RKFP-023

Northfield June 25th 1852

Dear Isabella

Your favor of 4th April came duly to hand, and should have been answered three weeks since, but[underlined], but[underlined] the truth is I have had to work too[underlined] hard for the last month, to be able to handle a pen, I am but a bungler at best in penmanship, and your full sheet of presisely written lines without one blot, or trespass on the rules of Orthography, was not well calculated to inspire self confidence. Still it is truly gratifying to me to be able to claim at least one neat penwoman in the family, - I am more gratified to find that you have not forgotten me, - Miss Helen has no particular reason for being jealous that I presume to claim older acquaintance with her older Sister. I remember what she does not[underlined] that many years ago a poor boy with health impaired wishing to be useful yet with out the energy to make any great effort, used to be greatly cheered by a certain Nebit[?] who was always hapy when in health. Years has rolled away since then and I have wished, Ah longed to be remembered by that then[underlined] Child. Is it any wonder then that I should

urge a particular claim to be remembered. Your visit five years since seams more like a dream than a reality, the prattling Child was changed to the tall young lady Still I though I could detect, the child of other days, with a warm and loveing heart.

I do not claim to have any distinct recolection of Miss Helen in early days She was but an infant. When I last saw her she reminded me most strongly of a certain girl I became acquainted with nearly forty years ago who was the playmate of my childhood days, the sharer of my jous and sorrows when I arived at boyhood, and the cheerer of my stay in a land of strangers. God bless the dear old girl I love her still with an ardor with a depth of feeling that can never die, for it is a part of immortality Excuse this digression, I think I should know Hellen if I should meet her in any croudede Circle, - I remember Edward & George, as a pair of boys not to be ashamed of. If we all live I hope before ten years to let them see if there is any strengh in the grip of an old farmer Uncles hand. I do not antisipate to find a couple of drawing[underlined] room[underlined] heros[underlined] but men[underlined]. It would renew my age to spend a few day with those Old parents of yours. - it is said that hope and patience is amoung the best medicines to be used in such caces

See[underlined] well with us. We have three of the Olive plants that the old Prophet saw, growing up around our table. The two boys, (Walter & Albert) you remember to have seen together with Daughter Eva 4 years old named after her Aunt Evelina makes up the number of our Miss. We are taking a world of comfort our wants are within our means if our life is one of activity and industry it is not[underlined] one of Casking[?] Case'[?]. For a few years past I have added stock growing as we suckers call it to farming I have now some fine horses I would like to make you a present of a young cream coloured man named Mogg, slick as a mole & fleet as the wind and in return I would like to take a traine ride mounted on young Morgan with no other Companion than thy own Dear self. - Would we not enjoy life for a little while as tho animals kicked the mills off - Now is the floral season with us Our yard is hedged in with roses Poeany &c I love flours & hold them as fit emblems of youth and inocences. We have nothing to match your multiflora rose yet our Michigan rose is a fine climer & profuse bearer or bloomer. I expect you have a beautiful garden in fact your Mother claimed fair pretentions to a few Garden when I was with you I must get you to give me a description of the old place with its new changes. - I suppose you live on the old place

I live a busy life Br Levi has not yet returned I have to manage his farm, and if I can find a spaer day I am prompted by both duty and pleasure to call on the Twins[underlined] as they wer called when that Mary Mother of yours was of your age the Sisters as we now call them are prosperous and hapy thanks to the liberality of your Parents they are now the sole owners of the Old Home Stead together with a fine piece of land on the prairie[underlined] tis true on each gave them a small left but your parents most they have a dary of ten cows which supplies them with all the means they kneed to make them comfortable and if they kneeded more their brothers are on hand Br Asa would give his last shelling if necessary to keep the old house warm in winter and cool in summer The uncles are old well Old Doct.. has just returned from the Sprinfield conventions covered with Horticultural honours. - Hiram is still driving his big team as the Dutchmen call it, he has near 200 Cows Alonzo is keeping dary for Hiram Willm[underlined] is still fat & good natured Asa strives to make the most of his shillings worth of happiness Dear Bell[underlined], I feel that I shall not have to ask in vain to be excused for my bungleing manner of thinking & writing the latter is out of my line of business the former is seldom expressed on paper May the Greaat & good Ruler Bless & Keep You Joseph