Sladden & Collier Brewers
High Street
Evesham. Mar 24/1898
My Dear Kathleen,
I think I must write to you from the office for I may not be home in time to send you a letter for your birthday.
Many happy returns of the day my dear girl and I hope you will spend a pleasant anniversary and that the ensuing twelve months may bring you all sorts of good fortune. I expect Mother will tell you of the little present we are sending you and I hope you will like it.
I trust nothing will prevent May from paying her proposed visit to Clewer as I am sure it will give you both much pleasure.
It is disappointing that the Croydon opening has not proved satisfactory but if the Misses Waters can make no better offer I think it better that they should leave, I should think they are a stingy lot and it will be hard lines if she cannot do better elsewhere before long.
If I get away in time I will post this from Badsey and enclose you Georgie’s last letter, illustrated!
Arthur is looking very well he grows such a big boy, yesterday evening he went with me to Worcester to attend a big Conservative meeting, we heard an excellent speech from Sir William Marriott Q.C. one time member for Brighton and a very able man.
We have a bitterly cold wind here to-day and frequent snow showers. My cold is much better and I got to business as usual, I think a little genial weather would put one quite right.
Ethel had a nice afternoon for her confirmation and it all went off very well, I was able to get down to the service.
The fowls are doing pretty well and the ducks have at last begun to lay, these Aylesburys do not seem altogether satisfactory and I think you might do better with another breed.
I have ordered the tickets for Hamlet etc and I hope you will get good seats in the ballot.
The last we heard of uncle Charlie was that he was rather better and hoped to go to the wedding next Thursday, May will be able to give you a full account of that function.
With much love and best wishes
I remain
your affectionate Father
Julius Sladden
