RichardsonLeonard18530518_001

Andover May 18th 1853.

My Dear Parents.

Another fortnight has rolled
away and I am reminded that it is time to
write home again, which by no means is an un-
pleasant task. I was well pleased to receive your
letter, although it contained such sad intelligence
I do not know of anything that has sent such
a chill through my whole frame as to hear that
Alfred Whitman was in jail, and for such a
crime _ How dreadful is the thought _ As I read
the account and the circumstances connected
with it I could not hinder the tears from
starting from my eyes. What must be the feel-
ings of his parents, of his mother, as they think
of him _ Their eldest son in the common jail _
A murderer _ a sabbath breaker _ a gambler _ I
would pity them or any parents who should
thus be called to endure such a trial _ But painful
as it must be to them and to his friends, how
much more must he feel than they all. I
should think his heart would break if it be
not adamant _ What feelings must come over