Katawa
[Tauchwood?] Hills N.W.T.
[North West Territories?]
4th Dec. / 96
My dear Joshua.
Your note
with enclosed Bank bill,
reached me, which is very
acceptable. I return your
signed receipt, and at the
same time thanking you for
the favor. At the same time
hoping that you are quite well.
I was very glad indeed to
get a line from you, knowing
you so well in our early days
Now we are parted, likely for life
on this wide domain, but I
trust our old friendship has
not been forgotten. I never
hear of you, and how you
have hit the world off,
but I should think you have
long since made your mark,
and are doing a good business
in Armagh. I suppose you
have a wife and bairns long
ere this: I only took to myself
a betterhalf! five years ago
and am now blessed with
three, one boy and two girls.
Not bad eh!!
Well no one knows but those
who have experienced life in
these wilds, how we pull through.
first experience, excitement
carries one along bright &
happy, but years of this life
of the Nor. [North?] West makes
monotony. Mrs. S. is Irish too.
she was a Miss Dunlop from Co. Antrim
and she makes life a pleasure
together with our little ones.
I am living amongst real indians
and am home in the centre of
reservation, far distant from
white-folks. I have charge
of two bands, numbering in all
about 200. They still use the
War paint and denuded with
a blanket thrown loosely round.
I dare say many of the old boys
of Armagh are non est.[existant?]
I often think I would not care
to return, as I might feel the
gloom of many missing faces.
Now hoping you & yours are
well, and if you feel like it
drop me a line, as I
will be pleased to hear
from you any time.
Yours Very Truly
Edward Stanley
Pardon frosty scrawl.
