Dear Cousin Emelia

                     Is there one word of sympathy and consolation that I can give in this hour of your bereavement Words are far too feeble to express my deep sorrow at this sad event. From experience I know that the sympathy of earthly friends is of great value but your affliction is so great that you need consolation from above may you be sustained is my prayer. We ask ourselves why was dear George called thus early to leave his dear family. God alone can answer. it seemed that he was very much needed in his family he was such a kind devoted husband his loss is far greater than if it were otherwise. I cannot realize / that you are left alone but such is life. at this moment the death bell is tolling for a soldier who has just returned from the war he was sick when he came home and lived 2 weeks leaves a wife and two children I attended funeral services this P.M. of a young man who started to come home and was left on the way to die he was a very fine young man and his death is a great loss to his aged parents. how full of sorrow this world is. each heart knows its own grief. I have seen sorrow in parting with a child but your affliction is the deepest It was like taking my life to part with Frank but I thought at the time it would be worse to part with Charles

 

            George died the same month and day of the month that our little Frank died and I always feel very sad at this season of / the year Altho it is 6 years the 18 of August since little Frank died the same anguish wrings my heart as at the time he died. at times I feel it all again. Fred is not well and I worry a great deal about him he took a severe cold at first seems to have a very bad cough I hope he will soon be better but feel that he needs the best of care as he is a delicate child. Charles is better now than he has been since he had the dyptheria in April it left him in a bad state George boards with me he is not very well now. As for myself I hardly ever passed a summer feeling so unwell as this I hope to feel better as soon as cold weather comes

 

            Charles thinks you will come East as soon as you can / conveniently I hope you will as it will be some consolation to be with your relatives

 

We all feel for you Spencers folks sympathise deeply with you Mother and Spence were down last night we talked a great deal about you and would all be glad to do something to alleviate your sorrow—but look above to him who is willing and able

 

I must close write to us

 

Your Cousin

Elisabeth Powers

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