1 Togherstown Ballinea Mullingar Co W Meath 29th May 1916 My dearest James, Very many thanks for your letter of yesterday
and today you are very good to write so often I must
give you something nice for your goodness in that way
when I see you. We had Fr Donellon this morning with Mass he brought
me 'my papers' too he had your name on it- Jacobo
he called you wasn't that a shame. I asked Nano about brooch, she only laughed
but I think she'd like red stones, she said tho' what
ever you liked yourself I think I'd prefer a fancy
bracelet (chain) to a solid one, and about the size of the ring I'm
afraid you will have to send me a card I don't see any
other way I suppose it would not do to send a porter
bottle that was the only suggestion Nano could
make. The poor British seem to be getting enough
of it at present how ever it will end will the
subjects have to pay the piper of course they
are doing so already but if the land is taxed it will leave 2 all trade going east. I was yesterday evening standing outside
of the door when I saw a lady coming walking up the avenue
who was it but Jocie Casey she had left Miss & Mrs Moran
at the gate we were glad to see her, she gave us a particular
invitation to go over before I'd get married I never saw a girl
to improve in appearance dress & manner as much as Jocie in fact
I never saw her well-dressed before she had been to see
Agnes (Mrs Nicholas Duffy) She didn't call to see John or
Mary said they thought themselves too grand for her and Annie
the nun in Cork didn't write to her for Christmas, too grand also,
in that case it's the grand that are to be pitied more than
the common. I am going to Mullingar tomorrow to see about dress
I'll see about car for you how long would you want
it for would it take the day what time would we
want to leave this about? Johnnie heard nothing since. Gerald heard talking
of the French being beaten at Verdun, he was afterwards
seen trespassing in the hall with a dirty spade, when
he was asked where he was bound for he said to bury
the Allies. A big undertaking. I don't think I have any news so I'll finish with
warmest love & kisses from your loving May 3 I could not get a chance of
posting this. It's by old time
the boys stop work they are at a particular & ugly job
now shearing so I hope
my poor little man won't
be disappointed too much.
I was thinking since your
present I won't seem like
a present at all still I think
there is nothing I could get you
would like or want if you
could suggest anything I would
like to get it but if you would
only like the pin it would
be better get it yourself for
I am afraid I would not know
much about such a thing Writing at the top left-hand corner.