February 21, 1890

Dear Lady,

I am not sure how humble my origins can be said to be but I, myself, tend to be a humble man or so I am often told. I am a romantic at heart as well which is partly what drove me to write to you. Family is an important thing to me though I came from a small one. Even so, love has always been among us which I feel is important in a family. And I am at an age when I should be considering the start of my own.

I am not sure how much of a retiring sort I am but I do not often attend social events and parties. Things I do like are cooking and baking despite the fact most people might think it odd of me. If I am to be considered an eccentric for doing what I enjoy then I suppose that is my lot in life. If any of what I have shared of myself appeals to you, I do hope you write me in return.

Sincerely,
Hopeful

Witch Weekly - in response to 'Humble at Heart'

  

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— set by MJ —

Madeleine Backus

  

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Dear Hopeful,
I am surprised to receive such an earnest and open letter.  A young lady is not accustomed to receiving such splendid candor and warm words, unwarranted from a gentleman. 

If cooking and baking makes one an oddity then I confess myself a fellow odd-man, for I also take enjoyment in the creation of sweet things! So I shall not think you odd on that account.  Indeed creating with my hands, making something of joy for another is an act of love itself. 

Tell me, candid stranger, what would induce you to make overtures to a lady such as myself when, by your writing you seem like the type of gentleman whose attentions a lady would keenly appreciate?

Kind Regards
M.

Philip Aymslowe

The following 1 user Likes Madeleine Backus's post:1 user Likes Madeleine Backus's post
   Ophelia Devine

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February 26, 1890

Dear Lady,

I have much the same thought when it comes to making things of joy for others beside myself. The look of delight when they bite into some morsel I have made for them simply cannot compare to anything else. Not that I have had much worldly experience as I have always been a homebody of sorts.

I appreciate the sentiment but I have not had much luck in love. There was a lady once I thought I might marry but she ceased contact without nary an explanation. I thought to write to you because you sounded like someone I could build a friendship with, perhaps more if we had the inclination.

Sincerely,
Hopeful

  

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— set by MJ —

Dear Hopeful,
How distressing for you, it is sad when the people we know become the people that we knew, especially when they were so important to us. I have spent some time abroad and have come back to find many facets of my life have moved on and become irrecovably altered in by absence. Like yourself, some of those I cared for are no longer in my life.

I would like to get to know you better Hopeful, you seem the sort of soul that I would very much like to know you better.

Warm Regards
M.

Maddie included a box of macarons with her letter.


Philip Aymslowe

  

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March 2nd, 1890

Dear M,

You have been abroad? I have never ventured abroad, myself. If you don't mind me asking, where did you go? I hope it was a marvelous adventure! I am sorry that you returned to find so much changed for you. Are there no hopes of re-establishing these connections?

I would also like to get to know you better.

I am also curious, did you experience any oddities with the time tampering that occurred?

Sincerely,
P. A.

  

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— set by MJ —

Dear P.A
I have been blessed with having been abroad. My mothers family are Russian and I spent much of last year in St. Petersburg and Moscow. And while my leaving might have seen some of my friendships lapse into history sometimes the change is for the best and not all of them do I regret.

Although our correspondance has inspired me to make a few changes for myself, I have realised that I was living too much for others and not enough for myself. While my good fortune, and this inheritance might have offered me advantages it has also become a trap as I sought to become someone I was not.

I was not affected by the time meddling, where you? Did you suddenly find yourself betrothed to the Princess Royal?

Kind Regards
M

  

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March 22nd, 1890

Dear M,

That is quite interesting though I am sad to hear that some of your friendships have lapsed. If you do not regret them then they might not have been true friendships and more, familiarity. Especially if they went to school with you.

I am glad that writing me has inspired you. I know nothing of your inheritance; did it come with expectations?

I did not find myself betrothed to anyone much less a Princess Royal. I am glad for it for that would have been quite an awkward situation to have to live through.

Sincerely,
P. A.

Madeleine Backus

  

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— set by MJ —

Dear P.A

My inheritance came with some of the most cynical expectations one might imagine, an angry mans last revenge on the child he saw as betraying him. I would forgo the lot in a heartbeat if I did not think that casting it off would do more harm good. A sad state of affairs to be at one time so blessed and so thwarted.

Indeed! I hear the princess royal is a royal pain! Are you much in society? As a debutante I am obviously expected to participate but as somene with the freedom to control their own destiny are you out in society much?

Sincerely
M

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March 29th, 1890

Dear M,

How terrible! I hope I never know what it is to be a hateful, old man - for I am assuming he is one. I very much prefer to fill the world with love in the form of my creations. And when I die, I would want people to remember me well and fondly.

I suppose I am lucky as a man that I get to pick and choose where I go. I attend those society events that hold interest to me. Things for the Podmore Zoo or other things related to creatures of the world, the Library or Museum are society to-dos I might decide to go attend. And once in a while my mother urges me to go to balls and garden parties. Who knows? Perhaps we have danced together and did not know it!

Sincerely,
P. A.

  

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— set by MJ —

Dear P.A

Oh! please tell me what you create? The ability to create something of wonderous, and that brings pleasure, without a wand is a type of magic all of its own! My family have always used their skills and creativity to bring pleasure and my sister is particularly skilled at it.

I will admit that I agree that events for places like the zoo and museum are much more interesting than balls and society parties. I feel like as a young girl I adored the idea of balls and dances, and now, having had my share of them they bore me out of my mind!

M.

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April 6th, 1890

Dear M,

I own a bakery and sweets shop. It brings me great joy to come up with new recipes that delight both the eye and the senses. There is nothing that compares to the sight of someone thoroughly enjoying the food you have made for them. I have a friend that comes to me for his dinner most days for my talents lie in most things to do with food.

I don't tend to find myself bored, myself. I usually find a friend or two to spend the evening with though so that might have something to do with it.

Sincerely,
P. A.

  

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— set by MJ —

Dear P.A.
OH! another baker! How strange, my father is a baker! Upon recieving your letter I did have to confirm that you were not my brother! The chances of another baker were so remote! I admit now to be even more curious about you! My family too are bakers, my father and sister both own bakeries, although I do not know if this revelation shall make us better friends or rivals!

M.

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April 16th, 1890

Dear M,

It would have been utterly impossible as I am an only child and both my parents have always been accounted for though my father is long gone from this world.

I would not make rivals with someone over something so trivial. Unless, of course, they were actively sabotaging my business but no one has done that. I enjoy meeting other that love to create delicious morsels.

Sincerely,
P. A.

  

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— set by MJ —