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Mary Johnston Goodrich
Hartford [Connecticut] My dear Augusta, Your letter came to me yesterday P.M. and I am so filled with sorrow for you that I cannot refrain from saying a few words to you at once. I cannot – peaceful and happy as I am now – forget the lonely years of past widowhood, and so my heart is full of sympathy for you in this first keenness of your grief. When time has softened this, I am sure there will be many sources of comfort and consolation come to you, and you will come to peaceful thoughts of the dear husband called away to partake of the reward he has so richly earned. As I recall his early labors and your united sacrifices for “suffering Kansas” and then contrast that life and condition with the Kansas of today, I cannot but feel that you have realized in a measure already some compensation for your struggles and labors for the Master. And now add to these, dear Augusta, the joyful welcome which your dear husband has received; “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou has been faithful over a few things. I shall make thee ruler over many things. Enter then into the joy of thy Lord.” Henceforth your life here will be a lonely one, but you will have greater companionship with Heaven, for “when your treasure is there, will your heart be also.” So be comforted my dear niece and think of the dear husband as but gone before, and that one day will come a joyful reunion. You could not tell me in this first sad letter any thing of your plans, but I shall hope to hear more from you soon feeling sure that you will believe that I am deeply interested in all that pertains to your welfare. I am so glad to know that your dear [son] John was able to be with you and comfort you, though so greatly needed by his wife [and his newborn child]. I trust [your son] Willie is much better now & that you have become more calm. Will you write and tell me whether you would like a crape veil and a summer shawl – a very nice grenadine one – which I would like to send you if they would be helpful to you? It is time to prepare for church & so I must leave you. I have recently had the comfort of a visit from my sister Em. She left me last Wednesday. Sometime I trust you will become acquainted with my dear husband. Six months of married life has bound us very closely together and my home here with his family is a very delightful one. Will you write soon to me? I will send your letter to [my step-son] Jamie [Goodrich] who I am sure will have tender sympathy for his dear “Cutie.” Let me hear from you soon again. With
love to your dear children, your loving and sympathizing, |
