Homeward Bound

Two Aylmer Boys Return Home, 1905, Part 7

Sept 28, 1905 Mary to Fred in Fairfaix, Manitoba

"Have just taken pa to the station. Started for Pt Arthur to-day. Is going to London to stay over night and takes the boat (Monarch) to-morrow about 3 PM. They will leave Pt Arthur Tuesday morning and if all goes well will get here Thursday afternoon. Pa expects to get there about 4 PM Sunday… Says he is doing as well as the Dr expected but cannot touch either foot to the floor. Was so pleased to get your letter. Will write soon. Mother"

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Sept 30, 1905 Tom Smith, Holland Manitoba to Guy Loop, Souris, Manitoba

“Very pleased to receive your letter & card yesterday. I am glad you are getting on alright I had no idea you would be going back so soon. I shall be very pleased to wait until Wednesday for you if you will come along then, I want to get away from here, and get home as soon as I possibly can. The Dr says I ought to go home.

Mrs Benner wrote to me, and said that I could come home anytime if I got a Dr’s certifacate stating that I was sick and unable to work, for the reduced fare, she had been to Mr Monteith in Aylmer, he said if there was any bother he would see it was alright, but I had got my ticket signed for the 3rd Oct so I thought I would wait, it will soon be here, then I should’nt have any trouble, providing I can get my ticket alright at Holland.

I think I shall, my trouble now is I have’nt got my box yet and I don’t look like getting it before I go back, it makes it very inconvenient for me but I shall have to mange, I wish you would please look around Souris, and see if it is there, it is a black box with lots of white rope around it, and J. Smith painted on the lid.

Thank you very much for offering to lend me money to get home, I have got enough to get home and a little to spare, Mrs Benner & Mr Benner’s sister were so kind as to get up a subscription for me around my home, they collected 41 dollars 85 cents. That was just a nice sum for me, and helped me out fine, so my parents have not had to send me my fare.

I had a letter from Frank the beginning of the week, he was getting on very well, but getting alittle homesick, he said it. I did’nt write for a few days, I had better send his letter to Bayham, that sounds as though he was going home soon, whether he has gone now or not I don’t know. I have not heard from the other boys since I wrote your last, so I don’t know how they are coming along. I am feeling rather better now, I think I shall be strong enough to travel by Wed., do come along Wed if you possibly can, drop me a card and let me know, I should be so pleased with your company home, it is not very nice travelling all that distance alone. I shall send this letter by the noon train, so it will be in Souris by 4 o’clock, I hope you get it to night (Saturday) Now I must close, from, Your Sincere Friend, Tom Smith"

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