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Title: O'Donnell, Annie to Phelan, James, 1903
ID6277
CollectionYour Fondest Annie: Letters from Annie O'Donnel to James P.Phelan [A. O'Donnell]
Filefondestan/40
Year1903
SenderO'Donnell, Annie
Sender Genderfemale
Sender Occupationchildren's maid
Sender Religionunknown
OriginPittsburgh, Penn., USA
DestinationIndianapolis, Indiana, USA
RecipientPhelan, James
Recipient Gendermale
Relationshipfriends
Source
Archive
Doc. No.
Date
Partial Date
Doc. Type
Logunknown
Word Count629
Genrefamily, weather, new house, homesickness
Note
Transcript[Hotel Schenley stationery
Pittsburgh, Pa]
May 24, 1903
My dear Jim,
I meant to have written ere this, but last week was a rather hard
one for me. I was very sick for a day or two but not in bed though
I tried to keep up and with Ellen's assistance pulled through all
right. But really I did think I was in for quite a sick spell, but I am
better now.
Your uncle came to see us, and maybe it wasn't a treat to have
him again so pleasantly the time passes when he is around. I am
sure you all miss him. If he only had you come with him. Yet,
wasn't it nice to hear good reports from a city so interesting?
Sometimes I get awfully lonely and wish you were here, and
again I keep looking for that great future. Your letters always bring
a ray of sunshine. All things are guided by Heaven, so I hope ours
are. Your uncle said you were coming this summer, but I think he
was only teasing me. My, but I would anxiously watch that train
coming in! Even that would be something to look forward to. I
shouldn't be surprised if Polly took a trip here by this time. Jim, I
am acquainted with them all in my mind, poor me.
This week is about the hottest I have ever known. Many deaths
are the result, and so far there is not much relief in sight. We had
quite a storm this morning, but it didn't seem to affect the temperature
so much.
We were up at the new house yesterday and it is grand and in a
fair way to let us in soon. I will be glad to get away from this hotel.
It is so close and hot and no room to run around much. Give me a
house any day in preference to the best hotel. You can have some
little pleasure in a private house no matter how poor, but none
whatsoever in a huge hotel like this where you have Sunday manners all the time. Sometimes I feel like going over to Schenley
Park and giving vent to my lungs in a good hearty laugh.
I wonder how you are doing with my book. I hope you will be
successful, as I would be glad to help our poor old church that
holds so many dear memories for me. I have such a longing lately
for going home that it would not surprise me if I should go even for
a very short time, just long enough to see all those old dear friends.
The summer months would be the most delightful to be there.
Ireland in the summer! What can equal it? All the places which I
have visited were certainly beautiful, but none can boast of the
music of the cuckoo's note. In fact, Ireland has qualities of her own
never to be equalled.
Jim, you must write often to your uncle now that he is here
again. I know he likes a letter from you as he often expressed that
wish. And please, Jim, do write soon to me and why allude to
making another happy. I am afraid you will be the one to take some
fair lady by your side and forget all about me. Even if you did, Jim,
I would always like you. Anyhow, don't be afraid of me. I am true to
the last and it would be something terrible that should break my
trust in you. You have the best love my heart can give, Jim, so rest
assured and always remember me. Well, I am pretty tired now so
must finish and do answer soon. I remain
fondly Annie
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