1896
USA, Canada
November 17th, 1896
Auditorium Hotel, Chicago
My Beloved Angee,
Your very welcome and comforting letter commenced 3rd November and closed on the 6th reached me here on Monday the 10th and above all the good it brought, the best of all was that you were feeling so much better and able to take your walks abroad with so much comfort to yourself. In letter writing you are certainly excellent and will be entitled to a prize at Xmas. I left Buffalo on Friday afternoon last travelling through the night and arriving in Chicago about 8 on Saturday morning. The above hotel is where I am located and the view from the front is very fine – looking over the Lake Michgan an expanse of water larger than the entire area of England – the dining room is at the top of the house and is a most gorgeous place – the charge is only 4 dollars a day so it is not very expensive.
I wrote Bertie from Buffalo telling him I would be here on Saturday and looked for him in the afternoon – he did not however arrive until the evening. I should have passed him as an unknown person but for the smile that came upon his face when he saw Uncle Edward – he is quite a smart good looking young fellow and has greatly improved in appearance and is a thorough Yankee in talk – dear fellow it was a mutual joy to see one another and I have really never known so much of him before as I have during the few days spent in this place. I think very highly of him and have no doubt that in the good providence of God he will soon rise to a position his character and integrity will make room for.
It was a great cheer to my spirit to find the Lord's company on Sunday morning quite a number but mostly strangers to me – a few remembered my visit 10 years ago – the meeting was no exception to others I have recently visited – very bright and fresh. I had to decline many kind offers of hospitality as my body needed rest which thro' mercy I had up to 4 when Bertie arrived as arranged and with him Mr. A.P. Whitford who married a daughter of the late Mr Bazeley and is living in a suburb of Chicago – Mr. Whitford would not remain to dine but kindly invited me out to his house on Monday evening. Bertie stayed to dine and accompanied me to the room in the evening which was well filled and the Lord gave us a good time. Bertie returned to the hotel with me perhaps an hour and then went home. On Monday at noon he brought a gentleman whose name I cannot remember who has shewn him much kindness – this gentleman has five daughters very charming girls – Bertie says – he was desirous to introduce his Uncle Edward to this friend – I invited them to remain to lunch but they could not stay. In the evening Bertie called for me at 5 and we went out to Mr Whitford's little mansion about 12 miles from the city – his wife is looking very well and is the image of her father.
We spent a very pleasant evening and talked over old times in Cornwall – she sends her very kind love to you. Returned again about 11 and was soon in bed. I have not been successful with the business here – too late for the Xmas orders – all given out, but the merchants have all been very kind and were glad to see me again. I purpose leaving here tomorrow morning for Cincinnati where I expect to see Emma's sister Mrs Forman who lives at a place called Paris about 3 hours ride from the City. Shall probably stay there over Lord's day and my mind is then for going straight to New York and to get on board the Cunard boat leaving there for L'pool on the 28th and arriving in the usual way on Friday Dec. 4 – should then take the train from L'pool on Saturday the 5th and reach home in the evening – or if I can get to New York by the 25th of Nov. I may take one of the American boats to Southampton in which case I should be home a day or two earlier.
In case I go via Southampton I will cable from New York and let you know only I will address it – Hortop Barnstaple Southampton so that you will understand by the word Southam – that I purpose arriving at Southampton and in case you get no cable by Thursday morning you may assume that I am returning via Liverpool.
If a cable comes Mainie will send it over. If I had put Petter they would have been puzzled at the P.O.
I have not heard a sound of what Charlotte reports about H&P & P.F. joining and do not think it is very probable[1] – but I do not for a moment think that Mr Stone will go on with the burden of it much longer – I received a memorial card by the last mail – giving that word in II Corinthians – "I reckon that the present sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Dear fellow, his was a short path across the desert and it is a solace to hope that he died in the Lord.
And now my beloved wife in the goodness of God we may hope to see one another's faces again very soon – I shall be very very glad to get home once more if the Lord will. He has been very good to us while we have been separated for a season and our hearts are lifted in thanksgiving to Him for the many and manifold mercies we have received at his hand. Much love to your dear self, Mildred and Miss Britten, your household staff (not forgetting Clara) and our beloved ones in Bristol and London and our mutual treasures in the dear children and believe me.
Being very affectionate Husband
P.S. Since writing this morning I have taken a nice order – the merchant kindly saying to the buyer Mr Petter must have an order for something even if we have to throw them away.
Footnote
[1] The amalgamation did not actually take place until 1921, 11 years after Edward Petter's death.