Mary (Chapin) Burt - October 17/25, 1868 - Canton, IL

Canton Oct 17/68

Dear Father, Mother Brothers + Sisters

Your letter Marcia, reached me bearing the sad news that my dear Father was growing weaker. I am sorry that I am not able to go there. Mrs. Gleason has furnished books for Willie and he is going to school. The schools are strict here and if they are absent so many days, except from sickness, they are expelled. I am all the help that Mrs. Gleason has now and the route is yet, a kind of roundabout one and considering the children and all things I think it is impossible. I am trying to earn enough to clothe myself, Nora + Willie. It is rather hard work. Mrs. Gleason is very good to me and has given me considerable already. I think she intends to procure what is needed for for Willie. She has given him his school books (as no two places have books alike) mittens handkerchief and said that Mr. Gleason would get him a cap and pr. of boots.

Sun. 25th

You see I did not finish my letter and did not get time since until now. I was very busy all the week and very tired when I went to bed. I have to get up pretty early. I suppose Marcia you know what it is to work out by the week, and as I am not very strong it takes me longer to work than it does some and I am one of the slow kind. Then I have Nora’s + Willie’s clothes to make so I have to be up and doing.

But I must expect to work now as I have no one to care for me, all the one I could look to for help is gone and now I must devote my time and energies for the great struggle. O it is a sad feeling - that to find yourself left alone to surrender all, husband children + home (to be sure I have Willie with me) but then it is not home - and shall I find it again this side of the grave? I feat there is still another sorrow in store for me. I had hoped to hear that my dear Father was better, letters which I have had from Father Burt said that he was better that he was up in Urbana but it may be that before this reaches you he may have joined the angelic throng above. Passing away, passing away - how truly is it written on all that we love.

How can I offer words of hope or consolation when my own heart is so much burdened. We must put our trust in God ‘tis all that we can do, and I pray that He may give us strength to endure the trial. He will be our Father and our Friend. O, that He may bless the dear one, give him patience and fortitude to bear all his sufferings, that he may find relief from the one true Source a full trust in the One who gives pain and pleasure grief and happiness as He seeth we need.

O, that he may yet be restored to health and that he may see years of prosperity and peace.

I expect Father Burt is looking for a letter from me but I cannot do justice to all. There are several that expect letters from me Father Burt, Lizzie, Nora Josie besides my cousins which I seldom hear from owing to myself not writing. If you see any of Father Burts you can tell them I will write as soon as I can. I received a letter from Mrs. Harriet Pepple which lies unanswered. Her family are well and with them as the rest of us she writes they have had a hard struggle to get along. Have not hear from Lizzie since I have been here she must be sick or she has not got my letters. my love to all.

yours as ever

Mary Burt

Where is H. McNeil + Loesa now?

Excuse bad writing for my pen and paper both are poor.

I hope Hannah has reached home by this time or is she not coming?