July 24th, 1893
Did not prepay express and freight charges. See that you pay them at that end. Chicago July 24, 1893 Dear Frank, Weather very comfortably warm 84 degrees in office. Am well, a little lonesome, if we could get homesick at home should say I had it. Business is dreadfully dull. We are only running the mill 40 hours per week, rather hard on the men. I really hardly see how they live even in good times. It looks as though the country had settled down to experience a spell of good old hard times. Left order Saturday with ??? for the tea and coffee to go by express, and the carpet will go by freight today. Spent Saturday afternoon and evening at the Fair, and as usual got pretty well tired out. Yesterday called at Uncle's and Aunt Jane's. Found them home and alone, and had quite a nice visit. Uncle is not quite as well as usual, a little weak and is having trouble with his neck. I didn't hear exactly what it was, but judged it must be a boil or carbuncle, as they had been poulticing it and doctor opened it. |
They have a girl and are much pleased with her, good cook, smart, willing, neat, etc.
Friday evening took dinner at Mr. Meyers with all the Masons. Babe and Mabel have set another day to start for Dakota. Mabel does not gain any, cough as bad as ever and looks bad. Hope she will get started this time, and that trip will do her good. [Go to Frances Mason's letters to read one from Mabel about their arrival in Dakota.] Took another meal at Hartwells last week also, and a carriage ride in evening. They were alone. All the girls and George had gone to the Fair. By the way, the Ludlow shore house has failed. No, haven't seen or heard of Annie since you left. Her trunk is at the house yet. Let's see, where did she go? Possibly I better call on her. Came very near sending a dozen fancy eggs for setting, but thought possibly you might find it difficult to get a hen to hatch them. So Dankert(?) kept them and set a hen he had ready, and if they come all right probably we can send 2 or three chickens later. Tell the boys to bring me a big red Castile apple when they come back. Stay as long as you can and hurry back. Be sure and go to Niagra Falls. Don't forget to write me in a while. Yours truly, RJM |