Acock’s Green, Birm Ap 16 1883

My dear Fred

We have received your 2 letters, 1 from Portland after the pcard from Belfast + the other Ex Chicago date 31 March.  By this time we hope you are settled in Winnipeg and that you find it an improvement on Chicago and approving + encouraging for the future.  By this post comes 2 Henley ado to you like to look through them.  The Brooklyn came to grief within a few hours of leaving Portland on her way back with bilged plates on a ledge of rocks + was logged, she may be got off again, divers at work on the wreck.  We are having a dry time here and some rain will be most acceptable the ground is dry as an ash heap.  Trolb is shifting about in his tactics and things do not look hopeful, he has cut me down to impossible commission which will necessitate some change.  Ernest + George have started in lodgings today in town off the Bristol Road, this will be I hope satisfactory all round.  The choir were pleased to hear you had reached Chicago, so far on your road to your destination.  Mrs Braund have been over her to tea + spend a few homes today she is well and all are anxious for your next letter.  I have found a suitable (I think)place for Louise at Swansea to teach 3 little boys and make herself useful between whiles + got on the 26^th inst.  I have sent the box of books cards +c such a handsome lot back to Sutton’s which arrived a day after you had gone.  I wrote Sutton’s that it had come too late and they returned a very nice letter of regret +c that it had not been in time.  They are at TJ+Co pretty miserable I hear, M Charles trying his best to make times very uncomfortable.  Mr Smith appears worried and misses you both very much.  The Henley folks are well.  We heard two days ago.  I forgot to add Suttons will send you out another box of papers books +c whenever you wish it – your Mother + Louise will write you perhaps in this,

From your very affectionate father.