Enosburg, Vt., Oct. 15, 1859
My Dear Edson,
The Lord has been very merciful to me on this journey, and has
given me better health than I have had for one year. I have felt quite
light-hearted, and at times have felt the sweet peace of God resting
upon me. How is it with you, Eddie? Are you any homesick, or do
you keep so busy you do not find time to be homesick? I suppose your
time is all usefully employed. We do not mean that you shall work
all the time. Light work will not hurt you, but be healthy exercise for
you. We hope you will make some progress in your studies while we
are absent. Be faithful, dear Eddie, and take a right course, that those
who so kindly care for you may love and respect you. I have been so
grateful to hear such good news from you, that you were trying to do
right, and that you had not been wrong, or caused the family grief that
you are with.
I want to tell you a little circumstance. Yesterday we were with a
family where there was a poor sick lame boy. He is a cripple for life,
and never will be able to walk or run like other boys. We inquired into
the case, and found this poor boy’s affliction was caused by his going
into a brook of water when he was warm. He has since been a great
sufferer. He has an ugly sore on his hip which runs all the time, and
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one limb is drawn up some inches shorter than the other. He is a pale,
sickly, feeble little fellow; has been so five years. You may sometimes
think we are too careful of you, and are too particular to keep you out
of the river. My dear boy, think of this poor cripple. How easy it is
for young children like you to be a little careless, or venturesome, and
make themselves cripples or invalids for life. I thought, what if this
poor boy was mine; what if I should be compelled to see you suffer so.
Oh, how my heart would ache that I had not been more careful of you.
Eddie, I could but weep as I thought of these things. Your father and
mother love you very much. We instruct and warn you for your good.
Your affectionate Mother.
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