Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 145, 1894

White, W. C.

Granville, New South Wales, Australia

[March 27, 1894]

Portions of this letter are published in 4Bio 139.

Dear Son Willie:

We are in the Granville home and have been here but a short half-hour, but the house is better than I had imagined it would be. The cookstove is just Number One. If my room had a few less feet in length and one of the rooms for you had the extra in width we would be better pleased, because it would be more equal. The compartments need enlarging. Nothing is settled in the rooms. Maude did not get here until last evening. Considerable fruit has been put up. Peaches are the tough clingstones which I feared. We shall make earnest efforts to search for other kinds of fruit, especially peaches. I shall can no more clingstones. 9LtMs, Lt 145, 1894, par. 1

I am pleased with the yard. There are choice flowers in it—one camellia [?], a rare choice plant. We think we will do nicely. It seems this is a large three acres of land. 9LtMs, Lt 145, 1894, par. 2

But about our journey. There were three very nice elderly ladies and one girl about fifteen years old. There was left for me one half of a seat which served me to good purpose. Half past eleven o’clock we took the sleeper. After riding a short time, at the first stopping place, Brother Starr told us they were all scattered here and there; but at that station they came into one compartment. Marian took her seat with me, and May went in with Sisters Tuxford and Starr, Brother Starr and Brother Simpson. These three old ladies left quite a while before we changed for sleeper. I slept nicely more hours after twelve o’clock than for some weeks in the past. The storm is over now and it is quite warm here. 9LtMs, Lt 145, 1894, par. 3

The sleeper went through to Sydney. Elder Starr went with Brother Belden to see about the goods. No bill of shipping has come and he is worried about the goods. It seems as we look at the boxes here that we cannot find places for all the goods we have, but my room will hold very much goods. Brother Starr went with Brother Belden to look for the goods. It may not have come in yet. Brother Starr spoke of taking the goods upon a boat other than he expected. Brother Simpson has set up my bedstead, and now he is setting up Brother Starr’s bedstead. I am feeling better than when I parted with you. The air seemed to give me more freedom in breathing than in Melbourne. We all seemed pleased with the yard and the broad piazza. 9LtMs, Lt 145, 1894, par. 4

Sister Starr thinks they will sit out of doors, considerably, on the piazza. It is now fifteen minutes of three. Dinner is, I think, about ready. I am pleased with fireplaces and with the house generally, and with the flower garden. I have not had much time to look around. 9LtMs, Lt 145, 1894, par. 5

Just took our dinner and this must go in the mail right away to go out in next mail. Do nothing about cookstove, for we have all we could ask in stove arrangement. See that our cookstove is well cared for, and all will be well to let it stay where it is. 9LtMs, Lt 145, 1894, par. 6

N.B. Tell Brother Rousseau the corn last brought upon our table was extra. See that some of the ears are left to ripen for seed corn. I want a little of it to plant. 9LtMs, Lt 145, 1894, par. 7

I am very grateful to my heavenly Father for preserving me when I felt so weak that a trifle would be a burden to me. Nothing disagreeable occurred in passengers or in anything except the worry of waiting so long for sleeper, and I could not feel like opening bundle to get out things to make a bed. Well, no harm has happened to any of us. All are cheerful and better pleased than they expected to be. The rain has ceased, and bright sunshine has been enjoyed for two days. We all mean to be very cheerful and happy and of good courage in the Lord. It is just now a struggle for me, but I shall look to the light and talk light and not darkness. 9LtMs, Lt 145, 1894, par. 8

Much love. 9LtMs, Lt 145, 1894, par. 9

Mother.