The Steam Brewery
Evesham
Dec 10 1878
My Darling Wife,
I have been wondering how you are this cold day (the frost here is very severe) I hope getting on nicely, but you must be very careful not to get a chill.
We went down to Badsey last evening and settled matters all right we are to have the house early in January on a seven years' lease renewable if we wish for a further period of about one years at the expiration of that time. Mr Byrd having about 13 years altogether to run, there is no doubt the rent £50 is low enough for the place and although rather higher than I cared about at present yet we can be very careful for a year or two, after which I hope we may find our income increasing, I can give you more particulars on Wednesday when I come home.
Mr Ridgeway has gone to Alcester today by rail for it was none too good going for the horse and very cold work driving as you may imagine. I am afraid our poor calcedarias in the frame will be frozen, let Edith put a piece of hop-sacking over them it might not be too late. They will bear a little frost and if thawed in the dark may survive. We are brewing to-day and shall do so again on Thursday. I hope our little one is flourishing please give him a kiss and hoping to have a good account of you to-morrow.
I remain with much love
Your affectionate Husband
Julius Sladden
