My dear Grandpa,

I thought you would like to know that I recently received a letter from Mrs. Tuck stating that as they were not in very flourishing circumstances and business quite dull with them at present she had decided to do without help, at least until she saw how things would turn out.

I understand from Johnnie that you were much surprised at Minnie's not returned to Mount Brydges.¹ I hope dear Grandpa that he explained to you that I could not possibly have been the means of preventing her from going to Eliza's as I think you will see by referring to the last letter you received from me that Mrs. Tuck wrote to say she would like her to return as soon as her niece Miss Hemsley [?] went home and she would then send her the means to come out.

I am sure you will be pleased to hear, if you do not already know, that Johnnie has at last succeeded in getting employment on the railroad, he is stationed in London he will not [?] commence housekeeping at present as he is not sure whether the situation will be permanent--in the mean time Minnie and the baby are at Uncle Puckridges. The children at home are well, Lottie has been home poorly but is now better and returned to Mrs. Harts [sic]. She had a heavy cold together with the tooth ache and as only means of relief she mustered courage and had the tooth extracted. I was very much surprised to hear from Johnnie that you were not aware she had been staying at the Hart's board and Master Willie attend [sic] school.

I trust you will be much pleased with the progress Maud is making. Nellie is still in London and Hattie has been staying with Mrs. Baker's mother since a few days after Johnnie's visit to Hamilton. Thanking you dear grandpa for the kind advice and many letters you have written me in the past and hoping that you will not at any time fatigue yourself by replying unless you feel quite equal to the exertion. With very kind love to you dear Grandpa, I am your very affectionate Grand-daughter,

Alice E. Baker

¹ This letter from Rev. Baker's granddaughter, Alice, informs him of the state of his 7 orphaned grandchildren from his son James Alfred and Charlotte Puckridge. Charlotte had passed away, likely after 1864, and several years later James Alfred married for a second time to Maria Mudge. After James Alfred died in 1876, Rev. Baker helped support Maria as she raised her dependent stepchildren. However, her eldest stepchild and Alice's brother, John P. Baker, reported to his grandfather a rumour that Maria kept gentlemen callers for undue lengths of time. Afterwards, Rev. Baker removed the children from Maria's care, see W3155 and also W3013, W3156, Farmer 12.