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Downieville Dec 4th 1853 Dear Br. Chandler, Your letter dated Oct 9th has come to hand. I am happy to hear you are all well at home. This good news gives me joy, makes me happy. I am happily disappointed to hear that not one of our number has been removed by the hand of death. I opened Your letter with delight yet feared I should soon see the announcement of a removal of some one or more of our family by the hand of death. But the news contained in your letter dispels all my fears & doubts & hope tells me I may yet meet my Mother, Brothers & Sisters, again. The thought is delightful- I again am happy in the belief that we may all meet again. Providence has indeed been kind, thus to watch over and preserve our lives & give us health & strength. It is right to attribute our present Joy to the kindness & mercy of our Father in Heaven. I was anxious to hear the true state of matters at W_. As you say, I have been hoping for the best. My thought has ofn been turned heaven ward, beseeching God in the behalf of my mother, Br Sis & Friends. I now, that I am informed, that Heaven has smiled on your pathway, preserved you all, & you are enjoying health & prosperity, -while many around you are numbered with the dead, I can only say, God is indeed merciful, & may we all strive to be more worthy his kindness & protection. Dear Br, I have been richly paid for writing, for, I rec'd 3 letters, for One - It was very kind in you, to answer my letter so soon, & it gave me great pleasure to see that all my friends felt disposed to contribute a few lines; this evidence of remembrance gives great Satisfaction - At few

[left-hand side] Chandler You will please remember me to Your wife. Tell her I hope she will find a happy home at my Old Home. Sam'l Keeps rather still. Why don't he write. I am sorry to hear of his ? position & sore hand.

[written sideways across top] You will probably remain at home this winter. I hope you will pass a pleasant winter. I have purchased a claim unclear I wrote, gave quite a price but I think it a bargain yet. I was prevented from walking about 4 weeks by a sore hand since I wrote it was a bruise or felon Template:An infection in the finger tip pad caused by working, & taking cold as soon as it got well. I be again working for my new place & am working here now--last week it rained quite a storm but now it is fine weather & we can work. I should like to hear how you are getting along on the old farm. You may think I have got rich but you are mistaken. I don't expect now to get very rich yet. I think I shall do better now than I should at home. The fact is getting gold is very uncertain and very spotted.

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