Letter: Anna Bonsall Hartshorne to Isaac Hartshorne, August 20, 1872

Havenford 8th mo 20th 1872

My dear Isaac

I do not like to trouble thee while the Camp meeting is going on but as thy sister told me thee proposed to come for me on the 24th I think I ought to tell thee of my difficulties in the way of preparing to go to Maryland. they have become quite insurmountable now. I cannot even guess when I can be taken home - Charles was here a short time on first day - he told me he expected to join Carrie somewhere tomorrow - did not know when he would return. Edward and Joe are hundreds of miles away - and Henry left us on first day afternoon intending to take the night train for Dubuque where he expects to meet a Scientific Association, and having something else in view, he may be gone

several weeks - Mary expreses a wish that I should stay with her while he is away, as she cannot leave the kind of family she has here, for which I am very sorry. As she needs a change of scene and rest I am glad to feel that I am of some use, and think perhaps it would be best to give up all thought of going to Maryland until after thy Club meeting and that will bring it so near the time for thy sons to come on here that we had better leave it for the present - it is a great blessing that I am in comfortable quarters for I could not leave, if I would. Henry may not stay more than ten days and when Charles returns I may go to the city where I have many things to attend to having staid here so much longer than I expected - it is not likely that there will be much more

continuous hot weather, and I feel as if it would be pleasant to spend some time at home before going again for months, as I always make it when I get with you. I am stronger than when I came here - but appetite keeps poor, and I suppose the machine is nearly worn out, but I desire to remember my blessings, which are more than I can count.

So my dear son we will leave the subject of thy coming for me to be taken up in the future - I am glad William had been with you as well as Charley - give my love to them, their mother, and aunt Maryanis - I hope the drouth is over with you - we have showers every day. heavy rains sometimes.

Thy affectionate mother A. H.