CHAPTER III
TO AND FROM RELATIVES, GUARDIANS, ETC.
=133. From a Mother-in-Law to a Son-in-Law.=
D----, November 12, 19--.
My Dear Alfred:--
I was delighted to hear such an excellent account of you all from Alice; although it is some time since I have been to your house, still I must always feel deeply interested in all that concerns you and yours.
Perhaps I was too hasty in concluding that the advice I offered would offend you: I know, it is generally considered that a mother-in-law's interference is never welcome, however reasonable may be her remarks; but, believe me, dear Alfred, what I said was meant in good faith, and I had no intention of censuring or criticising any arrangement of yours. I should have expressed the same opinion to any friend of mine under similar circumstances had I been consulted. The fact of your being my son-in-law induced me to imagine that I might speak frankly to you without fear of giving offence; indeed, I regard you as a son, and you must not be too quick to resent words my motherly affection prompts me to say.
With kindest love to Alice, yourself and my dear little grandchildren,
Believe me, Yours affectionately, EMILY SHAW.
=134. From a Mother-in-Law to a Daughter-in-Law.=
P----, December 30, 19--.
My Dear Maud:--
I have to tell you how much I enjoyed my little visit last week, the first I have paid to your pretty new home, and I trust many years of happiness are in store for you and my dear son. He tells me that he has in you the most considerate and affectionate of wives: I sincerely rejoice that it is so. I have seen so many unhappy marriages, rendered such through thoughtlessness and extravagance on the part of the wife, that nothing pleases me more than to think my boy is so fortunate in his choice. His limited means call for the most careful domestic management, and not a little self-denial, and it is so easy when first commencing housekeeping to run into more expense than one's income justifies; but this error I am sure you will carefully guard against, always remembering what strict supervision is required in the smallest domestic details.
I have learned this from experience, dear Maud, which I have found to be the best, if not the most pleasant, of teachers.
With kindest love to yourself and my son,
Believe me, Yours affectionately, MALVINA WRIGHT.
=135. From a Daughter-in-Law to a Mother-in-Law.=
C----, August 20, 19--.
Dear Mrs. Park:--
Edward and I are most anxious to know if you have returned home yet, and how you have enjoyed your stay in the mountains. We received your last letter dated July 31st, and have been a little surprised at not hearing from you oftener.
I hardly know where to write to you, but suppose this letter will follow you at the Summit House. Edward is pretty well, and is looking forward to his vacation, which has been postponed this year on account of extra work in the office, but we do not regret this, as we have had such very stormy weather the last three weeks.
The children unite with me and Edward in love to dear grandmamma.
Believe me, as ever, Yours affectionately, LILIAN DWIGHT.
=136. From a Daughter-in-Law to a Father-in-Law.=
E----, February 10, 19--.
Dear Mr. Winthrop:--
We have been delighted to learn from your last letter that you have been quite well in spite of the severe weather we have lately experienced, and that you are in such good spirits. How wise not to let the small worries of life depress you. I wish I had a little of your philosophy; as it is, I take things too much to heart, and am inclined to allow trifles to vex me. You set us all such a good example by your unvaried cheerfulness.
I suppose you were very much interested in Tuesday's meeting, as you are such a keen judge of politics; but will not express my opinion of it, gathered second-hand from my husband, in case it should run counter to yours. This you may call cowardice on my part, but it is really discretion.
With kindest love from Ned, also myself, believe me, dear Mr. Winthrop,
Your affectionate HILDA WINTHROP.
=137. From a Sister-in-Law to a Brother-in-Law.=
C----, August 10, 19--.
My Dear Julius:--
As you doubtless know, from long personal experience, my husband is a very bad correspondent, and has, I have discovered, allowed your last kind letter to remain unanswered for nearly a month; so I will try and take his place as far as possible, and ask you to accept me as his substitute. Your news was most interesting to us both. You seem to have had a very pleasant holiday; we quite envied you, and I very much wish Horace could have gone along, if only for a week; but he is so hard worked that there seems no chance of his having even a day's holiday until the end of the season. He is, however, am happy to say, quite well. I suppose you will be back about the end of the month; if my advice is worth having, I should say do not make the long and fatiguing return journey too quickly, but take a fair amount of rest on the way; it is a great mistake to travel night and day after weeks of complete repose and quiet, and is calculated to destroy most of the benefit derived from change of climate and surroundings.
With kindest love,
Believe me, dear Julius, Your affectionate sister, EVA DILLINGHAM.
=138. From a Brother to a Married Sister Asking for Her Husband's Influence.=
N----, June 14, 19--.
Dear Polly:--
You have doubtless asked yourself why I did not write to you lately; the fact is, I have been rather out of spirits, besides being very much occupied.
Am beginning to discover there is little chance of promotion where I am now employed, and that it is almost time to look around for something better. Do you think your husband might take any active interest in me, and would you dislike speaking to him on the subject? I do not exactly know the extent of his influence, or indeed if he possesses any, but I thought from the responsible position he holds with Lombard Bros. & Co., he might perhaps know of some opening that would suit me. I have never as yet spoken to him about my own affairs, and if, on your part, you feel any reluctance in mentioning the subject, pray do not hesitate to tell me so.
Jack seems very happy at school, but is looking forward to spending his holidays with you.
I suppose Mabel's marriage will take place in the autumn, from what she says.
With kind love, believe me, Your affectionate brother, ERNEST RAND.
=139. From a Sister to an Elder Brother, about a Temporary Loan.=
The Misses Sterling's School for Young Ladies, S----, May 18, 19--.
My Dear Edward:--
I have an important favor to ask, which I trust you will grant, if it can be done without any real inconvenience.
I have just received a very pressing invitation to go with Mrs. Hubbard and her daughters to London and Paris; afterward to make a tour with them in Switzerland. This would be quite a new experience for me, as I have never yet been abroad. I could not, of course, promise to join them until I had consulted with you about it, dear Ned, and ask you whether you would make me a small advance to meet the necessary expenses of the journey, and to purchase the few things I should require before starting.
Would you think $300 too much to spare at the present time? I have a little money left, but not enough to justify my accepting this invitation without some little help. You have always been so kind and considerate toward us all, younger children, that I know you will gladly give me this pleasure if it lies in your power to do so. It seems a long time since I have seen you, or even heard from you, but I know how many your engagements are, and that a letter from one so busy is hardly to be expected, unless there is something especially interesting to be communicated.
With kindest love, believe me, dear Edward,
Your affectionate sister, PAULINE.
=140. From a Niece to an Aunt.=
A----, July 15, 19--.
Dear Aunt Selma:--
I do earnestly hope you and Uncle Phillip have not thought me neglectful in not writing to you before this, but beyond asking after you both and hoping you are quite well, I felt I had nothing to write about. I lead, as you know, such a quiet life, and the days so resemble each other, that I can hardly distinguish them apart. I ought perhaps to be glad of this, as family news when it has to be told is seldom a matter of rejoicing; quite the contrary, it generally forebodes trouble and sorrow--at least I have found it so.
The east winds have been very trying to my mother lately, but I am happy to say she is fairly well and able to go out every day. She sends her love to you, and hopes to have the pleasure of seeing you and my dear uncle before long.
How is your work society getting on? I suppose your Sunday-school picnic will take place next month, as usual. I can imagine how busy Uncle Phillip must be just now in his garden. Are the bees thriving? and how do the new glass hives answer? Has he been making any fresh experiments?
Please give him my best love, and with much to yourself,
Believe me, dear aunt, Your affectionate niece, SOPHIA MOORE.
=141. To a Cousin, Wishing a Merry Christmas.=
F----, December 21, 19--.
Dear Cousin Jane:--
I wish you and dear Aunt Mary a merry Christmas, and many New Years in the happy future.
It is a long time since we have met; circumstances do not bring us together--quite the contrary; and were it not for the annually returning Christmastide, I fear we should almost drop out of each other's recollection. I am therefore glad of the opportunity of inquiring after you and Aunt Mary, and trust that you are both pretty well. I fear she is rather dreading the severe weather which is prophesied to be in store for us, but prophecies are not always fulfilled, and, in any case, I hope she will not have a return of her old complaint, rheumatism.
With kindest love and best wishes, Your affectionate cousin, EUNICE CARY.
=142. From a Ward to His Guardian, Asking for an Increased Allowance.=
D----, March 10, 19--.
Dear Mr. Wilson:--
With great reluctance I come to ask you to make me a further allowance, but the fact is, I find it impossible to meet the necessary expenses that I am compelled to incur, on the sum at present allowed to me. And as I know how much you disapprove of my getting into debt, I thought it best to write to you frankly on the subject, and ask to see what you could do for me. I should be perfectly satisfied with an additional $500 per annum, and trust you will not think this request unreasonable.
I beg to remain, Very truly yours, REGINALD ROBERTS.
143. Answer to the Above.
C----, March 15, 19--.
Dear Reginald:--
I dislike extremely to refuse a request of yours, but were I to comply with the last one, just received, I should only encourage you in extravagance. Your poor father considered the sum at present allowed you amply sufficient for your wants, and I do not feel justified in acting contrary to his expressed wishes. However, I have no objection to making you a present of $100 to meet any pressing claim, but must again warn you that it is imperative you should restrict expenses within the limits of your allowance, and this can readily be done by giving a little more attention to details, and by being less thoughtless in your every-day expenditure.
I am, dear Reginald, Your sincere friend, FREDERICK WILSON.