My dear Grandpa & Grandma,

I hope you will be pleased to hear me confirm the already [told?] news to you of my engagement to Mr. Harbin.¹ Aunt Puckridge & I hope to go to London tomorrow week to make preparations for the wedding. Johnnie kindly said he would be happy for me to have our breakfast there, & we will [rather?] be married there or at the Cathedral on the 26^th of this month.² I think we are going to Detroit but will not be away long. Mr. Harbin does not know who to leave in charge during our absence. Minnie will be my bridesmaid & Dr. Balmer Mr. Harbin's groomsman. I would be delighted if Grandma & you could be present, but I know dear Grandpa your health will not allow of the journey. I was very sorry to hear from Johnnie that he found [both Grandma and & you were poorly?]. I [imagine?] Johnnie told you he had spoken to Dr. [?] of London about sending Lottie to the Hospital there to have the operation performed on her [palate?], I do so hope it will prove successful. [With kindest love?] to you dear Grandpa, Grandma & Aunt Mary.

I'm your very affectionate Granddaughter

Alice E. Baker

¹ This letter was in places very faded and almost impossible to read. We have transcribed it to the best of our ability.

² Alice E. Baker is one of the seven orphaned children of James Alfred Baker and his wife Charlotte (Puckridge). At the death of their mother in 1864 or 66, their father remarried to Maria Mudge, and when he died in 1876, the children were left in the care of their stepmother, Maria (Mudge) Baker. For the Maria Mudge story, see large footnote at W3155, which leads to other letters. Alice married Edward Harbin. See W3429, which describes the wedding.