Domestic Poisons: clue #1

December 13th, 1892

Dearest Mother,

I hope this letter finds you in good health.  I write to you with joyous news!  I have this month taken a bride, a young woman by the name of Charlotte, affectionately called Tillie.  She comes from a fine family, having just completed her studies at the Willard Finishing School For Young Ladies only last spring.  We were married on the 4th of this month, as the first snowfall of the season graced the occasion, at St. Ida.  Such a vision she made in red and white flowers, dark hair against the snow.  I know, dear mother, that you had all but given up hope in my procuring a wife, as I am a man of some years who has remained without companionship for so long.  I fear you should be pained at our haste.  Know it was not meant to exclude you, but merely in our eagerness to begin life as man and wife.  Our courtship was brief, having her father’s blessing, we wasted little time in organizing our affairs.  We hope that you will visit at Christmas and see what a charming picture she has made of our little home, filling it with those graces only the fairer sex may bestow. I fear the dark season wearies her, and hope that your presence and some sound advice might lighten her spirits, for I do so wish for you to meet her.  She spends many days quietly at home, with little, as our house is now in order, to occupy her days.  Such troubles may be short lived, as we hope to hear the cries of little ones when the lord sees fit to bless us.  Do come to visit, mother, and welcome her as a daughter.

Your ever-loving son,

James