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Cottage Grove Minnesota April 25 - 1851 Dear Sister Lucy I have been thinking of you this morning and determined to wait no longer, but take time to write you which I know I ought to have done long ago, but I have heard from you through the others, and know you have heard from us but do not for a moment think that I do not feel an interest in your welfare. how gratifying one hours conversation with you would be, how I would like to hear from your own lips an account of your brothers death, and of the birth and death of your little Anne. I was so sorry that she could not live, but God knows best, and how much I would like to hear you tell of your health, of your happiness, and your hopes of heaven, for I feel assured that although you are afflicted you are not unhappy, a Christian need not, should not be, although tried as by fire tempted, and exceedingly distressed for a time yet he knows that all things work together for good to those that love God and how many other interesting topics should we find to converse upon -- but it may not be, at least for the present, I hope however if your health is restored that you and Samuel will spend some months with us, we are hoping to see Fathers folks soon - I cannot help fearing that Mother will not find all her anticipations realized Mr Haskell came over after Mother yesterday Olive is expecting to be confined every hour - the cares of life are coming thick and fast upon her, yet she seems to bear it all patiently