Knocknalomon
August 28, 1922

My dear Hub

Well the lights are turned on once again. Oh, but it did feel good to get a letter after 17 days. Mother was to Millstreet on Friday last 25[th] and came with such good news saying the mail bags had arrived so right away we set out for Rathmore and took the children along for the drive. Mike was driver.

I must tell you of my find. Four letters from Hub and 2 bundles of papers; 2 letters and postal from Anna. Your last letter dated August 7th so none of them were lost. The orders were safe 10£ in one to 2£ in another. You must have guessed I was broke. I don't know how you can keep it up. Your 46$ and more at intervals.

Your letters of August 11 and 12th are due but being that things are so upset, I don't worry about the mails now. It seemed as thought I didn't have a friend in the world since the mails stopped coming.

So we are promised they will arrive daily by motor, there are no trains running as yet and don't know how soon it is. Three weeks since we saw the last one. Everything is hard hit here; we are right in the heart of war now. I don't know how soon it will end. One is afraid to go any place. Quite some trouble around but we are fortunate to be out of the way and not near the towns or villages. My, but it was good to get a paper and some news from Ireland in it as we don't get any papers, either. It was a feast for me to sit and read them yesterday not forgetting the ads, Macy's included. Everything looked so good, oh, how I wish I could fly back.

We are all keeping well and happy, thank God. The children improving each day. Sheila and Nancy are quite some chums, but Nancy is stingy with the toys and Sheila beats her. Makes believe she can hit hard at times and then the fun begins. They have had quite a few nice drives in the pony & trap, weather permitting. Yesterday a week ago we went through Millstreet up Mount Leader, through Balaugh Mountain, down the mountain road to Geraus along Rathduane to Inchabeg and up home to Sandy's, which covered about 18 miles or more in 3-1/2 hours and the day was just beautiful. Sheila starts to sing as we start off.

So rest assured they enjoy it but Nancy believes in being all dressed up, even curls, then Sheila wants "curly kew" she says. She would make you laugh at her cute sayings, buggies for ducks, & "coo" is the first one she calls in the morning, not "Dad da" any more. I am sorry you can't watch her grow. Save her high chair. She has none here but she rests in her rocking horse at times, but loves that pile of sand and says "Ma ma cakey." And then again she writes on a slate and says "P. P." She don't take milk from the bottle any more only Nancy's silver mug and you got to fill it about 10 times and no more didies to wash. She wears panties now like her Mom. So you see she is no more a baby.

Well, and Mrs. Courtney had it she can have it her hands are full now with both. Thanks ever so much for all your money and telling me be good to myself. You were never mean or stingy. I am so glad you got a raise. Providence is good to you and there is a dear old Lady in Ireland praying for you, too.

Money goes far in U.S.A. compared to Ireland nowadays. In all you send to me I still have to deny myself lots of things. I can't live anything like I did in my own home and don't expect to while I am here but I am well satisfied for a while but Hub dear take a tip from me and a double one from your brother Birt about living in England for some time if prices are near anything like they are in Ireland we would only exist, so I am very glad we did not leave our home go and expect to be back with you soon again.

Well what do you think of me now after all I have said? Only some more of my hot headedness. I guess you will say, "well, I will leave you do the planning from now on as you are the wisest and sees farthest so let's hope for the best anyhow. I am glad you went to see Mary and Joe and pleased to know the baby improved. I bet Bert enjoyed Broadway. Say you won't get me to stick in the house so much when I get back.

I am going to get more out of life take a show in, etc. Well, have you seen Ern by this time poor Eleanore and no vacation for her. I think she would not stick in Ireland very long too dead here. I expect to get my Victrolia [sic] soon sorry I didn't get it first thing, but I kept waiting to see how I could manage best and their [sic] service was cut off from England so now I expect to get one in Cork if they are not out of measure high same as the oil store 7£ I was greedy alright and to rob you of all your nice records which I guess you would liked to have now that Birt is with you but never mind.

You didn't say if everybody got the raise. Well the summer is over I expect and are not you glad? Did it take much effect on Birt, his first? Well I think I have given you all news. Will write you again for Friday's mail. Let it be on the road anyway. I believe both your letters went out together. One I didn't call a letter so did not give it a number. I know you had the news about the delay. How is poor Shewane? I am writing her also. I know she is glad Sep[tember] is near at hand. Well will now close with lots of love & kisses from your three big girls in Ireland.

Ever your loving wife,
Belle
xxx  Nancy
xxx  Sheila
xxx
xxx  Ma Ma

Knocknalomon
August 31, 1922

My dear Hub

Here is an answer to your letter No. 31. I have counted up mine again so I will call this my No. 22. Let me know if I am right with your counting. I do not call that second last one I sent you a letter with the Congratulations on so I am out on the counting correct me. I also received the box of chocolates mailed July 21st with 10d postage due. I guess they meant custom duty but I did not pay it yet as they got to show me where its postage due as Anna or you put on 24 [cents] stamps so all have turned up except the moth proof package and don't send any more chocolates. I don't want them yet. Hold of them we are all going on fine T. G. I was to Millstreet today to get my money cashed in the Bank. None in the Post Office as yet the old age pensioners are hard hit.

Sheila and Nancy were delighted with the chocolates. The heat did not do them any good. A little crushed. I brought them some Australian oranges for 5d each. Small but juicy. Things are about the same. More roads broken up on the way to Macroon. No oats to be had at Linchans so Moll must do with the green oats from the garden and she is fortunate in having it. Yes you bet I have a curry comb and brush for her and I even paid 8d for oil for the harness. I blew myself to a bottle of ink. You can see the evidence. I lost out on my Guinesses until things are on full swing again. Thanks ever so much for all your money 2£ more in last letter. I would soon starve here if it not for you. Oh, the poverty of Ireland's poor. No, my dear, don't send me any more than the 2£ a week. I will try and live within that. I expect to get a bonham tomorrow and fatten her up to kill for bacon.

I have not bought a bit of fresh meat in a month for one reason if you buy a steak here they cut it off the leg and it cost you about 4S and mother & Mike prefers salt meat and cabbage and the kiddies like chicken so I lose out. Well I got mine anyhow the cuckoo just struck 7 p.m. She is a great time keeper.

You would just freeze out this evening so cool. I almost forgot to tell you our dog Bell had 6 little ones 2 weeks ago. We kept one each for Nancy and Sheila and let the others go with the river. So they are having the time of their life with the pups down in the hay. I believe no pups ever had such care and such good nurses. They will have lots of fun when they can run after them. Well, so Shewane have [sic] left. I had a letter from her yesterday. I hope she will like it. It is convenient to her.

I want to write to Mary until I get some stamps. It looks bad enough when you got to pay the postage rate on your own letters. Let me know how is living in England. I doubt if it costs Bert's wife 2£ a week to live on altho I have no rent or fring to buy gas or potatoes, milk, or cabbage but still my money goes. Sugar today 8d per lb. I could only buy 4 lbs. where I did my shopping and the cheapest tea 3S-2d; a bar of soap 2S-0d and every thing else high. So Mary Courtney reminds you of Sheila well I believe Sheila is twice her size has plenty to say but no gaudy legs. Her color is more of Lillian Lewis' so you can just picture her in Flannery doing duty around the ferry. Do you ever see Whitie or has any body asked you when I am coming back? So Mrs. Body must vacate. Let her go up to the shanty now. Well I will close with lots of love and kisses from your three big girls.

Ever your loving wife,
Belle

xxx  Nancy
xxx  Sheila
xxx
xxx  Ma Ma

23 Skidoo

Knocknalomon
September 7th, 1922

My dear Hub

I received your three letters on Tuesday this week Nos. 32, 33, 34. Money order for 2£ enclosed. Many thanks. The mails were delayed a few days. I know you must have been disappointed being two weeks without a letter, perhaps longer. It is great cheer indeed to get your letters with such good news all the time. Keep it up old is this Lop or Top?Top. We will soon be together. I hope and I won't be contented untill we will. Ireland is getting worse every day. I don't know what to think. We are going along o.k., T. G. As goo as can be expected. No trains yet I think I will be a while without my phonograph. I will never refuse anything again, sorry now that I didn't leave Aunt Anna go ahead and get me the one she wanted to get second hand but don't let on I said so. If I only had gone ahead and got it when I landed but always kept putting it off as ever since I been here I could not see my way of going ahead and buying freely of everything I wanted. I never was like that in the USA so you can know how much more expensive things are here.

Congratulations old dear on your weight. Keep it up 160 lbs. I would liked to have seen Ern turn up his nose. Poor Eleanor, I feel sorry for her. I am pleased you had a sun bath. The summer is all gone. Aren't you glad I have some snaps taken? If I can't get to Killarney soon, I will send you on the roll.

I will make this letter a short one to have it really for the P. M. to get it going on the mail car today for Satruday's boat. The children are both well, T. G. The weather is nice at present only for a few days I guess. We are out doors all the time. Tell everybody that asks you we are having a swell time. I will write Mary next week now that I got some stamps. Will close with heaps of love from us three.

Ever your loving wife,
Belle

xxx  Nancy
xxx  Sheila
xxx
xxx  Ma Ma

Knocknalomon
September 12th, 1922

My dear Hub

Your letter No. 35 received last Saturday with enclosed 2£. Many thanks. On Thursday previous Iwrote you in answer to three others and went to Rathduane looking for the mail car but he did not come our way so I went to Millstreet following day and just missed it so there was a motor near by with some fellows in and I asked them [mail] three letters one to you and two for Anna from Mother and me. So I will be anxious now to know if you got them. Things are much the same here in fact worse today. I received your evening telegram. No writing paper yet. I heard there was a strike here in the General P. O. so we are not sure how regular we will get mails still I have got all of your letters slow but sure. We are fortunate to be as well off as we are owing to conditions. It is five weeks past since we saw a train and it will be five more except their [sic] will be a settlement. On Saturday [evening] last four big motor lorries came from Millstreet on the way to Rathmore and in a short time fixed up Inchabeg Bridge with the help of all the men around. Next morning Mass time two men came along and broke it through again. Their [sic] is no law or order now. You could be shot down on the road side and no one to bother about you.

This is a night that would give one the blues: pouring rain and such wind. I am writing this with the lamp light. I just got the kiddies to bed. They are lots of fun they both have a dance to their shadow each night before bed. it is dark now at 7 p.m. such a funny thing the morning that your last letter came, we were in bed and I just had said to Nancy, "I wonder will Sheila want to sit on Daddy's lap as long as you when I read the letter?" and you had said the same thing (mental telepathy) ha ha. Yes, Sheila is jealous of Nancy now and I can't cuddle her only when Sheila is asleep but otherwise they are great chums. First thing each morning Sheila is out and in with the pups (Ma Ma, pups, milk). Now can she talk and to add to our family Mike brought them a kitten last night but Mother says they can't have it afraid it would scratch them. Sheila almost finished it this afternoon. She got such a hold on it around the neck. Poor Hub I felt for you writing at 3:30 a.m. Chapman has he no alarm clock? Poor boob.

Well, cheer up old dear. You are well off about the children's shoes. Hub, don't bother sending any as I fear they would tax them here. Besides, Nancy has shoes that will do her for the winter altho Sheila is turning in on one foot. I will do with the shoes here or I might ger her a better grade if I can get to Cork and about money except you can see your way soon of sending money through the bank which I know you can't. You had better send me 5£ extra as I will have to spend it on the repairs of the house and then I can collect it from the Board as they have told Mother they will repair it for her but non e of the trade men want the job as they are afraid they will have a wait for their money. I spent over three pound last Friday in getting in a supply of little things as the cars are looted now on the way from Cork. We will soon starve. Well no more my dear at present. Lots of love and kisses from your three big girls in Ireland.

Your loving wife,
Belle

xxx  Nancy
xxx  Sheila
xxx
xxx  Ma Ma

No. 25 is that correct?

The Cottage

October 4th, 1922

My dear Hub,

Here we are again alive and kicking. Well this morning I received two letters and an envelope with pictures, letters, Nos. 36-38 mailed New York August 30 - September 7th. Oh, it was so good to see your handwriting once again after 25 days and so you had not received my letter up t that time. Well now that the postal strike is settled I expect a big bunch of mail. I expect some more mail this evening as Mother as gone to Rathmore. Yes, it is in Ireland. My mail to you has been held up and this last trouble will hold yours back longer as your last letter was in Millstreet P. O. almost three weeks. The only way I could get a letter to you was for to get somebody going across to England to mail one their [sic] and just as a Justice was going over, the strike was settled. There was not a single bit of mail leaving Ire[land] for the time so don't blame me, I did my best as far as inquiries went.

Well I am a little more cheerful now and hope to try and keep it up but I have been rather disgusted lately not so much the mails but the times as the whole country is all upset. What do you think about it as you must get all news. I would not believe if I were over there that things could be like they are. I thought things were pretty bad in Belfast when Tommie Collins' wife went back in the start of the summer. So now we have it just as bad down here. Rathmore had a few attacks of late and last Thursday they killed the Sergent [sic] of the N. Troops there and wounded three more. We heard the heavey firing from the garden at 12:30 lunch hour. I happened to be in Millstreet [the] next day and met the wounded on my way home. Also the body of the dead man it me think of the battlefields of France and what it must have been the sight. It is too bad and a disgrace that it should come to this. Brother against brother. Nothing made of murder now. Mike is fortunate and I hope he will escape it all.

Well if I ever had any idea how things would turn up you would not get me to take this trip and it is often of late I have wished I was back home where I was well off but I guess I did not know when I was well off. So perhaps I have bought a lesson and one I won't forget I really think if the trains were running and I could raise my fair [sic] I would be back for Xmas. Don't be angry at me for saying this for if you was here and see how everything is you would not blame me.

Thank God the children are keeping up so well but I got to watch them so as it is so miserable here and such a cold house and damp. I keep them upstairs the wet days and a nice fire I only wish I had my phono to drive away the blues which I get at times. Oh, I will bless the day I leave Ireland. It is not the same Ire as it used to be but in spite of all I am putting on a few odd pounds. Not money, I mean weight. Thanks so much for your rememberance of Guinesses. I did not get any in a month. The good kind was not in town. Motor lorries are bringing in the goods now. Food is plentiful enough in Millstreet if one has the money to buy it as they are starving in the lanes in Killarney and nearer to home it is all right now but if the trains are not running when the winter sets in things will be much worse as they can't bring so much by road just as I should have my nice pony and trap all bridgees are broken. The only elder sailing is from here to Millstreet. Do you wonder I am disgusted. After spending your hard earnings but never mind you see how much worse off we could be.

Poor Eleanore. I feel for such a good hearted soul. I do hope and pray she will be well soon again. Is it for her arm the operation is necessary? Well, the pictures are just great. Three fine men. I cried when I saw my daddy. I think you got fat. Bert looks good and Ern as hungry looking as ever. You should hear Sheila call Dad-da Pa-pa. Two names for you. She is such a bright child and understands everything so. Nancy has lost quite a lot of her tone. They are great chums and play so nice together. I have them upstairs now while writing as it was too cool outdoors but they play in the care house mostly all the time as they get the air in there. Love from all. Wife Belle.

xxx  Nancy
xxx  Sheila
xxx
xxx  Ma Ma