1895, August 20

From: Alice Annie Wren, at 46 Adelaide Rd, Hampstead, England

To: John Adkins Jones, at (location unknown, but somewhere in USA)

My Own dearest:

I am alone, & I want you – I feel dull & recall the evenings we have spent here; what is the weather like at N. York? It is very hot; I don't remember it so hot. It quite knocks me up; I said so to Mrs. Keralak. She very kindly remarked it did not take much to do that. How are you? Still getting more like what you ought to be Jack?
Yes Jack you are & will be to me dearest, oh for 18 or even part of them they would be nice. My sister Sarah's name is not Jane Sarah, Ann we call her, Sarah or when writing of her, S. Ann for short. It is only natural Mother would feel it would be hard if I were away from my own people. I don’t think I shall miss them much - dearest I am coming; it will be nice to feel we are near each other. Was it not by the church we stood as you mentioned – should very much like a quiet lovey chat now & no one to interrupt us. I received your letter & cuttings last Friday – thanks for all. Your letter was short & sweet, & you were right I was surprised to hear Mr. L knew Mr. & Miss B. Herford. I did not think her a Y. lady that would try for the love of anyone without some encouragement & therefore I think Mr. L has been smitten with her some time or other & Miss Herford felt sure of him. Will she meet plenty of gentlemen at the Barretts? She is I hear rather clever.
Before I go farther I will say I leave this for you to pay 5:^D. I've no money; I've waited to see if 2/2 would turn up, it has not – so, I conclude the best thing would be to send it without stamp, tit for tat. I had to pay 5:^D on yours last time. Did you do that to pay me out for mine? I don’t get on very fast (? past). I have been told to try steel wine if that does not do me good, Rountree (? Sountre) said nothing will. I'm always tired this hot weather is very trying isn’t it Jadie* -- how do you like it? I did not mean that I thought you had felt cold toward me.
Note: Mrs Starkey's child, Flo Walker, is making me a bonnet for Gerty's baby. I hope she will make it pretty. She can if she likes. They are going to move to Broadhurst Gardens – Charlie is going to manage that branch of business, it is all Wellford's now; it has in a way bettered them: they have more money, more rooms, & Flo (Note: to see after the shop). She will continue with the young servant. I call it downright nonsence for only them two to keep one; don't you? We shall soon have summer over now. I am nearly asleep now, I can't eat much this hot weather, can you? Mrs. H has been well(?) this week she was sick, came & woke me up. I did feel cross; if I were sick, she would not care to woke & kept up from 2 to ¼ past four in one's n'shirt; is rather unpleasant isn’t it Jadie*? I don't think I can write any more tonight my own, I am up to work early: 7 or 9; I want the kettle to boil I wish you were here. Should think you wanted something to do - keeping all those pieces of paper. I don't like the blouse. I enclose you a cutting; I have just finished reading all your letters from beginning to end. I began Sunday night. Harriet came in on Sunday with her sister Mary; she is in town with her Lady, I had not seen for 4 years – she is a nice girl. Her people are away & she has asked me many times to go there, I have not been.
She does not come here much now. I think we move about the 23^rd; it is a case of glory in store for us. I am longing to know what you say & think of my coming to you. I hope dearest you wont be very cross about my letter, but really & truly I have none whatever. I want 15/ (?) very bad; will you give it me please? I am not going to say lend – I don't know when you will get it. I hope dear you will not object to my coming sooner than you wished; now I don’t think there is much more I've to say to you now. Have you heard from Mother? I don’t think Susie intends writing she said she can't write, she feels it would not do, you would not care for it, & she has not been used to writing to people in a better class. I think that is the true reason of all of them. Have you heard any more of your sisters, brother, & Mr Jones? I suppose Millie is looking forward to her holidays? Note: more now I am as ever,
Your own true & loving
Girlie twith 18
PS: I've just come from the Dr I feel queer, I don't like your blue ink I put your letter under my pillow & I think – the laundress will be able to read it.

[* 'Jadie' seems to be a nickname that Alice Annie Wren used for John Adkins Jones.]