RichardsonLeonard18530209_001

Andover Feb 9th, 53.
My Very Dear Parents,
I was very much surprised
as I took a neat little letter from the Office this
afternoon, to recognize the well known hand
writing - And I can assure you I was not a
great while in opening it, that I might learn
why it had come at so unusual a time -
and to my astonishment you had not received
mine which I sent you last Friday - and
this was the reason why you had written so soon
I am very sure that I wrote you a letter, and also Charley one
and sent them in season to reach you upon Saturday last - And
if you have not received it, it must have been miss-carried -
No wonder you thought it strange that I did not write, for I
believe I have kept good time always, and hope ever to, I
know what it is to count the hours of a saturday afternoon - and
to wait impatiently for the mail to arrive - and I see no reason
why you should not reason among yourselves, when you learned
that there was "nothing for you" at the regular time - And when
we have been thus disappointed how very natural it is to try
and make out some reason for it - we sometimes think that
our warmest friends or even kindred have forgotten us! and how
easy it is to think thus - But it is well always, not to be too hasty
in forming our opinions, for something may have happened which caused
the disappointment, as was the case with our letters - Even you