Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Lt 84a, 1886

Children

Great Grimsby, England

September 16, 1886

Previously unpublished.

Dear Children:

We arrived here today at half-past ten A.M. The night we left Basel we did not any of us sleep much. At midnight—at Delmo, I think it was—we had to all go to the custom house for our things to get a mark upon them. They were not examined. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 1

The seats were very hard, and every bone in my body ached. I was the only one who could lie down. I partially straightened myself. Sarah says she did not sleep much. Brother AuFranc [?] we know did not sleep scarcely any. He was sightseeing by moonlight. He testifies Sarah slept with her mouth wide open and that she looked very curious. We took a good breakfast and dinner from the telescope. It was all good, but how I did wish Bruno had the meat. He would have appreciated it. We did not. It seemed dry and tough and tasteless. The tomatoes were excellent. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 2

We went on the boat, glad that it was to be but a two-hour trip, but we had a very stirring east wind which did not agree with our stomachs. Sarah, I believe, was the first one who behaved badly. She began to throw up. I sweat and held firm for nearly one hour. Men and women were sick—no accommodations for them, but to sit up and just bend to the task of emptying their stomachs, which was the easiest job of the kind I ever did. We just rolled and heaved and pitched. Sarah lay down flat on the floor with her head on a box, and she slept some. I envied her the privilege of lying down, but there was no possible chance for me to lie down. I was sick, earnestly sick—lost both breakfast and dinner. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 3

We had to undo the roll, but none of us had sufficient energy to put it together again. It was an astonishing-looking bundle; looked some as though we had a child smuggling through. Brother AuFranc was sick, and yet when he saw the sorry-looking bundle, he had force enough left to get it into decent shape. This delayed us so that we were near the very last to step from the boat. When we sought for a compartment, all the second class was full. The conductor opened one of the finest first-class compartments, placed our baggage in, and helped us in. I think we were a pale, wretched-looking set that touched his heart with sympathy, and he told us to stay in that car. He would make it all right, and he watched us as faithfully as a mother watches her child until he saw us off the train and had a porter bring us our trunk. In this softly cushioned car we slept some and rested much. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 4

Brother AuFranc was like a boy taken up with what he could see. Sarah was sufficient for the occasion, as usual. She spoke for a four-wheeled cab, and all our belongings were taken in it, and we drove to the Great Northern depot, deposited our trunk, sent a dispatch to S. H. Lane, and drove across the road to the Great Northern Hotel and there ordered hot drink to our room. We had excellent beds and everything clean and sweet. Had to pay for our drinks and a plate of English thin-sliced bread, buttered as usual, fifty cents. Twelve shillings for our lodgings. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 5

We slept quite well. I awakened at three, and at four Sarah awoke. She looked at her watch and said it was five o’clock, but her watch did not tell the truth. The cars left quarter after five. We had our things on “Strase” (Street) and were doing up the bundle when she found out it was the watch that was wrong. We had to change cars at Peterborough and Boston. We were on the fast train as far as Peterborough. Then the train stopped at every way-station, and we went quite slow till we reached Grimsby. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 6

Sister Ings and Brother Wilcox met us. We were glad, I tell you, to see them. We are here all safe, not exactly straight in our feelings yet. We took our breakfast on the car, and I ate one of the turnovers and a couple of rolls and relished them. The rolls were so good, never tasted as good before. The turnovers were good. Thank Marian for brightening our metallic clasps; they looked very nice. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 7

We find all of good courage here. I have not as yet had much talk with Brother Wilcox and H. S. Lane, but they do not seem to be at all discouraged. Brother Olsen will not be here, or Brother Oyen, until week after next. So they will not have any help from these. I told them you would not be here until next week. They are anxious to have you come as soon as you can conveniently. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 8

Mary, please to get my medal in the drawer of the commode and send to me by Willie. I think it would be well to bring my small writing board. Sarah says she wants that skin she cleans her machine with. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 9

It is cold here. We have a fire in our room, a stove, so we can keep comfortable. It is sunshiny and pleasant today. I may think of something more to send for tomorrow. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 10

My head is not as clear as I could wish. I have felt grateful to God for His mercy and loving kindness to us, and I want to have strength to do the will of God from the heart. This morning when I awoke at three o’clock, I felt comforted and blessed and grateful and happy. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 11

Mary, I beseech of you to take the very best care of yourself. You need to be cautious and not be imprudent in any way. Do not drive the horse alone down street; have someone with you. Be cheerful and happy. Well, this is a poor kind of a letter. Hope to have something to write about next time. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 12

Much love to all in the family, especially my little Ella. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 13

Mother.

This letter should have gone out last night, but we were not soon enough. Look out and have clothing for raw, cold climate. We had a sunshiny day yesterday. I think it will be pleasant today. I shall walk considerable and see if I cannot obtain physical stamina and shall keep myself in as good condition as possible. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 14

Willie, I did not take any of those books with my pieces pasted into them, morning talks and other articles. I think you had better bring them. We may find time to work at them some. 4LtMs, Lt 84a, 1886, par. 15