| Title: | Mary [J?], Ontario, to J. A. Smyth, Ontario. |
|---|---|
| ID | 3147 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | W, Mary J/13 |
| Year | 1902 |
| Sender | W., Mary J. |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | teacher |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Port Hope, Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Essex, Ontario, Canada |
| Recipient | Smyth, James A. |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth |
| Doc. No. | 505042 |
| Date | 16/3/1902 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 25:05:2005. |
| Word Count | 1389 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope] Mr. Jas. A. Smyth. Essex Ontario. [Stamped] [Port Hope?] PM MR 16 02 ONT. [Back of Envelope] [Stamped] ESSEX [MR 17?] 02 ONT. [Page 1] Monday Eve. [Evening?] My dear James Alexander:- In spite of a wounded finger, I am going to try and write you a few lines. If this epistle is more illegible than usual- remember the lame member of [my?] right hand and be merciful. A week ago I went out “bussing”; as they call it here - and going down a steep hill, to prevent a tumble I hung on to the edge of the sleigh. The runner turned and caught my poor finger - It certainly hurt but I finished the evening out. Since then. I have had to let all [scribing?] go – and carry my finger in a sling, otherwise you would have heard from me sooner. Perhaps you are not sorry that the accident happened -. Well anyway “bussing” is good sport, the company was not extremely exciting but answered the purpose - The fourth formers and a few “third” lights with myself as chaperone, later assisted by Mr Trench. They are a set of sensible youngsters here at least this crowd was - so I had a happy time. [Page 2] ii They were of course good to the teacher - but the respect is marvellous [marvelous?]– I agree with you that any slackness is most deplorable - children are so precocious now, that things are quite consciously misinterpreted by them, to satisfy their humors - I have heard elsewhere reports of the E.H.S. [Essex High School?] to that effect - Tis a pity surely – that the report should start – though ‘tis likely it is quite foundationless. Here I keep quite apart from the students (one lesson I learned from the old days) except on very special occasions and so far all goes well - They are very well-behaved youngsters - the majority older than the E.H.S. [Essex High School?] members although the members of the Fourth form lack such seniority as yourself and Mr Simpson etc. Most of my work I trust will be finished before Easter in both Forms. The English will be easily covered by them – The French and German in form four also much better you see than last year – but Form Three they are a bit slower – but will have covered the Grammar anyway – likewise the German - so my work should come out pretty well by June. [Page 3] iii To-day I received the programme for Easter Convention - It quite aroused my enthusiasm and recalled last year's proceedings - which were fun. - n'est-ce pas? I expect to go up this year again - I have not quite formulated my Easter plans - Saint Thomas has no place in them of course Mildred wrote for me to come to her - which I would like to do but fancy I shall forego that pleasure this time - I may go to Lindsay to my college chums - for from Thursday to Tuesday, then go to Toronto for the rest of the week.- Are you going to be down this way? – Shall I see you at Easter - if not I fancy we shall not have a meeting for many a long day - You see father and mother have closed up the house and gone West for an indefinite length of time - to the “Peg” [Winnipeg?] - then to Alberta and through the warmer parts. Father has been very wretched since Christmas so they decided on a change - Anna came [Page 4] 4 home for ten days then they all went out together. Father will improve they hope – but he was in a bad condition - They went to stay at least three months - possibly six and perhaps longer - so now I am bereft. Anna came down here from Monday until Wednesday and what a happy time we had! Everyone was so good - that her visit though short, was a most delightful one. Had she not been going to meet the people in Toronto that night, she would have stayed longer- I expect Joe – “mein – Bruder” [my brother?] this week to see me “en passant”- He went to Toronto to see mother and the rest off - so after finishing business there – He will look in on his “Soeur” [sister?] at least so he sends word. - Will [William?] wished to send me transportation for Easter to the “Peg” - but the time was so short that I knew I should dislike coming back - So I declined his kindness but shall likely go in June – unless [Page 5] v other things happen. Don't these Spring days put more vigor into you - they are perfectly glorious here and makes one glad that one is alive. Today we walked out to “the Gardens” - two miles out - I thought of you, knowing your fondness [for?] walking - pardon the sarcasm, But oh! it is pretty here - so many hills and clumps of trees - unexpected dales and nooks- Saturday last - the staff “in tolo” was invited out to the Walkers five miles out. Two children attend the P.H.H.S [Port Hope High School?]- as Mr [Suider?] knew the father in days gone bye - hence the visitation. We started at three - a party of seven and such fun was as we had! – We drove the long way around arrived before five - such a reception and such a feast!- never did I see anything to equal it. After supper we played [enchree?]- and danced. It was a mammoth [Page 6] vi house - with huge rooms - hence the fun. The drive home was delightful too - It was really quite a happy outing- Do you remember the first Essex staff expedition to Leamington - your disgust-! I half intend to go up to Toronto on Friday to see if I can replenish my rather depleted wardrobe. Spring sunshine shows up all blemishes and makes one long to have everything fresh and new. I am showing quite a line of industry this year in sewing - you should just see the blouses that I am turning out Such is the force of example. Tis rather fine too. And Wednesday will be the seventeenth of March - Living in our Irish household - we are to have a St. Patrick fete here. Miss Murphy just called in to know if I'd make a fourth at bridge - I said “in a minute”. Then she asked what I was doing - I said writing to an Irishman - she proceeded then to bid me - invite you to our Wednesday Eve party. [Page 7] 7 She continues to be a, - such fine and so good to me. I suppose you would say I am terribly spoilt - but what’s to be done– and I certainly have a happy time. Really she is such an understanding person - and would do anything or everything for me. For some unaccountable reason - she conceived a peculiarly strong likeing [liking?] for this fortunate person - and so – I am favoured.- I have a real, genuine shamrock- which arrived straight from the old sod- a whole plant of it,- So I can celebrate in proper style.- Yes was not that Kincade murder - a most diabolical thing? – We all have our theories - It seems rather uncharitable to suspect where one has no definite grounds but certainly that Florence is telling a trumped up story – I fancy that both she and the mother know more about it than they want to tell - But time will tell. By the way - to change the subject [Page 8] 8 Where is your dog? -dead-sold-or still with you. Bill and I are inseparables He ruins my clothes but is such a “dear”– that it all goes- Surely you are not adding to your [adver?] dupois – don’t – please - if I am to see you again - But now I must go - Miss Murphy Says to tell you that she envies you getting this letter from me - she little knows James Alexander - what a stoical Irishman this is - she pictures the typical ardent enthusiast of the “Emerald Isle” - while this is quite an unusual kind – n'est ce pas? [Is it not?] Well anyway I must say 'Au revoir' now - you will tell me if you have made any Easter plans will you not - because as ever, I am interested- Be good Very sincerely yours Mary J. Transcribed by Greg Floyd |
