Correspondence (incoming): Stanford, Helen (Mrs. Josiah Stanford), 1892-1895

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Warm Springs August 7th 92.

Dearest Jennie -

With loving sympathy I come to you and share with you the sorrow and loneliness that has come to us. Since we shall no more in this life meet our dearly beloved Anna M. Yesterday I looked upon her sweet face for you and for myself - the last time on earth - with affection and reverence - then turned away and with spirit vision saw her "in the sunshine of another country beyond our ken." saw the dear ones - your precious boy - and my beloved Josiah in the happy company

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for he could not bear to hear Anna's illness mentioned - since there has been doubt of her recovery - and has begged us not to tell him if she was suffering. The painful experiences of last year are still too vivid to him and he can bear no more. I was grieved to hear from Mrs. Robinson that you have been ill - have had that bowel trouble again - hope to hear that you have recovered from it and that you and Uncle Leland will come back in good health - and have many years of comfort and peace with your great work. Though we can but seldom see you. Life is less lonely for us knowing that you are here. Gertie and Joe join with me in love, affection and sympathy for Uncle Leland and Aunt Jennie I will enclose this letter of July

date - the last of three which I have written to you since you left - but never mailed. If I do not quickly mail a letter I am apt to throw it aside and begin another hoping to make it of some interest and I have most earnestly prayed that good news might be drafted to you

Ever and affectionately

Your sister

Helen M. Stanford

that Thomas wrote to me last winter after his illness for you and Uncle Leland. You need not return it. We all are quite well now. I felt much anxiety about Joe for many weeks after his recovery from the Scarlet Fever - but now all trouble seems to be removed and he is looking and feeling better than for two years past. And you know how

grateful I feel for this and my many mercies. Tell Uncle Leland that every day - many times every day - I have besought of the Great Healer strength for his limbs. And I pray that you both may have health and comfort and joy in your work here. Like Thomas, I feel that I want to do all I can while I remain here to make my life average better - then I believe I

1218 Oak St

Oakland, May 7th / 93.

My dearest Jennie -

With all my heart I rejoice with you that you have arrived at Palo Alto with Uncle Leland in greatly improved health and hope you too are well and can enjoy the beautiful spring days out of doors. Palo Alto must look lovely to you--

I enclose with this the very interesting letter that

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believe I shall be nearer and dearer to my most beloved one. When I leave this world. With dearest love to you and Uncle Leland in which Gertrude and Joe join

Affectionately yours Helen M. Stanford

The University would be closed for a time - and are surprised that you are able to go on with the great Institution. I think you have planned wonder -fully - to make so many changes in so short a time and all so quietly done. I have a prayer in my heart for you all the time - that you may be kept calm and strong - endowed with wisdom - aided by that Great Power that maketh for righteousness - that is ever near us. And will not forsake us in the hour of need.

I have just written to Mr. Nash in reply to a letter I received from him - written at your request. You do right I am sure to drop these cases for one cannot do everything. And if you can run the University you are doing a grand and mightly work. And others can attend to the minor charities. I will do all that I can for Mrs. Bigelow - will go and see her - but I could not this year send her $50. a month - the hard times has rendered my income already $170. a month - and my tenants are calling for further reductions next month - and John thinks I will have to meet them. Taxes and insurance have soon to be paid - and I am just pay -ing up my last bills for extensive repairs that I have been obliged to make this year - amounting