My Dear Mrs. McQuesten,

I received your letter last Dec. while my time & attention was much occupied by a contemplated change in my life. That circumstance tended to make a little delay, though it by no means tended to a forgetfulness of yourself or other friends. I thought much of you with anxiety during the summer & hoped to hear that you was [sic] the happy mother of a well child. But as our heavenly Father saw fit to take the dear one to himself I rejoice to see you sensible that a murmur does not become his dear children.¹

You spoke in your letter of Mrs. Sadler & her love to her infant & I have since been informed of its sickness & death. Perhaps it was becoming an idol & for that reason was removed. We know that these Providences are in perfect wisdom.

You will excuse me in telling you as though I was by your side in your own room that I am not only married, but very happy. I believe that I enjoy the confidence & love of a very good husband. I believe that I have never flown away on wings of imagination but I have always expected some alloy in every earthly good. Thus far, I have found quite as little as I expected in this relation.² My husband wishes me to express to you his kind regards for yourself & husband. He was at my fathers when I received your letter & had a perusal of it. I observed a sympathizing tear fall from his eye at the rehearsal of the afflictions of your husband & his anxiety & watchful care during your sickness.

We now expect Mr. Robinson will be installed over this church & society the first of July. We live in a pleasant neighbourhood & have an enterprising N.E. [New England?] population. I am very happy too in being but 25 miles from my father's house. One of my sisters is with me, teaching school. I am happy too in breathing "mountain air."

I am invited to take tea with my next door neighbour who is I suppose expecting me. I have seen 4 or 5 ladies go & it is after 4 so I must go.

I shall be very happy to receive a letter from you again & hope you will not copy my example in waiting 6 months.

I remember a certain Doctor's kindness to me a year since with grateful affection. My love to friends in your own house. Excuse my hasty line & believe me

Dear friend

Yours sincerely

S.W. Robinson

¹ Margarette's first child, Calvin Jr. was born August 15, 1834 and died August 25, 1834. To learn more about Margarette Barker Lerned [McQuesten] please see W0609.

² It is likely that the writer means that a relationship can never be pure gold, but must contain some "alloy."