Urker Feb 4^th 1888

 

My dear Minnie [1]

 

            I am indeed many letters in your debt; but believe me it is not want of thinking about you or caring for you, that is the cause. I cannot now write with the facility with which I formerly wrote; in fact my writing days are nearly over; so you must excuse my seeming neglect. But I am always delighted to hear from you, of yourself and the children.

 

            Besides Tom does not write to me as often as he formerly did; he calculates that I shall hear of him through you; so he sends me a newspaper occasionally; which is just better than nothing.

 

            We all look forward pleasures of seeing you, when the days are longer and the weather better. We will all be delighted to see you, and whoever of the children you bring with you.

 

            The accounts of the Bank are cheering; but what will they do when Tom leaves them? It is no wonder that the Directors are unwilling to part with him; but surely he will have staid (sic) with them long enough when March 89 comes. He cannot sacrifice the comforts of his own life to them altogether.

 

            Next Tuesday the 7^th will be our golden wedding anniversary; if we live to see it; few married couples have been spared so long together, as we have. I hope that Tom and you will also see your golden wedding.

 

            Poor David [2] had indeed, his own share of troubles; but when we think of what storms might do, and have often done; we may be thankful that he has fared no worse.

 

            We have no strange news; the decision of the Land Commission [3] has not yet reached us.

 

            We are all well; except that my right ear is not yet healed; but it gives me no pain. My general health is not much to be complained of. An old woman in her 73^rd year cannot expect to be as strong as she was in her earlier days, but I hope to live to see Tom again. This is the Governor’s [4] 74^th birthday.

 

            With much love to you, and to every one of the children, I remain your ever affectionate Mother,

                        Eliza Jackson