Dick.
[Annie (with baby Kathleen) is again staying with her sister Kate in Guernsey, caring for their aging father until his death. Most of these letters are undated, so the correct sequence is uncertain.]
[perhaps December 1912]
Lyndhurst
Malmesbury
[no date]
My very Life,
I sincerely pray that my letter of yesterday has put an end to your unhappiness. I am writing just a few words before I begin on my work. I went to Luckington yesterday afternoon, preached & held 2 yearly meetings & got back here by 9.o'clock. Yesterday was a very dark day & seemed as if we were going to have fall of snow. I was cold at night. Everything this morning is white with frost. How cold it is without you, my little hot water bottle!
Redman's have the measles in the house. I called in Hinder's yesterday & Mrs Hinder thought that Cyril was sickening for the measles too.
There's a youth coming to Malmesbury today as a clerk in one of the Banks who is the son of the Circuit Steward in the Blandford C't [Circuit], & they have written to me to ask if I could find a home for him. I asked Hinder's if they would take him in for the present. They are doing so.
There is a likelihood of a young man coming to take Woodman's boot business (just above Hinder's) from the Midlands who is an ardent P.M. & Local Preacher. Mr Woodman is waiting for his reply. The young fellow was here a week last Sunday & Monday.
I had every indication of a severe cold on me Yesterday. But last night I took 2 doses of camphor & I feel nothing of it this morning.
I am going to write class tickets out this morning & do a few more things to get forward with my work.
I go to Inglestone Com. next Sunday instead of going to Tetbury. One of the oldest members of Ing. Common Chapel was buried last week & they are specially anxious that I should conduct a Memorial Service. So I may go out there on Sunday & not return until Wednesday morning for I am also planned there on Monday & Tuesday.
My dear wife, I am grateful for any news you send about father. He is constantly in my thoughts.
I send love to all; but a special sort of love to you, my love, & our dear little one.
Write me as often as you can, sweetest.
Your fond lover
Dick
[perhaps early January 1913 ]
Lyndhurst
Malmesbury
Wilts
Saturday
My dearest Nance,
Just a few words to remind you that I have not forgotten you nor my 'babs'. Although I have much to do today yet I thought I would be able to do it better if I had a little chat with you before I started. I am just afraid that this letter writing is making me a gossip, Is that so? Really I dont care whether it does or not, if it only breaks for me the monotony of my silence, thats enough.
Of course, my darling dear, I write letters to you first of all to tell you whats in my heart. There is always an unspeakable something in me & about me when I write you. Such is the case now. I am simply pining away to see your bonny face hear you speak, & feel the delightful thrill of your touch once again! Oh my precious wife!!
The Fraternal meeting was held yesterday at Mr & Mrs Stookes. There were only 4 of us altogether. Mr Crouch forgot all about it. I dont know, we never seem to have our happiest times when we go there.
I am beginning to arrange the homes for District Synod now. How many are we to take? Will you ask Wilson if he has a District Meeting Handbook he will let me have; one of the District Meeting when held in Guernsey. I shall be glad to have it.
I begin the Missionary Round at Hawkesbury tomorrow. I return at night; then I go out on Monday afternoon & stay at Mrs Coates until Wednesday afternoon, when I hope to be back home again at night. So
| Mrs Coates P.O. Hawkesbury Upton Via Chippenham |
will find me from Monday afternoon till Wednesday afternoon. I am hoping to make a nice little increase in the Missionary Returns.
We have been having fog for the whole of this week. One comfort is we get a little sunshine almost every afternoon & then its dry underfoot. But there are so many with bad colds. I am glad to be able to remain free from a cold.
I have nothing more to write about now, darling. Only I am anxiously waiting to see you & Kathleen again.
My heart's love to you
Your fond hubby
Dick.
[perhaps January 1913]
P. O. Hawkesbury
Tuesday
My dearest,
How very pleased I was to hear from you this morning. Sorry to know that you have been feeling unwell, but hope that by now you are feeling quite strong again.
I am always thinking of father. Thanks for the information about him. It is so nice to know that he is not suffering any pain. I should so much like to see him again. Give him my love, sweetest!
Then, too, I am always thinking of you. I remember you in my prayers. I trust that through this great ordeal you may be very conscious of our Saviours support. May he bless you abundantly with strength.
I am so glad that Kathleen remains so good. She is a dear!
I have been feeling the miss of you very keenly, my love. I do so long for the opportunity to see you again, & for us 3 to be together once more. I suppose the time will come again. I hold you as dear as ever, my life. Keep up my dear! I shall come to you as early as I can.
We had good services & large congregations on Sunday. The day was beautifully fine, & travelling was pleasant. Yesterday it was colder & now I fancy we shall have snow. There is a Lantern Lecture tonight here, tomorrow at Luckington & on Thurs. at Sherston. I anticipate an advance. Mrs Coates & Miss Alway are well & send their love to you.
Give my love to father, Kate & all. Kisses to my chick & dearest love to you
Your affectionate hubby
Dick.
[perhaps February 1913]
"Lyndhurst"
Malmesbury
Wilts.
Saturday night.
My dearest Wife,
How delighted I was to have your letter this morning & also Winifred's card. I am so very pleased that my letters have made you feel happier. This assurance helps me, too, to feel more at peace. I shall do my best to keep all these extras for you, but if they have vanished I hope you will not be angry with me; for, my darling, I showed you how much we had when I was with you. I am careful as ever I can be, but I find the money goes. But we live & pay 20/- to the pound!!
I am glad you are going to have that blue cloth made up. That will content me for the present. But you must have the costume, the whole thing & well made, else I shall be dissatisfied.
Glad you had a nice time at Miss Wright's & that K. behaved herself. Glad you like the discription of the Witney house. I shall be glad to have the change.
I have been out almost all the day. We have had such a long succession of miserable days, that to-day was most tempting. It has been a lovely day. Mr Crouch & I had quite a long walk this afternoon, walking right round Charlton Park which must be nearly 7 miles. Then I went & had tea with the Riddick's (High St). It was a nice spread -- fruit & cream, & mince-pies & cream. They wanted me to go up for supper but I had too much to do, then I like Saturday night quiet.
Mrs Crouch has not quiet recovered from her cold yet; & then Kathleen has been having very bad nights again. It is the trouble returning which she had a month or two ago. I am so thankful that our little treasure keeps so well.
Oh, darling! I should be so happy to have my little girl to nurse again. I feel so queer without her; well to speak the truth I feel uncomfortable without her. Then, too, I cannot tell you how I feel without you. It is repeating something which you already know when I say that I am tired of being alone. I have tried to keep cheerful & to write you cheerful letters but it is very hard work I must admit. It is too much like my bachelor days to be pleasant. There are times when I feel more than tired of my loneliness, & now I feel that worst feeling on me. I dont know, if it were not for something which is more than I myself can muster together, something supernatural, I should be compelled to ask you to come to me. The circumstances are exceptional, & I try to comfort & help myself with the thought that only one thing keeps you from me. I am not wishful to hasten the passing away of father, not the least bit; I would much rather lengthen his days; but I shall be thankful when we are all together again. We shall be able to bear each other up then. So, my dearest wife, my precious life! I will try to wait a little longer, & bear & suffer my own companionship. You are everything to me, dearest, that is why I feel as I do when separated from you. I suppose if I loved you but a little, then I should enjoy being alone. There is no joy at present. Do write to me quickly, dearest, & do write often.
I had a walk out to Mr Mapson's yesterday afternoon & brought a rabbit home. I had 7 children last night for the C.E. It was a good meeting.
Love & kisses to my own treasures
Your affectionate daddy & hubby
Dick.
P.S. How are you off for money, dearest?
Shall I send you some more? Dick
[Unknown to Dick, Annie's father had died the previous day.]
Lyndhurst
Malmesbury
Wilts
Monday. Feb. 24th. [1913]
My Darling Nance,
I was so very pleased to hear from you yesterday, & to know just a little more about our little girlie. I do miss her so & I so long for the time to see her again & see her new accomplishments. Bless her! How I long to see her perform her little tricks. I am so glad that she promises to be a big girl. Eh? That's it, make her plenty of frocks. But how do you manage the time to make them?
You must be having a very trying & anxious time dearest, in the nursing of Father. I am always thinking of you & remember you in my prayers. I am sure you are doing all that can be for your Father. We must leave the rest to our Heavenly Father!
It seems inevitable that the final arrangements should be made now, so far as that is possible especially as you & Kate wish him laid to rest beside your dear Mother. I am prepared to do anything to carry out your wishes, my dear. I will go to M/C with Wilson. But there is one thing it would be better to have an understanding upon. Would you like me to come direct to Guernsey or to meet Wilson at one of the ports? Then I would return with Wilson to fetch you home.
Then, don't you think, dearest that you had better have some money by you? I am sorry that I haven't got any to give you at present to save you withdrawing. Still you will know best what is required. I wish I was only nearer to you to be more of a help; for I feel you need my help now. May God have you in His keeping.
I shall be very glad, sweetest, to be kept well informed, that is at more frequent intervals. You see your letter of yesterday was written on Friday, & there may have been a great deal change since then.
Young Mr Bryant has passed the Oral Examination. I expect him in for tea today. I am happily surprised at the result. Mr Price brought us a nice lot of potatoes on Saturday. He has also offered me £2 for Luckington Trust Debt if the members there will raise £8. The debt is £10. Dont you think he is a generous soul?
I had eleven present at the C.E. [Christian Endeavour] on Friday & only 3 belonged to our S.S. [Sunday School]. Sherston made an increase in the Missionary Anniversary of over 30/-.
I did a bit of gardening on Saturday. Among other things I did there, was to prepare the strawberry bed & to sow some broad beans. Today maybe I will sow some early carrots & lettuce. Spring is coming. The weather has been much better lately but very sharp frosts at night.
Sincerest love to you my darling & many kisses for my girlie
Your loving hubby & daddy
Dick.