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Mother M. Brownville & Milo Jan 7 1854 Du Quoin Ill. Jan. 21, 1854

is a clever pious capable woman but from what I have heard said of her think she may be tho' kind hearted &c rather inclined to the Slam bang or Smash about & not so careful & economical as Aunt Conant they have 5 children Smart forward & healthy now I guess - Sam'l has been unfortunate had a great deal of sickness - when he first started in life he got married & bought a farm all in a hurry - without due consideration his Mother thought. He got in debt his Father gave him 2 or 3 hundred dollars to get him out he afterwards to better his condition swapt farms & got in debt again which his Father has seem'd to consider an unpardonable sin & he has firmly held back & determin'd he would not give or lend him & considering what he has done for Hervey S. has some reason to feel bad about it - it is also a burden of Grief to his mother - I do not know, but I suspect that he is hard press'd & perhaps in some danger of losing his Farm Tis possible the feeling that he cannot expect much sympathy or help from his Father or Hervy has induc'd him to think of going away & I fear it will very much distress his Mother. I have made a long story of it, & it is mostly guesswork

I doubt not that Charles will be very comfortable and happy with you - But he has had a sad time indeed, & a very hard time in consequence of the Sickness & Death of Mr. Gilman - besides the disappointment & frustrating his plans about work  But he can probably be useful to you & a benefit to himself in some capacity or other - I us'd to think he had the talent or ability in him for a good "Boss" but if he has it has lain dormant so long I dont know how he would manage  But I believe there is more of him than some folks think there is

I have often thought that he & you too lack self confidence not quite