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                                                                                                                    Milo April

My Dear Son We rec'd letter from you by (Mr. Newton) way of Bangor whereof we were glad You say you have made up all your studies I think you must have been very diligent take care and not study too hard "the young man glories in his strength,, but dies not Joseph's narrow escape as well as the very unusual Mortality all around us ought to make us realize that tho' we may feel ever so secure there is but a step between us and death. How grateful we ought to be for the immutable mercies we enjoy particularly for Joseph's preservation from death & yours from severe sickness. I suppose they have written you all about it (the floor at Bangor) All Joseph says about it in his letter to me is - I am reported about here to have narrowly escap;d from the rush at 12 P.M. Saturday night with life & tow'd out our Christophe by the Collar. I'll send you part of Ann's letter but be sure you bring it back again. Am very glad to hear of your Bible class I fear that you have been so much engag'd in your other studies that you have neglected the study of the Bible to much which would be worse you know than throwing away gold & diamonds for the sake of gathering up sand and sawdust. Charles will endeavor to be in Bangor in time to bring you home if you conclude to come that way. I have been counting the weeks this long time and begin to count the days but oh! the time will be so short that you will have to stay. I expect Ann & the boys will come home while you are here or rather when you do. Almeda feels almost discouraged about trying to carry on her farm & so does Charles his, it is so difficult hiring labour. C. is not near as "spunky,, about work as he us'd to be health not so good perhaps Says he has work'd hard and got nothing for it long enough he thinks he should like to get into some other business but perhaps it wouldn't be so well for him if he could... I say if you can possibly spare money enough for it get your 'Dag, before you come home I guess we can Hire some money of the L. of J. for you.