If I did not believe that you
thought me innocent, I could not write as I do now to tell you my
wishes. You'll not forget they are the words of a man shortly to
die. Dear friend, you must take care of my mother. Not in the
money way, for she will have enough for her and Aunt Alice; but you
must let her talk to you of me; and show her that (whatever others
may do) you think I died innocent. I don't reckon she'll stay long
behind when we are all gone. Be tender with her, Job, for my sake;
and if she is a bit fractious at times, remember what she has gone
through. I know mother will never doubt me, God bless her.
"There is one other whom I fear I have loved too dearly; and yet,
the loving her has made the happiness of my life. She will think I
have murdered her lover: she will think I have caused the grief
she must be feeling. And she must go on thinking so. It is hard
upon me to say this; but she MUST. It will be best for her, and
that's all I ought to think on. But, dear Job, you are a hearty
fellow for your time of life, and may live many years to come; and
perhaps you could tell her, when you felt sure you were drawing near
your end, that I solemnly told you (as I do now) that I was innocent
of this thing.
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