Westgate on Sea
2 September 1897.
My dear Chris
I congratulate you from my heart, old fellow, on your marriage – it is just what I have always wished for you because I think you do not look after yourself well enough. I hope you will have a life of happiness and peace – you deserve it dear.
I am sure I shall like Katie – if not for her own I would for yours – but I am sure I shall like her for her own, and shall give you both a jolly good welcome. I shall have No. 6 double room next to your old room got ready and the small private sitting room.
Mary has had her holidays last month – she and Alex with the family to Scotland for three weeks. I am now having mine at Westgate on Sea as usual. I am away with the Christies – we generally go together every summer. I shall be back in time to welcome you home. I have arranged it so.
I have been very naughty in not writing more often to you but what with being busy and not good health I do not seem to have had. I am feeling stronger rather but am not as strong as I ought to be. As soon as I do a little too much work or have any upset I get one of my attacks. They go more to my head than they used to. The doctor calls them a slight congestion of the brain – the blood rushes to the brain I suppose and swells the veins which makes the feeling in my head so bad. I hope to get over them – the doctor says I will if I am careful and get strong. The cycle riding does me a heap of good of course. I am riding down here. I am very fond of my precious bicycle I can tell you.
I have not done badly with the house while you have been away. Could have wished to have done much better but I don’t think you will say I have done badly. There is one thing to say – I have worked the connection up – have advertised twice since you left for one week once and three days another. All the people I have had have been recommended by people I have had, and for some months past the promises I have had made me of people coming again and sending all they know.
I ought not to want to advertise again and should be pretty full for the winter. More people call our house the home. They say they are so comfortable and happy – I try to make them so. I have only had one nasty woman in since Mrs Macfarlane left – they were a pair – got rid of her. You will find several of the old ones still with me.
Alex is doing very well – he looks better, poor old fellow. I hope that silly heart of his will keep right. I have a bell put on from his room into mine in case he is taken ill in the night – but he has never had to use it. He goes up to town every day and it dose not seem to hurt them. Of course one can’t say anything about the heart, if it acts on that I don’t fancy it does much.
I do hope you will get this letter in time.
Mary is very well. Aunt Nell is staying with her – I could not get anyone else.
Charlotte, since her husband’s death, has to work for her living – he left nothing for her.
Ellen cannot leave home I am sorry to say. Her husband has taken to gambling – he will go all wrong if left to himself she thinks. I am sorry for her.
No more, breakfast time.
Best love
Believe me, your loving Sister
Edith Elmslie