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Aug 4th/93
DAHLEN.
Boonsboro, Washington County Maryland July 18th 1893.
My dear Mrs. Stanford
I find myself since your great loss, so often wishing to tell you, that having passed through the same terrible ordeal myself, I can so well understand your desolateness and so deeply feel for you.
Admiral Dahlgren, died suddenly, and alone in my presence, and although twenty three years
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DAHLEN,
Boonsboro,
Washington County
Maryland
July 18th 1893,
My dear Mrs. Stanford
I find myself, since your great loss, so often wishing to tell you, that having passed through the same terrible ordeal myself, I can so well understand your desolateness, and so deeply feel for you.
Admiral Dahlgren, died suddenly, and alone in my presence, and although twenty three years
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have passed by, since this great shock, I still rest under the shadow of this heavy trial.
Yes, I can fully comprehend all the loneliness that shuts in a bleeding heart when a beloved Husband is removed.
As I look backward in life's decline, I [can?] now understand fully, that every one must bear a cross, and that this weary probatio[n]
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we call life, is all taken up, exchanging one cross for another. His holy will be done,
But dear Mrs. Stanford I feel that you, in your great warm heart for humanity, will find how to brighten your cross, with the rich and enduring jewels of Faith, Hope, and Charity.
The last time we conversed together, it seemed to me, we had been friends for years
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an[d] that we unders[t]ood each other, and it was as if a friend had come into my life and heart.
And now, this friend I admire, understand, and appreciate is suffering
So I yield to an impulse to write again to say that I pray our precious Lord to lead you with kindly light.
Pray accept this little note, as my spirit greeting, since I cannot see you, I am ever with love and sympathy your Madeline Vinton Dahlgreen