Letter from Leo Meagher to Lux Meagher 1911

Mourning correspondence from Leo Carden Meagher to Luxford Meagher 7 April 1911

Transcript

“Marielle” Manningtree Road

Hawthorn

7 April [1911]

My Dear Hooker

We got your letter the other day & the oldie was very pleased with it, but not as pleased as dear little Mum used to be, when she used to delightedly read those marvellous concoctions of yours.  Her whole face used to be wreathed in smiles of delight as she read the doings of her wonderful boy and it was a duty cast on everyone in the house by her to read your letters as they came. Not until all of us had read them would she be satisfied. Then she would lock them all away, for future pleasure – which however was denied her. We are all well down here & praying stoutly for Mum, though she doesn’t need it all I am sure. Pup & myself & bumper went to Mass & H. Com. [holy communion] this morning & we are going again tomorrow & on Sunday. We’ve had shoals of letters of condolence from all kinds of people but ecclesiastics, nuns & convents, are especially to the fore. From all parts of the colony – indeed NSW & SA too the clergy have sent their sympathies among them the Bishop Revilla of Ballarat & old Arch Carr. The amount of prayers & masses Mum is having said for her is truly Stupendous. Hook, next Thursday is the oldies birthday & we are going to put in & buy the poor old shabby battler a pair of patent leather boots. They will cost about a guinea or 25/- so if you can send down a contribution of 4/- we would be pleased.  We have been especially lucky in alluring a Hebe or priestling goddess in the kitchen who was secured by the agency of Mrs Byrne. She is a jewel & and we all bow to her every inclination. The kids are all well. Jack & Fizz are as happy as larry & no shadow of sorrow overcasts their infantile horizon. Mary is well too & and is very sensible for a youngster of her age. Bumper is just the same old gruff, farmerish, splay-footed good natured yokel & is running the affair of the old man’s birthday & and his presents with as much zeal as the famous Edward J. Rigg does his Hawthorn Open Air Concert. Eileen too is alright & helping us all she knows. Liffer is still the earth & rimless pince-nez now adorn his aristocratic nose. The oldie of course is still battling but he wears a more care worn look than of yore. Still he is behaving like a Briton. Don’t go over the odds now in Bendigo, old chap. Be more careful than ever & and above all don’t go into debt. I know what it is – you’ll never get straight if you do & the worry will drive you silly. My jokes are knocked on the head for this year at any rate. Dance & Theatre & all that kind of thing is out of the question. I’m rather glad because it will give me a chance to do a good year’s work. By the way in the midst of a shoal of condolence letters I received an invitation for a dance the other day. A nice contrast wasn’t it – condolence letters & dance invitations. “Eh bien – je suis fini –& the clock speeds. I must away so as to be up in time for a quarter past 7 mass. Remember me to anyone I know up there.

Your affectionate brother

Leo – Pup

If you’re stiff nevermind about the 4/- we can make it up. LCM.