2116 Cherry S4
Philadelphia
Jan.7.83
Dear Patrick
You may think
that I am not as much interested
in you as you are in me. Or I
would answered your letter before this.
It followed me from New Britain
to Philadelphia I left a week before
it arrived. I suppose I could a been
advised to return with Hugh
but fortune had driven me off.
I could get nothing to do in NB so I was
making my way to James direct through
Phila. I stopped here thinking that I
would drop into work of some kind
so I did but not steady I did not
want to answer your letter to I would
get to work steady. The man I was
with before I went to New Britain
told me he would give me
work at the first of January they
are stopped for two weeks doing some
repairing so when I start I expect to
have it steady. James is angry at me
for not going to him if I had went
sometime ago it would a been better
for me. I would like to be near him
but do not like the work nor the
place of course all places is alike
to me when I have nothing but
a hard days work before me
if I went to work in either
England or Scotland I might not
have a bit better fortune their nor
that would ---- [never?] bring me home
I would like to see my friends once more
The way things look now I will not
see them for sometime. I must be
thankful I have good health thank
God and can pay my way for so
far when one leaves home to meet
the world in all shapes and forms
--- have to look over a great ------
And forget great of the pleasures
and pastimes they had in their boyhood
days. The customs and habits of this
country is far different from home
that is I may say the only reason
I may say I do not like this country
for. The American people are kindly
and ---- hearted pleasant and agreeable.
I did not get a letter from -----
town east since I got your I did
not hear whither Hugh was in
New Britain or not. The winter
very fine all along to now
we have some snow the day before yesterday
But I do not think it will last
xmas [Christmas] and the New Year passed off
quietly as far as I know I did
not go further than church it
was grand in the Cathredial [Cathedral]
James has asked for your address
In his last letter he heard you were
moved I sent it to him long since
3.30pm , I am going to --------
7.30 P.M.
It pleases me to hear of the Gribbins
still increasing if I were to go home I would
meet a good many of the that was not their [there]
in my time. If I wait much longer I will
be a lonly [lonely] Old bachelor I am just
waiting to the Spirit moves me. And
I would care how soon it did if it
went in the right direction. I suppose
Mary & Eliza will be bussy [busy] this season
I will write to them soon. I did not
hear from home for over two months
I am uneasy about Bridget I am afraid
she will never have her health again
that is all the news about myself & the
neighbours can spake [speak] for themselves
likely Hugh will be returned before you
get this. I have been scribbling this on
my nee [knee] it looks hard I will not daley [delay]
to long in answering your script your cousin
Thomas
