.MTAz.MjU3OTQ

undated

My dear Jennie,

  How much I have thought of you within the last few days. No longer ago than that I received the sad intelligence of your brother's death. I have lived over the time we were associated together in Utica and felt how bitter a grief to you is the loss of a brother so kind and affectionate as Robert always seemed. Abbie spent the last week with me here and when she learned that he was dead she said we must write to you and would do so together but the week passed busily away and that letter and others were not written. And what shall I say dear Jennie now. I too have known affection since we parted in your brother's room in Utica. And felt that I had never known what trouble means. Yes, I have suffered more on account of a dear younger brother, many times over I think than if I had then been called to lay him in the grave. There are bitterer tears than those we weep over the graves of the loved ones who are at rest. And Robert was a christian. How much comfort to feel assured of that. I do sympathise with you Jennie and our tears might mingle together. But I pray you may learn as I have to see our Father's face brighter beside you through the cloud than even before. I have never been so happy as this summer, perhaps more because I have suffered then any thing else. My situation have however is a quiet, pleasant one

in margin: this to you alone bracketing lines re "dear younger brother"