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But the "Great Physician" came to our aid, and by the blessed influences of His power attending us, our efforts ever successful, and he still lives. He is not quite well again but is comfortable and we trust will soon regain his health. Grandmother "withers" but slowly for her weight continues at nearly two hundred. She is, however, well and happy. My mother dear still glides around this house with light elastic step, notwithstanding her labor and care have for a few years past been far greater than woman ought be called to bear. Her whole desire is for the good of her children, and for them she'll surely toil while yet her strength holds out. May they not forget the great debt due the parents who have so fondly and faithfully nourished them. As regards [?], I've very much I'd like to say to thee, but as my sheet is nearly filled. I must abridge and say all in as few words as possible. It may excite they surprise, my friend, when I tell thee that my teaching days are over. The experience of the past year has all to do with this conclusion. When I left my school a year ago, it was my intention to enter very soon upon a course of study preparatory to entering Brown University in the fall. After being at home a short time, I found that father's health was very poor, and for several weeks he was not able to attend to his customary duties. I could not feel justified in leaving him to labor alone in feeble health and concluded to remain at home for a time. In September I went to Providence and found that by close application and being very economical of my time. I could before the year was out, stand even with others of the entering class, Ere I was fairly started in carrying out this plan I was sent for an account of father's sickness and it being necessary that I should remain at home several weeks, my [coll?] arrangements were entirely broken up not as much from a want of courage as from a feeling that such would be the wiser part and gave up the idea of a college course, since which time, my desire to make teaching my profession, has so much diminished that I have finally decided to have it out of account entirely and get into business as soon as possible. I am thinking much of the western country. Were it not that my means are very limited, and that I am compelled to practice strict economy, I should travel through the west and try to decide for myself, upon a desirable location, the kind of business I should like to follow etc., etc. As I must deny myself this privilege and pleasure, I would ask thy worthy counsel and advice with regard to my turning my course westward. Do you consider the west the place for a young man of limited means for all N.E.? What [?] of the west do you think the most desirable as regards health and enterprise? What course for obtaining a desirable situation do you recommend? About the kind of labor I am not particular except that it be lucrative and does not conflict with principles of honor and right. I shall desire upon some course very soon therefore a few lines soon received [?] will meet the most grateful regard of thy friend, Hyman A. White