Union, Cass Co. Novr; about the 18th/71
Dear Children & Dear Arther
I should have written sooner but I was too unwell to write; but I will try to scratch down what I can think of this morning, Sunday, the Boys have gone to Trout Creek & I am alone; I dont feele very blue; but I have been thinking & dreaming very much about my dear Artey I hope he is well & a very good boy; I tryed to have my Adams Notes discounted but have not succeded yet; I would like to help you some if I could.
Glad you have got the lease of Mr France, so you dont have to moove fare hope you will doo well
Dorey the latch string is still hanging out at our dore for you I like to have you come & give it a good long pull altogather / perhaps I will come down to see you about Christmas if I am well but my fund is low this fall John is stiring up Trout Creek he makes them turn out & take hold. Even the outsiders are plesed with his administration. I am informed he dose very well for his age. he is a peacemaker & very resolute; but I think one or 2 will stick in the Mudhole fence Rail, dont attend he is done gone up, cant stand Johns Admtn they want Cyrus for Steward & that would kill Mr fence R, shure
Brothers Lanis & Birdsley are going to assist J. at trout Creek
Jacobs want me to come down & stay with them a while; but I must feel better than I doo at present before I go; Malissa is at Backers lerning to sew & go to school some this winter. I hope she will doo well or better /
well my Dear Arty if I had you here I would give you a big squeese & a biger kiss
be a good child & perhaps I will come down to see you this winter News is scarce Cyrus has been buisy husking corn & they are not quite done yet, tomorow they are going to make cider barl for us.
we have 5 Galn of Aplebutter ½ bl of kraut & I made 3 kind of preserves, 2 Galn of wild & tame grapes; 1 Gln crabs, 1½ blue speck [?] wish you had some of them
wednesday Cyrus is going to butcher at trouts I cant write more at presant hope you will go to hear Mr Seran he is on your circuit. Hetzler is on trout Creek. Preaches here today Says he did not know you lived in Golean, write very soon
Your Afect. father
Wm Albright /
Gently Down the Stream of Time
Gently down the stream of Time
floats our bark toward the Sea
sweetly peals the Evening Chime
Hear it Echo wild and free
friends have gone, ties have been broken
fears & doubts & hopes sublime
Carless words though idly spoken
lie sleeping neath the sea of time
Yonder on the Golden Shore
forms unsee are chanting low
Strains we loved in days of yore
Memories of long ago
voises now are hushed for ever
Tears & flowers strew their graves
And this mighty Rushing River
Buries all beneath its waves