From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I really don't know how time slipped by on me without answering your very welcomed letter received some time ago, well except I answer a letter right after I getting one I grow very careless about it. We are all in fairly good health here at present enjoying the summer weather after such a very hard winter as we had, by the way father got a severe attack of cold and cough last winter it shook him very much he did not lay up but he was no more than able to move around, at times he has the cough all the time it has stuck in him some way or other. Old Patsy Dillane died the 30th May he passed away without an hour's sickness the poor old man it was better for him as he had no one to care him there its funny after all the family he had not one of them with him when he dying except strangers the place belongs to Pat now but he has two more years to spend in the force. Mat Carroll has passed away also I wonder did you know him he only came home from America last November in delicate health he was in Boston last September and came across Mike he was going to call and see you he said but had no time to spare. there's a brother of his lives in Boston I don't know what part I except you hardly now him as he is one of the younger boys. Do you ever meet any of the Dillanes now you can tell them about old Patsy if you do. George is all the time working here but is trying for a change the pay he gets here is not up to much Tom Dillane is trying to get him a place up at Queenstown there is constant work of his kind going on there at the dockyards and the pay averages from 50/. shilling a week upwards. anyway I hope he'll get a change as he would be better off out of this town he makes up and down with too many cadgers he is very quick and intelligent and his boss gives him the top praise as regards his work but he is growing very careless lately I'm sure its over the little pay he gets, if he could get to Queenstown he would get on better I'm sure Tom & Pat would be near him there as they are in Cork City and he would have plenty to amuse him there and that would keep him from loafing. Just fancy writing so much and never asking how yourself and family were I do hope well you spoke in your letter about removing I hope this address will find you out. I was dreaming last night about you I thought you were coming home to see us how I wish you were. Annie did not start out yet of course it would be madness to think of going now when she had any notion of going at all she had aright to start years ago. Times are very bad here now in our line of business its pretty bad there are such restrictions put on liquor we can't get it for any money the rule is you only get a third of your last years supply that really means we have only enough stuff to keep us going one week out of four. its pretty hard to deprive a person of there living, the taxes they were putting on were bad enough but to cut us short of our supply was worse. and then a person has to turn around and pay enormous prices for everything the eat and use I don't see how it can be done when we have no way of making money a person would not mind the high prices for stuff if you were making money in proportion what a relief to everyone it would be if this war would end. I don't think I have any more to write about at present I hope this will find you all in the best as we are presently what kind of a summer are ye having there its fairly good here and everything points towards a good harvest so we won't starve this year I'm sure, you know the farmers were made till a lot of there land to raise food stuffs so we won't be short this year. Hoping I shall hear from you very soon again Iremain
Your loving sister Mai.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
March 19, 1917
From: May Gleasure, Listowel, Square
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 3802]
My dear Frank,
As I have not yet heard from you since last November I write to ask if anything is wrong with you or family We are expecting from day to day to hear from you I wrote to you in January did you get the letter of course letters are very uncertain now owing to the sinking of the ships. I hope that I shall very soon hear from you We are all about the same here Hoping this finds ye all in the best Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 3802]
My dear Frank,
As I have not yet heard from you since last November I write to ask if anything is wrong with you or family We are expecting from day to day to hear from you I wrote to you in January did you get the letter of course letters are very uncertain now owing to the sinking of the ships. I hope that I shall very soon hear from you We are all about the same here Hoping this finds ye all in the best Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Monday, November 19, 2012
January 14, 1917
From: May Gleasure, Listowel, Square, Kerry
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 3849]
My dear Frank,
As we've had no letter from you for Xmas as yet I write to know if anything has happened to prevent your writing to me. I sincerely hope that nothing is wrong with yourself or family. we have being anxiously looking out from day to day but no letter so I hope you'll write by return and let us know. Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 3849]
My dear Frank,
As we've had no letter from you for Xmas as yet I write to know if anything has happened to prevent your writing to me. I sincerely hope that nothing is wrong with yourself or family. we have being anxiously looking out from day to day but no letter so I hope you'll write by return and let us know. Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Friday, November 16, 2012
November 21, 1916
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3633]
My dear Frank
A few lines to let you know I got your card yesterday morning also your letter a short time ago, I expect you've had my answer to it before this I hope the arrival of this one will find all the family and yourself quite well, we are just the same as usual here, but are witnessing some very bad weather, since the first October we've had three great floods, the river Feale over-flowing its banks to an awful extent and drowning cattle and destroying crops especially potatoes, which has made them very scarce and dear, the present price of potatoes is 14 pence a stone thats about three times as dear they would be at this time of year. Always, in fact every-thing is carrying an awful price and some things very hard to be got at any price.
How are the Kiddies getting on I do hope well especially the baby I hope she is getting strong before the winter sets in of course the little chap will be better able to rough it now than her. I should like to send him something for Xmas but the way things are going present we'll put it off for a little time until things will look brighter which will not be long I hope. The war is going on as strong as ever and no knowing when its to be over Do you still hear from your wife's brother I do hope he will come out of it successfully, it's appalling the fine men and boys that are never to come home to their people again, it would be a blessing to everyone if it were over. Annie is still without writing to you I never see such a person as she is she just simply hates writing a letter, the last letter Miss Reardon sent her is still un-answered thats about nine months ago, however I expect she will write to you before long as they say "a long threatening comes at last." Things are quite here now but you never know what to expect from them day to day, I should not like to have a repetition of what happened in the summer time I shall never forget it and the way he went on to me, I often wish to myself I were over with you, but then again I imagine I would be an awful burden to you, in case I would not get on what would I do, as you know the business I'm at is not fit for me, or in fact any other girl. and I'm not very well up in housework never having any time to practice it. I often get thoroughly disgusted with myself the way we two girls are working away the best part of our lives and not having a pound note to our name as yet getting nothing only our support and what we wear and thats very little, the only thing is to hope for better times to come. I will be finishing up for this time now and I hope to hear from you soon again I should like very much to get a letter from your wife does she ever think of writing me a few lines. I expect you were afraid that your letter did not reach me or fell into other hands but if were a thing that a letter of mine was opened other than myself there would be music I can tell you so you need not be afraid of that happening. I will now Wish you and all family A Very Happy Xmas with a Bright and Prosperous New Year to you all Iremain with love to all
Your loving Sister
Mai.
PS Let me know if you got promoted in your work.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3633]
My dear Frank
A few lines to let you know I got your card yesterday morning also your letter a short time ago, I expect you've had my answer to it before this I hope the arrival of this one will find all the family and yourself quite well, we are just the same as usual here, but are witnessing some very bad weather, since the first October we've had three great floods, the river Feale over-flowing its banks to an awful extent and drowning cattle and destroying crops especially potatoes, which has made them very scarce and dear, the present price of potatoes is 14 pence a stone thats about three times as dear they would be at this time of year. Always, in fact every-thing is carrying an awful price and some things very hard to be got at any price.
How are the Kiddies getting on I do hope well especially the baby I hope she is getting strong before the winter sets in of course the little chap will be better able to rough it now than her. I should like to send him something for Xmas but the way things are going present we'll put it off for a little time until things will look brighter which will not be long I hope. The war is going on as strong as ever and no knowing when its to be over Do you still hear from your wife's brother I do hope he will come out of it successfully, it's appalling the fine men and boys that are never to come home to their people again, it would be a blessing to everyone if it were over. Annie is still without writing to you I never see such a person as she is she just simply hates writing a letter, the last letter Miss Reardon sent her is still un-answered thats about nine months ago, however I expect she will write to you before long as they say "a long threatening comes at last." Things are quite here now but you never know what to expect from them day to day, I should not like to have a repetition of what happened in the summer time I shall never forget it and the way he went on to me, I often wish to myself I were over with you, but then again I imagine I would be an awful burden to you, in case I would not get on what would I do, as you know the business I'm at is not fit for me, or in fact any other girl. and I'm not very well up in housework never having any time to practice it. I often get thoroughly disgusted with myself the way we two girls are working away the best part of our lives and not having a pound note to our name as yet getting nothing only our support and what we wear and thats very little, the only thing is to hope for better times to come. I will be finishing up for this time now and I hope to hear from you soon again I should like very much to get a letter from your wife does she ever think of writing me a few lines. I expect you were afraid that your letter did not reach me or fell into other hands but if were a thing that a letter of mine was opened other than myself there would be music I can tell you so you need not be afraid of that happening. I will now Wish you and all family A Very Happy Xmas with a Bright and Prosperous New Year to you all Iremain with love to all
Your loving Sister
Mai.
PS Let me know if you got promoted in your work.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
October 26, 1916
From: May Gleasure, Listowel, Square, Co Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3067]
Dear Frank,
Its about time I should think about answering your last letter which I received alright. I was going to write from time to time but kept putting it off. waiting for this thing and that, anyway I wanted to tell you about how George would be circumstanced after his time being up. He has his time served since 1st September, he has not being removed from Listowel as yet, but he may be after Xmas, he is paid according to what he does and he also gets so much an hour, putting it in all he earns about 25/shilling a week sometimes, at other times 20/shilling and so on, of course if he were sent away he should get about twice that much a week but you know unaccount of his boarding at home its not so bad, he could spare a little money now while he'd be in Listowel if he had sense but I'm sorry to say he has'ent. he goes with fellows that are no company for him, and don't come in home at night at no early hour, you need not say anything in your letter about it (if you want to say anything write it on a seperate page) as Annie and I don't want to interfer let them do as they like and find out for themselves. Annie expects to go to America in the Spring. its a pity as she wasn't going this year as there were several going from the town here, she says she'll write to you in a day or two herself and tell you all and indeed its about time she were doing for herself, working away here and nothing by her time even George now that hes earing never offered her as much as a copper yet and she doing everything for him. Anyway I hope Annie will be able to get away from this place before long whatever I may do afterwards about getting away, it would be a good job for her to be leaving this place behind she never goes outside the door here not even out for a walk I often wonder how she holds inside always. of course its different for me when I'm able to rough it around a lot, I have enough told you about the trouble of this country for this time. We have very bad weather here for the past month nothing but rain all the time. The Races were not much good this year as the weather being bad as usual we did not go to them at all only the two men (boss and George). I hope the two children are quite well and strong and especially the little baby. I hope she will be quite strong before the winter will come on I think its very hard to rear children over in that country some way or other, and yourself I hope you are well over that fit you got in the summer, it must be pretty hard for you working for so many hours, its really to long for any man to work for nineteen or twenty hours a day. You spoke about Annie Dillon being living near you now do you ever see Mike or Lizzie, the old man their father is very feeble now he never comes to town at all now. Anyway there is no one to care him only a woman coming to the house doing a few jobs for him, of course any of the men are not pensioned of yet, they come to see him as often as they can and get all they can done for him. Do ye still here from your bother-in-law that was in France I hope he'll be successful and come home alright there were a lot of Listowel chaps knocked over from time to time its very sad to think about I hope it will be over very soon. I hope you'll be able to get promoted in your job before very long would it mean an easier time for you than what you have now. The big November fair will be here on Monday. next we will be pretty busy that day, all classes of cattle are an awful price in this country presently, its the farmers that are coining from this war they get just three time the money that they used to get for there cattle and stuff. and yet there sons will not go out and help to win the war. I don't think I have anything else to tell you this time. Annie will be writing to you soon I expect, but she is so slow about writing a letter I hope you'll write to me very soon again and will you send me a photo of the children some time you have it promised a long time Remembe to write soon with best love to wife and children and self Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3067]
Dear Frank,
Its about time I should think about answering your last letter which I received alright. I was going to write from time to time but kept putting it off. waiting for this thing and that, anyway I wanted to tell you about how George would be circumstanced after his time being up. He has his time served since 1st September, he has not being removed from Listowel as yet, but he may be after Xmas, he is paid according to what he does and he also gets so much an hour, putting it in all he earns about 25/shilling a week sometimes, at other times 20/shilling and so on, of course if he were sent away he should get about twice that much a week but you know unaccount of his boarding at home its not so bad, he could spare a little money now while he'd be in Listowel if he had sense but I'm sorry to say he has'ent. he goes with fellows that are no company for him, and don't come in home at night at no early hour, you need not say anything in your letter about it (if you want to say anything write it on a seperate page) as Annie and I don't want to interfer let them do as they like and find out for themselves. Annie expects to go to America in the Spring. its a pity as she wasn't going this year as there were several going from the town here, she says she'll write to you in a day or two herself and tell you all and indeed its about time she were doing for herself, working away here and nothing by her time even George now that hes earing never offered her as much as a copper yet and she doing everything for him. Anyway I hope Annie will be able to get away from this place before long whatever I may do afterwards about getting away, it would be a good job for her to be leaving this place behind she never goes outside the door here not even out for a walk I often wonder how she holds inside always. of course its different for me when I'm able to rough it around a lot, I have enough told you about the trouble of this country for this time. We have very bad weather here for the past month nothing but rain all the time. The Races were not much good this year as the weather being bad as usual we did not go to them at all only the two men (boss and George). I hope the two children are quite well and strong and especially the little baby. I hope she will be quite strong before the winter will come on I think its very hard to rear children over in that country some way or other, and yourself I hope you are well over that fit you got in the summer, it must be pretty hard for you working for so many hours, its really to long for any man to work for nineteen or twenty hours a day. You spoke about Annie Dillon being living near you now do you ever see Mike or Lizzie, the old man their father is very feeble now he never comes to town at all now. Anyway there is no one to care him only a woman coming to the house doing a few jobs for him, of course any of the men are not pensioned of yet, they come to see him as often as they can and get all they can done for him. Do ye still here from your bother-in-law that was in France I hope he'll be successful and come home alright there were a lot of Listowel chaps knocked over from time to time its very sad to think about I hope it will be over very soon. I hope you'll be able to get promoted in your job before very long would it mean an easier time for you than what you have now. The big November fair will be here on Monday. next we will be pretty busy that day, all classes of cattle are an awful price in this country presently, its the farmers that are coining from this war they get just three time the money that they used to get for there cattle and stuff. and yet there sons will not go out and help to win the war. I don't think I have anything else to tell you this time. Annie will be writing to you soon I expect, but she is so slow about writing a letter I hope you'll write to me very soon again and will you send me a photo of the children some time you have it promised a long time Remembe to write soon with best love to wife and children and self Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
August 14, 1916
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3211]
Dear Frank,
A few lines to you as I have given up hope of getting an answer to my last letter I do hope that you and family are quite well, we are just about the same here all the time We've had very warm weather here for the past three weeks it was the warmest weather I ever remember but there has being a great change for the past few days I think we are back to the wet weather again. I suppose you read all about the Irish Rebellion the newspapers, there was a great loss of trade over it for about six week owing to not being able to get any goods. especially in our trade. Annie has been very anxious to hear from you as I said before she wants to go out to you in fact she thought that she would be there before the fall of this year. but when you didn't write she did not make up her mind and there's some girls from this place going out next month she'd like to have being with them George will be out of his time in two weeks I don't know if he will be kept on in Listowel or not I may tell you he is a foolish young fellow at the start of his days. I will close now Hoping I will have an answer by return of post and Hoping that ye are all quiet well
Iremain
Your Loving Sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3211]
Dear Frank,
A few lines to you as I have given up hope of getting an answer to my last letter I do hope that you and family are quite well, we are just about the same here all the time We've had very warm weather here for the past three weeks it was the warmest weather I ever remember but there has being a great change for the past few days I think we are back to the wet weather again. I suppose you read all about the Irish Rebellion the newspapers, there was a great loss of trade over it for about six week owing to not being able to get any goods. especially in our trade. Annie has been very anxious to hear from you as I said before she wants to go out to you in fact she thought that she would be there before the fall of this year. but when you didn't write she did not make up her mind and there's some girls from this place going out next month she'd like to have being with them George will be out of his time in two weeks I don't know if he will be kept on in Listowel or not I may tell you he is a foolish young fellow at the start of his days. I will close now Hoping I will have an answer by return of post and Hoping that ye are all quiet well
Iremain
Your Loving Sister
Mai.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
April 17, 1916
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received you ever welcomed letter the week before last and was very glad at hearing from you once again I hope your wife and the baby are quite well by this time, we are all about the same as usual here. The weather here at present is not very good it has being bitterly cold since the 1st April although we had not a very bad winter this year. I'm sure you'll be very much surprised when you hear about Mrs Morris, well Frank she was the most evil-minded good for nothing person that I ever came across to put it in one word for you we had to kick her out of the house, and we're in this house a long time now and its the first time we ever had to do it to anybody. It happened on a Sunday evening the boss was out walking and Annie and I were inside with her, when all of a sudden she turned round and commenced to insult us about father and his former days we stood up for him and then she turned round on Annie and said the most horrible and cruel things about her that I ever heard said to anyone before, we ordered her out of the house and she wouldn't go for us so when the boss came in we told him he'd have to order her out that it would be either us or her inside so he told her go and she had the cheek to ask George to carry her valise up town for her but indeed we would not let him be a servant to her she was just too months staying with us at the time she left she was a week then staying up town and then she went to Dublin to her sister and we did not see or hear from her since and indeed we'd be better of if we never saw her for she told us things that I would rather never have heard and I'm very glad that anyone around here don't know what she told us. The trouble did not end there while she was here she told the boss that I told her I was going to join the catholic church and to marry a catholic fellow I was going with well if he had asked me about it while she was here I would have being able to contradict her because I never told her any such thing but instead of that he keeps it in until last week and then charges me with it and told me I was a disgrace and that he'd kick me out with out a penny do you think that anyone would put up with that. It may be the case that I may marry a catholic boy, there's one thing certain that I'll marry whom I like I don't care whom it pleases or don't. It would be far better for Annie and I to be out earning our wages for we'd have something by our time and would be independent of everybody. I don't think there are any other two girls in the country would put up with what we have to not having even a sixpence or shilling that we can call our own only whatever I chance to get in the shop myself and that's very little. Annie wants to go to America and she says she won't stop here another winter if she can help it. I want you to advise us what is best to do and will you write it on a separate sheet of paper so he would not see it when he reads the letter and don't say anything about what I've told you here except on the separate sheet I may tell you our time is not a bed of roses and I don't want to stay here much longer. I hope that before many years will pass by that we shall all be together over there again a place where we had a right to be left the first day. and it was true for you that it changed the whole course of our lives. I hope you'll write to me soon again and Hoping your wife little baby and self are all quite well Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received you ever welcomed letter the week before last and was very glad at hearing from you once again I hope your wife and the baby are quite well by this time, we are all about the same as usual here. The weather here at present is not very good it has being bitterly cold since the 1st April although we had not a very bad winter this year. I'm sure you'll be very much surprised when you hear about Mrs Morris, well Frank she was the most evil-minded good for nothing person that I ever came across to put it in one word for you we had to kick her out of the house, and we're in this house a long time now and its the first time we ever had to do it to anybody. It happened on a Sunday evening the boss was out walking and Annie and I were inside with her, when all of a sudden she turned round and commenced to insult us about father and his former days we stood up for him and then she turned round on Annie and said the most horrible and cruel things about her that I ever heard said to anyone before, we ordered her out of the house and she wouldn't go for us so when the boss came in we told him he'd have to order her out that it would be either us or her inside so he told her go and she had the cheek to ask George to carry her valise up town for her but indeed we would not let him be a servant to her she was just too months staying with us at the time she left she was a week then staying up town and then she went to Dublin to her sister and we did not see or hear from her since and indeed we'd be better of if we never saw her for she told us things that I would rather never have heard and I'm very glad that anyone around here don't know what she told us. The trouble did not end there while she was here she told the boss that I told her I was going to join the catholic church and to marry a catholic fellow I was going with well if he had asked me about it while she was here I would have being able to contradict her because I never told her any such thing but instead of that he keeps it in until last week and then charges me with it and told me I was a disgrace and that he'd kick me out with out a penny do you think that anyone would put up with that. It may be the case that I may marry a catholic boy, there's one thing certain that I'll marry whom I like I don't care whom it pleases or don't. It would be far better for Annie and I to be out earning our wages for we'd have something by our time and would be independent of everybody. I don't think there are any other two girls in the country would put up with what we have to not having even a sixpence or shilling that we can call our own only whatever I chance to get in the shop myself and that's very little. Annie wants to go to America and she says she won't stop here another winter if she can help it. I want you to advise us what is best to do and will you write it on a separate sheet of paper so he would not see it when he reads the letter and don't say anything about what I've told you here except on the separate sheet I may tell you our time is not a bed of roses and I don't want to stay here much longer. I hope that before many years will pass by that we shall all be together over there again a place where we had a right to be left the first day. and it was true for you that it changed the whole course of our lives. I hope you'll write to me soon again and Hoping your wife little baby and self are all quite well Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai
Monday, November 12, 2012
January 16, 1916
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St, Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
Just a line let you know I received your ever welcomed letter and Xmas Cards. about a fortnight ago. I was very sorry to hear you were sick I hope you have fully recovered by this also the little chap I hope he's over his fit. he must be quite a little man now, I hope you won't fail to send me that long promised photograph before long of him, I should also like to get one of yourself and wife. I am sending you one of my own takings of George and I. I wonder will you recognize the place we are taken at its down at the old pump near the river. the bridge you see is the new iron bridge they have going across the island racecourse, you can only see a part of the old pump. I had a few more to send to you but Annie asked me for them as she wants to send them to Miss Reardon as she got a letter from her a few days before Xmas and is writing to her. She told us she was living in our old house minding young children that have no parents she also said she has not seen you for a long time do you ever go out that way now, she did not mention any of the Bailys and father would like to know whether they are living or not do you know anything about them, let me know the next time you are writing. The weather has being very good here all the winter with the exception of a few heavy storms, we had to close our shop one day the storm was so bad. Father's sister is staying with us since New Year's Day, she is not a bad class of a person, she only stayed at Tullig for about a fortnight and then came in here I believe she had a kick up with them out there as short as the time was I could not find out the right root of the thing as yet, her version of the story was it was there fault but anyway we are to have her here with us until the month of May she is going back again then her husband is to come over for her about a month before she leaves She is a person that would try and boss Annie and I, if she thought it would succeed with her. I think that George will be going back to that country with her she is trying to take him anyway and he is anxious to go she says that he would get on there well with his trade and get plenty of work at it up there where she is more especially when her husband is a builder she said he could get him at work there putting this electric light as he's building them. what do you think of the idea. when she came here first she asked Annie or I to go with her back so she asked father about it and he was not for it at all and by what we can make out about her talk that the boss is for making matches for us in this country she even suggested about Annie going into a farm of land, but when she told Annie that you may say Annie gave her a bit of her mind. Don't you think we'd look nice married to an old farmer to wind up our days with him. If George will be so lucky as to get away from this old country he's alright. I should like him to go away from this place as there is so many old bummers around this old town always thats its no place for him more especially when he comes in contact with them so often. You were asking me about the people out at Tullig they are all well out there presently old Patsy Dillane has got very feeble for the last few months you know he has no one in that house with him only his brother in-law there is no woman there only a neighboring woman that comes there during the day and does a few things for him the poor man is a pity in the later end of his days with no one to look after him. his daughter Bridge lives about three or four miles away from him but she has a lot of children of her own to look after. Do you ever see any of them over there let me know when you are writing next Do you see the Buckley girls or Threvor Chute at all I sent you a little parcel for the little chap at Xmas I hope you got it alright I must send you something more useful very soon for him I think I have about all for this time when I know if George is going or not I shall let you know I suppose you'd nearly go to New York to see him as its that way they would go back. in the meantime I hope I shall have a letter from you very soon again and Hoping ye are all well with best wishes to all I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St, Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
Just a line let you know I received your ever welcomed letter and Xmas Cards. about a fortnight ago. I was very sorry to hear you were sick I hope you have fully recovered by this also the little chap I hope he's over his fit. he must be quite a little man now, I hope you won't fail to send me that long promised photograph before long of him, I should also like to get one of yourself and wife. I am sending you one of my own takings of George and I. I wonder will you recognize the place we are taken at its down at the old pump near the river. the bridge you see is the new iron bridge they have going across the island racecourse, you can only see a part of the old pump. I had a few more to send to you but Annie asked me for them as she wants to send them to Miss Reardon as she got a letter from her a few days before Xmas and is writing to her. She told us she was living in our old house minding young children that have no parents she also said she has not seen you for a long time do you ever go out that way now, she did not mention any of the Bailys and father would like to know whether they are living or not do you know anything about them, let me know the next time you are writing. The weather has being very good here all the winter with the exception of a few heavy storms, we had to close our shop one day the storm was so bad. Father's sister is staying with us since New Year's Day, she is not a bad class of a person, she only stayed at Tullig for about a fortnight and then came in here I believe she had a kick up with them out there as short as the time was I could not find out the right root of the thing as yet, her version of the story was it was there fault but anyway we are to have her here with us until the month of May she is going back again then her husband is to come over for her about a month before she leaves She is a person that would try and boss Annie and I, if she thought it would succeed with her. I think that George will be going back to that country with her she is trying to take him anyway and he is anxious to go she says that he would get on there well with his trade and get plenty of work at it up there where she is more especially when her husband is a builder she said he could get him at work there putting this electric light as he's building them. what do you think of the idea. when she came here first she asked Annie or I to go with her back so she asked father about it and he was not for it at all and by what we can make out about her talk that the boss is for making matches for us in this country she even suggested about Annie going into a farm of land, but when she told Annie that you may say Annie gave her a bit of her mind. Don't you think we'd look nice married to an old farmer to wind up our days with him. If George will be so lucky as to get away from this old country he's alright. I should like him to go away from this place as there is so many old bummers around this old town always thats its no place for him more especially when he comes in contact with them so often. You were asking me about the people out at Tullig they are all well out there presently old Patsy Dillane has got very feeble for the last few months you know he has no one in that house with him only his brother in-law there is no woman there only a neighboring woman that comes there during the day and does a few things for him the poor man is a pity in the later end of his days with no one to look after him. his daughter Bridge lives about three or four miles away from him but she has a lot of children of her own to look after. Do you ever see any of them over there let me know when you are writing next Do you see the Buckley girls or Threvor Chute at all I sent you a little parcel for the little chap at Xmas I hope you got it alright I must send you something more useful very soon for him I think I have about all for this time when I know if George is going or not I shall let you know I suppose you'd nearly go to New York to see him as its that way they would go back. in the meantime I hope I shall have a letter from you very soon again and Hoping ye are all well with best wishes to all I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Friday, November 9, 2012
December 1, 1915
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry, Ire.
To: Mrs. Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Thresa,
Just a few lines to wish you Frank and baby a Happy Xmas and hoping you all shall enjoy a Bright New Year I was expecting a letter from you for a long time I hope you'll write a few lines to me for Xmas. I suppose you have trouble some times with the little chap more especially when he will be commencing to walk but I suppose its time for him to be walking now. I have often asked Frank to send me a Photo of him, I hope you try and make him get one taken for us. I expect ye have the winter weather over there now, it has commenced here long ago we had a big storm early last month but for the last three week we have frosty weather I like the frost best it is so dry but its a bit cold I may tell you except you were moving around. I will close now by again wishing you all A Happy Xmas and don't fail to write me a few lines and let me know all about the baby. I remain
Yours loving sister-in-law
Mai.
To: Mrs. Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Thresa,
Just a few lines to wish you Frank and baby a Happy Xmas and hoping you all shall enjoy a Bright New Year I was expecting a letter from you for a long time I hope you'll write a few lines to me for Xmas. I suppose you have trouble some times with the little chap more especially when he will be commencing to walk but I suppose its time for him to be walking now. I have often asked Frank to send me a Photo of him, I hope you try and make him get one taken for us. I expect ye have the winter weather over there now, it has commenced here long ago we had a big storm early last month but for the last three week we have frosty weather I like the frost best it is so dry but its a bit cold I may tell you except you were moving around. I will close now by again wishing you all A Happy Xmas and don't fail to write me a few lines and let me know all about the baby. I remain
Yours loving sister-in-law
Mai.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
November 29, 1915
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
A few lines hoping they will find you and family all well, I was going to write to you for the past month but I said then I'd wait until I'd write for Xmas you know I have to do my Xmas writing a bit early unaccount of the rush for Xmas in the shop I don't have a minute to spare sometimes and we are so shorthanded, all the same I would not care to have any more bar-tenders with us because you have to be there yourself with them so its just as good to do what you have to do yourself any way those apprentices are an awful bother coming in out of the country they are so stupid you couldn't learn some of them nothing. How are you doing ever since I do hope well, and how is the little chap getting on he must be getting to be quite strong by this let me know about him when you are writing I am looking out for something for him for Xmas, it will be only a little token this time as I needn't tell you what kind of times we have here in Ireland at the present time you would be surprised at the price of stuff. I intended making some things myself for him all the summer but time slipped by so quickly but after the rush of Xmas I won't forget I have a nephew across the waters. Father's sister Mrs Morris is coming home in fact she could be landed in Dublin this week, she never wrote and told us she was coming but I had a letter from her husband saying she was sailing and that she would be in Liverpool on the 21st inst. but we have not heard from her as yet perhaps she got nervous and turned back again you know she made an attempt to come home before like that and when she came as far as New York she got afraid and would not venture at that time Adam went to Queenstown to meet her and was there two or three days waiting for her, it may be the same this time. I'd like if she came all the same she might steal me back with her. I would love to go across but there's no good in having those notions in my head as father could not do without me here at home. I got those papers and two books of music all right the music was very nice. I was at a Ball last Sunday night and had a lovely time and by mere luck the boss let me go he is very severe as far as pleasure is concerned he never lets us go anywhere like that but I insisted on going to this one. Have you got any Photo's of the little chap taken yet why don't you get one and send it over long ago you promised me one and you never send it since. George is doing splendid at his business he has only ten months more and then his time will be up, by the way he got three letters from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland asking him to join the ranks all the boys of military age got them for the past month, it is to be feared that they will have to press for men in the finish. I am just after getting a letter from Mrs Morris from Dublin saying she will be in Kerry tomorrow so she arrived after all. I shall write you a few lines again when I see her and tell you about her, I hope she'll have lots of money. I hope you'll send me a good long letter the next time and I'm patiently waiting still for the letter from your wife Ido hope she'll write to me for Xmas. if it were only a few lines I would be delighted to get them. I have nothing more to say this time but I shall write a few lines again to you in the course of a week or ten days. I shall be also sending you something for the baby hope you'll get it all right. I will now say Goodbye for this time hoping this will find you all well and Wishing you all A Very Happy Xmas and a Bright New Year I remain
Your Loving Sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
A few lines hoping they will find you and family all well, I was going to write to you for the past month but I said then I'd wait until I'd write for Xmas you know I have to do my Xmas writing a bit early unaccount of the rush for Xmas in the shop I don't have a minute to spare sometimes and we are so shorthanded, all the same I would not care to have any more bar-tenders with us because you have to be there yourself with them so its just as good to do what you have to do yourself any way those apprentices are an awful bother coming in out of the country they are so stupid you couldn't learn some of them nothing. How are you doing ever since I do hope well, and how is the little chap getting on he must be getting to be quite strong by this let me know about him when you are writing I am looking out for something for him for Xmas, it will be only a little token this time as I needn't tell you what kind of times we have here in Ireland at the present time you would be surprised at the price of stuff. I intended making some things myself for him all the summer but time slipped by so quickly but after the rush of Xmas I won't forget I have a nephew across the waters. Father's sister Mrs Morris is coming home in fact she could be landed in Dublin this week, she never wrote and told us she was coming but I had a letter from her husband saying she was sailing and that she would be in Liverpool on the 21st inst. but we have not heard from her as yet perhaps she got nervous and turned back again you know she made an attempt to come home before like that and when she came as far as New York she got afraid and would not venture at that time Adam went to Queenstown to meet her and was there two or three days waiting for her, it may be the same this time. I'd like if she came all the same she might steal me back with her. I would love to go across but there's no good in having those notions in my head as father could not do without me here at home. I got those papers and two books of music all right the music was very nice. I was at a Ball last Sunday night and had a lovely time and by mere luck the boss let me go he is very severe as far as pleasure is concerned he never lets us go anywhere like that but I insisted on going to this one. Have you got any Photo's of the little chap taken yet why don't you get one and send it over long ago you promised me one and you never send it since. George is doing splendid at his business he has only ten months more and then his time will be up, by the way he got three letters from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland asking him to join the ranks all the boys of military age got them for the past month, it is to be feared that they will have to press for men in the finish. I am just after getting a letter from Mrs Morris from Dublin saying she will be in Kerry tomorrow so she arrived after all. I shall write you a few lines again when I see her and tell you about her, I hope she'll have lots of money. I hope you'll send me a good long letter the next time and I'm patiently waiting still for the letter from your wife Ido hope she'll write to me for Xmas. if it were only a few lines I would be delighted to get them. I have nothing more to say this time but I shall write a few lines again to you in the course of a week or ten days. I shall be also sending you something for the baby hope you'll get it all right. I will now say Goodbye for this time hoping this will find you all well and Wishing you all A Very Happy Xmas and a Bright New Year I remain
Your Loving Sister
Mai.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
September 16, 1915
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry. Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter about a week ago and was very glad at hearing from you once again, I was thinking of writing to you this time back but I thought I'd get a letter from you every day.
I am very glad to hear that ye are all well we are about the same over here, the weather is commencing to get wet again now its an awful place for rain here although we had a fairly good summer only the month of July being very showery. Ye must have a splendid time at the sea-side its well for ye there is no such luck for us here at home. I was out at Ballybunion a few Sundays during the summer, there was not much people staying out there this year unaccount of the war, this war has upset this country to an awful extent, and its feared it will be worse I am sure they will tax our trade again that is spirits and beer all so tobacco and tea parliament is to be going on this week and we'll know it then. Do you think the Americans will go to war at all, I suppose they hardly will to say they did not do so before this.
I did not get those papers or music yet I hope you won't forget them, and the next time you will be getting me any music if you got a book of songs (it dosen't matter whether its a hard or paper cover, the paper cover is just as good and comes out cheaper) the books are a lot better then the sheet music and then you have to pay so much for each of those sheets and you would get fine songs in the books I allways look out for the books here at home myself, is there any chance you would be able to get me a book of "Waltzes" I am not able to get a good selection of Waltzes here at home so I hope you will look out for them over there for me. George is working away very hard at his trade he is going ahead alright with it he has only twelve months more to serve now. Tom Dillane got married this summer, do you ever see any of his sisters now or do you come across Mike at all. I wonder did they hear of Tom's marriage. I was up at Cork City on Sunday last I suppose you are surprised to say I was let you bet it was a surprise to myself to say he let me go, it was a football match that was going on between Kerry and Cork. I'd do anything to see a football match especially when it would be the famous Kerry team. We are looking forward now to the Races they are to be on the 12th & 13th October. I never go to them I have to stop and mind the business everyone of the rest of them go out to them. I have not being at them for 9 years now. I heard that Mary Buckley is going back to America again this month did you hear her sisters saying anything about it. I don't think I have anymore to write about just at present Hoping I will hear from you very soon again and don't forget to send the music if you can I will now close with best wishes to self and family I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter about a week ago and was very glad at hearing from you once again, I was thinking of writing to you this time back but I thought I'd get a letter from you every day.
I am very glad to hear that ye are all well we are about the same over here, the weather is commencing to get wet again now its an awful place for rain here although we had a fairly good summer only the month of July being very showery. Ye must have a splendid time at the sea-side its well for ye there is no such luck for us here at home. I was out at Ballybunion a few Sundays during the summer, there was not much people staying out there this year unaccount of the war, this war has upset this country to an awful extent, and its feared it will be worse I am sure they will tax our trade again that is spirits and beer all so tobacco and tea parliament is to be going on this week and we'll know it then. Do you think the Americans will go to war at all, I suppose they hardly will to say they did not do so before this.
I did not get those papers or music yet I hope you won't forget them, and the next time you will be getting me any music if you got a book of songs (it dosen't matter whether its a hard or paper cover, the paper cover is just as good and comes out cheaper) the books are a lot better then the sheet music and then you have to pay so much for each of those sheets and you would get fine songs in the books I allways look out for the books here at home myself, is there any chance you would be able to get me a book of "Waltzes" I am not able to get a good selection of Waltzes here at home so I hope you will look out for them over there for me. George is working away very hard at his trade he is going ahead alright with it he has only twelve months more to serve now. Tom Dillane got married this summer, do you ever see any of his sisters now or do you come across Mike at all. I wonder did they hear of Tom's marriage. I was up at Cork City on Sunday last I suppose you are surprised to say I was let you bet it was a surprise to myself to say he let me go, it was a football match that was going on between Kerry and Cork. I'd do anything to see a football match especially when it would be the famous Kerry team. We are looking forward now to the Races they are to be on the 12th & 13th October. I never go to them I have to stop and mind the business everyone of the rest of them go out to them. I have not being at them for 9 years now. I heard that Mary Buckley is going back to America again this month did you hear her sisters saying anything about it. I don't think I have anymore to write about just at present Hoping I will hear from you very soon again and don't forget to send the music if you can I will now close with best wishes to self and family I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
May 21, 1915
From: May Gleasure, Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few weeks ago and was very glad to hear from you once again, we were very sorry to hear you buried another little baby, as you say its very hard to rear young children especially in that country, if they came to the age of two years they could be easier managed, I hope the other little chap is getting on alright. We are all about the same way here all the time. business is a bit backward owing to the advane on beer, we come very near being ruined in our business they advanced the beer & spirits again last month but it was taken off again, and it was well that it was as I don't think anybody would pay one shilling for a glass of whiskey or seven pence for a pint of stout, every kind of provision is raised to twice the price it used to be We had the Big May fair here last week it was a very good business day and we done very well. George is getting on alright at his business you would be surprised all he has learned about it, if he sticks at it for the two years he will be very good but to tell you the truth he has foolish notions sometimes of course you need not meantion it in any of your letters, he fell into company with some town lads early last summer and they did not serve him to well I'm sure, but he has dropped them since and is better without them. Several young men from Listowel have joined the army including Jack Dowling he has joined with the last month, since he came home he has done nothing only bum around only working for a day or perhaps only for a few hours to get the price of a spree now and again, there are also some fellow from Listowel held as German prisoners one of them is Tom Grogan I think you knew his sister as you mentioned her one time in your letters (Annie Grogan) there are not many corner boys (as we call them) in Listowel now the poor fellows were nearly all knocked out at the front its an awful war and it would be no harm if it came to an end Wasn't the Lusitania crime something awful did you know any of the people that were on it, there were two girls from Ballybunion went down with it Wallis was their name Frank Buckley and his brother and several girls from the town here were to be going back on her the following week they were very glad that they escaped the disaster its very dangerous for anyone to go across now. What about those papers you said you'd send me I hope you'll send a few when you get this also a few music sheets as you promised. Have you any Photo's of any of the children we would be very glad to have some of them also of yourself and wife, I have being expecting a letter from her all this time back I hope she'll write soon, I suppose all her time is taken up with the little chap. and more especially as you are out all day. I must send you a few Photos the next time I'm writing As I have no more of intrest to write about for this time I will close Hoping this will find you and all quite well. Annie & George wishes to be remembered to you With all good wishes for the future I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
P.S. Hope you will write very soon again and also I hope you won't forget the papers. Goodbye.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few weeks ago and was very glad to hear from you once again, we were very sorry to hear you buried another little baby, as you say its very hard to rear young children especially in that country, if they came to the age of two years they could be easier managed, I hope the other little chap is getting on alright. We are all about the same way here all the time. business is a bit backward owing to the advane on beer, we come very near being ruined in our business they advanced the beer & spirits again last month but it was taken off again, and it was well that it was as I don't think anybody would pay one shilling for a glass of whiskey or seven pence for a pint of stout, every kind of provision is raised to twice the price it used to be We had the Big May fair here last week it was a very good business day and we done very well. George is getting on alright at his business you would be surprised all he has learned about it, if he sticks at it for the two years he will be very good but to tell you the truth he has foolish notions sometimes of course you need not meantion it in any of your letters, he fell into company with some town lads early last summer and they did not serve him to well I'm sure, but he has dropped them since and is better without them. Several young men from Listowel have joined the army including Jack Dowling he has joined with the last month, since he came home he has done nothing only bum around only working for a day or perhaps only for a few hours to get the price of a spree now and again, there are also some fellow from Listowel held as German prisoners one of them is Tom Grogan I think you knew his sister as you mentioned her one time in your letters (Annie Grogan) there are not many corner boys (as we call them) in Listowel now the poor fellows were nearly all knocked out at the front its an awful war and it would be no harm if it came to an end Wasn't the Lusitania crime something awful did you know any of the people that were on it, there were two girls from Ballybunion went down with it Wallis was their name Frank Buckley and his brother and several girls from the town here were to be going back on her the following week they were very glad that they escaped the disaster its very dangerous for anyone to go across now. What about those papers you said you'd send me I hope you'll send a few when you get this also a few music sheets as you promised. Have you any Photo's of any of the children we would be very glad to have some of them also of yourself and wife, I have being expecting a letter from her all this time back I hope she'll write soon, I suppose all her time is taken up with the little chap. and more especially as you are out all day. I must send you a few Photos the next time I'm writing As I have no more of intrest to write about for this time I will close Hoping this will find you and all quite well. Annie & George wishes to be remembered to you With all good wishes for the future I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
P.S. Hope you will write very soon again and also I hope you won't forget the papers. Goodbye.
Monday, November 5, 2012
February 2, 1915
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
My dear Frank
I received your most welcomed letter a few week ago and was so glad at hearing from you once again I am glad to hear that ye are all well over there we are all quite well here at present. The weather here is very bad I don't think it has stopped raining here for the last three months, we've had very little frost this winter, what kind is it over there. You will be kept quite busy now with the two little boys they are very troublesome when they are young, but I hope this little boy will not be as troublesome as the last. Is the other able to walk yet he must be very near it now. I was thinking of sending a little present to him this time back but owing to the war it is not safe to be sending things through the post however I will do it very soon. George is getting on very well at his business his manager likes him so well he wanted to take him to Cork to another Electric Light station he has there but father did not like to let him go so soon, Business is not very good at present in Listowel. the late tax that was put on the beer has spoiled the trade, I'm afraid it will knock out a share of the Lisint houses in Listowel before very long. Do you like to be doing night work I'm sure it would be more dangerous than day work but I suppose you must put up with it for awhile. I hope your wife is quite strong and well again by this you must tell her write to me she has promised to do it this long time, but a person with a young family has not much time for writing letters I'm sure. Do you ever get any newspapers now send me on any old ones if you have them as you know I'm in the shop all day and I would like to have something to read or if you had any old story books, I find the time very long sometimes when I've nothing to do. I hope you'll write more often than you used we always like to hear from you even if it were only a few lines. I hope this letter will find you all doing well I will now close for this time Hoping to hear from you soon again Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
My dear Frank
I received your most welcomed letter a few week ago and was so glad at hearing from you once again I am glad to hear that ye are all well over there we are all quite well here at present. The weather here is very bad I don't think it has stopped raining here for the last three months, we've had very little frost this winter, what kind is it over there. You will be kept quite busy now with the two little boys they are very troublesome when they are young, but I hope this little boy will not be as troublesome as the last. Is the other able to walk yet he must be very near it now. I was thinking of sending a little present to him this time back but owing to the war it is not safe to be sending things through the post however I will do it very soon. George is getting on very well at his business his manager likes him so well he wanted to take him to Cork to another Electric Light station he has there but father did not like to let him go so soon, Business is not very good at present in Listowel. the late tax that was put on the beer has spoiled the trade, I'm afraid it will knock out a share of the Lisint houses in Listowel before very long. Do you like to be doing night work I'm sure it would be more dangerous than day work but I suppose you must put up with it for awhile. I hope your wife is quite strong and well again by this you must tell her write to me she has promised to do it this long time, but a person with a young family has not much time for writing letters I'm sure. Do you ever get any newspapers now send me on any old ones if you have them as you know I'm in the shop all day and I would like to have something to read or if you had any old story books, I find the time very long sometimes when I've nothing to do. I hope you'll write more often than you used we always like to hear from you even if it were only a few lines. I hope this letter will find you all doing well I will now close for this time Hoping to hear from you soon again Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Friday, November 2, 2012
November 30, 1914
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
Just a few lines hoping they will find you and the family all well, I have being expecting a letter from you all this time back but was rather disappointed at not hearing from you I wrote to you a couple of months ago I hope you got the letter alright. We have the real winter weather here once again I expect its the same over there, there's a lot of rain falls here through the winter we get very little frost or snow. How is the little baby now I hope he is quite strong by this, he must be nearly able to walk by this, I must send him something for Xmas one of these days. Did Father Paul call to see you on his return journey, he got your address here and said if he had time he would call on you. What do you think of the war, it is effecting this country very much the prices of good have raised very much and our line of business is done up altogether since they put the tax on the beer and stout. George is getting on very well at the Electric business he seems to like it alright, but I'm nearly always in the shop now I have very little time to myself. Do you get any newspapers now if you have any old ones I hope you'll send us some as we are rather short of something to read, Annie and I like the Boston Sunday Globes, you used to send us a newspaper with some music printed on it if you have any of those send them for me as I'm mad about all kinds of music and especially nice songs, I have a big selection of songs but I like to be getting something new all the time. Why dosen't your wife ever write to me I have being expecting a letter all this time back from her. I hope she'll write to me for Xmas, and yourself also. Annie said she would write to you one of these days but she would say that and then she'd put it off from day to day she is a very bad corrospendent I'm afraid the Races in Listowel were not much good this year as the weather was very bad for them. As I have no more news for this time I will close up. Hoping to hear from you before very long and Wishing both you and wife a Very Happy Xmas and a bright New Year
From Your Loving Sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
Just a few lines hoping they will find you and the family all well, I have being expecting a letter from you all this time back but was rather disappointed at not hearing from you I wrote to you a couple of months ago I hope you got the letter alright. We have the real winter weather here once again I expect its the same over there, there's a lot of rain falls here through the winter we get very little frost or snow. How is the little baby now I hope he is quite strong by this, he must be nearly able to walk by this, I must send him something for Xmas one of these days. Did Father Paul call to see you on his return journey, he got your address here and said if he had time he would call on you. What do you think of the war, it is effecting this country very much the prices of good have raised very much and our line of business is done up altogether since they put the tax on the beer and stout. George is getting on very well at the Electric business he seems to like it alright, but I'm nearly always in the shop now I have very little time to myself. Do you get any newspapers now if you have any old ones I hope you'll send us some as we are rather short of something to read, Annie and I like the Boston Sunday Globes, you used to send us a newspaper with some music printed on it if you have any of those send them for me as I'm mad about all kinds of music and especially nice songs, I have a big selection of songs but I like to be getting something new all the time. Why dosen't your wife ever write to me I have being expecting a letter all this time back from her. I hope she'll write to me for Xmas, and yourself also. Annie said she would write to you one of these days but she would say that and then she'd put it off from day to day she is a very bad corrospendent I'm afraid the Races in Listowel were not much good this year as the weather was very bad for them. As I have no more news for this time I will close up. Hoping to hear from you before very long and Wishing both you and wife a Very Happy Xmas and a bright New Year
From Your Loving Sister
Mai.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
October 17, 1914
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I suppose you have given up all hope of ever hearing from me again, its such a long time since I wrote to you. I don't know what happened to me this time I wrote two or three letters and tore them up again. I have not as as much time as I used because George is working now he is learning the Electric business here in town he is bound for two years and had to pay a fee of L60 pounds. Father don't like the idea of him not getting any pay for two years, George was commencing to grow very careless to tell you the truth about him but you need not say anything about it when you are writing and he wasn't keeping the best of company but he's steady since he got the job. he is at it since the 17th August. so you'll see that I haven't very much time now to myself as I'm in the shop from morn to night. How are ye all getting on since I do hope well and how is the little baby, I hope that he is quite strong by this, we are all about the same over here. Did Father Paul Dillon call to see you he asked me for your address he said he would go to see you he was at home for a couple of months What do you think of the war that is going on it is effecting this country very much unaccount of the way that the price of everything is gone up. We had the races here last week they were not much good this year as the weather was bad the first day. I see one of the Buckley girls at home but I wasn't speaking to her as yet she was at the sea-side for the summer and has only just returned. We had a fairly fine summer here this year I never go anywhere for my holidays now I can't even go away for a Sunday as father is so cranky he wouldn't have done talking for a week after What about those Photos you promised me I hope you won't forget them. Do you ever get any music in the newspapers now like you used to send me some time ago. One of the Buckley girls that lives next door to us dropped dead about a month ago she had heart failour her name was Lily but I suppose you hardly remember her now. her brother Frank is at home from New York for the last two months. I was expecting a letter from your wife this time back I hope she'll write to me soon remind her of it. I don't think I have any more to say for this time only I hope you'll forgive me for not answering your letter sooner Besure and answer this as soon as you can and let us know if Paul called to see you. Hoping this will find you all in good health
Iremain
Ever your loving sister
Mai.
Besure and tell your wife to write me a few lines.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I suppose you have given up all hope of ever hearing from me again, its such a long time since I wrote to you. I don't know what happened to me this time I wrote two or three letters and tore them up again. I have not as as much time as I used because George is working now he is learning the Electric business here in town he is bound for two years and had to pay a fee of L60 pounds. Father don't like the idea of him not getting any pay for two years, George was commencing to grow very careless to tell you the truth about him but you need not say anything about it when you are writing and he wasn't keeping the best of company but he's steady since he got the job. he is at it since the 17th August. so you'll see that I haven't very much time now to myself as I'm in the shop from morn to night. How are ye all getting on since I do hope well and how is the little baby, I hope that he is quite strong by this, we are all about the same over here. Did Father Paul Dillon call to see you he asked me for your address he said he would go to see you he was at home for a couple of months What do you think of the war that is going on it is effecting this country very much unaccount of the way that the price of everything is gone up. We had the races here last week they were not much good this year as the weather was bad the first day. I see one of the Buckley girls at home but I wasn't speaking to her as yet she was at the sea-side for the summer and has only just returned. We had a fairly fine summer here this year I never go anywhere for my holidays now I can't even go away for a Sunday as father is so cranky he wouldn't have done talking for a week after What about those Photos you promised me I hope you won't forget them. Do you ever get any music in the newspapers now like you used to send me some time ago. One of the Buckley girls that lives next door to us dropped dead about a month ago she had heart failour her name was Lily but I suppose you hardly remember her now. her brother Frank is at home from New York for the last two months. I was expecting a letter from your wife this time back I hope she'll write to me soon remind her of it. I don't think I have any more to say for this time only I hope you'll forgive me for not answering your letter sooner Besure and answer this as soon as you can and let us know if Paul called to see you. Hoping this will find you all in good health
Iremain
Ever your loving sister
Mai.
Besure and tell your wife to write me a few lines.
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