.MTIxNA.OTQyNjM

of the common mercies and comforts of life, - privileges especially uninterrupted health, yet I am sometimes obliged to feel that I am a wanderer, away from those who come for me. I cannot even speak of any friends for nobody here cares for them: E.Doe and even Mrs. Shepherd manifested some interest in my Mother brothers & sisters for they knew something of them. - Isaac used to speak of the north room in the old home as the pleasantest of rooms, I understand has attachment for it now, it seems to me I would give much to be once more in that little room, before the cheerful fire with the family all around it as in old times: but this can never be. - the happiness of being children at home & the purest of earth, or with the least alloy - is past. Lucy wrote me a good long loving letter lately describing her home furniture, dress, about Jane her doings giving me a lively picture of the happy quiet life she is now leading, she is full: in all that respects her personal situation she is satisfied: how few probably can say so: - her letter made me glad, yet it brought up some sad thoughts too, - not I am sure because she is surrounded with the loved and loving, in that I truly rejoice, - not because I am a wanderer and alone, for I am where my Father has placed me, I have enjoyed and do enjoy as much probably as the most favored - but the conviction comes to me, that the family circle is in a sense separated, never to be united - one by one the tendrils loosen from the parent stem and from each other, forming stately,