Dear Fred

Life at Home

Your grandfather wasn't the best example to your Uncle, that I can freely admit. Father had always disliked Ebeneezer - he had too many of Father's faults, and Father was all too happy to send him away to school to board two days away (by coach that is). Neither were Father and I particularly close, but I shared many of mother's good traits, and, when he did spend time away from his work, he seemed fond of me. I didn't much enjoy the role of ‘mother’ then - caring for Charles, cooking for an ungrateful, grumpy businessman; but it wasn't as bad as it easily could have been, that I now appreciate.

Eb grew up quickly in my eyes. First a joyful young boy, then an intelligent boy, that rapidly became a hardworking student, and into a man ready to start his apprenticeship, finally morphing into the man who
you know now. My youngest years with Ebeneezer were my happiest, as well as, I am sure, were his. He
had this glee, childhood joy in all he did. He never walked, always skipped. He never once passed a grumpy looking gentleman without sharing a smile, and would frequently tip his hat to any woman passing by, regardless of how she looked. His respect for all was admirable, as was his energy. He brought this atmosphere, so happy and pleasant that it was impossible not to revel in his company.

Being a middle class man, marrying a woman a little too rich for his status, didn't help Father. He worked so hard, to try and live up to the legacy Mother left behind. Charles was a healthy,
strong baby, or so we believed - Father was always enamoured with him - he looked just like
Mother, which, I supposed, was consolation for having lost her in the delivery.

I appreciate why your Uncle doesn’t believe in that same Lord that has dwells with me. Ebeneezer too grew up motherless, with a father who barely loved him for most of his upbringing, a younger brother who was deemed superior in almost everyone’s eyes, a sister who ‘abandoned’ him, a girlfriend who destroyed him, and a world that has hardened him. But, I am sure, even you can appreciate how much better his life would be if he had the Lord to fall upon, and how much fuller his life would be with you in it...

By the time Charles reached six summers, he was eloquently spoken, and had all the airs of a gentleman; a feature I took it upon myself to develop in him, regardless of his ‘real’ status. My belief was that truly, status means very little. Adam and Eve were not given an age nor class, but
were created purely as company for one another. In the same way, neither class nor wealth should be a point of consideration in engagements. Relationships shouldn't be about climbing up the social hierarchy, but should be about love, any judgement should be based upon a kind and
respectful nature - the things I, myself, found most appealing in gentlemen. If I had successfully
borne your sister and been blessed with watching her grow up, I would not arrange an engagement on her behalf, but would have let her select a man she loved, preferably with a
similar ideology. And I wouldn't care if he was the poorest man in the city, because she'd love him.