grandmother, and the rest of the family, as comfortable as possible. The
desire of mother that I should come home and in some measure supply your
place, I should not hesitate to comply with, had I not been strongly
impressed with the idea that I could render more substantial help by
remaining here than by coming home. But I hope before you leave home you
will do everything you can for mother; and should you be near home, that
you will often visit them, and afford them all the assistance in your
power. You know, dear brother, that mother has had many hardships for
our sakes. Well do I remember how she used to go out in cold, stormy
weather, to assist us about our work, in order to afford us the
opportunity of attending school. May we live to enjoy the pleasure of
having it in our power to return in some small degree the debt we owe
her, by contributing to her comfort in the decline of life."

Then again he wrote to his sister, referring to his brother's absence:
"I scarcely know how you will get along without him, as mother wrote me
he was going to learn a trade this fall. You must try to do all you can
to help along. Think how much trouble and hardship mother has undergone
for our sakes. Surely we are old enough to take some of the burden off
her hands. I hope you will not neglect these hints. Never suffer mother
to undergo any hardship of which you can relieve her. Strive to do all
you can to lessen the cares and anxieties which must of necessity come
upon her. Be kind, obedient, and cheerful in the performance of every
duty. Consider it a pleasure to do anything by which you can render
assistance to her."

To another sister he wrote, "I hope you will do all you can to
contribute to the assistance and comfort of grandmother and mother. You
have it in your power to do much for them. Take care that you never
grieve them by folly or misconduct. If my influence will have any effect