T2020.102.537

Edith I have had the Mumps and am hardly over them yet, but we were lucky enough not to be called to any fires so could stay in the warm all the time and am feeling miserable at times yet But hope this will find you well and happy and to hear from you soon. would write more if I had time but will hafto close As ever your Brother Archie

Cleveland O. March 7, 1895 Dear Sister Edith As I have not written to you for some time decided it time for me to write again and the Subject I wish to write on, Ma has already told you of, so you see it wont be worth while for me to make much of an explination. Edith I expect to be Married on the third

of April And I hope you will think it all for the best to. Edith Sadie would like verry much for you to act as one of her Brides - maids and I would much rather you would than Katie, but Sadie wrote K- a nice note and asked her to come to the house last Sunday and sent it to her direct but she paid no attention to it at all and now I will send her an invitation soon as they are ready and if she don't come that night I never will

ask her to come and see me again. But Edith it is different with her, for she lives right close to home but cant you come home a day or two before so as to be rested up. Now Edith please answer by return mail what you will do so we will know how to make our plans for we are waiting to know. will send you one of our invitations soon as they are done. the wedding will be a verry quiet and small one. so dont expect you to dress so auffle fine.

Dear Brother: Your letter of the 7th inst. was very much shocked to hear of your weddding announcement and am sorry but I can't see that it will be for the best but yet since you are so persistent I hope it will all prove to be for the better and not the worse, but you are almost breaking my heart for I feel as though I could not give my [underlined: only] Brother away. I am very sorry indeed to hear of you having mump[s] at this late day, this is the first of these childrens diseases that you have ever had and as there are quite a number more of them I would suggest this of another argument in favor of you remaining single until after you have gone through this catalogue of childrens diseases, but laying all jokes aside I want

to be exceedingly careful of your self and not go out until you are entirely well or it may cost your life or something dreadful. Many happens you if you take cold. But, I can not help thinking that it is quite a little joke on you and of course one you don't enjoy very much and I wish you a speedy recovery. Thanks to you & Sade for confering upon me the honor of being 1 of the bridesmaids [crossed out: but] [crossed out: dont] and since it is your desire I will try to act in that capacity, but am afraid I'll be a poor stick for the posisition [sic]. Don't you think you could stand up alone? I am very glad that you have invited Katie and hope she will respond. I'll be home on the 3rd if I can possibly be there and will go several days before hand too if I can. With Love and best wishes - I remain as ever your Loving Sister Edith