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✦ A45-(5105) To Calvin McQuesten Montreal, Quebec Friday Night [September 11, 1903] My dearest boy, Your letter had just reached me sent back from Toronto and I have just come back from there, having gone down for the day. Of course, dear, I am trying not to be anxious about you, but I am quite sure and have felt it for some time that you could not possibly have a more trying occupation, the very worst for your trouble. Then it may be too God’s way of leading you into his service as you always longed to do. But what I want you to do is not to go back to the Herald Office, come right home, or if you think the sea air so good, go back to Cap a l’aigle, as it is such a reasonable place until I can consult those whom you mentioned. I can send you funds. But do not do another day’s work. Would like to have you home, if you are to go so far away in October, but I know that Hamilton climate is not bracing so that you must do what is best. Think I will go to Toronto to-morrow as it is the last day of cheap fares and [see] Dr. Caven221 and Dr. Warden.222 Then I will talk with Dr. Lyle for he was up seeing the various stations on his way to assembly. Now please do no more work or you will lose the good of your holiday . I don’t think you need regret the newspaper work for it is hard work for very little either money or praise. My heart is full of sympathy for you my dear boy, but we will Trust in God.223 Your loving mother, M. B. McQuesten 1904-1908 ❧ ✦ A46-(MCP 3-5.7) To Thomas B. McQuesten 41 Isabella St., Toronto, Ontario “Whitehern” January 15, 1904 My dear dear boy, Three weeks ago only to-day since Christmas and it seems like as many months. This week has been occupied with meetings till I feel sometimes like running away. Monday was invited by Mrs. Sanford with a few ladies to afternoon tea to meet a Miss McKinney who is here in the interests of a mission to India under the auspices of Lord Kinnaird, quite enjoyed the afternoon. I suppose you have been having a lot of snow like ourselves. This last snowstorm cost me a dollar. I am quite tired of it and the winter is only half over. 4 ✦ MARY BAKER MCQUESTEN’S LETTERS 120 There really does not seem to be anything to say. Cal’s letter on Monday had no special news, he thought the new horse was going to suit him. I had also a letter from Mrs. Jaffary thanking me for the book I sent her, and saying she thought Cal looked stronger but wondered how he stood all the hardships, but he never complained. Hilda had an invitation to go down to Mrs. Stevenson’s tomorrow Saturday by three o’clock train. I did not write you before for I knew you were busy, and you would probably hear from Sydney before Saturday. Sydney asked her to come on a Saturday so she could meet her. Yesterday a gentleman called to see if I had ever an idea of selling this property. I said I might if I got a sufficient price to make it worth my while. The only thing about it is that it’s so very large a house when we have to do our own work, and the servants’ wages are quite beyond me. Of course, I could get no house at such a cheap rental as my taxes are, but a very small one, and it is rather hard to come down to an ordinary house after this large one. At the same time these new houses have many conveniences and are easier to heat, and if we are to do our own work, it is a great temptation to have a small convenient house, only it would be a trial to leave the old house if one were to remain in Hamilton. There was a time when I would have liked Toronto, but now I seem afraid of new people. If you have any stockings to be darned, take them up to Tousie [Hilda]. Hope you are getting ahead of your work. Miss Fisher was greatly pleased with your photo. With much...

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