BCARS
Add MSS 412 Box 1 File 18
Banff
Aug. 22nd [1892]
My dear Mrs. O’Reilly
I hope you do not fell bothered with my letters. I got out here last night, I felt obliged to try a change of some kind. I want to tell you that I am a most selfish & thoughtless fellow – for thinking only of myself & my own happiness with regard to your daughter. She told me she loved me & yet felt so frightened. I dont wonder at it. I could’nt tell her anything about her future life, and how could she be expected to look with anything but a shudder at a future so vague, & give up the dear old house she has lived in so long, and her horse & no doubt a thousand other things, and leave her old father & mother in complete uncertainty as to when & how she would see them again. why I feel such a brute for having expected such a thing. I think it shows what a sensible and feeling girl she is. It is for me to give up everything so long as I can win her, and before she gives her final answer to me (& she was sweet enough to say she did’nt think I should have long to wait) I will see that the arrangements for out future are such as to satisfy her that her existence, independently of me, will be a happy one. It was my duty to have thought more of this before, do forgive me, sorrow at leaving her forced the words from me. I shall of course try to arrange this at once & I dont care how. I am not keen on remaining in the Navy, not do I mind whether my house is in England or in British Columbia for the latter country I have formed a great affection. I hope you will let me hear from you now & then at the Naval & Military Club, Piccadilly, it will see such an age before I get there. In wishing you good-bye from British Columbia, I must tell you, dear Mrs. O’Reilly, what a privilege & an honour it must have been allowed to be in such close & affectionate relationship with Kitty (please allow me to use the name I love to call her by). It showed me more than ever that I had not mistaken in my opinion of her, and if you will not think badly of me, I don’t mind confessing that since I have known her, her influence over me has made me feel a better & a purer man. It was so nice of you to ask a blessing on me the night I left Victoria, I think you will make a most delightful mother-in-law. I have changed my journey to go to by Toronto & Niagara; the train is maddening, one cannot get away from one’s thoughts. I was so glad of the company of Mr. Douglas Dick between North Bend & Glacier. Would it amuse you to hear that at Vancouver, I joined in partnership with Mr. Evan Thomas in starting a place where there good people of Vancouver can buy their own flowers instead of having to send to Victoria for them. When you go there for a visit, will you & yours kindly patronize my shop? a bit flower or leaf from your garden enclosed whenever you write would be so welcome. You know what I mean.
I have written again to Mr. O’Reilly
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This collection of letters has been digitized from an earlier transcription project and is for informational purposes only. This transcription has not been verified against the originals. Researchers interested in these letters should consult the original documents housed at the BC Archives.