can only say have pity upon us have pity upon us for the hand of God hath touched us Dear Willy had many very [clear? close?] friends All that knew him loved him Mrs [Dreery?] and [?] came to attend his funeral but did not arrive untill after his burial Thry spent the day and night with us Willy was very much attached to them and to Mary Penfield We all left the [nest?] monday Growers [Gromers?] for New York the children and myself for Ann Arbor. We had our arrangements all made to have that day before Willy died expecting to take him as we thought it would be the best thing we could do for him A sad visit it was to me I expected to remain until James returned but Henry Post called on his return and I gladly [approved? Improved?] the opportunity and came with him My friends were all very much grateful to see me and did every thing in their power to make my visit pleasant but no effort of theirs could release the anguish of my heart I longed to get back to the spot where the spirit of our dearest Will took its flight I spent a number of days [?] [S?] and now that [S?] John [Aireha] and Clarks are having in Olsego nearly opposed [Rothen?] [?] [?] not think of it when I left [Rothen?] wrote to John to send them a good teacher for their school John wrote back that if they would give 96 dollars a month and his board he would offer his humble self A meeting was called and the unanimous feeling was to have him come last Friday they come on stand here whill Monday nthen left for Olsedo the have a fine daughter which they call Caroline Linda Emily is in fine spirits very happy with John but the history of things connected with their being on the farm you would laugh to hear How many times I said to Emily while there and hearing about things Oh I wish I could tell mary Old Mrs I told Emily that you was a perfect [?] of the best William did not want you and I and I did not want to say to the old lady that you would have returned six months before you did had it not been for Frances I told her [?]likewise that I could not think more of an [?] Sister than I thought of you How much I should tell you could I see you I have now written quite too much and really hope you will destroy this letter let me know that [?] have thank [?] was married when I was there to a [?] [Millerd?] of Ane Arbor He preaches at the [?] Deha has child they say she does not [hitch?] with all the Millerds Our dear Mrs [?] was taken spilling blood the week before Will died they thought she roused a quart for a number of days they did not [shr?] her doll and now she cannot speak a lond word but is abt to sell up and walk about They hope she will recover [Omer?Over?] is none very sick they consider him dangerous Mrs Raleh was not able even to see me after Willys death but sent in a note enclosed in a beautiful envelope with an angels best printed in gilt on the seal It is so good that I must send the copy = = = = Dear Sister What shall I say I will not speak but only breath over Willy is at rest. The will innocent we loved so well is not here his earthly career was short [?] like dew drops ew fallen on flowers [each ?] by the rays of the sun so pure and so lovely were thou Thine earth works as speedily done None he has beginning as new [?] of pure and [uninterested?] joy His gentle voice which has been unused to us is now hard and the redeemed Do we wish the little one back Oh me Our Father called him in his own time and sent his friend angel to take him home yes I trust we can say of him gone home youthful pilgrim gone home Shy spirit in heaven grows bright we mourn thee yet mourning would say even in judgement out Father does right hath the deepest sympathy yours affectionately Sarah W Baleh It is more more than a mark sever I commend this letter secure that time we have had nothing but one continual stream of company and I have found no time for writing I have a very good girl but she cannot do all when I have company Once is better [?]day I called to see help [?] and very much to my surprise she speaks aloud O I do hope she will get well [?] [?] and her brother came in on the cars the next day after I returned and spent a number of days with me [?] Stevens spent about three months travelling first to Chicago then East she is in fine spirits has improved in looks grown flirty the Latfeild muck about you Mrs Poalcb says O how happy we should be to enjoy Mary surely one more How many things I wish to say to you but probably shall never have an opportunity for some reasons I shall think more of you than ever this [?] [?] wish I had your company and [?] [?] Post has been [?] is considerable for a fine [?] [?] report says he corresponds with a young lady somewhere but I have forgotten in what part of the world she resides Mr Parsons has recently returned with his wife who has many Cols Mrs [L?] Clarks sister they seem very happy of course I have heard many new things about some things I wonder if you can understand our house is in progress when it is done will be very pleasant and convenient [?] [?] me but I cannot begin to imagine that it will be this model house they have built all around it except the west end of the Patch it is fifty [?] [?] in [?] [?] wing on each side In the east wing is the garden and parlour bedroom and closet parlor and bedroom both open out of the hall which foes through the house the old handy taken away the west wind divided in the same way a larger bedroom for ourselves and small one for the children both open out of the sitting room the old parlor at present on the west side of the old dining room on outside door and gate which you know will shorten the road to see Mrs Paleh I cannot spend home to till you any more about it for I do not expect it will interest you as it does me how dear mary do find him to write me a long letter