Emily Dickinson — Letter 229 about February 1861 - Franklin: about February 1862 Samuel Bowles

Dear friend. You remember the little "Meeting" - we held for you - last spring? We met again - Saturday - 'Twas May - when we "adjourned" - but then Adjourns - are all - The meetings wore alike - Mr Bowles - The Topic - did not tire us - so we chose no new - We voted to remember you - so long as both should live - including Immortality. To count you as ourselves - except sometimes more tenderly - as now - when you are ill - and we - the haler of the two - and so I bring the Bond - we sign so many times - for you to read, when Chaos comes - or Treason - or Decay - still witnessing for Morning. We hope - it is a tri-Hope - composed of Vinnie's - Sue's - and mine - that you took no more pain - riding in the sleigh. We hope our joy to see you - gave of it's own degree - to you - We pray for your new health - the prayer that goes not down - when they shut the church - We offer you our cups - stintless - as to the Bee - the Lily, her new Liquors -         Would you like Summer? Taste of our's -         Spices? Buy - here!         Ill! We have Berries, for the parching!         Weary! Furloughs of Down!         Perplexed! Estates of Violet - Trouble ne'er looked on!         Captive! We bring Reprieve of Roses!         Fainting! Flasks of Air!         Even for Death - A Fairy medicine -         But, which is it - Sir?                                                                                                          Emily.