Dear Cousin Charlie,

Since I last wrote you with a promise of writing again in two weeks I have been very sick not able to be up at all but am much better now and have been for two weeks and so busy I have only written one letter to Ella in two weeks. I have lots to tell you but any time is limited tis now four o’clock and I will write you until six trusting you will pardon my shaky hand in haste.

Well dear boy my sickness came on all at once. it was very much like diphtheria (?) but acted different while I was up I could not move my head or arms yet I had no cold but my throat was like a piece of beef (?) and very sore. at times I could scarcely breathe then again all would be well for a few moments but enough of this, all is well that ends well

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Tis so long since I wrote to or heard from you I almost forgot where we left off. but we’ll commence by telling you that my business is good and prospering well. This fall has been a glorious one for me in a business way.

Owing to my sickness my correspondence with Ella has not been as usual but this [long line here I cannot read]

are all well and enquire after you. Our wedding day will be January 20th 1891. It is drawing near and I believe all connected will be well pleasant at our union. She has proved herself daring (?) the past two years of her mothers illness to be one in ten thousand.

Archie Bainister (?) is sick with [other line I cannot read]

a relapse and is now worse then ever. Robert wrote me a short letter last week. he is not very well but better then he expected to be considering he is without help inside. Annie and children are all well.

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Jennie & Louis are well and looking forward to our wedding and coming to Orillia (?) with great expectations      They are not doing very well in a business way I am sorry to say but the winter may prove a better season for them. have not heard from Heiber (?) and poor Fred for months I have written them twice but you know what I might expect from them in the way of correspondence. I expect they are hunting little this Fall.

Pa Illa (?) & Tizzir were well when last heard from. I think they will be at our wedding I do not know what Father thinks about going back to the land of mills and honey     They have not said of late any thing about it but they will when the spirit moves them again.

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I never hear from Harry & Fannie so know nothing about them but think they are well. I have thought by what Father and Ma say they seam to think more of them then Jemmie & Louis in my last & told them so. and you know I have no particular love for Harry. Jemmie may have hard luck now but I know his is the best heart.

Allis Hill (?)  or Mrs McEwen now does not look much like a bride but more like a woman of years care and earnest toil. Lizzie says she looks as if she had not a friend on Earth. In one of the papers you would notice an article about our church I will send you a small book or leaflet giving you an idea of how beautiful it is.

Mr Haines the pastor called on me last evening about 8 o’clock and gave me a very pressing invitation to a social which was in progress at the church, I went over with him he gave me an elegant send off in the way of a general introduc-

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tion at the same time saying he would guarantee I would be delighted to measure any of them for a wedding suit. during the evening Mr Haines gave me introductions to several parties of young people, a number of the ladies said I came to the correct (?) place to get making wedding suit as the young men were backward on that subject, I assured them if they would assist me I would start the ball of matrimony moving in WORD then my business could not help but prosper. That my wedding will take place in January will be a grand surprise to most of them.

I have bought a beautiful organ in trade for clothes the price of it is $320.00 & get it for much less then that though I think it is very much better then Annies also larger by one octave.

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now Charlie tis five minutes to sit and I have asked no question about you or your friends and time will not permit it this trip but I will be pleased to hear from you early and often trusting all is well with you and yours.

Give my love to all and believe me sincerely your affectionate cousin. Ella joins me in love to you.

Will C. Slater