Urker June 8^th 1874

 

My dear Tom,

 

            My mind was much relieved by hearing from your letter received yesterday that all with you was going on well. I was so uneasy that I was determined to telegraph this day, in case I did not hear from you previously. I feared you were ill yourself, when you did not write.

 

            Our friend M^r Reid [1] is to supply 1^st Newtown Hamilton some Sabbath shortly; and I intend to send to meet him there; and get him to extract a proper certificate of your baptism. M^r McClelland [2] would probably be offended if fault was found to the one he gave.

 

            I hope the box has reached you safely. If they tumbled it upside down, the eggs might be broken; though Johnny Donaldson [3] picked all carefully.

 

            I hope to go to Killynure [4] tomorrow; and shall write you all my news either from there, or when I return. We will do our best to avoid the “sharks” if possible but your late correspondent is the very lad [5] who would fling us among them, if he had the means. Your resolution to leave his letter unanswered is perfectly right, and for your life, do not give him a shilling. Anything he can lay hands on, is surely spent either on [law?] or whiskey. The other two brothers; though they were not what they should have been yet had some redeeming qualities but this one is an unmitigated brute. This is the truth; but Aunt Mary [6] does not like to hear it. I was puzzled to think how he got your London address. Ben [7] must have given it to him for surely no one else would..

 

            The turnip sowing will be finished today, and tomorrow the drawing of building materials for Kiltabeen [8] will commence. Brick, stones and such are bargained for and a contract made with the carpenter. I hope that poor desolate being [9] ; who has been forsaken by her nearest and dearest; will have a house by November next.

 

            Is there any word of David [10] being called on to join the Bank? Oh if he could have this business learned before you return to Yokohama; and then go out to be under your own eyes; how happy it would make me! But perhaps it could not be. They might not like two brothers to be in the same concern. He is a smart boy, and I think will be fit for business. I regret that he did not spend the last month in Johnston’s [11] . He improved more there, than he did any where else. But we thought he would be called on ere this.

 

            I hope dear Minnie [12] will improve steadily; and not suffer any relapses. You did not say how the twins [13] are being fed. I hope God will spare all the blessings He has sent you. You had a merciful escape, that you did not lose your wife; which would have left you a sad heart to the last day of your life. Think how it would have been, had she been taken ill on the voyage; Mother and children would probably have been lost. Think of this and be thankful.

 

            All well here, and all join in love to you and yours with

                        Your ever affectionate Mother Eliza Jackson