page_0004

of this woman after the fruit of her womb, the
joys of her youth, the staff and stay of her
declining age. She has suffered & still must
the exquisite pain of fearing night and day
some terrible calamity befalling either or both
of her children and especially her daughter; whose
blooming womanhood exposes her more terribly
than the worst adventures happening to a young
man. She feels as if she must die of anxiety
and grief and longing love, unless she can get
her children with her soon. Not that I think
she will die. It would perhaps be better if she
could. But she is so well situated, in all merely
worldly particulars, that she may perhaps live
ten or twenty years; but if she must live so—
these years will all be years of lingering heartbreak.

I have delayed writing until it was probable
that the cooler weather had invited you home
from travel. I need not add how anxiously I will
await your kind reply, and pray for your health
and happiness, and remain

with the highest respect
Madame
Your Obedient Servant
J. P. Lesley.
Professor of Mining in the
University of Pennsylvania.