Rev. Thos Baker
My dear Grandpa

I have been so far, unable to secure a situation for Willie as an apprentice to a harness maker where he could commence his trade for the first of Jan. I have however been making frequent inquiries and upon calling last night at one of the best shops in the City I was told that they had a vacancy which they wished to fill at once and which they had been hoping several days to give us the first offer. Considering that I may fail in making the arrangements to which we expected for the first of Jan. I would earnestly advise that the present opportunity be embraced, that is if you intended that in any case Willie should leave school and learn the trade at the end of the year, for I am satisfied that if there is any place where he would stick to it and learn a trade he would do so with the people of whom I speak. The wages offered are $1.50 (one dollar and fifty cents) per week, with an increase of fifty cents per week at the end of each year he would have to go first for a short time on trial, I believe that is the system and they seemed in his case to be a little doubtful about his being large enough, indeed he is so short that it is hard to persuade people that he is sixteen years of age. I have been in hopes that perhaps if he showed marked improvement you would have let him continue his schooling for a time, as he has so little education now, he is certain by not much to learn but I think there are other reasons for his being so backward I do not think that he ever went to school for a month unbroken, in his life till he came to London and during the time he was at Uncle Johns I am satisfied if the role were shown that he was absent one third of his time. Since he has been here he has done quite fairy well notwithstanding that he has been once or twice sick and thereby lost several days, Since he has been promoted his new teacher speaks very highly of his conduct, and application though she admitted that he was not as quiet as many. I have myself been to the school different times to learn how he was doing. I hope I shall hear from you before long when you may depend that I shall endeavor to carry out well whatever your wishes may be and if you wish him to be apprenticed at latest by the end of the year why I think the present a very favorable opportunity.

With kindest love to you all in which each of us unite and hoping Grandma much better than when last we heard. I remain

Your affectionate grandson

John P. Baker

[Rev Thomas Baker's comments on the cover:]

¹ To read more about William Baker and his family see W3455, W3472, W3378, W3374, W2953.