Friday, September 14, 2012

January 5, 1912

From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 10 Electric Avenue, Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
My dear Frank,

A few lines hoping they will find you quite well and enjoying life as we all are at present here. We have extremely bad weather here now I suppose ye have it bad over there there now too. I got your letter at Xmas with the cards in it and we were very disappointed when you did not send us any presents what harm but we were looking out all the time back to see what you would send us. I only got about ten. I got a beautiful gold pin from Fanny. I suppose you don't ever write to her now she was asking after you in the last letter. I hope you got my letters alright at Xmas and those that I sent to the old address. What about that Music and books you promised us I hope you will send them soon if you could get a good thick book of songs don't get a dear one for the cheap ones are the best I am sure your wife could pick out a good one the Fever is raging bad here in town at present. I suppose you like to have a house of your own it is a lot more comfortable too but you have laid out a lot of money on it. I suppose it is easy for you too sure you must be a millionaire by this for your ten years. but I never thought you would turn a Catholic for anyone. Father is getting quite strong now again but he never works now in the shop its me that looks after it. we had a most awful busy time before Xmas. I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping to hear from you by return and Wishing you and your wife A Very Happy and Prosperous New Year I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.

Father said he would like some news papers. send him some.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

December 8, 1911

From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 10 Electric Avenue, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.

My dear Frank,
Just a few lines hoping they will find you in good health as we all are at home at present. Why in the world did you not write to us ever since father is surprised to say you are not writing. Father is as well as ever again he is quite strong now. We have very bad weather here now nothing but rain and hailstone I suppose ye have very bad weather there now too. There was one of the Buckley girls went from Listowel over to the same place as you are she called here the night before she left I suppose you have seen her by this. I am sending you something for Xmas next week I hope you will get it all right I would have wrote before now but I thought you might have changed your address. I suppose you are married by this did you get any wedding presents I would have sent you something but father was sick at that time and I had no time to see to any thing I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping to hear from you very soon look out for what I am sending you I hope it will reach you Safely. I hope you will send me something nice for Xmas. be sure and write as soon as you get this I remain
Your loving sister
Mai Gleasure.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

October 1, 1911

From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 10 Electric Ave. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.

Dearest Frank,

I received your most welcomed letter last week and was very glad to hear from you father is almost better now only to get strong he did not come in the shop yet for he feels very weak still. It was a terrible mistake for him to neglict himself like he did. We may thank the good doctor that we had he is only a young man and he is about the best that is in North Kerry. father's case has made a great name for him everyone is saying that for there were several men in the town that had to go under operations within the last few years and they all died within a few days of the operation even though they had Specilists down from Dublin so you can see that this fellow proved himself a great man. We had two doctor's and one of them did not want to operate at all but father made them do it and when it was done he said to the man that operated that he took a very serious business in hands and that father would not live until evening. He had some terrible pain before he was operated on and all the night before he was suffering and never called up sure it was me that went into the room to him first and when I saw the way he was I said that I would go for a Dr. and he would not let me so in the end I did not tell any of them in the house but went out and brought him in he told me it was an awful surprise as he did not die during the night without anyone knowing it. There are very bad times here in Ireland at present that is the Southern part of it owing to a Railway Strike that is going on. There is hardly a drop of stout in the town we are out of it for the last week and a lot of other goods besides no trains ran through this place for the last fortnight until today there was two ran but it was men sent over from the English government and there was soldiers on the train as well, guarding it so you can see that it is a very serious business I am sparing up some newspapers for you and you can see all about it. I suppose my letter was delayed because the letters are taken by car now from place to place. Have you got any more papers or books that you would send over as I am rather short of something to read I am kept very busy now in the shop I have to be there all the time it was a very lucky job that George and I were so well up in the business or we could never have managed as well as we did. Did you ever get my letter that we wrote to you about the old man's death. you never said any thing about it at all. I wrote to Fanny about the same time as I wrote to you telling her about him and I never wrote to her since do you ever write to her now. I hope the next time you write you'll tell us something about the missus. I have no more to say for this time so I will close Hoping to hear from you very soon again. I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.

Write as soon as ever you get this. you must excuse this notepaper as I can't get out to get any better for this time.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

September 6, 1911

From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge Street Allston, Mass. U.S.A.

Dear Frank,

A few lines hoping they will find you in good health, we were in a very bad state here for the last week, since the 28 August, father was under an operation on the 29th. the fillum of the bowls was coming out. On the night of the 28th he felt it coming on him about 12 oclock before he went to bed. He went to bed anyway and never raised any alarm and it got fearful bad with him in such a way that the doctor told him that it was a miracle or the will of God that he did not die although George was in the same bed with him he never said what was wrong with him for he used to get it before but he was able to put it back himself. About 7.30 next morning I went into him and asked him what was wrong and he told me he had great pains and that he was done for and was going to leave us, you may be sure that he frightened me. I said that I would go out for the doctor and he would by no chance leave me. I delayed about an hour and went out of my own accord & brought him in. and he saw it once that it was a very serious case. he went and got another doctor and my father had to force him to operate on him. they did it anyway and it has turned out successful so far, the fillum was 4 times its natural size and about the length of your finger of black diseased part, if it swelled the least bit more that it would burst. He was the strongest man that they ever came across to say that he did not die and the way he was in the night before. We have got a lovely doctor attending him his name is OConnor. he come's in 4 or 5 times in the day and he would not let one of us do any thing to help him only does it all himself. only the way he is attending him we should have got a nurse, we sent out for my grand mother for we have to stop up with him every night since and can't leave him for a minute by day. I think he will pronunce him out of danger tonight he is splendid now, the wound is all healed up almost. And he is taking lots of good nourishment but of course no solid food. For the doctor is trying to get the bowls to move first. Nobody is allowed to see him only Adam and a few more near relations like him. I was full sure that we would have to be sending for you when I saw the way he was. Hoping you will write as soon as you get this I remain Your loving Sister M.G.

Monday, September 10, 2012

August 14, 1911

From: May Gleasure, The Square Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St. Allston, Mass. U.S.A.

Dearest Frank,

A few lines hoping it will find you in good health as we all are here at present.  The old man out at Tullig passed away on the 27 July.  he was sick for a few week before he died and was very troublesome as he was quite helpless and had to be handled very gently Father George and I were out at the Wake he had both a very large wake and funeral.  i stopped out there for a fortnight after the funeral.  Annie got your letter this morning and is very thankful for what you sent her.  I had to laugh when I heard you were getting married just imagine how the time flies you never told us what the girls name was about last Xmas Nell Dowling and Annie Buckley's sister was telling us that you were married and that you had turned a Catolic  I wonder is it true  I did not give it a thought since until I saw it mentioned in your letter this morning.  I hope you will be lucky anyway and that you will enjoy a long happy married life.  Write to me as soon as you can and tell me all about her as I would like to know what kind my future sister-in-law will be.  I am not playing the organ since the old man died and I miss it very much we will be hardly able to play now for a little while now as father would not like too I was in Tralee a few weeks ago and got my Sticky Backs taken I will send you one when I get them  I got those last papers all right  I hope you will send some more soon we have awful heat here also we had a dreadful thunderstorm last Friday night.  I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping you will write very soon
I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.

Friday, September 7, 2012

July 11, 1911

From: May Gleasure, The Square Listowel, Co Kerry Ireland
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St. Allston Mass. U.S.A.

My dear Frank,

A few lines hoping they will find you in good health as we all are here at present.  We have got some splendid weather here at present in fact we can hardly go out with the heat.  George came home from Toherbane last Sunday he was there quite a long time he had 8 weeks alto 2 days don't you think but that it was a long holiday.  I don't know if I shall get any holidays or not I don't care to go any place for I could not stop any longer than a week or 10 days and that is hardly worth going for, for you would hardly be settled down before you should come home again.  I would much prefer going on a Sunday to some place where there would be something going on such as Sports or a Feis or something like that or going out to Ballybunion or Tralee for the day.  But the boss don't like that sort of thing at all.  I suppose ye had a great day on the 4 July.  oh by the way I got those bundle of papers last Sunday morning also the flags they were very nice ones we were delighted at the papers they were never more welcomed as we were rather short of something to read those first papers that you sent round the music were no good as they were all advertisements but the music was splendid and we are very thankful for it  I am going to send all those pieces up to Cork and get them all bound together with a hard cover on them the boss got all his books done free of charge the house where we deal for our bags paper etc does them for us.  The old man out at Tullig is very bad lately again the old woman was in yesterday and she told us that he would not do much longer.  she was going to buy his habit for him yesterday but the boss would not let her.  No more to say at present hoping to hear from you soon again.
I remain
Your loving sister
Mai Gleasure.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

June 11, 1911

From: Annie Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co. Kerry. Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St. Allston Mass U.S.A.

My Dear Brother,

I think you must always be surprised when you receive a letter from me, it is such a long time between them, but I think you know by this time what a bad correspondent I am.  I hope you are quite well as we are at present.  We are having splendid weather here now, indeed it has been a very good year so far as regards the weather.  You must be suffering from the heat over there now very much.  George is spending a pleasant time in Toherbane since the 17th of May and is staying for another week.  I think he earned it pretty well for he was kept rather busy all last winter about the greyhounds.  We have the house full of them and I have the care of those, also my own work to do while he is away, so I haven't much time to spare.  May was out to Tullig a few weeks ago and she thinks the old man will hardly last the year out, but of course he is old now though with care he may live for another year he is very hardy you know.  The old woman is the very same as when you were here.  I havn't very much to write about, this place is very dull and I expect May tells you of any thing that happens.  I wish I was out of Listowel it is such an old hale but the pater never says any thing speaks of doing any thing for me, but if he doesn't do any thing by next spring I will take matters in my own hands, I am heartily sick of slaving here.  I wonder if you could send me the money for my teeth when you get this, I should like to get them settled as soon as I could, and I wouldn't go about them unless I had the money in hand so if you could see your way to send it as soon as you could I would be forever thankfull.  I must close now with best love from your affectionate sister
Annie.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

May 22, 1911

From: Mai Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St. Allston, Mass U.S.A.

My dear Frank,

I received your most welcomed letter last week and was very glad to hear from you.  We are getting some splendid weather here at present but a lot of thunder and lighting around the county Kerry.  doing a little harm here and there.  I suppose ye have fine weather over there.  George is down at Toherbane at present on his holidays for the last week.  We had the big fair last Monday it was a very good fair and we done great buisness.  I was out at Tullig yesterday the old man is not very well at all he was very bad about a month ago we thought he'd die but he got a little better after that but he is getting bad again his legs and hands are all swelled up.  I did not get that music you spoke about in your letter yet  I hope it won't be long in coming.  We are going to have the Big Sports 29th June here in Listowel.  Henry Gleasure's son went over to the Parkinson last month they are in Nashua and are getting on splendid.  I never knew you were so old as 29 years.  I will be 19 next Saturday.  Did you hear from Mrs Morris lately or does she write to you now.  The next time you are writing I want you to send me a few flags for the 4 July.  be sure and send them now I asked you last year for them and you never sent them and the one I have is not very good and we would like to have them as we always wear them on that day.  I hope you will write very soon again and if you can send those flags No more to say at present so I will close.  I hope that music won't be long in coming  I hope you are well as we all are here at present.
I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

March 23, 1911

From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St, Allston, Mass, U.S.A.

My dear Frank,

I received your most kind and welcomed letter some time ago, but when you said you were sending me the songs I was not going to write until I'd received them but as they are not here yet I thought I would drop you a line hoping this will find you in good health as we all are here at present. We have very nice  weather here for the last 2 weeks. I suppose ye will be getting the fine weather there now by this. Bill Gleasure (Henry's Son) is sailing for that country next week he is going to Nashua where Alfey Parkinson went last year. The old man out at Tullig is not very well lately I am afraid he will not do much longer he was very bad about three weeks ago we thought he'd die any minute my father was out to see him and when he came back he said he'd hardly do 2 or 3 days however he got up since but his feet are all swelling again and that is a very bad sign. Was I telling you that one of our dogs won a silver cup down in Tipperary it is a very nice one but we will have to win it again next season to be the owners of it we got money along with it you know. I am sending you one of the Photos you asked me for and I hope you'll like it. It is much the same as the others it is not very well taken tell me how you like it the next time. I hope that music will land in a few days. Hoping you will write very soon again I remain
Your loving sister
May.

Monday, September 3, 2012

March 6, 1911

From May Gleasure
To Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St, Allston, Mass, U.S.A.

The Shamrock Leaf will always be
A link to bind across the sea
The hands that join in memory
Of Dear Old Ireland!


Dear Frank,

I received your letter this morning glad to hear you are well as we all are here in Listowel. but the old man out in Tullig is not well for the last few weeks. in fact I think he won't do much longer. I am glad you like those Photo's I will send you the other when I am writing the next time I am waiting until I get the music until I write so I will tell you how I like it. I will try and steal one of Annie's Sticky backs but you must not say anything about it as she said she would not like anyone to see them they were so bad I am sending you this in memory of Old Patricks day. I will let you have all news in next letter Goodbye from sister Mai.


Sunday, September 2, 2012

January 19, 1911

From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure

Dearest Frank

I received your most welcomed letter some time ago but you will excuse me for not answering it when you hear that I was on my holidays, I went down to Toherbane to Fitzells' on last Saturday week and returned last monday, I had a most enjoyable time there, I went to see Ballyheigue and the Wireless Telegraph Poles I suppose you heard about them I also went to Banna Strand and I went to Tralee and I got my Photo's taken there I will send you some of them as soon as I get them I would have liked to stop there longer but father could not do very well without me, however a week is not all the bad and perhaps I might get another week later on.  I got 18 presents last Xmas they were as follows A Blouse, silver brooch, locket autograph, Money, bracelet kid gloves 2 hat pins 2 silk Handkerchiefs a bottle of perfume half dozen books 2 boxes chocolates a book of poems watch, box honey, and a Claw brooch.  I liked every thing I got except the two hatpins I did not get anything from Mrs Morris nor did not hear from her except a letter I got about 2 week before Xmas altho I sent her a present she never wrote to me since.  Tom Connor is working away at his trade but he is not doing as much as he used before he married I think when a person turns over like what he did that there is not very much thought of them I know I wouldn't anyway.  You were saying that you would send me some more songs I am giving you a list of some that I saw illustrated on the other sheets that I would like to have, Try and get them and send them on to me and I will not ask you for anymore for the year again for I am getting them all bound together by a book binder when I get some more from you so don't be long in sending them.  Times are very quiet in Listowel at present.  There is not very much doing.  I don't think I have any more of intrest to write about so I will close Hoping to hear from you within the course of three week

I remain Your loving sister
May.

I got the Photo's before I post the letter so I am sending it on these are two of the Fitzell girls along with me I got single ones of myself two but I have them all promised but if I don't give them all away I will send you one later Write as soon as you get these and let me know what you think of them and try and send the music for I want to get it bound with the rest.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

December 13, 1910

From: George Gleasure, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 14 Webster Ave., Allston, Mass., U.S.A.

Dear Frank,

iam sending you information as regards your baptisam iwould have written to you long ago but for the hadrid ihad for that country on account of what you know not on my own account what ever as iliked the country personaly verry well and got along splendid

do not be going to two much expence with presents something to pass the thing off there is no need of me sending you along letter at present as iexpect May will tell you every thing that is going on iwill write you if christmas was over pleas god hoping you will have ahappy christmas

Frank Gleasure born May 4th 1882
at Cobourg ontario Canada
baptised in the English Church of the same place
by Mr Rynarth the curit, of which Mr Stennett was Rector at the time, you can write to the rector of the English Church Cobourg ont, are if you like you can write to Miss Mary Stiles orange St Cobourg, your sponsors was Mr and Mrs Garland now dead ithink some time in june or july you were baptised same year English Church same as Episcopal in states
yours George Gleasure
To Mr Frank Gleasure