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August 20th 1858

My very dear Etta

I received your letter yesterday evening bearing the painful inteligence of your suffering. This gives me deep sorrow but I do hope [?] [this?] you have been relieved in body and mind, I should think I was a [heartless?] mother if I did not feel the pain, my children have, and especially my dear dear Etta who has been such a [?] and comfort to me when I was [distressed?] and when I was sick. I would go to you now with all my heart but fear I might be more trouble than help to you, so often I have to be [frustrated?] with these sick [spells?].

True you have to be separated from