Oh Mary I got yours of 9thEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. and although I start for home tomorrow morning, I must write just a world, and Mary if what you will get before I write this does not seem sufficentCorrected:sufficient, ask me any questions and I will answer them truthfully, so sure as I live, I have written truth in the other and if I could see you I would tell you every word but it dont Corrected: don't seem as if I could write it does AlbertEditorial Note: This is probably a reference to Crosby’s belief that Mary Baker Eddy’s deceased brother, Albert Baker, had communicated with Crosby from beyond the grave. See L02012, L02013, and L02014. want me tooCorrected:to? Oh Mary how I do feel, what have I done that this should come— Forgive me darling for even a moment feeling that you intentionally told even unintentionally g [?] Unclear or illegible ave him any reason to think I was evil, he judged me out of his own wicked heart, but I dont Corrected: don't see how he ever dared to do it. Oh darling why cannot my holy guide come to me and tell me what to do, if he would, of if he only would. I wish I had not burned it so I could send it too you, Shall I write all I can remember? it is only silly nonsense, but expressions capable of double meanings rather low too, if takn Corrected: taken as I think he meant. Oh Mary how did he dare to do so. did'ntCorrected:didn't he supp [?] Unclear or illegible  I would tell you. Mary why do you say anythig Corrected: anything came near severing our love I never felt any such thing I did not, but pitied you more than words can tell, but AlbertEditorial Note: This is probably a reference to Crosby’s belief that Mary Baker Eddy’s deceased brother, Albert Baker, had communicated with Crosby from beyond the grave. See L02012, L02013, and L02014. knows I burned it I did. so help me God, or I woshould send it– I am so confused I do not know what I write, only I write true Ask me any questins Corrected: questions and I will answer them truly. I will. O I wuld Corrected: would give worlds if I could see you, I wish I had not come here then I could have gone to P.Editorial Note: Portland, Maine but now I cannot you know, how hard it seems. I hope you will come to B.Expanded:Belfast for I feel sure that we shall manage to see each oth [?] Unclear or illegible er some way. be sure to write me as soon as you get there so I shall know where to direct letters. Mary I desire to do right, and if I do not git will be because I do not know wh [?] Unclear or illegible at it is. I hate to have you go to P.Expanded:Portland on account of y [?] Unclear or illegible  [?] Unclear or illegible . the Dr is not going until Jan, he told me so today, or rathr Corrected: rather day befr Corrected: before yesterday. Mary I ask you again will you forgive me. for even thinking a moment that he drew his inferences from you. I set out to answer it as it deserved but it seemed as if I heard a voice saying "you had better not" and I feared I might get into trouble by it. – I said in my other that I did not for a momet Corrected: moment think of answering it, I meant such an answr Corrected: answer as he wished. If I had I think it would have schorched his fingers. When I get home I mean to write down all I can think, of the hateful stuff, his text was that note I sent in your letter which of course you read about going to LynnEditorial Note: Lynn, Massachusetts. Well I will try to remember as much as I can, though I tried to get it out of my brain, in the first place he spoke abut Corrected: about how pleasant, [*]Archival Note: There is a metamark that looks like an X here that may relate to the other one in this document. it was to call up in imagination "kindred spirits" and kiss thir Corrected: their lips & press their hands and all such likeCorrected:suchlike folly spoke of my beautiful wrists & ankles with their "delicately swelling taper" ordered me to report at Lynn beach early in the spring as he intended to make a flank movement or pierce the enemy's centreCorrected:center, hoped that after, riding, walking, and last but not least S—gs— meaning plainly sleeping with meEditorial Note: The main topic of this letter is Sarah G. Crosby’s account of Daniel Patterson trying to initiate an extramarital affair with Crosby., that he should get some of those ardent little love letters which Mary gets. as he had often wished them directed to him instead– and all such ful du rulCorrected:folderol stuff when I see you I will tell you everything, but enjoined strict secrecy, bid me as I hoped for mercy to let no mortal know about it, but read one of yours with an altered date to any oneCorrected:anyone who wished to hear my letter. Now Mary dear what m [?] Unclear or illegible  can I do. What did he mean by saying "Mortal [?] Unclear or illegible natures tend downward." was that me, he meant, O Mary I am alone I am like on a boundless ocean with neither compass nor guide. God help me to be strong & patintCorrected:patient, that my spirit may blend with the just & good in Heaven, if I have no more of that sweet peace here, as I do not expect to, I have felt alon Corrected: alone ever sin Corrected: since I got that fatal letter, though I do not see as I was guilty in receiving it, I sometimes hope [?] Unclear or illegible  AlbertEditorial Note: This is probably a reference to Crosby’s belief that Mary Baker Eddy’s deceased brother, Albert Baker, had communicated with Crosby from beyond the grave. See L02012, L02013, and L02014. will give me some cherringCorrected:cheering word, but I must try to live without it. Mary let no wicked heart come between our love. Good byeCorrected:Goodbye dearest, may Angels ever be your frinds Corrected: friends