1900
United States, Canada
May 29th, 1900
Macleod, B.C. Tuesday
My Beloved Angee,
A little time in hand so I thought I would write you – my travels always furnishing subjects to fill a sheet. My stay at Nelson was long (4 days) made necessary by circumstances not under my control. On Lord's day morning I dropped in to a Presbyterian place where a dear young fellow called Sutherland preached the gospel – it was a real cheer to my soul – his text was taken from Exodus XII – "When I see the blood I will pass over you." It was really grand and I could only lift my heart in thankfulness to God that His truth was proclaimed so fearlessly and faithfully. I had a nice chat with him subsequently – he is taking the place of the regular minister who is absent on account of his death. I had been invited to tea by the manager of the Hudsons Bay Grocery dept. and at 4 went to his home – a pretty little villa by the side of a hill with a river and mountains in front – he is living with his father and mother in law and 3 or 4 out of 8 children – his wife has just had her first child and they all seemed very happy together. I was made to feel "at home" and a feast was spread for supper (or tea) which I enjoyed very much. In the evening several of them went to the Presbyterian chapel and I accompanied them and enjoyed the preacher again. Then returned to my hotel paid my bill and left at 9.30 pm in the bus for the wharf where my steamer started at midnight for a place called Kootney landing. The C.P.R. had kindly given me a good cabin on this boat. It was a rough road to get to the steamer but I had a guide to carry my bags and so got on board safely. The cabin was a picture of comfort and cleanliness – furnished partly as a sitting room and I think the most comfortable bed I have had since leaving home. It was not long before my body was at rest – I heard the start at 12 but was soon off again and slept well until 5.30 – then rose drew the curtains and the scenery outside was I thought the most lovely my eyes had ever rested on in this world – the water in the lake was like a sheet of glass – the morning very fine and bright and on both sides of the lake mountain after mountain some covered on the tops with snow – our train left the landing place at 6.40am and came down close to the boat so that there was not much trouble in transfer. We soon started and I was quite ready for breakfast which was served at once – the scenery over the Crow's Nest Pass was very grand and my nerves were a little bit shamied[?] as we moved over some of the Tressell [sic] bridges crossing the rifts and gullies between the mountains – arrived here at 10 pm and had to ride in open "rig" as they call it for 2 miles before reaching the place called a town. It is rough indeed – houses all built of wood and are mere bird cages – my bedroom last night was about 9 or 10 feet square – no fire place – no ventilation and a very small short bed. Well I had to make the best of it and opened the window a few inches and the door so as to get a little air to breathe. About midnight some man came into my room with a bang and I quickly shouted in double quick time - holloa! Holloa! He then retired saying, beg pardo, Sir. I had put a chair against my partly opened door and after readjusting this again slept on until 6. Have been with the Hudson's Bay people here since breakfast who were glad to see my samples and will give a nice order. This afternoon I go by rail [to] Calgary where I expect my mail. Thought I had better send on this note before reaching Calgary as I know you are always glad to get a scribble if only giving the jottings of my travel. A number of townships are springing up all over this country but the people who are the first settlers must have a rough time of it – I don't envy them a bit. John Chinaman is generally among the first comers with his laundry – you would smile to see the places called Hotels, but if you had to take the food and accommodation they give, your smiles would be turned to frowns and yet this is generally the way some of the largest cities had their beginning. The Fifth Avenue at New York print a view of the first hotel – a large wooden structure on the very site of the present palatial building, and not 50 years ago.
I notice by the cable news from London that Lord Roberts appears to be carrying all before him and his large army at the Cape – it was amusing this morning to see that the two presidents complain bitterly of Lord Robert's tactics in not fighting the Boers in the positions they select but is eternally turning their flank – Mr Kruger has got his match at last. What an obstinate man he is.
Well my beloved hope I shall get good news of you this evening at Calgary and with much love and commending once more to the gracious care of our saviour God believe me ever.
Your very affectionate Husband