Peter
to Caroline- Oct. 8, 1892
BC Archives
MS02894 Box 22 File 11
[No. 9]
Soda Creek
Saturday 8th Oct. 1892
My dearest
wife
I telegraphed
you from Quesnelle on Thursday night immediately after
my arrival & glad and thankful I was to be able to
say all was well: it was a very great pleasure to receive
your letters with enclosures & and to learn that you,
and all our dear ones were well, though I am grieved to
know that you had been such a sufferer, God grant that
you are quite yourself again, and that we may meet in
health and happiness.
I will first explain how the letters remained so long
unanswered. In my letter of 16th Sept. N. 8. I told you
that the mail was then overdue, I delayed as long as I
could, but finally was compelled to leave without hearing
from you, consequently I did not receive my letters till
the 4th inst. when at Ft. George, the day but one, before
my arrival in Quesnelle. From the 16th Sep when I sent
my mail by the packer, there was not a chance to send
a line. Now you have in short, sufficient account for
my long silence.
Now for the subject that has not been absent for a moment
from my mind since I received your, Mr Stanhope, and our
darling girl's letters. It is very hard that I should
have been absent, if I could have been of assistance &
I regret it deeply of course I cannot blame Kitty[Kathleen],
I think I know her too well. This whole thing is a surprise
to me. I am bewildered & and am not capable with my
present information of forming an opinion.
His letter contains what appears to be an honest &
honourable declaration of his feelings, but in other respects
they are not quite satisfactory, besides we know next
to nothing about him and on the whole, as I understand
the positions, neither are absolutely bound by what has
taken place and I am glad of it - above all it will give
our dear one, time to ascertain & fully make up her
mind, & he can find out what arrangements he can make
at home.
You have not sent me all his letters and they might have
assisted me to form an opinion, but as so long a time
lapsed, I have decided not to reply to his letters until
I have talked the matter over with you, & Kit, in
the meantime he may have found out that he is not in the
position he supposed he was.
I never felt more disposed to procrastinate. I fear to
say anything that would tend to a separation from our
darling. It is better that I should not now reply to his
letters - even if I had the time, for I am doing all in
my power to get home as quickly as possible.
Tomorrow I start for Chilcoltin I cannot calculate on
getting back here under a week, & if so I shall not
reach Victoria before 22nd or 23rd Saturday, or Sunday
night (this day fortnight) I shall be very sorry not to
be at home to welcome Sir Michael. I have received two
letters from him in both of which he names the 20th as
the time I will arrive in Victoria. Do all you can to
make him comfortable at home. I will write him a line
to wait his arrival at Ashcroft Hotel.
I am disappointed about Jack. I won't believe that he
could not have passed the Exam, if he had of exerted himself.
Mr. Barbers paper that you spoke of was not enclosed.
Frank will, I fancy, get home about the time I do. I told
him to prepare for a wet season, which I felt sure he
would have.
I am longing to be with you all I think I am acquiring
the habit of doing without sleep.
Sunday
9th Oct.
Last night
who should arrive here but Drummond & Alice. He has
to attend a county court tomorrow, Beaumomt has also to
be in attendance, & and their place is deserted for
the present, besides there is difficulty about getting
a conveyance. I have therefore decided to give up my proposed
trip to Chilcoltin, and have telegraphed for a trap to
take me to Ashcroft therefore if there is no unseen delay
I should be with you on Saturday next 15th inst. You may
be sure I don't object to this change of programe.
There is no use in my now referring to other subjects
about which we shall [?] so soon have an opportunity to
talk to You ought to get this Wednesday & I hope to
be with you on Saturday. I will telegraph
Love to you all
Your devoted
loving husband
P.O'Reilly
I fear I may miss the mail.
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