Chipping Norton
Nov 6th 1877
My Darling Eugénie,
I will sit down and write to you this evening as, having no one to help me in the brewery now, I have little spare time in the morning.
I am anxious to hear how Joe got on in his suit, I sincerely hope he found the young lady as willing to listen as I did somebody on a certain Saturday seven months and more ago!
I always feel happy in the thought that my Eugénie kept a little corner in her heart for my love when as yet it was untold.
We have had a thoroughly wet miserable November day and I had fires in our house to keep the papers and ceilings dry, they are getting along now, our room is finished and carpeted, the spare room will be cleaned to-morrow and carpeted on Thursday ready for the furniture which comes down this week for it and also our own room. The top of the house is also finished and cleaned down.
I am glad to hear a better account of Fanny, with regard to the choice of a present, fish knives & forks would be very useful for I possess none while I have a dozen very good dessert ditto.
Miss Hougham’s present turns out to be a very pretty little electro-plated salver quite to my taste and I have no doubt you will like it.
I daresay Charlotte will like to have a glimpse of George though it is rather doubtful if he will get down to Ash before 20th inst.
I should say old Mr Hitchman is certain to refuse an invitation to the wedding though perhaps it will be a compliment to ask him, I can easily explain to my intimate friends how it is that Mr H. is asked and not they themselves for I think our determination to confine it chiefly to a family gathering will be best adhered to, for I believe a dread a fuss as much as you do, is there any chance of Fanny coming over?
I smiled, darling, at your idea that your last letter was not a nice one, I know it seemed very nice to me as all my Eugénie’s letters do, I always feel the sunshine of your love beaming as it were through your words.
My thoughts were very much with you on Sunday and the adjoining days for I liked to think over the happy hours we spent together the week before.
I have been making out a list of fruit trees to order for the garden, now is the month for planting above all others, I shall have a nice selection, yesterday I started moving a few rose trees for I must make the best of any fine weather.
To-day’s post brought a line from my Mother enclosing a letter from Dilnot dated Sep 21 he writes cheerfully and says his ankle is better though he still walks upon two sticks.
You will be glad to hear that I have secured the services of a cook, Sarah Ann Hicks, age 26, I rather like the look of her and she is known to Mrs Hitchman she speaks well of her, now I must try and find a good housemaid.
I am very sleepy for I have a cold so will say good night. God bless you my darling.
Ever believe in the fond love of
Your own affectionate
Julius Sladden
P.S. Perhaps you may find your pears ripe I found two or three of the same sort fit a day or two since.
I have been trying on my wedding coat to-day it seems to fit well, Mrs Chouls evidently thought that I looked a great swell!
Good-bye darling, a glance at your picture has just made me wish for a kiss from your sweet lips, can it be that I failed to take enough ten days ago?
