Gold Rush Era Letters

I received by last Steamer some gold Pens, and samples of goods that my friend J. A. Tucker has shipped me via Cape Horn. I also received a letter from him and a Note from Miss Lizzie Lewis. She writes that she intended to go to P. soon, so I suppose she is now there teaching school. Mr T writes that he had his miniature taken to send me, but it did not exactly suit him so he concluded to have it taken over and send it some other time, so I hope to recieve [receive] it by next mail which will probably arrive here in the course of three days -- I expect yours also at the same time and if I do receive them all by the same Steamer I shall be very much pleased and feel as though I was at home among my best friends. Harriet wrote that she likes her school very much, and said she should not go to the "Pine Orchard Seminary," even if Miss Lewis should teach there, as she prefers "Maplewood" I hope she will continue to enjoy good health and be able to attend her school throughout the summer.

I have not heard from friend Cogswell for some time only by way, of some of our acquaintances here who have received letters from him of late, but I understand that he is now probably married. Success to him & wife

Give my love to Charles & Harriet and my kind regards to all my friends.

I remain Your loving Son H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker]

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Mr Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] sends his respects to you. Would be glad to see you and hopes to so in the course of a year. He is now well & seems to be very well contented.

Mr Shipley is as well as usual, and wishes to be remembered to you whenever I write

It seems hard to think that Andrew Lewis should be taken so ill, while on a visit to see his friends and relations, when he anticipated instead of a severe spell of sickness nothing but pleasure, but such is often our lot, and although we try to think every such thing is for the best, it is often hard to look upon it in that light ---

I hope he will recover notwithstanding that you write that his friends think he cannot recover, still "as long as there is life, there is hope," and we can call to mind many of our friends, who seemed to be almost in the arms of death, who recovered and were again blessed with good health. Clarence Jewett you remember two seasons in succession, was sick with the Typhoid Fever, and his parents and friends, thought he could not recover. Still after being brought so low, he was allowed by the blessing of Heaven to regain his health again.

I sincerely hope the same blessing may be bestowed upon Andrew L. [Lewis] and that he may be permitted to view his native home once more.

It is hard to die away from home, even if surrounded by parents and friends, or to be sick away from home, therefore I hope I may continue to be blessed with good health so long as I am absent. Wishing you all health and happiness I remain Your affct [affectionate] Son H. A. Parker [Henry A. Parker]

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My health is good, and business is very good also --- Mr Noyes [Ephraim Noyes] and Mr Shipley are well and send their best respects to you.

Please remember me to all my friends. H. A. P. [Henry A. Parker]