Vassar College,
September 28, 1868.
My darling Brother
I received your letter today, and was glad, so glad
to hear from you. You don't know how much I think of you, hope for you,
and pray for you. I know I did a selfish thing in taking Carlos from you,
but it did not seem to me then as it does now. Though I can not think
Carlos could have helped you except in so far as his presence was a help.
That i3 now past, and if I did wrong to you in what I did, I ask you to for-
give me. God knows I would not add one atom to your sorrow or take a
single ray of comfort from you. I mean to be a true, actively loving sister
to you, and I want you to look upon me as such and come to me for any-
thing I can give or do.
Write to me and tell me about yourself, all, or at least, as much
as you choose. I know you must be so lonely, but do not be disheartened.
You are a young man yet, and there may be a glorious future yet before
you, I mean not so much glorious in making for yourself a high position in
life and maintaining it, though that indeed is worthy of ambition, as glorious
in righteous and holy living in a generous out-pouring of your-self for
others. You must take care of your healths you know the weakness of the
family, and must be careful. How is your cough? Where are you living?
I want to hear from you often. Write to me frequently, will you not,? I hope
to do better by you than I did last year. O John, I feel so anxious for you;
Dec. 25, 1865 - 28
you don't know how I long for your success. First, not in your own strength.
Look to God, who is the Father of the fatherless. Go to the Saviour, who is
ever ready to welcome a repentant one. Seek strength from above. Flee
from temptation. Seek the society of those whose influence you know to be
good. Strive to avoid everything, that is not pure and true and good. You
say "if I fail"—do not fail—keep up strong heart and courage. Remember
you have a mother, many near kindred, and nearest of all, three angel
children waiting for you. Can you disappoint them? I want you to be assured
of my affection, and to know that I shall always - no matter what you do -
feel for you a strong sisterly love. I want you to feel that it fc some thing
you can depend on - come what will. I hope to hear from you soon and often.
I am getting along pretty well, am feeling a little stronger every day. With
a prayer for your welfare, here and hereafter,
I remain Your sister,
Annie.
(Annie (Glidden) Houts, '69,
P.S. I don't know that X shall write Mary now. X should feel some-what
delicate about it, unless she wrote me first. Annie.