Friday, June 4, 2010

Fort McLeod, June 4th, '75

My dear Lizzie

A mail is to go out from here tomorrow. How I would like to go with it. I am afraid that I am very blue tonight. I think I always get blue when a mail is about leaving – but I must not think of the blues just now – for you, by the time this reaches Toronto, may be thinking of Miss Annie Taylor’s wedding. Dear Liz, I wish it were you and I, that were about to be tied together for life – for more than life, for Eternity. Do you ever think of it? I do often and often. I consider that in very truth you and I are now so nearly and so closely united in heart and mind and soul, that tho’ our bodies should never be united, still our soul-binding would last thro’ time and Eternity. Even now separated as we are by vast tracts of wild desolate country – we are yet one – and should one of us be called away – the other would remain faithful and true until such time as Our Father saw fit to place us together again.

But my own darling, I am getting gloomy again. Forgive me – and let us talk of something else. Say anything you would like me to say to Annie Taylor on the 20th and I will become responsible for it. Why did she not choose the 21st of June, she would then have had a longer day?

Things around the Camp have been going on pretty much the same as ever. The arrival of a large camp of halfbreeds a day or two ago caused an influx of visitors to the Fort, but as they are camped across the river some seven miles away, and the river is rising daily we have not seen a great deal of them. A second smaller party came down to day. One among them called Munroe had been highly recommended as an Interpreter and was taken on the strength of the Force. I have not yet visited their camp – they live in wigwams – most of the men can talk English but I believe none of the women. I have only seen one of the latter and she was sick – a horrible abscess if nothing worse in the breast. I think it comes from a blow – and her husband I think is the one who struck the blow – I do not know – but I think he maltreats her – she had a black eye and several bruises on her as of a recent beating – but I asked nothing only observed, but if I find out any truth in my surmises I shall do my level best to get Mr. Alons (his name) into trouble.

And now my darling I must say good night, and for the present goodbye. I am quite well and have been. The only change is my smooth chin and fierce (?) moustache. Keep your spirits up Old Girl – our 20th of June will come round in good time and then - [ ? ]

With unalterable love I am
Ever your own
Barrie

I enclose you a little flower I found in a most lonely desolate spot all by itself – no other green thing within some distance of it. It was bright and doing well and apparently happy tho’ all alone like

Your
Barrie