The BC Adventure 38

20 November. 1922

Cedar Creek
 

My own Lovey darling.

I got your lettergram at the Dam today. You should have had my letter by the time you sent it but the ways of the post are wondrous. I am glad Miss Cartwright will be going & I hope things can be fixed up satisfactorily without giving you too much trouble, poor old Lamb. How I want to come with you & how I loathe the thought of not having you with me – but I dunno. I may easily come along.

Thuswise Muir had gone to Vancouver for a fortnight to get the books all straightened out and that old swine Sweet has been temporarily in charge. He sucks up to Muir no end when he's here & doesn't interfere with me, but I had a few words with the ignorant old sweep some time ago & he has now taken the opportunity of Muir's absence to try to break me with Munson, who is now “located” at
the Dam. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of resigning & shall wait till Muir gets back before I settle anything.

I've coupled my pipes up to the steam engine now & we are still knocking out a good output in spite of water shortage & cold weather. We had it pretty cold for some days & then a Chinook & now it is frosty but not at all hard. Two days ago we had about 8 inches of snow. As a matter of fact, this place makes me rather weary & yet amused at times. It could be a relief to talk things over with some man who had the elements of mining knowledge in him at any rate.

Still when Muir is here it's all right. He's sound & straight & takes advice. As regards the units, in the end I didn't stipulate for units at 2 ½ instead of cash returned, as I thought it was safer to take the hard cash. I wouldn't advise Cecil & Joey to buy at the present price as the method of handling the property is the doubtful point & they are doing no prospecting to speak of to test out the ground properly, though I've got Munson to promise to do some. If I stay on & see the results of the prospecting I'll buy for them if they wish it & if the inside knowledge warrants it.

I'm talking about theirs and I've not mentioned yours. Well I now bequeath one half of my hundred units to you for your very own, you still to retain your usual half interest in the remainder. Will that do? I wish they were quoted in stock lists. I must ask Munson about that. For my part, I'd sell the lot at £10 apiece on the principle of a bird in the hand. I've a bet on with Munson that my units won't be worth $10,000 in a year's time. I'll gladly pay him $100 if they
are.

Eric has just brewed a brew of tea – I kept some on purpose for evening possets and sends his love to you all. He nearly quit today thanks to that old swine Sweet who loves him about as much as me. He and Guest's father-in-law and I are sole occupants of the cabin now. He is a great old chap. I think Eric figures on being down for Christmas anyway.

Whyte sent me a cheque for $35 and letter of thanks by return post. I shall be going out to Quesnel about Water Rights on Thursday  I expect & will send that and the one for $1819 and one for $90 odd by registered mail to the bank then. I sent you a night letters when I was at the Dam today. Munson has cleared up the Dam town site, is building a school and put up gas lamps & a flag. The school is Calamity Jane's store with much alteration.

That road you and I surveyed is made as a 6 ft slashing & is a 4 graded trail now and is fine. It will be widened next spring. MacKay was in & was very bucked with it.

I do hope dearest heart your daggers are better now. Your last letter was a great joy to me & I was so glad you were contented & happy in your life, bless your dear little loving heart.

Bless me, I've not said a word about Blackiwigs and that insolent dog who stays with Eric most times since he had charge of him in our absence at Vancouver. Both very flourishing and Biggins bad scar healed but the hair hasn't grown yet. Eric has made an excellent job of the big bunkhouse & is roofing the office in now. They've been very short of lumber for a long time, or they would have finished long ago. I will write a tiny line or two to that Joeykins and then go to bed. My best love to Mums and Una and her family of little Dick and Pete and new baby Nancy. God bless you my dear sweet little heart. Do take every care of yourself. Have you get getting lots of warm clothes? Don't forget to tell me. I love you, dear little lambkins more and more and long for you always.

For always your adoring Mark

PS I may very likely come down to Victoria at Company's expense about water rights soon. If I do of course I shall come to Salt Spring and put in a week or two.

PS 2 Mater sent me The Naulahka by Rudyard Kipling for October 18 and there was a big parcel of books for you I will forward. I've some parcels of wool and thing of yours too – shoes stuffed with
sweeties and chocs sent by Joey. I must send on the Geographic Magazine to Mater too. Pater sent me a Financial Times. I see tin is going up at last.

One of the men took this photo. It's me at the back centre.