The BC Adventure 34

18 October, 1922

Cedar Creek

My own Lovey Darling,

I've delayed writing 'cos I've wanted to tell you that I've made a success with my young plant & it has given me quite a bit of trouble. Today however we put through quite a bit of dirt & I hope tomorrow to have our money back & then some.

Then I'll sit back a bit & write you a real letter. If I get a decent clean up in a day or so, I'll send a wire, probably to Joey 'cos you don't like wires & telephones poor old lamb. Ernie's plant is going strong but he doesn't seem to be getting good dirt at present. I've been going pretty hard lately and more anxious about the cussedness of the pump than anything else.

I did hate your having to go away from me again for awhile, more now than ever I did, & you are just always in my thoughts dearest. Poor wee lamb, dear little heart, I seem to miss you more keenly now since – well since we became more united than ever before. God bless my little sweetest heart.

To turn to really serious matters. Blackiwigs the cat is very well and very stout. No I don't think half Mormon and Half Martian & is most affectionate to me & don't tell any male being I love the little devil 'cos I can always see you grabbing her & turning her inside out whenever I look at her. Besides, she sleeps on my bed every night. She runs to her saucer as soon as I take a can of milk off the shelf. Buggins the dog is in great form though I fear sadly overfed, as Bill Boswell is cooking for the time being & is rather partial to Master B.

The Cabin is full. Eric, Pegues, a Shooftier, Clemens who put up money for the stem plant, another shareholder called Tombs, suitably on the graveyard shift and Guest's father-in-law who is a carpenter & is helping Eric with the buildings. Occasionally I find some of my things when I look for them! Am selling the stove but haven't delivered them yet. I've got a little work to do for the man Whyte – advisory. Hope he’ll pay!!

I am sending by this mail 3 cheques for our a/c

Cheque No 98 Cedar Creed Mining Co. Ltd. $119.50

Cheque No 99 Cedar Creek, certified $83.86

Cheque No 100 Pete $66.52

Total $269.88

You just go to it dearest & get some nice things – you are to, see!!!

The night draws on & we eat at 6 p.m. nowadays.

Joey is a precious little lambiwigs & she sent me a very nice sweet little letter. I was glad & proud to get a line from old man Cecil – I believe it's nearly as much of an effort as 'tis for me.! Give 'em both large scrumptious kisses from me.

Lots and lots and lots to yourself, dearest. God bless my dear little precious wife. I do hope your cold is better and you feel lots more fit. Thank you for your letter. I expect that there are some more on the way.

Got lots of papers & not time to read em! I must remember to send to the Geographic Magazine – I hope you got the parcel from Vancouver all right and the things were satisfactory. My pipe is a
great joy. I knew I'd miss the mail to get you on the 18th for our anniversary so I've written on it instead & bless you for tying yourself up to this most unsatisfactory spouse for a whole five years
ago. No dearer sweeter wife ever trod this earth. Bye bye darling

For always your adoring

Mark

PS please thank Joey's father, the padre, for his letter, which I was awful bucked to receive.