Justus F. Gale to Father
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I take my pen once more to talk with you a short time this morning; although I think
perhaps you may not be able to read – if you are alive. I received your kind letter
of the 5th the 23rd and was verry glad to hear from you – and
to hear that Mother was a gaining some. I also recd a letter
from Almira of Sept. 14th which came to hand the 28th this informed me that Mother
was still on the gain which I was glad to hear but was sorry
to hear that you have had to take your bed to have a run of that awful fever which had called our Dear Brother Jesper; & again it
called Dear Brother Charlie away where we shall se them no
more in this world but Oh! how thankful we ought to feel that if we are faithfull
here below we may meet them where parting senes will never come. I suppose before
this time you are either getting better or else you are beyond the reach of the pain
of this world – I sometime think that I dont care but little how soon I am called
from Earth away if I am only prepared for that solemn hour, but again life is sweet
to us although it is mixed with sorrow and disappointment in this world.
My health is first rate good – I never enjoyed better health than I have for the last
two or three months. I wish I could be at home to take care of the sick ones this
summer & fall – but I am not whare I can do any thing for you - but I hope that
by the order of Gods providence that you will be taken care of while I am called away
to the scenes of war and I hope that it may soon be ordered by an over ruling
providence that this war may soon come to an end – and we who are so much neaded at
home may have an opportunity to return to our friends. how many times I think of
scenes of pleasure that Charlie & I have enjoyed in gone by days - & of
pleasures that I have antisipated if I should ever return home but such times are
past. I think sometimes that if I should get back to Elmore again it will seem but
little like home – especially if I should stay my three years out – but we cant see
into the future; I have thought many times what nice times Chas. & I should have
when I got home talking over the times and scenes that I have witnessed while far
away in the buisy scenes of a soldiers life – but this may bee to learn us not to put
our dependance on things of an Earthly carecter for our enjoyment. Almira told me
that Mrs. Anson Omsted was not expected to live but a short time. She said to that
Mr. Gray was married again & many other things of interest to me. She said that
David Scott was
Brother Udall is well – he is here to algiers now.
at work at our place. She said you had two girls to help you then she dident say who they was – have you got some good girls to take care of you while you are sick and suffering. dont think that I shall bee feeling bad because the folks are sick and making some expence for that is far from me- but rather I hope I shall be able to earn & send enough to you to take care of you well so long as I am not there to take care of you myself.
I must hasten for the mail is going to close soon. I suppose Franklin Wells is near Washington by this time. have Lymans folks heard from him & how does he like and what is his fair. we have first rate good fair for a soldier - we have to bee on guard pretty often but get along very well for all that.
The Elmore boys are usually well only Rufus he isent very well now for a few days. we are expecting some more mail to day or tomorr ow. there isent any news worth writing – things are verry quiet about here now days. no pay comes along yet. I recd the lock of Chas. hair you sent me in your letter – I think I should known whose hair it was if you had not wrote whose it was – it is so soft and fine – I think every thing of any thing that has any look like him for since I left him I have thought more of him than I have of myself.
I sent the picture you sent me to Lymans folks not because I dident want to keep it but because I knew you would think so much of it – and then I couldent get any picture taken from it verry well here. I will get my picture taken and send to some of you as soon as I can get a chance give my love to Mother and all the rest – and except the same your self; write as soon as you get this if you are able – if not have some of the rest write for I want to hear from you often. Excuse me for writing to Father before I answered your letter. please except this with much love. I remain your affectionate brother
J. F. Gale
(To Samantha A. Gale)