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Bethlehem [Connecticut] Sept. 6, 1869

My dear Carrie

I must write a few lines to you because I told you I would, and because I want to. You don’t know how lonesome Grand-pa and Grand-ma have been since you left us. Grand-ma goes about the house and opens the closets and drawers where you kept your things, but they are all gone, and her dear Carrie is gone too. And then the tears run down her cheeks and she feels bad, but hopes you are happy and then feels better. The little girls are all enquiring if we have heard from Carrie and want to see you very much. Cousin Mary is very well, and Willard has gone away to school. You must write a few words to Grand-pa and Grand-ma, and put it into your pa-pa’s

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letters every time he writes to us and o, how glad we shall be to read them. I suppose when we see you again you will be a much larger girl than you are now, but hope you will not forget your dear old Grandparents, for I am sure they will never forget their dear Carrie, but will pray every day that God will take care of you, and make you his child, and that you will love him, and love Jesus Christ that you may be happy forever. We have not heard from Auntie since grand-ma came home, but expect she will visit us next month, and now I must say once more good-bye. Grand-ma sends a great deal of love to Carrie, and so does your affectionate Grand-pa.

Joshua Bird