Bedford
6 July 1887
My dear Chris
We reached home on 4 June and have been looking for a letter from you. The one of 6 May has come today. It was preceded by one from Alec to Mater written in a very odd way and causing me some uneasiness. He said he was very hard worked and had no more wages than pay for his board and no money to fall back upon in case of illness or being thrown out of employment.
Also the day after you left for Croydon he was turned out of his lodgings summarily and after some trouble got into another house at 25shillings a week. You surely could not have left him in this state and going so far from Townsville. His letter is written in the most careless and unconnected way possible dated from 8 April to 2 May.
The sooner you get him up near you the better I should imagine: He is such a baby he will not be fit to act for himself for some years to come, Meantime I trust his health will keep good.
I trust you will study to preserve you health. The climate you are in and the state of excitement you must live in must be trying to the most robust. You must remember that you have not much to fall back upon if you get knocked up. However you are old enough to know yourself and sane enough if you are, and probably to do all that can be done under the circumstances you exist and preserve health.
I hope you will be successful in getting together some money and clearing out for home before long.
We got home in 96 days – had a fine passage.
The house at Bedford I let for five years – we are going to move to Sydenham I think but have not settled yet.
May has gone to a good school in Germany for a year. Jean will be married within the year. Jessie is in status quo – her young man has not made her positive yet. Edie is coming home she does not get on where she is at present to any satisfaction.
Archie is at home and will wait until he knows what I am going to do. Baker the same. Sanson has joined the P & O today.
I am not inclined to come out again. If I do it will be to hand the ship over to Northey at Melbourne after loading her. I would then come on and pay Townsville and Croydon a visit.
Devitt & Moore have sold several of their ships at very low prices and would be glad to sell more if they could get even an offer for them. My ship has paid up to the present but the chances she won’t when I leave her. Whoever takes my place must buy me out. Northey being the youngest commander makes a difficulty in placing him in the ship. Still he is the one to do the best for her in my opinion, but that will be the best I am afraid-
There is no home news to name. We are all well.
As you do not give an address I suppose none is wanted. Write often and tell me how you get on and see that Alec is looked after.
Mater joins me in love and best wishes for your welfare and good health.
Ever your loving Father
James A Elmslie
PS
Alec says “he does not know where to address her letters – perhaps to the Post Office, they may send them on to them.” The boy must have lost his senses.
Mr C T Elmslie
Croydon
North Queensland