his wife yesterday by a load of wood. I believe, running on to her. – she was sister of Mr. Russ who was killed so suddenly last week. A wonderful coincidence & shocking Oh! what – [code] Laura is no better, but rather worse, And can be [code] Maria, Betsy & mother are all with her Arthur & Ellen are here & at Chases most of the time [code] Oh! how can I write it! my only and beloved sister has gone from this world forever, !! Oh what is life! Oh may I be as good as my dear sister was & meet her at last in Heaven where dear Laura has gone! She died at 3 o’clock PM. Alas that I must write it. The last word she spake was Amelia (calling Mrs Fink by name) She had her senses to the last, & spoke to us all & received our farewell kiss, she said to me “dear Frank,” Once more she spoke to me saying “Frank, take good care of Arthur” Yes her motherless boy shall never want for a friend while I live. Oh shall I never hear her sweet voice call me by that name again, she with whom I have spent so many happy hours in days gone by. Oh! I shall never forget those days, but they & she have gone forever --------------
She bade his be comforted but how can we? How can Andrew be consoled for the loss of so good a wife. A.P. & Arthur stay here & sleep in the south chamber, which Laura once occupied in days that have forever gone