To come alone such a distance with the whole charge of children,
accounts, and baggage; to push my way through hurrying crowds, looking
out for trunks, and bargaining with hackmen, has been a very severe
trial of my strength, to say nothing of the usual fatigues of
traveling.
It was at this time, and as a result of the experiences of this trying
period, that Mrs. Stowe wrote that little tract dear to so many
Christian hearts, "Earthly Care a Heavenly Discipline."
On the eve of sailing for Brunswick, Mrs. Stowe writes to Mrs. Sykes
(Miss May): "I am wearied and worn out with seeing to bedsteads,
tables, chairs, mattresses, with thinking about shipping my goods and
making out accounts, and I have my trunk yet to pack, as I go on board
the Bath steamer this evening. I beg you to look up Brunswick on the
map; it is about half a day's ride in the cars from Boston. I expect
to reach there by the way of Bath by to-morrow forenoon. There I have
a house engaged and kind friends who offer every hospitable
assistance. Come, therefore, to see me, and we will have a long talk
in the pine woods, and knit up the whole history from the place where
we left it."
Before leaving Boston she had written to her husband in Cincinnati:
"You are not able just now to bear anything, my dear husband,
therefore trust all to me; I never doubt or despair. I am already
making arrangements with editors to raise money.
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