Letter, James Gleason to Kate Gleason
A handwritten letter from James Gleason to his sister, Kate Gleason. Jim tells Kate that their mother Ellen Gleason will soon visit her at Cornell University and that she plans to bring Kate a typewriter so that she, Ellen, will not have to spend so much time deciphering Kate’s handwritten letters. Jim describes his and their brother Andrew’s educational activities and reports that he has passed the entrance exam for the Rochester Free Academy. He characterizes the family’s business “as bad as ever” and encourages Kate to join a choir in which she had expressed interest.
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Rochester NY Sept 24 – 1884
Dear Kate Ma has not got
over mourning yet, – I think
she will be down to visit you
in about a month, although
no definite time is fixed.
She will then bring you all
you asked for in your letter,
together with the writing
machine, for her own
benefit as she can not
decipher your letters in less
than half a day, as they
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are written so fine and closely.
In looking over the paper
the other evening, I discovered
that I had passed the
entrance examination to the
Free Academy, which you
remember I tried last
August. When I went for
my average I was told by
Prof Glen that I had not
passed now he says my
average was not all in at
that time. Andrew took the
prize today at school for
the best composition, which
was written without any aid
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from anybody during
school hours. Business is
as bad as ever at the shop
the last time Pa went out
for orders he procured one
but had three or four
promises. I had my pictures
taken Saturday and as soon
as I get them I will send you one.
Your affectionate bro
James Gleason
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PS. You had better join that
quoir you spoke of, and sing
at the High Mass.