| Title: | O'Donnell, Annie to Phelan, James, 1902 |
|---|---|
| ID | 6261 |
| Collection | Your Fondest Annie: Letters from Annie O'Donnel to James P.Phelan [A. O'Donnell] |
| File | fondestan/24 |
| Year | 1902 |
| Sender | O'Donnell, Annie |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | children's maid |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Spring Lake, New Jersey, 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 | 622 |
| Genre | family, news, holiday |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Spring Lake, NJ. Thursday night 7? August 1902 Dear Jim, I am very sorry to see by your letter that your sister has gone so far away from you notwithstanding your efforts to be together. It must have come hard on both, but you see that the nearest and dearest must part, and I feel sorry for her, poor girl, if she has to go among strangers, for in this weary world, there is not much to depend on. You know when I first started out in Pittsburgh there was no one willing to give me a helping hand. On the contrary, [they] tried to push me down in my superior's estimation because I had just landed!! Still, I pulled through all after my poor heart was nearly broken, and those who were meanest to me then, now envy me my position. I wish your sister had come to Pittsburgh instead of going in the opposite direction.I at least would do my best to help her and then perhaps you would come and see us. Our city is not very prepossessing but it is the best yet for work and wages. Has your sister gone to Iowa for good or only for the summer? I hope you will write to her often, for a nice letter when one is lonely helps a good deal and always remember me to her. We had quite a day at Sea Girt on 24th. The President visited the Camp as was anticipated, and everything was done so well that the boys in blue really did deserve credit for once. We all went out and had a good look at Roosevelt, and we did have a glorious time. The soldiers will soon be going home now, so that there is very little left in Spring Lake to make it lively. For some reason this has been the worst summer for both hotels and cottages. About one half are vacant and at times it looks quite deserted, more like late fall than its busiest season. Ellen and I had an afternoon off last week. We went to Asbury Park thence to Pleasure Bay by trolley. We had a delightful time and enjoyed our ride immensely. Well, Jim, I did fail to catch the meaning of that sentence in your last letter although why I cannot tell as you wrote it plain enough. It would be a joke, but I rarely answer the door bell. Still, I wish you would spring a surprise on us one of these days. Of course, I am glad you liked my picture, and hope you noticed your gift which I only wear on special occasions. Now don't you worry too hard about your sister. Remember there is no real happiness in this world, for are we not every year - nay - every day - parting from some loved one. Still, God brings everything about in his own good way, and I think trust in Him is always the best, so you cheer up now, and let us hope that there is at least one ray of happiness in store for us. Every cloud has its silver lining and perhaps ours will yet shine. I hope you will excuse grammar and all mistakes as the girls guessed who I was writing to, so they suggested all kinds of things to tell you. Do write me soon and do you know that on 3rd August one year ago, your first letter reached me written on 20th July. I saw it last night when looking through my diary. Now must finish for this time hoping to hear from you real soon. I say a fond good night and remain as ever Annie with love. x. |
