Charley to Francis: Norway

May 1868

Francis,

This is disturbing news indeed!  Marlene had the key on her person and I fear it may be lost and she with it.  In her last letter she mentioned that the key fit a locked cabinet in the workroom.  I sent a wire to my contacts in Singapore and received a reply that Marlene never arrived but rather a man by the name of Robert Arsenault and that he had done the fitting for the Buckingham’s.  Something is surely amiss!  I will attempt to rendezvous with you in Paris as soon as I am able.  I am presently in Norway with Mary.  She has decided to purchase a prized herd of diary goats from the Balstads in Harstad, whom I believe you know.  I believe she is more interested in a certain cheesemaker but that is a story for another day when less pressing matters prevail.  If Msr. B has harmed Marlene in any way he shall rue it – I promise!

-Charley

Francis Laird to Charley: Singapore

April 1868
Dear Charley-I am afraid I have rather disturbing news. As per our agreement, I met with Msr B and he agreed to employ my services as his soliciter, which would give me access to all his personal and business financial records. When I arrived at his studio, I was informed that Marlene had gone to Singapore to attend the wedding of John and Mary Buckingham. Marlene had helped design the lovely dress you see Mary wearing and was to help with the final fitting of the dress and with wedding preparations. I found it off that Marlene had gone to Singapore alone! And Charley, I am sorry to tell you this, but her seamstress basket has been left behind! With all of her tools in it. I fiind this very odd and alarming! When I asked Msr when he expected Marlene to return, he gave a very vague answer. I fear for Marlene's safety. Please advise. Francis

Charley to Marlene: Turkey



January 1868

Dear Marlene,

Mary and I have found ourselves in the most exotic of places!  While travelling home to Scotland we met the most interesting man who is in the business of railroads!  His name was Solomon Willard.  His father developed machinery for an early tramroad in Massachusetts and Solomon was on his way to Izmir to observe the Ottoman Railway.  He was such an enthusiastic man!  I found his descriptions of Istanbul to be fascinating.  Mary just smiled and nodded, already acquiescing to what she knew was coming!  I am such a rascal to her it is a good thing she loves me so!  So after a short stay at home I am off again on an adventure, but this time with the delightful company of my daughter.  We are wandering the alleys and nooks of Istanbul, letting our noses drink in the exotic smells of spices and tobacco and sounds most foreign to us.  We were privileged to observe a dervishman or also known as a  “whirling dervish”.  He is a muslim “holyman” who spins round and round.  It is a most interesting spectacle to see.  His robes are very full so that when he spins they flare out most dramatically Mary has rendered him very accurately and beautifully for you along with the Turkish word for their god, Allah.  Before we left Fintry I sent a fella who works for me to Paris.  His or rather our plan is for him to ingratiate himself with Msr. B.  His name is Francis Laird and he is a most able and resourceful man.  He should arrive by the end of the month so do be on the lookout for him.  Once his is there and settled in the two of you have work to do!

Affectionately, Charley



Marlene to Charley-Netherlands

October 1867
Dear Charley-What a pleasant surprise to receive the photo carte of you in the post. it is a most agreeable photograph. I have decided to respond in kind by sending you a photo of myself taken while in Switzerland. our plan was to travel to the Netherlands to consult with the royal family, but the trip was cancelled because of an avalance in Switzerland which buried the railroad racks. By the time we were rescued from the train, we had to return to the studio in Paris as we have (I have) many dresses to stitch before the holiday season begins. I am most anxious to get back to the investigation of the cupboard's contents but must get all the sewing finished first. Marlene

Charley to Marlene: Canada

June 1867

Dear Marlene,

The trip to Cuba was a smashing success with a less than smashing finale!  Henry and I were afforded a grand tour of Cuba and he made some quite promising sketches.  He was so taken with the landscape that he changed his plans and remained in Cuba.  Nicaise and I continued on to Boston where we originally planned to return home after a short stay, but I took ill shortly after we put into port.  A most capable physician determined it was, as I secretly feared, the fever.  The doctor said he was most surprised at my recovery and determined it must have been due to my prior robust health.  Nicaise returned to England with haste to give word to Mary and to allay her fears.  She came as soon as the news reached her, but by the time she arrived I was convalescing most satisfactorily.  This week the weather warmed and Mary and I travelled to Prince Edward Island for extended rest and rejuvenation.  We are taking the ocean air in daily, which is most agreeable.  Mary convinced me to have a photo carte made which I send to thee most humbly.  She urged me to rest in a chair for the event, but as you can see I prevailed the day!  Mary brought your news from Switzerland and I am most anxious to hear of the cabinet!  Please use caution and send word as soon as you discover the contents!

-Charley

Marlene to Charley: Switzerland

 

Switzerland, September 1866

Dear Charley

Msr and I have traveled to the rural valleys of Switzerland to see the yarns produced by the Spoerry brothers-yarns that can “provide textile creations with a unique soul”. I am unsure why Msr. wanted me to accompany him when there is so much work to be done in the design studio. I fear that Msr. is “keeping an eye on me”. Before we left, I was once again trying the key in various cupboards and to my surprise one of them opened! Then I heard the sound of approaching footsteps and I had to hurriedly close and lock the cupboard. I barely managed to do it before he entered the room. He looked at me in a menacing and suspicious way-but I am determined to find out what is in the cupboard.

Marlene

Charley to Marlene : Cuba

The Ocean Blue

April 1866

Marlene –

Your letter arrived in Antwerp by courier on Tuesday morning.  It was very fortunate as I left that very morning with Nicaise and a Mr. Henry Cleenewerck on a boat to Cuba!  My daughter will be beside herself when the news makes its way home to Culcreuch.  We are on quite an adventure.  Henry is anxious to see the countryside and I believe Nicaise has spent much of the ocean voyage discussing the growing of sugar cane with a Sr. Andres Gomez-Mena who boarded in Spain.  He has large holdings in Havana.  It was determined over dinner last night that we will be his guests on his plantation in Havana.  It is quite a voyage for an old man, but there is no work involved, just a grand adventure.  I suspect while Nicaise courts the baron families for portrait work, Henry and I will jaunt the countryside in search of primitives.  I thought I had mentioned my profession to you earlier, but perhaps I was remiss.  In my early years I served as an assistant to the master Gustaf Wappers at the academy in Antwerp, primarily in the design of the scene (developing a great many skills to both the realms of art and needle).  I continue to work mostly as favors to my many colleagues – although I think it they who do me the favor!  We land tomorrow and I will transfer these scribblings to proper form.  I hope they find you well.

-Charley