Post 9: York again!

September 4, 1793

York has been quite the topic for conversations lately. Everyone I talk to has brought it up, and because of this, I have learned more than I knew before. One thing that has been mentioned very often is Elizabeth Simcoe, John Simcoe's wife. Because of her enthusiasm, many have been convinced that York is a good place to live. As a matter of fact, many of my neighbors or people I know in general have packed their bags and left for York. It has my town feeling a bit empty, so I’m not sure what to think of it. I myself have briefly thought of moving there, but after thoroughly considering the good and bad, I decided to stay, and my family fully agreed. Anyways, back to the topic of Elizabeth, She has been doing everything she can to create the image of York being an okay place. Hah. She might as well be begging on her knees going "PLEASE COME!!! PLEEEAAASE!! I BEG OF YOU!!" The funny thing is, it actually works. She just disguises it as painting or letters. I have heard that people die there, and that many become very sick. Me and Jeffery spend many nights with a smaller party than we'd like, and York is to blame. One of my friends, Kaden, left for York and I haven't heard from him since, despite his promises to write. I truly hope he's alright. I have to go; Jeffery and I are going out for the night.


September 28, 1793

I have very good news! I got a letter in the mail today addressed from York, and at first I was confused. Then I thought that it was another invite to come live there. I've gotten those before, they say "York. It's a new place with new opportunities BLAH BLAH DE BLARGH DE BLARG." Or something along those lines. Anyways, so I was GOING to throw it out, but someone (*COUGH, COUGH* My wife *COUGH, COUGH*) told me that "It might be something important, you should always check." So I opened it. I am SO happy I listened to her. (Don't tell her I said that by the way...) It was a letter from my friend Kaden! (Remember him?) I guess he really wasn't dead! I have recorded the letter here.

My good friend Alister,

I cannot express my apologies enough for not keeping my promise. Though I can't stop myself from making excuses. Things up here in York are very different than I thought they would be. My original impression of York was that things were already going well there, and that there would not be very many problems to deal with. Of course I didn't think there wouldn't be any problems at all, but I thought that most would have been resolved by now. I was dead wrong, and I would pay for my mistake later. When my family and I arrived, things were in disarray. We settled into a tent for the night, as I began to worry that this was not the best idea. Weeks passed as we tried to settle in and the days grew colder and shorter. We all struggled in our new home with new surroundings, and I tried to keep faith in my decision. It was later into the winter when disaster struck. My young son Joseph caught a horrible fever that refused to cease. One week later it got worse and three days after that he could barely take the pain. That night the moans from his bed suddenly stopped. I went to check on him to find that he had left us for good. My son was taken from me because of this place! I should have listened to your protests Alister. Needless to say, I will be moving back to our settlement next month, where we are at least safe. We have to leave, before this land claims another of my family. I hope all is well with you, tell Jeffery I say hello. That is all to say for now good friend, until I return.

-Kaden


When I read that his son Joseph died, I couldn't believe such a thing. At least his daughter Mary and his eldest son Alexander are all right. I am glad to here he is alive though, he was always a good friend of mine. I have to go, my nights have been busy lately and today is as well.