p.

Thou alludes to the trial of having thy son go south.
I can sympathise with thee in the affliction - tho thine
is providentially mitigated - and may it remain so.
We have an only son, who is married & has two
fine little girls - he too caught the infeciton last
Spring and had a great desire to go to Washington
as he thought to defend his country - but did not go.
Oh how our young people are deluded in this respect.
This war cry enkindles their youthful enthusiasm
and takes them away from our influence - e'er we know it.
I suppose thou hast heard that Sybil Jones eldest
son went whether he remains I have not heard
from Sybil how her sensitive feeling were grieved
they said at first it seemed as tho' it would destroy her
but now she comes out bright in the ministry.

Our friend Esher C Weeks has lately had some
appointed mtgs in this vicinity much to our satisfaction.
She evidently [deepens?] in the truth - and is considered
a great Preacher especially among other people.
They throng her so, it is enough to spoil her - but it dont
seem to as I see. Thy poor friend stays at home
mostly which I believe is the safest place for her
pray for me that I may receive ability to carry on the
work while time is granted. Thou will please write
& tell when we may look for thee here, whether before
or after Yearly Mtg - farewell affct'ly P A Sands

[in left margin:]

Give my best love to all thy family & inquiring friends in your vicinity

[page break]

Sing Sing 2 mo 25 1862

Thy long looked for letter came
at last, and right glad was I to hear from thee
once more. I thought perhaps I was thy debtor
and had about made up my mind to write & inquire
so thou sees, I had laid up no long scores against thee.
I can readily perceive that thy duties are many & pressing
and am quite willing to excuse thee for any amount of
tardiness, that does not amount to total silence, and
a complete obliteration of our former sweet fellowship.
The pleasant hours passed with thee and thy family
often comes to my remembrance with a freshness that
makes me [deleted]to[/deleted] seem to live them over again.
I would like to meet with thee once more, on the
Lords footstool if consistent with His will concerning us
and as many of thy children as can come with thee.
Whether I shall ever get as far north as Montpelier
remains a secret in the future, upon which rests a doubt.
If I were to consult inclination only I think you would
see me with the first birds of Spring - but that cannot be.

[in left margin:]

All those of us who have a few comforts left in this time of stripping ought
to be very
thankful
for them.
"What more
than others do
I deserve
yet God
hath given
me more,
for I have
food while
others starve
and beg
from door
to door."
Farmers
can get
a pretty
good living
out of the
ground
but we
commercial
folks
have to
be cut
down
to a very
low figure
nothing doing
in out line