13 December 1853

It's quite a comfort, Austin, to hear that you're alive, after being for several days in ignorance of the fact - and when I tell you honestly that Vinnie and George Howland would have gone to Northampton yesterday to telegraph to you, if we had'nt heard yesterday noon, you can judge that we felt some alarm.

We supposed you had either been killed, in going from Cambridge to Boston, for the sake of your watch, or had been very sick and were at present delirious and therefore could not write. Mother and Vinnie, Sue and me, were about as disconsolate last Saturday night at sundown, as you would often see. Sue spent the evening here and I went home with her, each feeling perfectly sure that you were not in this world, neither in that to come, and worrying ourselves to fevers in wondering where you were, and why you did'nt write something to some of us. Oh how you would have laughed to have seen us flying around - dodging into the post office and insisting upon it we had a letter there, notwithstanding poor Mr Nims declared there was nothing there - then chasing one another down to our office to Bowdoin, and telling him we knew all about it - he had got the letter and was hiding it, and when he took oath he had not, plunging into the street again, and then back to the house to communicate the result of our forlorn proceedings - and mother - oh she thought the bears in the wood had devoured you, or if you were not eaten up, you were such a monster of thoughtlessness and neglect! but it's all over now, and Thank God you are safe! We are all here, dear Austin - still getting cheerfully on - still missing you, and wishing for you, and knowing you cannot come - Oh for the pleasant years when we were young together, and this was home - home!

Poor Susie hears nothing from you - She knows you have written tho'. Sue and I walked to Plainville to meeting Sunday night, and walked back again - Mr Dwight was there - I presume it will make you laugh. Mother could'nt find that Collar Pattern, but you left a Collar in the kitchen cupboard, which you said was just right, and I've ripped it, and cut a pattern from that, and the next time you write if you'll tell me if it's the correct one, Vinnie'll take it up to Miss Baker. We hear from Father often - in better spirits now - When are you coming home. We do want to see you - Much love for you. Write soon -

Your aff Sister,

Emily.