Uncle Cedric Gray
Dear Uncle Cedric.
The tiger you shot must have indeed been huge if the claw you sent was any indication! While I know you would have preferred relocating the man-eater away from village, you had no choice when it managed to break free from its cage. Had it not been for your quick shot, that native bearer would be dead (or at least be one limb shy!), instead of retaining pug-marks to boast about to the local maidens.
I greatly enjoyed hearing of your Leave to Lahore, and was relieved when you revealed it was simply for a social visit to old Chundar-Grish, instead one of need for the medication of the Waters.
It has been quite a while since my last missive and a great deal has occurred. Far too much to relate in a single draft, so I shall regale you with my latest news first.
I have changed employers. I had been in Mr L-D--- employ for nearly 2 and one half years. My skill level had undergone a continuous and consistent improvement. I started as "floating" jeweler, then a assigned jeweler, then an assigned jeweler doing watch-repair on the side, then finally a full time assigned watchmaker doing the watch work for all 3 shops. Over the course of the last year I examined and repaired over 700 watches(in addition to 60 or so pearl re-stringings) My compensation during this time has never increased from my initial hired pay. I had on several occasions requested an increase, but was told that a bonus system was in progress of being implemented. As the weeks turned into months i realized that there simply was no bonus and there never would be.
I resolved to change employment and to begin the search at once. A former co-worker of mine had recently taken employment at a shop in Ansley Park. She contacted me (unawares I was looking for new employment)regarding a position that would be perfectly suited to my talents and skills. I met with the proprietors, (one of whom was a former colleague) and after a brief negotiation an equitable pay scale was arranged. The hours are also much more conducive to my social appearances. This store is only open 10-7 monday through Saturday. No Sundays! And I negotiated every other Saturday off as well! No more late nights or Sundays....this perk alone makes the change advantageous. The drive is about 10 minutes less, and no Lenox Mall bothers to deal with ever again.
My health is doing well, as is mothers. I hope to be able to visit with her soon, but the new job unfortunately takes precedence..perhaps during the slow summer season.
I have included a small chess set in the new Staunton style, perhaps we may engage in a long drawn out game or two?
You will also find a few cakes of shaving soap(Col Conk's-your favorite(as well as Ensign Wigram's...there is an extra one for him as well, to prevent him from trying to bribe you out of your extras....)
as ever I am and shall remain,
your loyal nephew
Tuan.
Post-script: I shall be white? KP-KP4
The tiger you shot must have indeed been huge if the claw you sent was any indication! While I know you would have preferred relocating the man-eater away from village, you had no choice when it managed to break free from its cage. Had it not been for your quick shot, that native bearer would be dead (or at least be one limb shy!), instead of retaining pug-marks to boast about to the local maidens.
I greatly enjoyed hearing of your Leave to Lahore, and was relieved when you revealed it was simply for a social visit to old Chundar-Grish, instead one of need for the medication of the Waters.
It has been quite a while since my last missive and a great deal has occurred. Far too much to relate in a single draft, so I shall regale you with my latest news first.
I have changed employers. I had been in Mr L-D--- employ for nearly 2 and one half years. My skill level had undergone a continuous and consistent improvement. I started as "floating" jeweler, then a assigned jeweler, then an assigned jeweler doing watch-repair on the side, then finally a full time assigned watchmaker doing the watch work for all 3 shops. Over the course of the last year I examined and repaired over 700 watches(in addition to 60 or so pearl re-stringings) My compensation during this time has never increased from my initial hired pay. I had on several occasions requested an increase, but was told that a bonus system was in progress of being implemented. As the weeks turned into months i realized that there simply was no bonus and there never would be.
I resolved to change employment and to begin the search at once. A former co-worker of mine had recently taken employment at a shop in Ansley Park. She contacted me (unawares I was looking for new employment)regarding a position that would be perfectly suited to my talents and skills. I met with the proprietors, (one of whom was a former colleague) and after a brief negotiation an equitable pay scale was arranged. The hours are also much more conducive to my social appearances. This store is only open 10-7 monday through Saturday. No Sundays! And I negotiated every other Saturday off as well! No more late nights or Sundays....this perk alone makes the change advantageous. The drive is about 10 minutes less, and no Lenox Mall bothers to deal with ever again.
My health is doing well, as is mothers. I hope to be able to visit with her soon, but the new job unfortunately takes precedence..perhaps during the slow summer season.
I have included a small chess set in the new Staunton style, perhaps we may engage in a long drawn out game or two?
You will also find a few cakes of shaving soap(Col Conk's-your favorite(as well as Ensign Wigram's...there is an extra one for him as well, to prevent him from trying to bribe you out of your extras....)
as ever I am and shall remain,
your loyal nephew
Tuan.
Post-script: I shall be white? KP-KP4