.NTI.MTM5Mw

Some things appear more charming at a distance, than near to; more pleasant in imagination, than when we come in contact with them; more captivating in description, than in experience [underline]. It is very interesting, for instance, to think of a nice rural spot, in some beautiful valley, or sunny hill [caret] side; of the neat quiet homestead surrounded with trees & flowers, fields & flocks, & filled with the fresh products & sumptuous dainties of the season. But these comforts cannot be had without somebody's [underline] labor, a slight specif of which I have described to you on the other page. Well, then, my son, think of laboring for them. It is an honorable underline] as to labor for any thing else, I know. But think of returning here, & just taking my [underline] place & of doing what I [underline] do, day after day, & year after year after year;- harden & tan up your hands, as I do, with all sorts of drudgery, with a multitude of cares on your mind, & services on your hands, continually, so much so, as scarcely to find time to brush your boots, & through I don't deny that in my [underline] state, one ought to be contented, see [underline] if it is very much preferable to yours [underline]. See, if [start underline] you don't [end underline] feel [double underline] sometimes as you have seen me [underline] look [double underline], as tho things didn't go well. I guess I have preached enough for this [underline] time, on this [underline] subject. Mr. McKee will start for N. York in the morning. Poor Susan Milliken came to me today to advise her about her rights in certain land property & wept at the fortune she had in the world. I said what I could to