| Title: | Ernest Cochrane, Calgary to Katie Finlay, Holywood. |
|---|---|
| ID | 657 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Cochrane, Ernest/44 |
| Year | 1897 |
| Sender | Cochrane, Ernest |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | provost sergeant |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Calgary, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Down, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Finlay, Kate |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | uncle-niece? |
| Source | T 3504/1/13: Copied by Courtesy of Mr. A. D. Finlay. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9103157 |
| Date | 05/09/1897 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Action By Date Document added by B.W. 22:12:1993 |
| Word Count | 1367 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | From: Ernest Cochrane The Barracks Calgary N. W. T. [North West Territories?] Canada Sept 6th 97 [1897?] To: Katie [Finlay?] [Wellesdon, Holywood?] [County Down?] [Ireland?] My very dear Katie You dont know, & I dont think ever will know, how much I prize your letters: and what good they do one. Its a red letter day for one when one comes & its read, and read till it gets worn out: and when I burn its (for I never keep any of them) it like parting from an old friend. You see dear, you are the only link left of any life that was. My surroundings, the knocking about I have had these last number of years have greatly changed me: But I do love to think of the old times & now the old times are all gone. I think you are too wise a little body to be very elated over this for the thoughts of a waif like me have not a very high value. My nature is not a fretful one, but I am fretting a little over you being so ill & weak. Oh if I only could do anything to help you. Why should it be that one as nice & dainty & loveable as you, has to suffer & the useless sort get nearly off free. Its not the way I would have things The smile nearly broke into a laugh when you mentioned about nurses in our Hospitals. You little simpleton, we have none. #PAGE 2 there is a constable to keep the place clean, but the patients look after themselves. I am in splendid health. My knee nearly all right. No chance of lameness. But its doubtful if I ever will be able to mount a horse again. I can walk all right but my knee grip is, I fear, gone Well do you know I dont mind much. Katie the truth must be told, I have got callous. I take all that comes, be it what it may. My officers know this. Of disappointments I know next to nothing. Fellows want to get transferred to other posts & fret over it. I go where they send one - all places are the same. I think this feeling dont care, is merciful & I thank The Giver. Now dear Katie dont mistake what I have written & think I am not happy. I am far, far more so than I deserve I have good quarters and food, the work tho' [though?] hard suits me & the girl I think the best & nicest in all this world, writes to me & says she is my friend. You are more than good to me & Oh you dont know darling how you help me. There is not a week I believe passes, that I dont think of our time in Ballintoy They were [immense?] & that concert. I will never forget it. You are a puzzle to me Katie Indeed I think you were always a little so. In your life you have had lots of men fond of you & the business is not stopped. And yet you wont pick one. I know your influence over a man, would be a good one, I know you would love & train your children right, I know you have nice tastes, are good & pure, & would make #PAGE 3 a home cheerful & inspite of all this you seem to float round with no fixed hope. Oh I wish I could have the fixing of your future Now there's that S. [South?] Africa [African?] chap. That mans in love with you- but what am I saying. You know this far better than I do. And as you read this, are laughing at old Scally. But I do wish I could think you really settled & felt sure you were happy. It would be nice. You are the only one I ever think of: and I cant help being anxious about you God spare them to you for many a year, but dearest, your parents are not getting younger & when His good time to call them comes - what then, of this I have often thought. I hope you know its only for love of you that I am writing this. You wont, think me impertinent & wish I would mind my own business. I have know you long and liked you. You are her sister & enough I could never do for you or yours. Some day I will be getting a letter telling me your heart is anchored at last & then wont I be content. I would like to see you so much. Just for once & then come back to my life here & finish it. I'd like to go over to Holywood & watch you come out of the house & follow, if I could unseen, for a whole day & then come right back here. I dont know how it is, but I dont think I'd come to meet & talk to you, I fear you would be disappointed in me & I very much fear I would take you in my arms & kiss you & you certainly would not like that. Dont think I am what is popularly know as off my "nut" #PAGE 4 But I just write as I feel. I am sorry for poor lily - it must have been a sad blow to her. You dont seem to be much struck [Weshart?]. Poor fellow I do pity those in poor health. Give my love to Archie. He seems to fond & to take care of you, & in my estimation he is away up in "G". I believe I have a soft side to my nature yet & anyone who would do my only old & cherished friend a good turn, would get the remnants of my kind feelings. I got the paper & the Guide Book & have read them both. Do you know you are very thoughtful about me & its a very delightful feeling for me to have. for what anyone can see in the Brown & Gray Provost Sergt. [Sergeant?] puzzles me quite a lot. The Pig is well & just as faithful as ever. never leaves me night of day. when we are in my room together he never takes his eyes off my movements. I have never beaten him yet. not even a slap. and he knows this & imposes upon me quite a lot. Dear heart, I will never be away from these "nasty people". I must stay for my living - yes or to the end or till I am too old for work & thus ----- ------ But these things dont bother me. Its you is the trouble! So this. Now look here about this photo. I dont want any of your nonsense, a commodity you used to have quite a lot of. You were always good looking ( & you know it ) you can turn the S/ [South?] African chap & one from every other colony, round you finger but you wont me. I want the photo & I am going to get it #PAGE 5 just think of me out here. A Barrack my home, not a real Chum but a faithful dog. Having a sincere affection for you & always hoping & wishing for your future happiness. Can you refuse me. I hope by the time this gets to you. Health & strength will be your portion Take good care of yourself in the coming winter. You will be going out a lot in the evenings & see you wrap up well & dont if you feel sick be fighting against it. Go right to be [bed?] and be nursed. God knows you are worth it Our winter will soon be here & I rather like the thought of course one can get too much of such a nice thing as snow! I wish I could thank you enough for your letters & I wish you really did know how I love to get others. But never write a line if you dont feel like it. never let a single amusement be put aside to write to me. But just when you can. God bless you dear, dear Katie Ever your most affect. [affectionate?] friend Ernest Cochrane. |
