1190 Chester Rd. Friday, June 26th
Dear Family,
We left Sarah Ann yesterday at 10:30 from Liverpool central and were here at 11:15 am. Jack met us. He looks just the same, not one bit older and is not fat. Says he has lost weight. I knew him in a minute and saw him looking around while Jane went to look after the luggage. He didn't know me at first, suppose he was looking for two.
We left the jolly old dames at Breckenhead very well. They certainly do not look and act 70 and 74. We were quite a lively four there. They all went to the station to see us off Sarah Ann, Miss Wright, Bertha, Maggie, Tom, and Leonard. They were so nice to us and did everything for us.
Wednesday we went through Sunlight Soapworks in the am and to Bebington Agriculture show in the PM. Saw fine stock and flowers, but too early for vegetables. Saw horse jumping and a few races. Wednesday morning I had a card from Flo expressing sorrow at not seeing us. Sarah Ann had told her we were leaving Thursday. She said she had hoped we could spend a week or more at Stanton. I wrote and thanked her for the tickets and told her we were sorry not to see her and would have enjoyed visiting Straton again. I also told her I would have communicated with her had I not seen Edith as she intimated to Sarah Ann that she expected us to write to her.
Tuesday Kittie took us to Liverpool.
Nellie is very nice and Jack a dear, but think this house dark and not convenient. Glad to note Nellie have their last meal at 6 pm. I do not like a heavy supper at ten. We went for a walk last night. Manchester is so dirty! Nellie thinks Emily like Margaret and me like Alice. They seemed very pleased with salt and peppers, tea, ball, etc. Nellie is here shining up the hearth.
Nellie and Jack may go with us to High Legh on Sunday. Then I think we go to Kelsall and a day in Chester and in Tattenhall. We heard from Miss Worsley. Harry and Aunt Madock are away on a vacation but will be home by the time we get there.
Saturday Evening- Marlborough House
A beautiful day. Jack says Manchester is behaving very well for us. We got up at 7 and after helping Nellie a bit, Emily and I started out with a map and have seen a bit of the city today. We went through Ohetham school and found it interesting, and through the Infirmary which Jane seemed to enjoy. Owens College looked quite the same. Visited the cathedral and Exchange. Got into a suffrage parade but they were the law abiding kind. At the Art Gallery they looked through our hand bags. Home at 5:30 for tea. There are many Ford cars here as they manufacture them in Old Trafford Park. Last night we played billiards with Jack and Nellie on the 4th floor of the Marlborough House.
Sunday AM
Letters received. Have just been out in the backyard blacking my shoes when Jack came and threw me half a dozen of his and all of Nellie's! I think Jack talks and acts like Uncle Harry and Dad. Their voices are alike. He doesn't look 46. We will not want to leave here but must go Tuesday I'm sure.
Sunday ten pm
Got home from the Tunstall's about 9 pm, have had lunch and now on line to you. We have had a 'Howling' day and my sides ache from laughing.
We started to walk from the Healthy and Warbuton station and met Mrs. Tunstall on her bike when about halfway. She is a perfect darling isn't she? Well, I took her bike and went on ahead of the four and warned the rest that they should soon be there. Saw Mr. Tunstall first-isn't he a nice jolly man-then Ethel and what a bonny girl she is-in fact they look very fit. Lottie and Lizzie Rutter are at Prestaton, Wales. We were sorry not to see them. Arthur is a dear and he said to tell Margaret we are fully as nice as she is. Arthur's girl and Frank's girl were both there. I did not see what attracted Art to his as she is very plain looking.
Alice, however did you get up those narrow stairs? Such an interesting old house it is with its very low ceilings. We had a lovely tea. A nephew, Fred, was there also, When we were about to start to the station to come home, Nellie fell when coming down the stairs. She got quite a shaking up and hurt her back. So Arthur for a man with a trap and Nellie, Jack and Emily rode to the station while Mrs. Tunstall, Arthur, Ethel, and two girls and I rode wheels. We made quite a procession I assure you. Nellie is now in bed. I hope she doesn't have a headache. Jack as been full if the old Nick al day and is here now talking a blue streak to us.
It is great riding here and I enjoyed it today. We took the gifts you sent them. They all sent love to you. We saw the house where Arthur is to live. Think he is to be married the 13th of this month.
Kitty Beardmore here last night, a typical teacher. Jack asked her to guess which of us was the teacher and of course she guessed Jane!
We left our umbrella at Tunstall's and it is raining tonight. Mrs. T looks like the Rutters. Jack says Ethel not as pretty as she used to be. Arthur T drives an Overland.
Love Frances