| Title: | Mary [?], [?], to James. A. Smyth, Ontario |
|---|---|
| ID | 2921 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, Mary/10 |
| Year | 1908 |
| Sender | Smyth, Mary |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Presbyterian) |
| Origin | unknown |
| Destination | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Recipient | Smyth, James A. |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, Castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth |
| Doc. No. | 604019 |
| Date | 21/11/1908 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 964 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of envelope] [Stamped] Port Hope PM NO 21 08 ONT [Postage Stamp] Canada Postage Two Cents [Stamped in Blue Ink Upside Down] Jan 30 1909 Mr Jas A Smyth Essex Ontario [Back of envelope] [Stamped] Essex NO 23 08 ONT [Page 1] Saturday AM My dear Jas [James?] Alexander This must only be a note almost purely business as I too have a good deal of work to accomplish today. However you said my earliest convenience so this is it. - I am sorry had I known that the Assoc [Association?] was to flourish again, had I known earlier I should have had this there for the first meeting. I received no Sec'y [Secretary?] [sic] book from the previous Sec'y [Secretary?] - no notes no anything - so this is just a book I used - and the notes were never intended for [Page 2] public eye. However it does not really matter - I enclosed the financial standing - 50s on hand - also the bills and receipts from Brett and Auld " – remaining programmes etc Hope it will be satisfactory - Let me see a programme when you get [them?] if you think of it. Sorry I bothered you about that "Flowery language" in your state of rush" – [Can’t?] [hurt?] it if you have not already done so you see I cannot reconcile "My leisurely friend of last year" - with the active person of this year - not having seen you in that capacity - yet, so any blunders in my part please lay down to that. [Page 3] Your hands are full at present - in very truth still work is akin to happiness - so doubless [doubtless?] you are content now. So long as what you attempt succeeds. There is no cause for regret And you aspired to be a sporting qentleman - I wish I had the dog here - I'd [relieve?] “[Hobe?] Jack" of the care and [not?] demand the quarter - for the “bungalow" has been in search of a "chum" - It does seem that the best laid plans very often go awry. - Yes [Mildred?] told me of the party - of the gowns - and the success - Most Startling! - And you did not go! - I am surprised - I did [Page 4] not really think that you would resist. - No dancing here [or?] little – Entertainments [sic] run in a different channel - a dance in a hall like that - is only for the "under grade" here – Oh it is such a joke the whole thing. Its strange to think that [such?] a few miles makes such a difference in peoples ideas. But what was popular there - is decried here In truth tis well to move around to see all sides. - My thanksgiving vacation in Peterbro was a very happy one spent with - Duncan – I have such an unbounded respect for him - that I like to be with him occasionally – especially as he is always interested in my [Page 5] small doings - I met many of his friends too - all of whom were very kind. Kate and her father Mr and Mrs Albert [Leeney?] I saw on Monday for a couple of hours I was to have spent today with her but had a paper to prepare for the literary Art Club - so I had to stay here and [dig in?]. - I hope however to go out there in two weeks time again. - This last week has slipped away like the mud -Every [eve?] I was visited out - so I was glad to rest today. I had such a good time on Tues Eve - we were invited to a "bridge" party – but as usual I refused to play so instead I was allowed to amuse myself playing the "Angelus" [Page 6] for they have a [beauty?]. I am going to have one some day – on that I am quite determined. Mother and father will be home today I expect - to prepare for Christmas – less than five weeks - think of it – Anna is improving and they may spend the holiday with us in [Jkw?] Thomas if she is strong enough. I think the chief cause of my content and happiness this year apart from congenial surroundings and school work - is that I am so well. I never never felt so perfectly good, nor looked it - I guess I had a quiet laugh to myself on your last epistle - not so much at what you said - as what it recalled to me. So distinctly recalled that you used to [Page 7] reiterate and reiterate the fact that I would never nor could ever be happy – [to name?] an especial man in the foreground [your?] [statement?] is refuted here in truth - for while men occasion demands - I am not at all forsaken - still may [enter?] as an incidental not as an essential and yet I am quite happy - I have discovered too that it is well to get into strange surroundings for another reason, I was becoming so dominated by Essex people’s opinions of myself that try as I might, it seemed as if I could not assist the other side of my nature which I knew was strong Here it is quite another side of me - Which [strikes?] the people. And truly to a great [Page 8] extent, you do [here?] and do - what you think people expect Oh I forgot to tell you that I saw Helen Lord when I was in Peterboro. She is teaching out at Norwood - and was in there [for?] the holiday – [with?] friends Heaning was in town, she [hunted?] me out - and we had quite a happy visit - she was inquiring for you. - But I have written far [more?] than I intended - Kind regards - and a pat for the dog Very Sincerely Mary PS Just received your note and enclosed conformation [confirmation?]. Very many thanks - sorry to have troubled you. M. [Mary?] I.W Transcribed by Christopher Devenney |
