.MTIxNw.OTUyMzU

Miss L.H. Metcalf March 13th 48 Milo Northfield March 5th 8th 1848

                                                                                                                                                                          Milo March 5th 1848.

My very dear Brother Isaac,

                                                       Your letter of the 23rd alt, was gladly received night before last, and although tis sabba'day I am hasting to answer it lest we should not recieve that "reply within a fortnight." But really, I cannot allow you to attribute my late negligence in writing, to such a cause. The 'prospect' you speak of had no tendency to diminish my affection for any of my friends - certainly not my dear Mother and brothers. The thought of leaving them all - in one sense - for another, renders them dearer, and makes me feel their kindness and love more than ever. I am so glad that you have really settled the matter that you will come home. I feared from a previous letter that ti might not be consistent. As Ann say, Mother has not many more daughters, to marry off, and it seems desirable that all should meet at home. Perhaps we shall not all be at home together very often except it be on some such occasion. I am very glad you are so strenuous about Mother's going to Mayo, with you in the Spring, for you know she never starts unless some one does urge, and make every thing plain for her. She needs the relaxation - Her health and spirits will both require it another summer. Besides it will be an excellent thing for Albina - learn her to depend upon herself, and value Mother. She don't know how much good Mother does here, and never will know how to appreciate her labors etc. unless Mother goes away a while. It is a great help to have a person of experience & judgement to advise and take care