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19 Jan 66 Arthur Secunderabad Julius ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Secunderabad
Jan 19/66
My dear Julie
Received your last, reporting the death of Barbara which I was sorry to hear, but fancy it has been a happy release for all. Of course I am of the same opinion as the rest, that Agnes should enjoy the money left by Barbara, during her life-time, & gladly give up my claim for the present.
There must be some mistake about my having overdrawn my account at Cox’s by £5. I am in correspondence with them now as they refused a cheque of mine for £20 when presented by Smith, Elder & Co., consequently I ought to be £20 to the good with them. I have been, to the best of my belief, always most exact with them, drawing exactly what I was entitled to, nothing more or less.
I have just drawn a Bill of Exchange for £17 which I make out paid me up to Dec. 31/65 & I hope you will see that this is all right. I feel certain that I have not overdrawn, but should it appear so, please see that the draft is honoured, & the amount can be stopped out of the next Quarterly Allowance. I shall draw Quarterly now, commencing from the date you mention, viz: 2nd Nov., and that will leave me £8 to draw on the 2nd Feb. next. I trust that this all correct.
It would save a great deal of confusion if Cox would send me a Cheque Book. I have written two or three times but have never received any answer.
Sorry to hear that you have been laid up. It is a nuisance when you are only at home for a short time. I suppose you will be thinking of coming out again soon. I am beginning to think it is nearly time for me to go home, but I really can’t see my way; it is so terribly expensive living in India now that it costs me every fraction I have.
I must now bid you adieu! for the present. Bye the bye, I have written to Robert & have several times asked for a photo of him but without success. Please send me one of him, of Willie & his wife, of Alfred, Frank and Helen as the three latter must have changed wonderfully.
Love to all & believe me
Your affectionate brother
Arthur H Laurie
108th Regt.
Captain Arthur Laurie and Lieutenant Munro, the Adjutant of 108th Regiment, Madras Infantry, were shot and killed on 17th April 1872 by Private Butler, who then also shot himself. The murders took place at Deesa, India. It appears that the motive was revenge for a recent punishment of extra drill imposed on Private Butler by Lieutenant Munro, for slovenliness or inattention. Captain Laurie had refused to interfere with the punishment. Arthur Laurie left a wife, Matilda, and two small children, Robert and Eliza