12,1851.
DEAR BROTHER:--On the day before yesterday I received a letter from Harriet, written at Greenup.

She says she has just returned from your house, and that father is very low and will hardly recover.
She also says that you have written me two letters, and that, although you do not expect me to come now, you wonder that I do not write.

I received both your letters; and although I have not answered them, it is not because I have forgotten them, or not been interested about them, but because it appeared to me I could write nothing which could do any good.

You already know I desire that neither father nor mother shall be in want of any comfort, either in health or sickness, while they live; and I feel sure you have not failed to use my name, if necessary, to procure a doctor or anything else for father in his present sickness.

My business is such that I could hardly leave home now, if it were not, as it is, that my wife is sick a-bed.