Incoming correspondence received by Robert Ridgway, August 4, 1867

              Mt Carmel Sunday August 4th 1867.  My dear Robert, more than a week has pased [passed] since we received your long looked for letter -- allso [also] your notes which gave us much pleasure.  We were very glad to hear of your safe arivel [arrival] at Sacrimento [Sacramento]and that you were well and happy indeed.  Robert it's all the comfort I take in haveing [having] you seperated [separated] so far from me to know you are in the place you seemed to have been desired and where you will have an opertunity [opportunity] of using your talant [talent].  You are very fortunate in obtaining such a position should be thankful and never forget to acknolage [acknowledge] the power that not onley [only] created you with such peculiar talant [talent] but is constantly opning up the way for you.  I am glad you are willing to own the hand of Providence in your good fortune in being permited [permitted] to look upon so much of his handy-work. Certainly it is a great privilege such as but few enjoy and allthou [although] you have pased [passed] throu many dangers and are likeley [likely] to be exposed to manny [many] more.  Still while I have the asurance [assurance] that you are a good pious boy I feel shure [sure] you will be kept from harm.  Dear Robert try to have a good religous life as well as a usefull one then living or dieing you will be safe.  Pa is very much afraid you will be exposed to the Indians but Im more afraid of other things such as tall trees and precipices or wild beastes bears and panthers.  Sometimes Im afraid you will get drowned or frozen to death in the mountains and many other calamites that might hapen [happen] but I dont harboer such fancies long for think...