n reading and would cover your advance in cash any day you choose
to put them up to auction, if I should fail to redeem them. Or, I
would give my notes of hand that I could meet by sales of produce or
of land. If I had the benefit of your personal counsel, we could
contrive something between us, I am sure, but I have no such aid
about me. The difficulty in itself is really light, but to me, under
present circumstances, is quite formidable. If at your earliest
convenience you acquaint me with your mind, you will much oblige.

"I have another trouble of a personal nature. I suffer already this
winter from the inclemency of the weather, so much that my hands are
so chapped that I can scarcely hold the pen. If I could find
employment in a more southern position that would support me and the
boy, and leave a little to be applied to the common good, I would
undertake it. I think I could at the same time be of some mental and
moral service to the people where I might be located.

"Another trouble. Young William has been very ill for the last month,
brought on, I believe, by excessive work. He is still very weak, and
has not sat up for three weeks.

"All these, besides sundry slighter plagues, coming upon me at once,
have perhaps a little disconcerted my nerves, and the advice and
assistance of a generous friend at such a juncture would be indeed
serviceable. If the journey were not so long and so costly I would
ask you to come. Be assured that whatever may be your decision in any
of these relations, my esteem for you cannot be thereby diminished.
My only fear is that such encroachments on your good nature will
reduce your estimation of, dear friend, yours most sincerely,

"CHARLES LANE.

"Regards to the Doctor and all friends. The Shakers have kindly
inquired for you, and they still take much interest in our life. Have
you seen the last _Dial?_ The _Present_ is good, but surely not good
enough. I hope to write a more universal letter in response to your
next, for which I wait."

Poor Lane, failing to find any equally confiding and generous friend
to shoulder with him the personal debts of the founder of Fruitlands,
was compelled at last to let the farm "lapse into individuality" and
to see "the idea suspended." In his next and "more universal letter"
he announces that the experiment is ended in consequence of Mrs.
Alcott's refusal to remain on the place through the winter. Lane went
over to the neighboring Shaker commun