1 July 3rd 1898
2
3 My darling Mary
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5 I would indeed be lovely if you could all come up. Can't you manage it.
6 The weather is still lovely here.
7
8 unreadable I don't know how things will go with Barkley West Election.
9I don't feel so hopeful as Burton seems to feel. But there is no
10knowing what the affect of the ballot will be. Many men may except
11Rhodes bribes & then vote against him. In their heart not half the
12English even want him. On the other hand there is a strong feeling
13throughout Kimberley & Barkley division too, that De Beers by bribery
14will be able to dis-cover how the votes go, & De Beers is doing all it
15can to strengthen that feeling If De Beers buy the Polling agent, it
16seems to me possible they might dis-cover: but surely there must be
17safe guards which can be taken.
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19 Burton is going away for a fortnight unreadable to canvas the district,
20 & Cron is going to manage the election affairs here for him while he
21is away. F He goes into Burton's office every morning & doesn't come
22back till late.
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24 Burton's wife seems a singularly sweet, bright little body.
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26 I am very glad to know that Mr Sauer's seat is quite safe.
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28 The story here is that Innes has expressed his willingness to take
29office with Rhodes if they can get in, but I do not for one moment
30believe he would even enter a ministry which contained either Rhodes
31or Sievewright. I fancy it is simply one of those endless lies which
32De Beers spreads about to strengthen themselves.
33
34 I am expecting a baby again next January. I am going to take great
35care of myself that all may go well I am feeling wonderfully well &
36strong; ^but^ lazy & dis-enclined to do the writing that I must do. I
37can do all my housework, & cooking & needle work, but mentally I am so
38lazy! Do you ever feel like that when you are so?
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40 Has Ella Shippard ever had a child?
41
42 Good bye, dear.
43 Olive
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45 PS unreadable
46