Fort Monroe, Va. Dec. 25, 1865.

 

My Dear Anderson,

                        Yours of the 20^th inst. in prompt reply to my communication of the 17^th was duly received, and I was no less astonished than you to learn that my previous letter had failed to reach you. I can account for it in no other way than that the postboy lost it between the store and the Post Office, some two miles. I have within this mo. lost two letters that my correspondents assure me, were safely conveyed to the mail at their end of the route. Some twenty in my immediate vicinity, unite in sending to Fort Monroe, twice a day for letters, as it will be at great inconvenience and expense, that each one sh'd do it, and I fear the heedlessness of the carrier is the cause of my trouble. I think it will be better for both of us in future to overlook irregularities, and in the failure of either one to write after a proper time, each should take steps to inquire into the cause of the stoppage. By this means, we shall not remain again, so long in ignorance of the others delay. Perhaps you may discover a touch of "Fenianism" in this proposal, if so, do you?

 

            All my excuses, my fine writing, has gone to the dogs. / I suppose for our better understanding, I must do in this, what I did in my last; that is, "show my hand", or in other words, give you a summary of proceedings in my own behalf, since we parted.

 

            After the purchase of our goods, and my return hither in June, it was not until the 13^th of July that they arrived here and we commenced business, the good schooner that had them on board having almost as disastrous a passage from Boston to this port as did the ship that had Jonah on board. She went ashore on Cape Cod, and lost her jib and foremast, and divers other parts, the usefulness of which is known only to mariners. Her cargo was finally landed in safety, and we were soon in a prosperous business. In August, our stock was so nearly exhausted, that we found it necessary to replenish, and on the 7^th of that month I started for Massachusetts, and was in Lowell, a short time on Saturday, the 13^th. I called on you, as soon as I arrived, but was disappointed to find that you had gone to Marblehead, not to return for several days. I did not go to the City Hotel, as I had not time, and I did not go to Lowell again, as on the following Tuesday I started back again, spending a day or two in New York, and also in Baltimore. On that visit, I purchased what I estimated would / be sufficient to last us six months, and consequently I have not had occasion to visit you since. We buy largely in Balto. and Norfolk, and rely upon the eastern markets, for boots & shoes, and clothing only. I intend visiting it sometime in March, and should consider it a great pleasure to meet you at that time. The letter that you wrote me, scolding me for my silence, found me sick, confined to my room, with that vilest of all complaints, the jaundice. I was laid up about four weeks, not seriously ill, but just enough to oblige me to keep quiet, and in doors. With nothing to read, and nobody to see scarcely from morning to night, but the girl that took care of me, I was lonesome enough, and wished heartily that I was at home. Since I recovered, I have been as well as I used to be when in Lowell.

 

I enclose to you our business card, I am not sure whether I sent you one before or not. Our P.O. address is Fort Monroe, as we are midway between that and Hampton, we give the preference to the former. My partner is a young man from Dorchester, about twenty four years of age. We do a cash business, our credit sales not amounting to 1/8 of the whole. In the short time we have been in business we have sold goods to the amount of $40,000. I have the [?] as usual, having to buy all the goods / keep all the accounts, and correspondence, and manage the business generally. Added to this, we have a branch store in York County, about 17 miles from here. Our business hours were from 4 A.M. until 9 P.M. in the summer, and now from 6½ A.M. to 7½ P.M. You can imagine how much leisure I get. We are doing well now, but I don't think the future prospects of a Northern man, like myself, are very good for staying here. Our sweet Southern brothers, having no more love for us now, than in the height of the rebellion, President Johnson and General Grant to the contrary, notwithstanding. They treat us well enough now, because they are obliged to, but they would drive us out of the state within twenty-four hours if they had the power. I am very glad to hear that you are doing so well, and hope you will always prosper. You saw fit to take to yourself great credit for your virtuous habits, and to insinuate that I was not immaculate. I am very glad to find that you are so far removed from carnal desires. Truly, it is a great change in you, and I can't account for it in any other way, than that you have grown old before your time. As for myself, mine may not be sins of omission, for virtue—as you see it—is not yet a necessity. Please write soon.                                         

 

Yours always,

S. E. Bickford

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