colby_fam_b2_f33_d06_09

without speaking to my soul in tones I cannot misun
derstand It comes from Nature's unseen author, and
links my soul in bonds of love to all that He has
made, & I rejoice that a country house and rural scenes
are mine, that my life of toil is placed where Nature
is toiling too; that I can feel her great heart throb
in unison with mine, and see daily before my eyes
the constantly recurring miracle of creative power,
in every leaf and blade of grass, and that I can feel
that "there is good in labor, if we labor but aught.
and divide the hours with study and toil, thus sha[ll]
we give [reyoice?]to both mind and body and verify our
prayers for "labor is worship" not a curse unless we
make it so, a long letter much longer than I meant to, Pardon me
, for I am indebted to you for a pleasant evening.
There is a stronger magic in the pen, when we have, or
fancy we have, or a friend at the other end, I was
going to say, and I will, for it ever seems to me like
a spirit telegraph; and sometimes I feel as if I could
send instantaneous communications through its invisible
wire, and thrill the heart of the absent with the same
emotions that are thrilling my own. And there is
a stronger bliss in this illusion,
I shall hope to hear from you again very soon, if you
survive this broadside of nonsense, from the batteries
of your invisible friend, which by the way is very doubtful
For if you do, you will feel no relish for another charge

But I will try to have a claim to that which is
called "the soul of wit" in my next, I mean "brevity."
that is if you like short letters. I do not when they are
addressed to me. Tell me of yourself in your next that I
may have something tangible to love. I like my friends to
have a touch of egotism about them, and to talk and
write much of themselves so that I can get a glimpse
of the heart. Your friend if you will let me be

C. R C.