
          [at upper left: Ansd-?]


 Hillsgrove 30 Aug 1858


 Dear Dr Torrey


 What a change in my condition in the 16 days since I
 read your last. It was Sat. I was on my way to a neighboring village to preach. On
 Sab night I was seized with a billious attack which still keeps me down. They are unwilling
 I should write. I compromise the matter with a half sheet. Wed. 25 was the final
 hearing on a road laid out through my home lot. I was carried twice to the school house for 1 hour
 & five, at no small risk as  I counted it. The result confounded every one: They confirmed
 the road & gave me $60 damages. It was early settled that if the road went through I must
 seek a new home. This rsult had been resolved upon 4 years since when the road was first
 proposed & had this place appeared to Mrs H. a paradise, we must have left. But as
 her feelings remain unchanged the almost miraculous turn things have taken seems
 Providential to me. It wd. [would], I think, demand more than a passing impression to justify
 the abandonment of well considered plans that have been 15 years in execution.
 It does not at all appear what we shall do. Out things have been waiting this
 event in Middleburg & Cornwall. As one man forced this road through while
 twenty of my friends here did nothing for fear of incurring his spite I have
 myself become exceedingly disgusted with them. My brother in law will sell
 out & leave as soon as he can. I have written to one or two Middleburg Trustees
 but cannot learn any thing, not even that my conditional resignation
 was read or acted on. I mean to follow them up. 


 My last letter was to
 Eliza; as I thought was clearly intimated. If it draws a letter from Hebt [Herbert] he
 will but I believe, be paying a debt of many years standing. 


 I must close


 Remember me to each of your family & pray that the Lord will mark out my
 course so that His holy will shall be wrought & we made instruments to His glory.
 If any of you write me to the West please direct to the care of Mrs. L. at Hayward
 Beloit Wis. where Mrs. H. has been waiting this issue


 Yours ever  I. F. Holton
        