.MTIxNA.OTQzNDE

                                                                                               Elyria March 14th/ 54

My dear Mother

                   Thank you very much for your good letter written in Feb by the date.
 I was very glad to get it: it seemed a long time that I had not heard a word from you. I was quite surprised to learn you were at Milo again: no doubt it will be a great comfort to Charles to know you are there but you could be so much more comfortable & in many respects so much more happy at Bangor during the cold weather that I felt really sorry to have you go back. The only satisfaction is that you are doing more good: are more needed at Milo. We have already planned to have you accompany us home when we go, to stay as long as you wish, there would be no difficulty in returning any time that you desired. somebody is going east every month, so if you become homesick or discontented you would not be obliged to stay. I have just written to Lucy her last to me was dated Feb. 21st. I am hoping every day to hear from Nettie to know when she thinks of coming here. I fear her health is much poorer than the tenor of their letters.

[left-hand side, top and right-hand side] My love to Jamie tell him to set his aim high & in every thing he has to do do it as well as he can: then he will make a man let him remember, that, as is the boy so will be the man; I feel much interest in him:-- much desire he should make a good man, a superior man as he can do & ought to do above all that he be truly good that he should seek & obtain the blessing of God without which he shall be poor indeed. I am very sorry to hear that Jane is no better girl. I do not know what will become of her and that she has had so much pains taken with her too.