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                                                                                                                                   Somerville, May 27th 1855

My Dear Cousin Abby:

              You will no doubt be greatly surprised at receiving an answer so soon to your last, but my motives in so doing are somewhat selfish. I hardly think that I should have written quite so soon, were it not that I wish very much to ascertain the truth of some news which I received only a few days since. Are you wondering what it is, that I am so anxious to know about? Well! I will tell you. Last Friday, we received a letter from my brother, saying that your brother was at San Francisco intending to leave May 1st for home. Now is it true: for really I do not not know, as Charles did not mention whether he left or not. I sincerely hope that it is true, and that you now have the pleasure of beholding your long-absent brother. Happily I know you must all be (if it is indeed true that he has returned) in being permitted once more to welcome him to the home circle. If he has returned will you please write soon? Now that I have told you what I wish to know about I will proceed to other matters. I am very glad that