Letterhead:  Written on very good parchment paper with a 3 color logo. Penmanship is beautiful script.

The Thistle Bicycle, Excelsior supply Co. Geo T Robie, manager  276-278 Wabash Ave  phone Main express 48   Chicago

 

 

Sept 14th, 1896

     After a considerable time I will write you a letter. The last I wrote you was a short time before I went down to visit the folks and since I returned from there until now I have scarcely had a breaking although I must admit that I could have found the time to write you a letter but I am a little careless you know and any rate you must know that I have been well. Well I had a delightful time while away. The only drawback was the very limited time I had at my disposal. I only had time to say hello. I was out to Uncle Steve’s, at Uncle Riley’s, over to Franks and Wards, out to Jim Bells, to Gilbeys and Eunices all in one week and talk about good things to eat. I haven’t enjoyed anything in five years as those sumptuous meals. Well I gained four pounds in one week and I think one more week of it would have added six more. I just begin to feel the real benefit when I had to come back to hard work for no one had done a tap for me. People generally say that I am looking well and I am feeling first class. I have given up chewing tobacco three weeks tomorrow hence. I have not tasted of it but that’s not saying I don’t want to but it is bye to it forever. I found everybody quite well except for Frank’s wife. After her children were born she got up and went to work too soon. How different it is at Uncles since the Aunts have died. It doesn’t seem one bit natural. Those crazy Indians around Villa E??? are clean daffy about the free silver and maybe politics are not warm around here. It was all free silver for a while but now the gold men are taking a hand and holding their own. Bets are frequently made that Cook County will give McKinnley 4000 more than O’Bryan. O’Bryan has been here twice since the convention. His campaigning put me very much in mind of the workings of our ward healers. Verbally promise anything to gain power. By November we will be wondering what became of the 16 to 1. People will pa (?pay) I will close very soon as it is nearly 6oclock. How are Lula and Charles getting along and you and Bro. I wish you would send me a picture of Earl if only a tintype. I want to see what kind of a looking kid he is. Let me hear from you soon.             Hoping that all is well,

                      I am ever

                      your son.

 

 

Submitted by:

Debra Rickman  @ [email protected]