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Deerfield Oct 29th/54 My Dear Nathan Yours of Oct 8th was duly received which thoroughly admonished me for neglecting a pleasurable duty of communing with you. Dear N, you have been called to the severest of unclear unclear trials since I last wrote you one which, from the letter preceeding the communications of the death of your lovely companion I had little reason to expect; for in that letter you spoke of her excellent health, & your happy home & my heart was full of congratulations in your behalf, for I know you were happy. I feel N. that you may reasonably excuse me for withholding my sympathies as long but indeed my heart has been pained by the