Sydney
(Monday) 6 January 1913
My dearest Sweetheart
At last they have got some decent writing paper. I see I have missed a line, inadvertently, but tis of no consequence. Lets resume the log. Where did I finish last week. Wasn’t it Monday?
Well, on Tuesday I had a fair amount of business to attend to but Clifford & I managed to catch the early afternoon train to the mountains. At Penrith where we stayed five minutes we got out to stretch our legs & when coming from the bar I heard a yell "Smith". I looked round & saw a fellow from m/c. The last time I was with him was when he was Sir Peter Teazle & I was the servant in a scene from The School for Scandal (How do they spell the last word). Needless to say we had a good long chat. He has come out here on spec. & so far he has not succeeded. He still lives in hope. In due course we arrived at the Falls & engaged a cab. We met quite a crowd at tea. I was introduced round & everybody made remarks about my face & hands. I had been stung so badly the previous night by mosquitos, my hat would not fit. All my face was swollen about three times its natural size & if anyone had not known I was a temperate man – well they would have thought I was keeping up New Year. We were a lively party & had quite a rattling time. In spite of it all, my thoughts would revert to home & at times I was quite silent. We had charades & music. Clifford & I dressed up with some of the girls clothes & they (the girls) dared us to walk in the village & go & get some ginger beer. We went & nobody made remarks.
At 11.55 we all joined hands with crackers & got our liquid refreshments ready. We welcomed the New Year in with hearty cheers. Clifford & his wife made a speech & so did I. I thanked them for their kindness to me & how well they had looked after me etc etc & I hoped that when they came home I should be able to repay part of their goodness. I spoke from the bottom of my heart & never as long as I live will I forget how good they have all been to me. So its up to both of us dearest to give them a royal time when they come home. We retired about 12.45 am. New Years day we were up early & I pondered over my resolutions. Which were only two. The first was not to speak another cross word unless I was perfectly sure it was justified, & the second was to cut down cigarette smoking. I have been smoking anywhere from 25 – 30 a day & I determined to cut it down to 10. So far I have succeeded in not exceeding 7. We played cricket after breakfast & Clifford & I picked sides. I chose Freda, Alder & another boy (21 years of age) & girl. Freda went in first & made 17. Alder 3. Next man out first ball & the girl the same. The other side were jubilant. Unfortunately when I had made about 40 I lost the ball with a terrific drive so the other side could not have their innings much to their disgust.
About 11-0 o’clock be packed up picnic things & joined with another house party. It was hard work carrying baskets & pans. We visited the valley of water & selected a site. Everybody wanted to do something so Clifford & I sat down & watched. I think we were sensible. Somebody made a fire & tea & others cut up bread & butter. We had a fine spread I can assure you. After feeding we split up into various parties & wandered over the place. I took a few photos & hope they will turn out alright. I am doubtful, as the light was bad. I looked after Freda & Alder & another youngster. Freda & Alder regard me almost as an elder brother & the way Mrs Todd has treated me has been just like a mother. She bathed my hands & face & did everything to ease the pain. After wandering round for two or three hours we packed up & climbed back, & made tea in another place. We arrived home about 5.30 & after making ourselves look pretty & feeding again we set off to a dance. About three house party’s combined & for the first half hour things were deadly slow. Later they livened up a bit & I think everybody enjoyed themselves. I only had one dance. I much preferred the company of our host (a doctor) & three of his companions. At 12.30 we bade them adieu & climbed into the drag. We had an hours drive & I can assure you we were not quiet on the journey. We retired at 1.45 am & the business men had to be up by 5.45 to catch the early train back to Sydney. We did it & arrived in good time. Later in the morning I visited the doctor & paid my guinea. I think he did me good. At night I went for a sail to Manly & walked on the beach & let the wind cool my fevered brow.
Friday I was just fairly busy & everything seemed to go wrong. At night I had Clifford & Doctor McDonagh to dinner & the theatre after to see Milestones. The night cost me just under £5. Pretty stiff Wot. After the theatre we came back here & later visited the club. I was in bed by 12-0 o’clock so we were not late.
Saturday morning there was not much to do & after lunch I had a sleep till four o’clock when I went to meet Mrs Todd & the family coming back from the Falls. I had left my baggage behind & Mrs T packed it up & brought it down with her. I saw them safely on the ferry & came back & dined. At night I went to the Tivoli as it was wet & strange to say, sitting in front of me was a girl I met in Melbourne who is rolling in ‘iron’. I had five minutes conversation with her & came home about 11-0 o’clock & went to bed.
Sunday morning I got up early & wrote letters all morning till 12-0 o’clock & then I went to Cliffords for dinner & the day. After dinner I talked while Clifford slept & in the afternoon we played tennis. Somehow or other Freda & I cannot beat Alder & Clifford although we keep trying. I even went so far as to buy a racket. We have our last chance on Thursday & we must do it then by hook or by crook. After a late tea Dr Mac & his wife came up & we had a musical evening.
Today I have been up to the eyes in work & now I am absolutely fagged out. I cannot walk a yard so am finishing up my correspondence.
The heat does not try me so much now but it gets frightfully hot during the day.
Your miniature I regret to say has not yet come to hand. I have been to the post office & if it was sent per parcel post it will not be here for another week yet. If it does not come then I can only fill up a form & goodness knows if it will be found. Needless to say you can rely on me moving the whole universe to get it.
I shall finish here by Saturday morning & go to Brisbane that day. I expect I shall only be a week there & then go straight down to Melbourne.
Business is exceptionally quiet. I have great difficulty in getting men to come in & see me as they do not want to buy with the market so high. Even if they come in they will not buy but only take notes for future business.
Now to reply to your letter received this morning.
I shall not find it dull to settle down at home again provided I have three nights a week with you. Who could be dull with you.
My dearest what an awful time you must have had with Walter. I feel very sorry that you should have suffered so much. Reading between the lines you have not told me a patch of what you went through. Still I do think that he ought to have behaved like a man & not given way to childish passions. I do not think he has the courage, either moral or physical, to do any damage to himself. Never mind sweetheart I am counting the days to when I shall see you again. Only 13 weeks on Friday. Twill soon pass by.
I am more than pleased your mother agreed with you. I think, apart from any feeling of my own, & even if we had not been what we are to each other, that it is the best day’s work you ever did.
What a sensation the news would cause to the dear old ladies in Salford. It will provide them with gossip for many weeks to come, & wont there be some tongue wagging especially when our engagement is announced. I can hear one or two saying "I allus thought as ow them two ud make it up".
I was rather surprised to see Sir George Kemp had been made a peer. Why? & for what?
I think, with regard to your uncle, I should ask your mother to write him. From the conversations I have had, which have been many, I gather that he thinks the whole world of your mother & he tells me he is making more money than ever. If you put the matter to him plainly I am sure he will assist you. In the meantime if you require any material assistance do not hesitate to use the bank cheque.
Please dearest do not work all the hours you do. It is really too much. You ought to put on weight instead of wearing yourself out. I am much heavier than I was when I left home – in spite of all the heat. Possibly I shall be able to train down by the time I get home.
Your next letter had better be addressed to Care Commander s/s Otway. Colombo. To arrive not later than 17th March. The postal officials will tell you the latest date for posting, but before doing so ascertain from either Rothwell or Nora whether the firm have approved of my action in booking my passage home or whether I have to go elsewhere.
I have added since page 8 the remaining part tonight, Tuesday. Have not been very busy today. It is still hot.
With all my dearest love & many many thanks for finishing everything.
Yours very affectionately for all time
Harry