Title
George Rushbrooke to Edward Harris Strange Sept 1860
Ampthill Sep 60
Dear old Friend
I hoped to have heard from you ee'r [sic] this, although we did not stipulate to write at all, I did intend canvassing you to that effect, but your disappearance was so remarkable sudden & unlooked for just then, & it so happens that I was out that afternoon, & I have lamented ever since that we could not have a few parting words & good bye, but I certainly did think you would shop me line after you got a little settled, for you know I was interested & am, in any thing that is so closely connected with your welfare, the wonder would be if I was not, after the hours we spent in each others society, tell me how you get on, & what sort of place it is you are incarcerated in, &c &c,
I hope to go away myself in about a fortnight, but I shall try for London, I have refused one situation that I had the offer of on a/c of its being in the country, I heard from Ted a few days back, & he wrote in excellent spirits, hoping I should soon join him in leisure hours &c, a thing which I assure you I quite count of, depend upon it I will soon find him out when I go, he has though a good way to walk but would doubtless if he can stand it, it will prove beneficial to him; I feel wonderfully lonely now, I scarcely go out, & then only when compulsory, you two going it has made a kind of void & there seems to be nothing inviting enough to draw me out, & I feel now a still greater feeling of looking forward to leaving now than ever.
Pearce has got a situation in Cambridge, & leaves next Tuesday. Tom Claridge opened his shop last Saturday & is doing a capital trade every one appears to like him, he has dressed a splendid window ticketed the prices up &c, & it looks just like a London window, he has a smart fellow whose name is Bowden as an assistant, & also your old Stanbridge who helped to serve on Saturday night, he marries, as report says Miss Roberts next week.
As I dare say you know Geo. Quenby has our old shop, he is I fancy too quiet but I hope he may do, Henry has left him, for he did not like the Grocery, but he has a younger brother to lift him & a Sister to keep house, I am afraid Tom will hurt him, but we must hope for the best. Pearce saw Herbert in Charles Meekings, he is in Hosiery, & getting on all right, he looked a little bit smarter & rather more sprightly than formerly.
We had Wheeler over to see us, he lives at Eastwood & Co in Newington Causeway, 330 men kept, he looks about the same.
I don't remember any more news that would interest you, I tell you these shop because I know any thing belonging to Ampthill will be interesting.
Where is your Father & is he well. Is there any thing in the world I can do for you, I shall I assure you be too happy to do it.
& Believe me
Your very affectionate Friend
Geo Rushbrooke
Pardon this Scratch