Waterville Aug 19th 64My dear Son

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Yours of the 14th came to hand a few moments ago & I hasten to answer it you wrote you thought of going to the war what would it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your life I am sure money is of but little value when ones life is the forfeit if you are bent on going we cannot hinder you as formerly for you are

of age but you must weigh the matter candidly & think how Father & Mother & the children felt when you enlisted before & how they will feel now we even never give our consent for what would money be to the life of my boy I want you to think of how much trouble your poor Mother has had of late & is still having & do not add any too it for it seems as tho I could not bear much more I shall expect an early answer for it does

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not seem as tho I could wait to hear from you for it was unexpected to me that you could be hired to enlist you are far away where I cannot talk to you but hope you will get this before you act in the matter your Cousin Laura An is dead she died 2 weeks ago last Tuesday Your Father has got a lame back he has not got all of his hay & oats cut yet Ella is about the same not much better we sold our butter about two weeks ago for forty cts

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I was sorry you got that sponge to pay so high for it one quarter of it was all I needed and I did not expect it would be but a few cents however I must make the best of it can they are all gone to bed but me & I must close and go & lay & think of my absent boy

Do write as soon as you get this & relieve your Mothers great anxiety

From your afflicted MotherRuth Fletcher

Edson & his wife & 2 sisters are up we expect them here next week