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To Francis G. Shaw.

July, 1863.
Words are inadequate to express what I feel for you. The same faith that made you willing to sacrifice your only son in defence of righteous principles will help to sustain you under this sorrowful bereavement. But oh, how hard it would be for our poor [178] human hearts, were it not for the hope of reunion in that other world, where all the shocking discords are resolved into harmony!

Dear friend, I herewith return you the remaining check for two hundred dollars. Since those horrible New York mobs, I cannot keep it with an easy conscience. Do not understand me as returning it to you, but to your fund for the relief of poor wretches whose need is so much greater than mine. Besides this feeling, there are other personal considerations which, in part, induce me to return your bounty. I have met with two unexpected lucky incidents. I have also just recovered fifty dollars which I supposed was lost by the failure of my bookseller. I also hope to make three or four hundred dollars by my forthcoming book for old people.

Under these circumstances, I think you will see that I ought not to receive help when there are so many sufferers in the land who need it more than I do. You will see that it is not pride, dearest friend, but conscience. Never, never shall I forget your kindness in sending it. It did me a world of good, when I felt so stunned and desolate. But I am getting bravely over all that now. I reproach myself for having cared so much about a home, when so many homes are ruthlessly broken up. The debris of a fire is bad, but what is it compared with the desolation wrought by a mob? I am most sincerely sorry for James Gibbons and his family.1 Miss Osgood told me they had one room consecrated to interesting souvenirs of their lost Willie. How dreadful it must have been to have that pillaged by a mob!

1 Mr. Gibbons's house in New York city was gutted by the mob during the draft riots of July, 1863.

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James Gibbons (2)
Francis G. Shaw (1)
Lucy Osgood (1)
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