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Olive April Prospect Grove April 1850 My dear brother and sister when I look at the date of your last letter, my heart reproaches me severely for neglect; and yet I will not even promise to do better for fortune favors me with many things to do, but I might have devoted some stray moments exclusively to you, do not think that for a day you are forgotten; in passing through my daily routine of duties "Fond memory is busy still" and in her wings I'm with you still here" but alas! recollection at hand soon hurries me back not to despair, but reality hope and joy. I think I have never written you of our prairie flower that we are cultivating carefully, tenderly to blossom in immortality be assured I feel the responsibility that rests on me Oh that wisdom might be granted me to train aright. With this ease Lucy, there is a delight a mother only can know My darling is quiet and good natured has never cried in the night since she came here, wakes at 7 or 8 in the morning laughs and talks to herself until I am ready to take her then I give her some breakfast and kisses put her to bed she goes to sleep again and sleeps two or three hours then gets up for all day she goes to bed awake every night indeed I cannot remmember when she has gone to sleep in my arms when she is sleepy put her on the bed or sofa go out of her sight