My dear Calvinus,

It certainly has come to an awful pas when I did not get a birthday letter off to you but I'm afraid I take after Uncle C. [Dr. Calvin Brooks McQuesten]in that respect. My correspondence is in a hopeless state. If it is not too late accept my hearty congratulations on having advanced to such an age still a whole after all your escapades up in the West.

Certainly your Birthday must have been rather a change this year, to be in your "own home" and in your own land; may you live long; may you live long to [sentence illegible]

I will send you something for your present when the barrel gets off.¹

This afternoon was up at the Colquhouns, Emily comes here Saturdays. Mrs. C. and Rod eave on June 6th for England to be away some months. Their house has been white and the wood work painted green so it is beginning to look improved.

As Mother is waiting to post this must close.

Write [?] [?] of love,

Tousie [Hilda]

¹ Calvin has taken a position as a missionary preacher in Saskatchewan and has filed on a homestead. The family is sending supplies out to him in a barrel. See W8239, W-MCP6-1.408, W-MCP6-1.410. Also see Calvin's biographical sketch by clicking on "Family" on the Home Page and then clicking on his pciture.