
          what I have done, suffered, and encountered
 here


 But as I feel myself approaching the
 chill and foggy domains of theology to walk
 in which may and should be wholly distasteful
 to a true lover of nature like yourself I will
 say no more about these things unless it should
 happen that you having had experiences may 
 be conscious of something in this line which
 might be valuable by way of exchange with
 and old and true friend and a lover of 
 all knowledge and all truth especially
 such as hears upon the interests and prospects
 of our higher and better nature.


 As I am no longer bound to any one
 spot of earth by family ties (my only son is 
 married and settled in business in DuBuque)
 it enters into my day dreams that I may yet
 go forth to gather weeds and stones and
 rubbish for the use of some who may value
 such things, and perhaps drop this life wearied
 body beside some solitary stream in the wilderness.


 In the meantime it would afford me
 the truest satisfaction to grasp your friendly
 hand once more or to be in the habit of
 frequent intercourse [crossed out: ?] with you by letter.


 Most truly yours E. [Edwin] James

        