Bagillt
May 25, 1870
My Dear John,
I assure you I am always glad to hear from you or any of my
sons, and if anything can alleviate my personal suffering and bereavement, it
is some encouraging word or action of my family. As you observe ___ my time cannot be long in
this troublesome world. But it is
possible that short as it may be, that in trouble it may appear many times as
long as the years already passed over my head.
I already had great bodily pain to endure and then the loss
of you poor mother has completed my cup of sorrow. The only natural source by which the great
disposer of events can alleviate my earthly suffering is through my
family. As you are aware, my daughters
here are all dependent on their husbands
who are strangers to me in blood, so that were they ever so well off I cannot
expect much assistance from them. And
as well, they are all put to the greatest stress to meet all demands on their
small resources. I therefore am
compelled to appeal as feelingly as I can without offending to the stronger
branches of my family to assist in softening to some extent the privations I am
forced to endure. And while doing a
parent a kind service there is no doubt but that they will be heaping up
treasures in heaven and thus receive a more lasting reward than any worldly
means can give. That you and you little
and growing family want the help of all your energies I am satisfied, yet there
may be a few of the fallen crumbs that may not be missed and yet may go far to
alleviate mental and bodily anguish. If
you think me exacting, let the sufferings I endure be some excuse. It seems to be the order of providence that
distress should exist perhaps to call into activity our better and charitable
natures that might herewith lie dormant.
Well, I must conclude this time with all our kind love to
yourself and dear wife and children, and remain,
Your dear father,
Robert Benjamin
[This letter was dictated by Robert and written by
someone else due to his physical condidtion]
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