DEAR ERIC,
Hello, and how are you? I have thought about you often since I have taken up residence here at Wellfall, and had half-expected to hear from you---and now I recieve a letter from Goodthinker telling me that I’d forgotten to leave my address at the club! Rest assured that I would have written eventually anyway, as it sometimes seems that my true and loyal friends are all I have left in the world that is sure and completely normal. And, Lord, how spread we’ve become! You in Boston, writing faithfully for The Liberator [to which I have also sent my address, incidentally], Christopher in England on another of his confounded jaunts, and poor old Goodthinker in the very lions’ den, recovering his lungs.
It goes as well as can be expected here, Eric, and be assured I will render you a full account when I am not quite as pressed by certain events which are extant here---I think your legal mind may be quite intrigued by certain happenings at Wellfall and in the area about it.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJuFEANznQ
But in the meantime I have a favour (sic) to ask, if you will entertain it. Do you remember the historian you introduced me too at Mr. Shaw’s fund-raising dinner for the cause? I believe his name was Stuart. At any rate, he mentioned that he made a hobby of collecting odd bits of historical lore which pertained to the very area in which I am now living. My favour, then, is this: Would you contact him and ask him what facts, bits of folklore, or general rumour---if any there be----he may be knowledgeable about a small, deserted village called CHRISTIAN’S LOT, near a township called Ministers’ Corners, on the Sawley River? The stream itself is a tributary of the Androscoggin, and is said to flow into that river approximately eleven miles above that river’s emptying place near Wellfall. It would gratify me intenesly, and, more important, it may be a matter of some moment.
In looking over this letter I feel I have been a bit short with you, Eric, for which I am heartily sorry. But be assured all will be revealed shortly, and until that time I send my warmest regards to your wife, two fine sons, and, of course, to yourself.
Yr. affectionate friend,
CHARLES
ns 15.158.61.46da2
