Gold Rush Era Letters

& that before its end was reached I should meet with hardships & dangers & deprivations, to which I was then a stranger -- & even if I reached my journey's end in safety, I should then be separated by thousands of miles from home & the friends of my childhoods adoption ---

It was then however (thought I) no time to retrace the steps which I had already taken, so I pushed on eager to know my fate & end my journey. Why I left home I cannot tell, even if I ever knew, for every one who knew my situation when there ought to know that I could not have bettered it by any change -----

Little did I then think however, that I should be absent from home two long years -- still two years have passed away & we yet remain separated -- the two past years have caused no material changes with us -- with the exception of Charles we have all enjoyed a comfortable state of health, for which we ought to be thankful -- Many changes have taken place around us however, among our friends & acquaintances in Pepperell & vicinity. Soon after I left home Harriet Tucker & Martha J. Colburn, were called by death to leave this world of care & sorrow -- & since then others have been called to follow them & among the number Esq. Jervett of whose death you informed me in your last letter.

Truly "Life is uncertain."