SEPTEMBER 9th and 11th, 1898 - ELG to RGJ ______________________________________________________________________________________

In envelope postmarked Farmington, ME., September 12th, 1898, addressed to "Miss Gertrude Jones, Farmington, Maine." At this time she was attending Farmington State Normal School. I imagine this was Ed's first letter to her after she departed for her year at Farmington that fall. "Cousin Mark" may be Mark Richardson, but that's just a guess. Carl Gray was almost certainly Carlton Morse Gray who died Feb 16, 1903 at age 23. Charlie Spofford died December 21, 1903, also aged 23. I imagine both Ed and Ruth would have known these men as schoolboys, though Carl and Charlie were several years younger than them. Dr. Bradbury was Bial F. Bradbury, listed in the 1906 Paris Directory as an "Examining Surgeon" from Norway. "Davis" was Samuel F. Davis, appointed Postmaster of Paris Feb 18, 1898. He retired in Feb 1914, served as a Selectman in 1920, and died Mar 10, 1935, at age 80.

Tuesday Eve.

My Dear Ruth.

Have just got home from meeting so will devote the rest of the time before repose to you. I hardly know what to say first. However there is one thing I am aware of and that is that there is a tremendous "All Gone" feeling hanging round me. I trust ere this you have got beyond what you dreaded and have had the best of success, which I am sure you have in your favor. I had a mean day yesterday but am O.K. to-day. Carl Gray came home this P.M. with Charlie Spofford who is sick. I suppose he is to return. Dr. Bradbury has been ordered back, so he was married to-day so not to leave his mother alone. Work has commenced on the Masonic Block, and judge it will look nice after it is finished. "By the way" have got my sketches which Miss Taylor was so anxious to bring down. She carried them up to Alice and said she meant to bring them down before but she forgot it every time. She said there was a string round it when Miss Ingraham gave it to her but it got off some how. Alice said she looked awfully funny when she said it. Everything was all right, but I made up my mind she went through them before she thought to bring them down. Miss Ingraham enclosed a note which I will send you for possibly you would like to see it. Mark is painting a Loon on one of the best sled-tops and it is going to be splendid when he gets it done. I shall try to get it for myself if possible for everyone counts "Don't you know" I had an 1898 catalogue from Frost & Adams yesterday. they are the dealers in Artists supplies in Boston. Tell you what I am just crazy to go to the Cowles Art School. Will try to get up a sketch for you to put in your room to remind you of Jene (?) and his dog. Got 50 cents worth of stamps last night so you see I am well supplied guess Davis thought so too. Have not done anything about Photos yet for I have got to wait for Moses wig to grow a little so he will look natural. Here is a little bit of ancient history. I reconed up to day to see how many sleds I have done since went to work and it shows just 4008 and what striping I have done on them if in one strait line would be nearly 4½ miles long say noting of the stencil work done on them and work for others products. It reminds me of an old "Tread Mill." Well "Em Hm" (?) - guess I will finish this epistle after I hear from you as my eyes are getting tired.

Thursday Eve.

I imagine you are wondering why you did not get a letter Wed. night, as you remarked Thursday night while I was in your presence that you would probably have a letter Wednesday. Perhaps you will remember that I told you that I thought I had better wait until I heard from you so to be sure of your correct address. I was somewhat surprised not to find any word from you when I came home to-night, for if I remember correctly think I told you that I hoped you would let me know how you got along after you got there, however as I have not heard a word in any way shall take it for granted that you are all O.K. and have been so busy you could not find time to do so, so am going to take my chances on your address and send this along. It has been very warm here to-day but not a sign of showers to cool things off. Well Cousin Mark had been at me right and left to-day. guess you would laugh if you could know what he been saying to try and plague me, but he don't succeed very well. Have got started on the new plans and consider them a decided improvement over the others for there is so much less to care for and on the whole prettier. As we were coming home Monday morning we met old Porter the fish man and your Father said he guessed he had been fishing it was so early. rather dry remark and Alice and I had to laugh. Aunt Marion called on Mabel Record yesterday afternoon for I saw her go up into the door-yard about four o'clock. Well I must hustle and get this to the office so it will go out on the early train. and I will give those plans a lift. worked until eleven o'clock last night. Now be careful and not work too hard and don't abuse your eyes above all things for you better loose your additional education than loose them for they cannot be replaced. Well good night, for I must hustle this to the office.

Yours with Love,

Ned