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  South Hadley. Oct. 6th 1852 

My dear friend

  Do pardon me for delaying so long to reply to your good letter of August 14th.    I am not among the Choctaws! On reaching home, I found that it was a very reluctant consent which my father gave to my proposal, and so many weight objecttions did I find, among other friends, that, after seriously reconsidering the subject, I decided to break my promise to the Byington, and relinquish the plan I had formed. If I could but see you, my dear girl, I would tell you all. I would tell you what was said to me, upon the question that has so perplexed wiser heads than mine, the Slavery question _ It was not fear of the climate, or fear of homesickness, which kept me among my early friends. But, as in your case, it was my deep seated horror of the system which is a disgrace to our country, and a sin in the sight of our nation's Preserver. I shrunk from the idea of living among the poor slaves, without the power of aiding them in any way. The power of adding one item to their scanty measure of happiness.    Whether you and I have been doing right in this matter, eternity will show - It remains for us, now, to leave the result of our decision to that Providence which directeth all things aright. In second once with my good father's advice, I have returned to our pleasant "Holyoke home", probably to remain two years.     How I  

in margin You may imagine from the tenor of this letter that I am almost too happy and light hearted. I confess I am not very sad today but am trying to maintain a comfortable degree of cheerfulness, that my room mates may not be homesick, if I can prevent it - Will you dear friend pray for me, that I may ever cherish my Christian spirit, and live as a Christian ought. Accept much love and sympathy from your unworthy friend, Nellie