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Sunday Eve Dec 4th Dear Mother I have been writing to Chandler & having filled up the sheet without leaving room to thank you for your short but very kind letter I will now say a few words to you & the Girls. Dear Mother I wish I could this moment meet you face to face & mingle together tears of joy that we had again met together after travelling on in the journey of life so many years at so great a distance apart. I would gladly take you by the hand, while yet it is warm with life tho' withered by age & toil the benefit of which I have shared & I would fain kiss this night ere I sleep. that careworn cheek & grieve myself to sleep to think my absence had caused one furrow there: I could bend the manly knee be once more a child at your feet, look up in a mothers face & ask her to forgive me for ever causing a tear to flow from a restless eye to moisten a fond parents aged brow. And yet- while your eye is sparkling with life's glimmering light- I would ask for a parting gift, a mother's blessing. Dear mother I beg of you do not allow yourself to mourn or grieve on account of your absent Son. Be cheerful & enjoy the many comforts around you -Your Children, all save one are near you, even that one is near you in thought. Let not my absence clog up & stop the many sources of happiness around you. Bear constantly in mind that Charlie loves his Mother & intends to come home to see his mother smile once more. Chandler & Sam'l are both settled by your side; they will be affectionate & kind. Their wives I think will not fail to contribute to your happiness. The Girls Abby and Mary are Still fond of their old home & like a mothers presence & forsake you not. Danford & Emily & family are now living quite near. On every side & closely too You are surrounded by true friends, are you not? This is the way I have viewed the matter - For your sake especially I regret being absent so long; For as you say life is uncertain. Since I wrote I have bought a Claim which will detain me till another season unless I sell. I think my bargain is a good one.
[left-hand side] I am living 2 1/2 miles from Downieville this winter, & working my new claim when it is good weather. I go to town Downieville every week
[written sideways across top] Send my letters the same as before to Downieville, Sierra Co. Cal. I have not said much to Emily & family yet in this letter. Intend to write to D & E this week but at any rate Please give my love to Danford, Emily & family & tell them I thank them for their friendly letter E has quite a family. She must be quite happy with her little flock. Mother are you not glad that D & E now moved so near you. Now I have told all I think of at present. I am pretty well, work rather hard but am not at all depressed in spirits. I call California my home. I like the climate & often think of living here & making it my home. Tho' not probable do not think much about my being at home before next season. I have a Cabin here and also in town. I can keep comfortable here this winter Flour is worth 18 cts per pound, other things in proportion, Butter 50 c 75 c, a meal of victuals $1.00; it costs 7 to 10 dollars per week to live & cook victuals ? . Farewell C.R.