506 Sixty-Third St. 

Opera House Block 

Chicago, Ill

March 31st, 1891 

Dear Cousin Charlie,

 I am very much ashamed of myself for having to say that I have not written you for nearly four months. Dear boy I received your letter (which was the best I ever received from you and was so very interesting] just two days after I had written you. Now Charlie, I will not asked to be excused because it is my own fault. I could have written in January but when I left it so long it became harder and harder every day but I will ask you to forgive me and I will tell you in a few words as possible the news of this year up to date.

Well dear cousin in January we were very busy and I worked hard at cutting to get work ahead for my tailers to do while I went to Canada, I worked night and day 

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until noon day January 16 /91, then prepared to start I was ready and started from Chicago at 3:15 in the afternoon of the same day arriving in Paris about 6 o’clock next day morning (Saturday). I wended my way down through the lonely and forsaken streets, the wind blowing and the weather colder than Greenland. I reached Robert’s about one hour before they expect me and consequently they were a little surprised however the coal fire had gone out and Roberts and Anniey were just half dressed trying to start the fire.

Two minutes after my entrance the house was all alive except the front bedroom upstairs which was occupied by my dear old mother. I made my way up there and push the door partially open. mother saw the shadow of my hand through the dim light which had been burning all night. I stood still as death and mother  gazed on as before a few moments when to my surprise she called alloud: “Will. Will.” I rushed in and kissed her with my mustache covered in ice and two long ice

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sickles hanging from it. She yelled because I did not stop soon enough. well I pulled her out of bed and then about half an hour breakfast was announced at which I did, as I always do, more than my duty. The fore noon and dinner was spent in visiting. I had a picnic telling stories to the children and keeping them from choking me at the same time

About 4 o’clock Mr. Fraser came over for me and you bet it did not take me long to decide where I would be in an hour. We started in a few minutes for Mount Vernon and got there in a hurry, sledging was good and the horses fresh and homeward bound. When we got there and you know what took place for the next 15 minutes. Supper was soon ready and I eat like a horse eats hey. Well I born old boy I found them all

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well and Ella looked better than I have a ever seen her before. the dressmaker had not done on her work yet and Ella’s sister from Jerseyville was there so we had a fine time until the following Tuesday at 11 am when the guests had all assembled and Ella with myself were upstairs awaiting the call for time from below. Her mother sent word to hurry as she wanted some dinner. soon all was ready and we descended  the main stairway and walked into a crowded parlor and were soon pronounce the man and wif, by the Reverend JG Hastings BA   We were soon surrounded by the house full of friends and received showers it congratulations and kisses  A very fine dinner was prepared and we all did justice to the good thing which should been so tastefully prepared and arranged previously, A great many of Ella’s friends were present and the whole affair was the best I ever witnessed,  Everybody was pleased and all pronounced it a grand success not one break or mistake made to mar the run of our start in life together

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We left he house (in time to catch the train for Toronto at Paris) mid showers of rice an old boots with cheers and the best of wishes from all. Mother went home to Bracebridge with us and I had more fun than a basket of monkeys. We landed in Bracebridge about 4 o’clock in the morning, made a big noise and soon had the neighborhood up in arms.

 Lizzy came down stairs in her long night robe and let us in. Father soon followed suit and we will soon all busy talking about I do not know what, but we we were very tired. Mother went to sleep soon after leaving Toronto and snored nearly all the way to Bracebridge. I had to keep awake and regulate her voice by drawing a thread across her lips under her nose every few moments everybody in 

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the car laughed at me and Ella started to thump me several times,There was also a gentleman on the board who is a victim of the habit.  I took my rubber shoe I was about to place it where it would very materially change the musical tone of his voice when he opened his eyes and I walked down the aisle.

Well Charlie this forenoon was short but I had an opportunity just saying word to Herbir so he came out in good time and the same night too;  my word he is a big boy now but seems to think very little about his intentions in fact I do not think he has any. I did not see poor Fred but he is all right they say. Lizzie is a big girl and I believe she’s at Paris now,  she plays very well indeed.  We had a fine time then considering the weather     we did not try to see Harry or his wife but heard he had gone into the business for himself. At midnight Friday, we left BB for Orilla, got there about two hours later Jim and Lou met us at Depot.   we staid with them until about 11 am Saturday.

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Then started on our way to Jerseyville. Jennie and Louis are both thin but enjoying good health,   they are doing fairly well but both very much dissatisfied and expect to move here next fall. Hurrah for Chicago. Our visit with them was short but sweet.

Once in Jerseyville with Mrs. Allen Ella’s sister and her husband we had a bushel of fun and made a number of visits and were there from Saturday eve till Tuesday morning when we return to Paris and stopped at Roberts until Thursday making several calls and enjoying a fine time generally. They are well. Robert was looking better than I ever saw him before.

On Thursday we went back home to father and mother Frazers where ,

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we were received and welcomed as a son and daughter, Here we remained until the following Monday when they went with us to their other son and daughter Mr. & Mrs. Coon who live on a farm the new Durham. They have a lovely family with two little girls     we have another fine time and return home to Mount Vernon next morning. 

We visited three of Ella’s Aunts at Burford also one uncle. I enjoyed my stay with Joe best of all as he is my style of a boy and we went to the woods one day to cut wood and I got wet and caught cold but soon got over it. Mrs. Fraser can walk so much better of late than she used to. Last of all Wednesday came and we were to leave for the last time. I tell you Charlie we did leave and amid such  tears of sorrow mingled with only a little hope of sunshine. dear boy it seemed to take away all sunshine from the old home    it was a sight and I could never forget but all is well that ends well and I shall attend to the end.  By the way I forgot to mention

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parting at the church this Sunday previous at Burford where Ella is still a member. While her poor mother cried and some others as well our seat was besieged by the whole Church which was filled as was expected on account of her farewell. I do not think one person left without bidding her a good bye and many told me I was taking away what could never be replaced, the life in light of a choir,   why Charlie I could write all night – but enough said to give you an idea of what went on.

We left Paris behind about 10:45 am Thursday, February 5th and was rolling westward at a rapid rate when we were left alone for the first time in three weeks to think over the past and talk of what had occurred;

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At 11:30 PM we rolled into the Polk St., Depot at Chicago and by cable was soon hurried to 63rd St.    we boarded here for a week at the hotel during which time we were preparing to keep house 

I found business upside down and inside out and it was a long while before I could put it straight which is as it is a present in one sense of the word.

We are now settled in a flat across from the store as happy as two toads in a puddle.   we have wished 100 times that you were here and regretted from the first your absence from the wedding.

I’ve just had a store floor scrubbed as it is as neat as a pin scrubbed

Now Charlie, I trust you will pardon my negligence in answering your last long and ever welcome letter, You expected to be in America sometime this spring. Now I would like you to come here and so would Ella. I do not know what your chances 

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for employment would be here, but this is the greatest city on earth for  young blood and enterprise.  I do not see why any man cannot get along here

The world’s fair improvements are progressing rapidly,

Business is not very good just now but we are expecting better times soon. Tis  now after supper.  Ella is here and big Republican mass meeting is being held in the theater back of the store, Ella wishes me to tell you that she is 100 times more than delighted with the paintings and looks forward to the time when we show meet each other as nearest and dearest than friends. Now I have written all this lingo and have not attempted to answer your 

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letter. I haven’t it with me and time would not commit if I had.,  however I should very much like to have been with you on vacation last November. Oh what a glorious trip you had.

My little coil of string is about strung and to finish, I would be pleased to hear from you very soon and hope to hear of your early departure for America. Ella joins me in the heart’s best love for you Give our kindest regards to any who may ask for us. 

Trusting you may think of me as your most affectionate cousin 

Will C. Slater 

506 63rd St., Englewood, IL 

PS Ella nd I have both been down with La Gripp . Ella was quite low but mine was checked in time by very little my little girl Ell. a I tell you Charlie, Ella is all right. She is just the girl for me and we are all for each other and both very happy in the love of each other.

 Write soon 

W.C.S.