Thomas Whyte Collection - Wallet 3 - Part 3 of 10

Cortoon
4th Nov. 1914

My dear Tom
We were delighted
to get news of you Monday. It seemed
so long since we had heard. Yes no
doubt you will find the journey
monotonous, there is comfort in the
knowledge that the food is good &
wholesome. No doubt the trip will be
beneficial to health & fit you for
future work. You were fortunate
in getting away when you did for
we have had most shocking dust
storms, wind & heat. I pity the troops
in camp. Eileen is very well, though
we can see where her thoughts are
I am sure she is trying to keep bright,
no doubt she will give you all news
of herself Tom [[Boydell?]] has had a severe
attack of influenza away from the
Office over a week so you can guess
he was ill Dr. Mussell said he should
have given in before however he returned 
to work yesterday & he will
soon be strong again.  Arthur Burns

2/

has enlisted. He is in the Light Horse.
Went into camp last Friday. I think 
Gay Burns will go with next contingent. 
Freda, Linda & Molly have gone
to town [Fat Anna?] still airs her pro 
German views She & W.. Champion
had a wordy war last Friday She 
has not been here since. I know 
you will have [[many?]] to write to Tom so 
do not think I [[will?]] be vexed at your 
not writing me. We miss you very
much, especially Saturdays & Sundays.
Leo, Lin, Eileen & I went to Mitcham
Sunday afternoon. Lin & Eileen went
to see Vera Maughn Saturday, poor
girl is very ill. She was so glad to see
the girls. You will be in our thoughts
at Christmas time. Now dear I must
away & see to dinner much love from
Mother 

4/8/14
Cortoon
10th [[?]] 1914

My dear Tom
Though Eileen
writes you the news of our
doings thought I would enclose 
a few words to let you
see you are in my thoughts.
We have heard of your landing
in Egypt & trust you are
keeping well. Eileen received 
a letter from you Monday.
Needless to tell she was delighted 
to get it, indeed we
all enjoy hearing of you.
Freda has just brought the
news the English have sunk
four German boats. How 
gloriously exciting the [[?]] 
episode must have been
grand you should be almost
 

in it yet lovely you
excaped in safety. Vera
Maughn & her sister are here
Vera much better far from
well, talks of being married
in January but I do not think
she will be well by then. We
do not discuss war with Anna
not to be surprised at George
collapsed had an attack
of facial paralysis was
really very ill I believe it
was purely a nervous trouble
can you wonder? poor fellow
I do pity him. He has just returned 
from the Gulf trip
& hopes to get to his Office
next week. My chookies are [[at?]]
feed shockingly expensive
wheat 6/3- a bushel. I have
twelve Rhode Islands of which 
seven are roosters they are 

so docile we catch them 
& pet them. I am tired of 
jam making for have made
Fredas as well as our ours
apricots are 10/ a case & we 
have had heaps for jam & 
so we are fortunate
Thanks to the bore the 
lucern is just the thing, it
is so hot today that when 
I gave the fowls their green
feed they audibly said 
"thank you".  We have maize 
as well as beans, strawberries,
watermelons & potatoes 
which I hope will all prove
prolific crops - Freda Molly
& Tom returned from Grange
yesterday after a fortnights
absence Molly still shows
how Uncle Tom has gone

to fight the [[Germans?]] with 
little fists tightly closed - 
today is Grandpas 87th 
birthday Mr. Champion &
I are going to have tea with
him so I am writing before
I go as its early mail tomorrow. 
Well dear, I not
only think of you but pray 
for you I know your thoughts 
turn to this spot Eileen 
& all of us.  Jack was only 
wishing you & he could 
go up the Murray this 
Christmas.  Love dear
from one & all
Mother 

[*Gay Millie Leo Goods & Chattels Eileen & Bankbook*]
[*6/4/15*]

Cortoon
10th Feb 1915

My dear Tom.
We are anxiously
looking for next mail. Mrs. Burns
received a cable from Gay yesterday,
saying she was in Egypt. I wonder
will you see her. Eileen no doubt has
written news of us all but somehow
I like you to know how much I think
about you dear. Eileen bears your absence 
bravely but I know her true heart
is sad with longing she courageously
looks in the future & finds pleasure
on working cloths d'oylies &c. Little
Molly is a Sunbeam & gives Eileen
much happiness she has grown so
fond of Eileen & just loves to go to her
glory box, the dear kiddie remembers
you well we asked her who she went
to the zoo with she replied Uncle Tom
& he carried me when I was asleep.
Alfie has made a fool of things I have
not heard the facts but he had to resign 
from the military & also lost posture 
in Government. Oh Tom how

[*6/4/15 *]
Cortoon
24th Febr 1915

My dear old boy
Just a word or two
for as usual mail night & several to
write. I wonder what you will think
of Leo enlisting I wish you were together. 
I cannot realize he has gone
into camp. Linda feels keenly Leo's
going but she & Eileen might comfort
each other and we must be brave 
and not shirk our duty helping each 
other all we can during this terrible
war. We are taking care of your goods
also Leo's & Georges we have your book
case & chairs in the little front room
your chest drawers in Jacks. Oh how
We will yearn for you & Leo to come home.
Now dear goodnight God bless you
Mother

List of things since you left
1  big linen table cloth for small bedroom 
table
2 d'oylies Gay Burns gave me
2 I bought from Indian shop
2 crocheted ones from Wills
2 lace ones from Wills
1 from Miss Bentley xmas day
3 auntie Bessie gave me for xmas.
12 d'oylies since you went
1 [[?]] white linen
2 Huckaback towels, I hemstitched both
ends & let crocheted lace in.
6 bluebird china plates for dessert
1      "                 "     bowl for fruit
1 China earthenware teapot
1                         "       Milk jug (from Mother)
1 White Meat dish (Fredas xmas present)
1 lovely shell spoon I had plated
1 picture of pyramids in gilt frame
                        (from Lettie & Kathleen)
1 picture (Linda's xmas present)
1 suede pocket for matches
(Nellie Armstrong's present)
1 pce linen for camisole
over

Cont'd
7 yds Torchon lace for
Pillow shams.
10 large medallions (hand made)
to let in nightgown
3 small ones
2½ yds handmade lace for
camisole sleeves.
Your 1 doz handkerchiefs
with T on each
and a Gt white silk hdkf with a
red border. George gave it to me.
Im saving it for you.

MACDONALD'S
Grand Coffee Palace,
ADELAIDE.

Hindley Street,

May 21 1913