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Minneapolis Sept. 20/58
Dear Mother,
I have just received your letter and at once hurry to reply to the main question" am I contented". I am, as much so as the nature of my case will permit, it is true indeed that I am not happy. I and the children all, enjoy good health and have plenty to eat from off he farm and things are moving along with (____) a tolerable share of success and all nature looks inviting. The flowers bloom and impregnate the air with their sweet perfume, the feathered birds sing as sweetly and make the groves vocal with their songs. The stars shine brightly and the rivers roll and all things combine to make a philosophic mind contented and I am. But happiness in his life. I do not expect it and I do not want it, there is a void in my heart that cannot be filled and hence the reason ( it should be noted here that the writers wife, Mary Page Nicholson Grimshaw died on Sept. 1, 1857. JGF) Now I do not wish you to understand from the above that I am grown to be a sour irritable grumbling creature, not at all, but quite the reverse of this. I have long since believed that there is no such thing as positive evil in the world, but that all our misfortunes are for our good and I look upon mine as a stroke of divine providence into whose hands I commit myself.
I am now in town and at work, this fall I will build a house and move the family here so that they can be educated. When I left home last Friday I made ample provision for the family and you need give yourself no uneasiness on their account.
Ginnie is well competent for their care, I will return home in about two weeks and in about two weeks after that I will have them here, I will rent the farm next year as usual.
I recently wrote to my friend Mr. Wetherby, asking him to purchase your land warrant and send it to me. I have not heard from him since it will be necessary to have one to (preempt ?) with, I have not yet heard from James Nicholson, will write him at the first opportunity.
The school in Glencoe has discontinued and Elwood is at home. He has grown to be a stout boy and can shoot a bird or goose as well as any of us. Last Friday he put a ball into the center of a mark with a rifle at Seventy Yards. Will is also stout and rugged as a bear. Kate can walk by chairs. She is a fine child. Murrays are all well and now I believe I have told you all that is important and will close by acknowledging the correctness of Dr. Buck's advice. I feel it to be true, and if we do not meet anymore upon this earth as intend, I hope we may meet in heaven, that we may do this is the humble prayer of your affectionate son.
R.E.Grimshaw