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Hesper 4th of 10th 1862
Ever dear Cousin,
It was far from my intention to suffer thy dear letter, to remain unanswered for [underline]one week[/underline] but various cares, and causes, have combined to prevent my taking the pen to do so untill now, our friends have favored us with rather an unusual share of their company on first days of late, and I have learned too well the sad consequences, to venture reading, or writing, much in the evening though my eyes are comfortable now when I do not over tax them. I did try the [card?] thou mentioned from a suggestion in thy former letter, found it very comfortable, it allayed the inflamaiton, but [underlne]nothing[/underline] would remove the cause untill I got a bottle of "Dr Kennedy's Medical Discovery", which I had not taken two days before my eyes were comparatively well, and by continuing it, for a few weeks the humor seem nearly to disappear from my system, and I felt [underline[very much[/underline] better. I have taken it years ago under similar circumstances, and proved its efficacy think I shall never wait so long with out trying it again, if it is to be had.
I think I never recieved a letter that did me more good than thy last, and [underline]that is saying a good deal[/underline], for one who draws so largely on the sympathy and affection of absent friends, for comfort and consolation in this
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ages of trials, and disappointments, - I was feeling very much stripped, and lonely, and nearly ready to conclude myself [underline]deservedly, forgotten[/underline] by all, (I had not heard from [S?] for a long time, or it seemed so to me,) but thy letter brought me back to life, and even carried me back to the scenes of my youth, and [deletion] childhood, I thought of the many happy hours thou and I had passed together in the places thou visited, my dear old [home?] how glad I should be to see it once more! hope to be forgiven the [?] wish, that [underline]I too[/underline] could have been [underline]there[/underline], but the [evidence?] of being remembered is very greatful to one who so [sensibly?] feel her demerits, and I blush for shame at times that I should distrust any one though ever so unworthy of their remembrance. am glad thou saw H. Hazard, but thou must be mistaken about her age, I do not know it exactly but she was several [deleted[two or three[/deleted] years younger than Thomas he if living would be 75. - the only way I can account for cousin Hannah's retaining her age so remarkably is her entre freedom from all labor, care, and responsibility, in her youth. I have often heard my mother say she was hardly required to get the water to wash her hands while her mother was able to be up. I remember [underline]aunt[/underline] Hannah as one of the most slender delicate looking women I ever knew, yet she was ever moving about always busy it seemed to me she scarcely ever sat down. Uncle Thomas was a remarkable kind attentive husband, which was exibited in many little acts about the house, which very many men would consider too trifling for them to attend to, but he did not
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[7?] day morning We have just heard that Hannah Pike was to be buried to day the funeral at our tiny meeting house she was a [?] woman usually attended [?] died very suddenly first day night had been rather more unwell than usual for a few days but nothing alarming, went to bed as usual her husband awoke in the night found something the matter with her [got?] for a light, she was just breathing her last, another warning to be always ready it is time to prepare for meeting. S.
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and I believe every one gave him the credit of being an amiable sensible man, who understood the rules of good breeding. H. being an only & choice daughter was left very much to her books, (of which I use to think she was presented with almost a fabulous number,) and pleasure. -
My first recollection of her, presents her in a [underline]plain black bonnet[/underline], and cap, such as in these days we seldom meet with, there is just [underline]one[/underline]in our meeting. [deletion]
I should surely belie my education did I not consider a plain simple garb the only becoming one for those professing with us, yet I have reason to doubt whether a black bonnet allways covered more goodness of heart than a [underline]drab[/underline] or more genuine [underline]quakerism[/underline].
I think I can in some measure realize what thou wilt suffer from or during Timothy's long journey, but hope he will be preserved, & favoured to return some day, to gladen his mothers heart. Where is Wm. has he too gone so far thou cannot hear from him often? James has now been from home two months, he is at Dubuque, only 150, miles he have thus far, heard from him nearly every week, he acknowledges to having been very homesick, but has not he says for a moment regreted the step he has taken think he is in his place, while they remain at Camp Franklin, he will continue to be the Post Adjutants "Orderly", has [a tent?] to himself with a guard before the door day and night which allows none to enter but Field Officers, the Post Adjutant and himself, he has a great deal of leisure for reading and writing, [deleted]besides[/deleted] he copies all orders issued by the Camp [inst?] or Camp Commander in Triplicate & sends them to the Adjutants of the several regiments, there are [thee?] in Camp
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Mary Harkness visited a short time since for the first time, she desired her [kind?] love to thee said thou used to visit at her fathers, she has been quite sick [since?]
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he has the charge of all the mail for the Camp, what comes in and goes out, - - It was exeeding trying to us to have him go at all but he has been so near and we hear from him so often & he is using the [underline]pen[/underline], instead of the [underline]sword[/underline], or [underline]gun[/underline], that it has been less painful than we thought [deleted]the separation[deleted] it could possibly be. They are now thinking they will soon be moved no one knows whither and communication will doubtless be suspended for a while, but thousands have to bear it and we must try. - We are expecting him home this week on a short furlow if he is able to obtain one. all from Hesper are expected. we may all be disappointed.
In reply to thy query, I would say, "Kiss him and let him go." [underline]"A Mothers Reply."[/underline]
He's my only boy, and this is my plea; Perhaps it is foolish and weak, But mother's I'm sure will have pity on me, And some word will tenderly speak. The light of my home - my tears fall like rain - Is it wonder I shrink from the blow, That my heart is crushed by its weight of pain? But I've kissed him, and let him go."
Nathaniel thought when James left he could not support the loneliness, that we must leave Iowa [deleted]and[/deleted] go East and visit our friends in Michigan, and N.Y. state but it is not very convenient for even a [underline]small farmer[/underline] in these times, to dispose of stock, and arrange matters to be absent for six months or more, beside we would not wish to go while J. is so near, and it is bearly possible they may remain in Camp all winter, some think they will.
N. desires his kind rememberance wishes we could see thee here. friends are in usual health I believe, those of thy acquaintance often enquire after thee frequently I am always glad to be able to give them late information. Ruth Chase told me last week they had been talking of coming here, but they were as much confined as when on a farm, - farewell dear Cousin thine S. McDonald
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Don't thou know that I can never stay my pen as long as there is an available spot. I took this large sheet and thought I would for once write a legible hand, but for some cause our ink has become exceedingly pale my pen very poor, and company coming to tea obliged me to write this page in the evening or leave it for another mail. I prefered the former, now if thou canst read it the end will be answered. S
