I think it is just the most wonderful thing that I ever
heard of that you are willing to invite a stranger like me
to visit you! At first I thought it wasn't right to accept
such great kindness from people I never saw, and who didn't
know whether they could even like me or not. But afterward
Mr. Courtland told me about your Stephen and that you had
suffered, too! And then I knew that I might take you at your
word and come for a little while to get the comfort I need
so much! Even then I couldn't have done it if Mr. Courtland
and my nurse hadn't told me they were sure I could get
something to do and so be able to repay you for all this
kindness. If I can really be of any comfort to you in your
loneliness I shall be so glad. But I'm afraid I could never
even half fill the place of so fine a son as you must have
had. Mr. Courtland has told me how grandly he died. He saw
him, you know, at the very last minute, and saw all he did
to save others. But if you will let me love you both I shall
be so grateful. All that I had on earth are gone home to God
now, and the world looks so long and hard and sad to me! I
do hope you can love me a little while I stay, and that you
will not let me make you any trouble. Please don't go to any
work to get ready for me. I will gladly do anything that is
necessary when I get there. I am quite able to work now; and
if I have a place where I can feel that somebody cares
whether I live or die it will not be so hard to face the
future. A great, strange city is an awful place for a girl
that has a heavy heart!
I am so glad that you know Jesus Christ. It makes me feel at
home before I get there. My dear father was a minister.
They wouldn't let me go and pack up, so I had to do the best
I could with directing the kind friends who did it for me. I
have taken you at your word and had mother's sewing-machine
and a box of my little brother's things sent with my trunk.
But if they are in the way I can sell them or give them
away. And I don't want you to feel that I am going to
presume upon your kindness and settle down on you
indefinitely. Just as soon as I get a chance to work I must
take it, and I shall want to repay you for all you have done
for me. You have sent me a great deal more money than I
need.
I start Wednesday evening on the through express. I have
marked a time-table and am sending it because we are unable
to find out just what time I can make connections from
Grant's Junction, where they say I have to change. Perhaps
you will know. But don't worry about me; I'll find my way to
you as soon as I can get there. I am praying all the time
that I shall not disappoint you. And now till I see you,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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