RKFP-057a

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Buffalo Oct 17th 1853.

Dear Am

Your fav or of the 12th instant was gladly received we began to think you had gone to the bottom of lake Erie.

We had a call this morning from a cousin of your mothers and her husband and daughter his name is Sloat a dutchman, so he seemed to take great pride in calling himself, his wife is a daughter of granpa's sister Lois, who lives with her, they reside about thirty miles from New York on the N Y and Eerie railroad, she remembers granma very well, they were in town all day yesterday, but did not know of your uncles, though they had been to Niagara and visited Mrs Street.

The place where they live was named after his grandfather who bought the land of the Indians, lived and died on it, so had his father, and he expects to do the same, they seem like very pleasant people I regret very much they could not stay long enough to make us a visit.

I have just received a letter from Rodolph he expects to be home in about five weeks but can stay only one week. he is now fairly entered on his apprenticeship and for four[strikethrough] three years and a half will have to be a drudge for Mr.. Van Amie, by that time I fear he will not have much ambition for anything but making money, which is certainly a very necessary article in this world though it should not be the only aim of our existance.

We have also heard from Charlie, through Mr.. Laurie who went to the Asylum last week with his mother, he did not

see him but they gave him about the same account as they have you it seems hard that none of his friends can see him although I know it is best Myron Bush has a brother-in-law who has been insane, he was there a year before he recovered his reason, he afterwards remained a year and worked for them, he speaks very highly of the institution and wishes his friends to take him there immediately should he ever lose his reason again.

It is hard very hard to feel that all the dispensations of the Almighty are right but we know he does not willinly afflict nor grieve the children of men and if we could look behind the veil which hides his designs we should see that this affliction which I trust is but for a short season was sent upon him only to save him from some still greater calamity.

Tell Laura to cheer up I have had some little experience in homesickness and know that it is anything but a pleasant disease so I advise her to shake it off immediately.

Maria was rather disappointed that your letter was not addressed to her instead of me she is studying away as hard as she can I know not how much longer her father will allow her to attend school she must make the most of her time, for if she should step off as young as I did she will have very little chance for improvement after leaving school but I hope she will be wiser than her mother in this respect at least.

We are all well as usual, uncle Dolph complains some but goes to the store every day Flint is able to tramp all day for the sight of one poor bird which he could not kill.

We shall be happy to hear from you again at your earliest leisure give my love to granma your mother and all the rest of the good folks

your truly Maria Ransom