
My best thanks to you for your kind p.c. of Aug 28th in which you say that you are "delighted" at the prospect of "seeing W. & B. so soon."
As I have seen no intimation of the arrival of the "British Prince" up to date,
tho' she was due at Phila. yesterday, I presume she
has been delayed by the contrary winds & will probably arrive
today. In that case Wallace will see you face to face for the
first time today and perhaps at this moment 7.20 p.m here—about 2.20 pm with
you—he is sitting by your side & holding sweetest of sweet converse with
you. Somehow I have a feeling that he is either with you or very near to you as I
write this, & I should like to know the exact time & date when he does see
you first.
How
memorable that meeting will be & how pregnant with vast issues not only for him
but for us all none of us can tell & I love to dwell upon it & I long to
participate in its great joys—nay I do participate
in them in spirit.
By this time you will have received a copy of W. Dixon's
admirable report of "The College Farewell to Dr. Bucke &
J.W. Wallace"—multiplexed by T. Shorrock—from which you will be able to gather something of our
doings upon that memorable evening—a sort of parallel to your Birthday
spree, & some of us flatter ourselves that it was nearly as good as yours!
Wed Sept 9. 91 At last we have word of J.W.W's ship's arrival in Phila & glad are we all to hear of it. My heart goes out to you both for now I Know that you have met & are now near each other. God bless you both!
I have my dear good old mother staying with me at present & proud indeed am I to be with her
My sister & her bonnie wee boy—4 years old—are also here. He delights me
with his delicious prattle & childish ways & is very fond of "Uncle John"
who I am afraid spoils him—we have no children of our own.
I send you a paper & a photo wh. I think will interest you. (Please give
the duplicates to Warry & Mrs. D.) Together they form a record of an event of which I am
proud—The Society wh made me the unexpected presentation of a testimonial is
composed entirely of workmen—factory men foundry men &c.—& to me
it is very gratifying to receive this token of their appreciation & respect tho,'
as I told them, I do not see why the simple performance of one's duty, for wh they
pay me, should merit any exceptional recognition
I trust you are keeping better by this time—Perhaps JWW's & Dr B's visits may give you a bit of a fillip.
Please thank HLT for his kind letter of 28th Aug
with kindest regards to him & to all your house & with best love to yourself Yours affectly J Johnston