| Title: | O'Donnell, Annie to Phelan, James, 1902 |
|---|---|
| ID | 6265 |
| Collection | Your Fondest Annie: Letters from Annie O'Donnel to James P.Phelan [A. O'Donnell] |
| File | fondestan/28 |
| Year | 1902 |
| Sender | O'Donnell, Annie |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | children's maid |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Pittsburgh, Penn., USA |
| Destination | Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
| Recipient | Phelan, James |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 831 |
| Genre | nostalgia, becoming independent |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Bayard Avenue, Pittsburg, Pa.] Sunday night Oct. 12th 1902 My dear Jim, A long, lonely week has come and gone since that dreary morn at the Station.11 stood where you last saw me for a few minutes after your train had gone, for I hated to face the city which had nothing for me. Then, at last bracing up, I hurried to the car too much occupied with my own thoughts to consider anything utterly regardless of the rain which came down in torrents. Got home, went up to my room, brave as if nothing had happened, donned my uniform and took up my duties with 'smiles that could easily have been tears'. What a long day it seemed to be, and how I longed for night that I might rest, but when it came I laid my head down only to realize more fully that good-bye is a very hard thing to say. Sunday came but the memories of that previous morning were too much to be forgotten, and my head, how it did ache! Still I bore it all and said nothing but tried my hardest to appear my old self. The girls never ceased talking about you, Jim. They like you and expressed a great desire of seeing you again and wish to be always remembered to you. Talk about wishing you joy. They had me teased here, each one wondering what would be nicest in the line of gifts for me and were very anxious to know when is Jim going to send for you? It was indeed laughable. Mary teased me more than anyone. She was afraid I had gone with you. My only answer was, 'He is coming back!' Your letter, Jim, was like talking to you again, and poor fellow, you did have a mean time getting in so late. I hope your cold is better. I know that morning you left here didn't help it any, and such has been the weather since then. The sun really condescended to shine a little while today. Is it still raining? I often wonder if it will ever clear up. Mary left us on Thursday and we all felt so bad. We had been such a happy little crowd those 3 years past, and she was so good to me. I appreciated kindness all the more because when I came here the cool way I was treated when 1 came to Pittsburgh was still fresh in my mind. My sisters and their people were under the impression that I came out here from school to depend solely on them. Penniless I was and independent I wanted to be, and far from being strong, as you know, my ambition was to find work as soon as possible before I should depend on cold charity. Long before I was able, I inquired of everyone about work till Heaven sent me to that big stone house I showed you. I surprised them all, for I was not so much of a city lassie with foolish notions after all. I often wonder if I can ever forget, and now they all run with presents to me at different times, but when I needed help not one said, 'Here is a dollar, Annie.' Oh, why should I dwell on such a painful subject. I know I had and still have someone's good prayers. God has always been good to me in all things and I shall pray to Him, Jim, for you. I miss you so much. Am alone and lonely tonight. Our new cook is sitting here with me. The other girls are out enjoying themselves. She is a County Mayo woman and appears to be so nice. When have you heard from Lena? I guess by this time you have given all your friends a good description of the Smoky City. I hope you have remembered me kindly to your aunt and cousins. Try to persuade Lena to come here if she makes a change from where she is, for I think she would get along all right. I know when I did, most anyone can. Well, I have not had the pleasure of a streetcar ride since then, but that 'Ding-ding' doesn't pass my notice though. I guess you are working as hard as ever now, but don't forget poor me. Consult that wegte [Ouija] board. This not spelled right, but you know, at your leisure, and if it says we will not meet again Just break it, for I had a very funny dream last night. Though not superstitious, I don't like it, but Heaven is our guide and in it are centered all my hopes. Well, Jim dear, I must be finishing up hoping to have a letter from you as soon as you possibly can as a letter from you means so much to poor lonely me. So good night and believe me to always remain your own fondest Annie God bless you - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX |
