Gold Rush Era Letters

as they afford me the greater part of my enjoyment & I hope you will keep your promise that is to write me by every mail if it is but a few lines just to let me know that you are all well &c I am aware that you are at this season very busy but hope you will find time to write me a few lines every fortnight. Tell Charles & Hattie to write me also as their letters are very interesting & are perused with pleasure. I shall write you by every mail as I have done since I arrived here & I shall also write a few letters to Brother & Sister often. Please tell them that when I do not write them personally that they may claim an interest in your letters & that I hope they will answer them. I intended to have written them by last mail but neglected doing so but shall write them this afternoon as I received from them a week ago today very acceptable letters & I hope I shall continue to receive letters from them often. Small favors thankfully received & larger ones in proportion .. -- I shall send by this mail which leaves here Tuesday morning a draft on Esq Jewett payable to H. A. Walton New York City & shall draw the money of Mr Wm. Walton [William Walton] of this City. Please accept my thanks for your kindness in helping me about my business as you have done from time to time & rest assured that I will endeavor to return it. Probably before you receive this letter Mr Chas Milkins [Charles Milkins] will have arrived at Pepperell on his return from California having I understand met with very good success since he came out here the last time. I was glad to hear the P. news & to hear from my friend Miss Jennings but sorry to hear of the illness of her brother. I had previously heard of the birth of a young Parker over the river but it interested me but little & you need have no fear of my being obliged to father any of these Smelts as you call them. As I have filled my sheet you must now excuse me from writing any more & I will commence a letter to Sis HaP [Henry A. Parker]

[written vertically in the left margin] From your loving Son H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker]