Handwritten letter from Ruth Beebe in Kalamazoo to John Pitcairn Jr. R Beebe thanks J Pitcairn for his kind letter of March 10th and explains what his friendship means to her. He reminds her of a brother who passed away at age 21- “Both in your disposition and straight forward business habits and your caution to avoid hurting the feeling of others by saying anything disparaging of any; and your kindness to your dear good Mother and Sisters…” When she met J Pitcairn, she had lost nearly everyone in her life (father, mother, brothers, sisters, husband) and felt that there was nothing left to live for or anyone who would miss her. This is why his kindness and respectful attention meant so much to her. She now thanks Providence for leading her through the loneliness to a comfortable and cheerful home. Beebe is glad Pitcairn has “so correct (?) views of marrying” and she hopes he will “ere long find one as unselfish as yourself and as loving as I know you would be to one that was reasonable and kind.” She is sending the two pictures in the mail that she told Pitcairn she would paint for the little girls on the stony farm (?). She expects to be in Buffalo during the last two weeks of May, and as she knows J Pitcairn sometimes has business in the city, she hopes to meet him there. She also hopes sometime J Pitcairn will visit her at her home in Kalamazoo. She may also visit Philadelphia in June, but this is uncertain. She would like to attend Allice’s wedding, but fears she cannot bring it about. Names mentioned: Allice Places mentioned: Buffalo, Erie, Philadelphia