I am counting the days, the hours, & the minutes, till I shall hear from you by letter.
Please instruct the person who wraps & subscribes the “Journal” to fold the wrapper more tightly, so that it cannot be easily removed – The person who runs the Elevator, has chargeAs Written:chg. of letter box, and takes many liberties with printed matter.
My health is not good. Have been having a low fever for several days, with inflammation & bloating of the abdomen. My skin is very fine & clear naturally – but last few weeks I look quite unlike myself – but still I have said I will not take medicine
The gentlemanAs Written:gent. I told you had offered to take me to Australia, seems very unsettled in mind - & I have ascertained that he has not much money – only about one thousand dollarsEditorial Note: $1,000 in 1885 is the equivalent of $26,449.28 in 2019. – Still, if I could be satisfied of his integrity & business qualifications I would not hesitate.
He had heard something of Metaphysics before I knew him - & he said yesterday if he thought he could make plenty of money, & the ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science would be popular, he would (in the event of my declining to go to AustraliaAs Written:A.) go to Boston & learn the ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science – But he thought $300.00Editorial Note: $300.00 in 1885 is the equivalent of $7,934.78 in 2019. a fearful price – that probably he could learn of your Students for fiftyEditorial Note: $50.00 in 1885 is the equivalent of $1,322.46 in 2019. – I told him if he went to Boston, to go to you, & get the knowledge from headquarters because he would then gain the ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science unadulterated & would not have to unlearn at some future time. He replied, “that perhaps that would be the better way - & he might be able to get a reduction – that he would make love to you, to that end.” I tell you this for your own good – please do not let him know that I have ever spoken of him. His real name is Thomas Luke but he might assume another So I will describe him – in stature five ft. 10, I should judge, neither slim not portly – black hair cut short – a little bald, brown or black eyes – wears gold mounted spectacles – full beard. (rather short now) – long reddish moustache – English accent & manners – a hesitancy & stammering sometimes very marked – So, be on your guard.
Has a gentlemanAs Written:gent. named Dunlap ever written to you?
We are having lovely weather, warm & cheering – How I wish you were here to enjoy with me – don’t you? How much I think of you – the last thoughts at night & the first at morn - & even in my dreams you are with me – Your life experience has been very similar to my own – I send you love in every line command penned -
From a bouquet from my desk I send you a sprig of “Breath of Heaven” I hope it will not freeze in transit – Dear Love, don’t forget to send your photograph
How often do classes form & how long is the full, course – Mrs. Swarts’ course is 3 weeks – So I am told -
Mr. LukeEditorial Note: Thomas Luke feels impatient at being idle so long – but I cannot & will not decide till I hear from you – Why did I not know you before? So much time lost!