| Title: | M Smyth, Ontario to J J Smyth, Co Tyrone |
|---|---|
| ID | 2936 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, Mary/19 |
| Year | 1904 |
| Sender | Smyth, Mary |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | student |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Presbyterian) |
| Origin | Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Castledamph, Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | |
| Recipient Gender | male-female |
| Relationship | writes to her family |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge. |
| Doc. No. | 0410054 |
| Date | 17/01/1904 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | |
| Word Count | 1617 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of envelope] Mr J J Smyth Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland [Stamped] ST THOMAS 1[6?] JA 21 04 ONT. [Page 1] St Thomas Jan 17th Dear People All: Received your letter a few days ago and I wondered what was the matter with you that I hadn't got one long before. I suppose sometimes I am so slow myself. This is Sunday night 8.30 just got home from Church, I am writing this sitting in a big rocking chair it is more restful than to sit up at the table so that is an excuse for such writing, Well I may say that Liza did write me a long letter I suppose on account of the long interval between I will begin by replying to all your enquiries first: I see the boys are getting something new around there football is a great game here in the summer months but not in winter. I have my picture [Page 2] already to send to Miss Ashfield. I suppose Mrs Nelson's gives the presents as a drawing card. I wonder why she don't [doesn’t?] get any girl to help her in the [shop?]. I received the shawl alright but I had forgotten what it was like I don't think I will wear it as it is too showy too many colours. Chs. [Charles?] was making fun of me he says I can go out on the Indian's day with it. As to the Civil Service I would like to try it alright. I wish I had done so 4 or 5 years ago. I see it is cheaper than the Business College if the pay is as good. I am going to write for the guide and prospectus, to get the salaries. One thing I would be nearer home [than?] to take up the B. [Business?] College here. I must certainly make a move at something permanent [Page 3] after June. I know Jim will disown me if I go to B. [Business?] College. but I can't depend on him all the time. He has never written home since Xmas [Christmas?] I guess he is not pleased because that I spent nearly all my holidays in Woodslee but I told him I could not have & Bell sick but he said I was foolish. If he was sick I'll bet that would be the place he would look to so be attended. Poor Andy J. his girls are all leavig [leaving?] him. I can remember all his actions especially the night he went out through the Window I suppose Will Houston has settled down for life Well I don't think your Xmas [Christmas?] was half as dull as it was at Woodslee, I think I would have lots of fun with Tommy H [Page 4] when I think of him I always think on the fun we had at Jas. [James?] Houston's wake. I sometimes think myself old when I look back upon how long it is since some of those memorable times. I must have started early with the boys. We used to have some fun with Davy especially one 12th night when Andy Mc, Andy J. and he & a few [more?] of us were in a corner. I never seem to enjoy anything now like then I dont know why perhaps because I'm getting over my childish enjoyments. Well I think I told you in my last letter that I was learning to skate Well I went down to the rink here on Monday night it is about 50 yds [yards?] long 30 all ice there was about 50 on it that night we were also down Thursday night and the band was there and I am sure there was 400 or 500 people there all skating. I was just saying that I would like to [send?] a few of you down here to see them, They skate to the music all going around in a ring There was a lady fell and before they could stop they [there?] were about [Page 5] a dozen on top they just keep write [right?] up close & they go so fast. I can skate pretty well but falls (sic) occasionally I keep in the inside when there is a crowd [as?] they don't go so fast in the inside not so much danger. I was saying that that was one of the things I would miss most when I go home. I don't know very many boys here & of course I have to depend on them to hold me up a boy & girl usually skate together. I am sorry to hear that John mixes in with a class like that. I think the boys are all going backward over there always aiming at something lower than themselves. Say I wish they would get Madge's picture taken. Tell Davie that I [want it?] if hadn't get [got?] it taken I'll - I dont know what Ill do with him - We still have the snow & the cold weather not as cold now as formerly. As for your Xmas [Christmas?] presents you got more than I did I just got a box of notepaper from the Campbell girls I didn't get even a Xmas [Christmas?] card from anyone around home. How is Bob C [Campbell?] tell him I was enquiring about him next time you see him Liza: keep up his heart. till I return. Wish you would [Page 6] would (sic) send me Willie McKernan's picture. I would like to see it. Can you get that Souvenir Spoon for me You never said anything about it in your letter. How is Mother keeping I see you haven't got a girl yet. I think with two farms you should have one & not work yourselves to death. Must quit for tonight GoodBye [Goodbye?] Wednesday night:- I got another letter from you on Monday. As regards that spoon I suppose they don't know what a souvenir spoon is there. It is just one spoon with the name on it she wants "Ireland" on it. Jim has never yet written to me I wrote after I got here but he has never answered yet and I won't write again till he does but I suppose I will be the looser [loser?] if he don't [doesn’t?] give me the money but if he don't [doesn’t] I will go to Business College. I would have been pretty near through now only for him and been able to earn for myself I know that he will do some scolding if I go against his wishes but I have been trying to please him ever since I came out here and I have'nt succeeded so I would rather not be depending on him any longer and then having him talking about me spending so much of his money. I never would have spent half the money only for him he would always scold if I was'nt dressed to suit him [Page 7] and again Annie and Cass done well enough getting married and for me associating with Cass's friends they are good enough but Jim has got so far up in Style that those who don't dress in Silk and Such like he don't [doesn’t?] want them. He will go wrong in the head over Style yet: he thinks of nothing else. If he ever gets settled down and has as good a house and Everything as comfortable as Annie and Charlie he may think himself pretty well off but I doubt if ever he gets that far unless he changes a good deal he will never get enough money together to start housekeeping. I might say that Cass might have done a little better when she was So well educated but still she is pretty well off a good sight better than the majority [Page 8] of them around home. As regards that affair of the Duncan's never mention it to him for he would be likely to mention it to some of them sometime. Well now you wanted to know if I was saving any of the money he gave me. I haven't for so far but I intend to after this if I get any I had a winter suit to get and school books and other things so it took all. I pay Annie nothing for so far but I told her I would give her $1 a month for washing. I read here that part that you wrote in your letter regarding the board. So she asked me if you people thought they were so poor that I would have to pay my board, and if she would do that when she goes over there. Your last letter I had to pay 4 cts on it too heavy I think it would pay you to get lighter notepaper. Wish you would send me T. [Tommy?] Hay's address as I want to send him my picture. Today it is thawing and my it was sloppy got my feet wet going to school Got an awful fall skating one night you know how the distance I would fall and then the weight of 200 lbs beside (sic). I weighed 178 lbs? at Xmas [Christmas?] still increasing As for Jim going home this summer you need not feel a bit sorry for it would be like the other time there would'nt be much peace untill [until?] he gets over this big feeling of his he is not much pleasure to any one of his relations. I must quit now Good Bye [Goodbye?] M [Mary?] Smyth Postscript [Top of Page one] Write Soon don’t follow my example Don’t think that we are always fighting out here with Jim It is a scold & all is over for a another while but I’m mad because he’s not writing I don’t see why he don’t he will have to [cool?] [for?] I won’t write again. Goodbye. Mary. Transcribed by Alan Houston |
