Transcription:
First draft of letter, in note-book Mrs. Charles H. Allen Nov., 1904 Dear Mrs. Allen: Ever since I heard of your loss
1 hare been anxious to try to say something that I could hope might help to cheer you in your loneliness and lighten your
burden of sorrow, but words from hearts however faithful seem of no avail. None are fine enough, tender enough, so at last
we can only pray Heaven to comfort you with blessed hope of reunion in the happy world above all sorrow and death. Few lives
have been longer than your husband's, fewer still so full of good everlasting work. Always cheerful and young, full of happy
hopeful memories, looking on the good side of everything, he has guided and cheered to success how many pilgrims on life's
hard roads. How many cold and sad have been warmed in his heart. As a teacher his influence will go on forever echoing from
mind to mind and heart to heart, for all goodness is immortal. With sincere sympathy, dear Mrs. Allen and children, I am.
Ever faithfully yours, J. M.03098