Sept 20, 1903
Dear Mother,

I must write you a few lines to let you know how pleased I am to see Hannah & to hear how you are keeping & to get all the home news. Charlie & she arrived from Cape Town yesterday. I got on the train at Randfontein where I am working, 2 hrs run from Pcx & came down with them. I come in every weekend here so I will see quite a lot of them. Hannah is looking well and you have Americanized her properly over there.

I was sorry not to be able to go down to Cape Town with Charlie, as I intended doing, but owing to the state of things in Jo'burg, I had to take my fortnight's holiday there & then transfer down here. This is a much nicer place to live in than Jo'burg as the railway people go in more for enjoyment, sports etc. I was up in camp with the volunteers last week. We spent two or three very enjoyable days.

The boys got up a [?] & bought a beautiful sideboard as a present for Charlie while he was away. They have a nice little well-furnished house & should be very comfortable. We had our first rain for over five months on Wednesday. The town here is beginning to look fine, all the fruit trees are in bloom & the gardens beginning to look splendid.

I never was so much surprised as when I saw the new photo of Jack that Hannah brought out. He looks like an independent gentleman of means. I don't think the one of you is like you at all. Still, I would like very much if you could send me one & also the boys as I have none of any of you. I will get a good one taken myself some of these days & send you one. Thank you very much for sending my odds & ends out & also for the box of handkerchiefs.

I suppose Charlie & Hannah will be writing you themselves so I will let them give you all details. However, I am pleased to have some place again where I can drop in & feel at home. I will close now with love & bet wishes to all the family & friends & best love to yourself.

From your affec. son,

Bert