I know I said I would write daily but it seems paper is short and mail even shorter. I write you now on paper and pen borrowed from a Scotsmen who is here with me. We are in Somme, it is just my luck to be dispatched to the western front but. So far all is well. I say that while praying it remains that way.
What is happening here is more than ones worst nightmares could paint but, it is cold and the trenches fill with water. It is a smell you could not imagine, even our cities on their worst days are no match. I wish I was at the manor with you and everyone else, but I made my choice and I will fight.
I know your birthday's soon, I'm sorry I'm not there but I'll do my best to make sure a letter arrives on your birthday.
[the message is full of scratched out phrases and splotchy in parts making it hard to read]
I apologize for the state of this letter but it's late in the evening and I've already been yelled at more than once to go to bed, yet I couldn't even imagine doing so before penning this response for the morning post. why did it take you three months to let me know you were alive? you promised. you promised you'd write. i thought you were dead. you're not allowed to die, O'Malley. Not in this bloody mess of a war. not before I tell you that I'm glad you're not letting the state of things affect your ability to charm even the roughest sort. Tell me what you need and I'll make certain a parcel is sent with the next letter.
[ Every splotch is loved. She is what he fights for besides an old cottage that he loved far to much off on her father's land. ]
My Dearest Friend,
I made you wait months, i could have waited a bit to keep you out of trouble. That said, I have never seen such a mess of a letter before. I can't read half of it. Which don't you dare tease. AS you taught me to read so dont even.
Honestly, just some paper to write you by, I'd never be as daft as to ask you for tobacco or anything. All I do is apologize for how long these letters take. And promise i will always charm the strong rogues, they keep me safe so I can return to you.
I hope no one pilfers the contents of this parcel before it reaches you. Inside you'll find a tin of matches, some thicker socks, a sizeable stack of paper, and a curse upon your head for thinking I wouldn't send something you ask for. i miss you. can't you come home already?
If they don't keep you safe, I cannot promise what I'll do to them upon their own return.
No one pilfers from an Irishman, it's a rule. They keep us around for luck remember? I will keep all of these safe and write as often as I can. That said, I also sent a letter to Martin today as well. Please make sure he reads it. It's nothing bad.
I always expect nothing and you always surprise me with to much. Hopefully I'll be home before the hay needs saving, they say we have the huns on the run.
Your a silly woman, Emily, I miss you more than words can say.
Your faithful friend - Jude
[ He knew that the crops had already been harvested, but it was an old line from a song his mom used to sing and he knew she'd recognize it. A song about a woman missing her lover whose gone off. ]
I saw Martin in passing, he looked quite polexed and I'm beginning to suspect it has something to do with you. What on Earth did you say to him that put him in that state? I asked him, of course, but he told me not to worry about it, which is nonsense, obviously I'm going to worry about it, that's what I'm doing right now.
Whatever it was, I hope the two of you resolve it.
Things here have been strange as of late. Mother has been more than insistent that I maintain a stricter schedule and dine with her and Papa every morning. There have been a number of callers in the early hours, but what they desire, I have no inclination to give.
I imagine this seems all very silly from a distance but it's creating such an unnecessary fuss over nothing, and I had to talk to someone about it.
I miss you every minute of every day as well. Emily
Someone sent me a letter post marked from him but the writing was all wrong. I let him know about it. It wasn't anything serious but the fact someone is impersonating him was bothersome. Much less writing to a foolish paddy like me. Nothing to gain there.
I just hope the impersonator is found. Your brother's good name is important as the next lord.
You already having suitors banging down the door? And without me there to scare them off and give them Herculean trials to win your favor? A crime. Though if you do settle down, the man would be a lucky one. Its gotta either be you or Joanna, men only come calling early for one reason. They come calling at night for the other.
You can write me about anything, your words are uplifting in this hellish place. My Highland friend is dead, he was hit with an artillery shell yesterday.
Warrant Officer Class I, 16th Corps, Jude O'Malley of Dublin, Ireland, has been Honorably discharged from his majesty's army on this the 7th day of November in the year of our lord ninteen hundred and eighteen. Due in to inability to return to battle via wounds inflected in service of king and crown. Warrant Officer O'Malley is expected to return via train on the 1st of December.
- Some high command dude.
A separate letter enclosed, apologizing for bothering the lord and lady, explaining their address was all the Irishman had in his paperwork, and assumed he was a servant.
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untilmylast) wrote2019-03-25 10:09 pm
Somme - France - October
I know I said I would write daily but it seems paper is short and mail even shorter. I write you now on paper and pen borrowed from a Scotsmen who is here with me. We are in Somme, it is just my luck to be dispatched to the western front but. So far all is well. I say that while praying it remains that way.
What is happening here is more than ones worst nightmares could paint but, it is cold and the trenches fill with water. It is a smell you could not imagine, even our cities on their worst days are no match. I wish I was at the manor with you and everyone else, but I made my choice and I will fight.
I know your birthday's soon, I'm sorry I'm not there but I'll do my best to make sure a letter arrives on your birthday.
Your faithful friend
- Jude
no subject
I apologize for the state of this letter but it's late in the evening and I've already been yelled at more than once to go to bed, yet I couldn't even imagine doing so before penning this response for the morning post.
why did it take you three months to let me know you were alive?you promised. you promised you'd write.i thought you were dead.you're not allowed to die, O'Malley. Not in this bloody mess of a war. not before I tell you thatI'm glad you're not letting the state of things affect your ability to charm even the roughest sort. Tell me what you need and I'll make certain a parcel is sent with the next letter.
May God Keep You Safe.
~ Emily
no subject
My Dearest Friend,
I made you wait months, i could have waited a bit to keep you out of trouble. That said, I have never seen such a mess of a letter before. I can't read half of it. Which don't you dare tease. AS you taught me to read so dont even.
Honestly, just some paper to write you by, I'd never be as daft as to ask you for tobacco or anything. All I do is apologize for how long these letters take. And promise i will always charm the strong rogues, they keep me safe so I can return to you.
Your faithful friend
- Jude
no subject
I hope no one pilfers the contents of this parcel before it reaches you. Inside you'll find a tin of matches, some thicker socks, a sizeable stack of paper, and a curse upon your head for thinking I wouldn't send something you ask for.
i miss you. can't you come home already?If they don't keep you safe, I cannot promise what I'll do to them upon their own return.
Sufferingly,
Emily
no subject
No one pilfers from an Irishman, it's a rule. They keep us around for luck remember? I will keep all of these safe and write as often as I can. That said, I also sent a letter to Martin today as well. Please make sure he reads it. It's nothing bad.
I always expect nothing and you always surprise me with to much. Hopefully I'll be home before the hay needs saving, they say we have the huns on the run.
Your a silly woman, Emily, I miss you more than words can say.
Your faithful friend
- Jude
[ He knew that the crops had already been harvested, but it was an old line from a song his mom used to sing and he knew she'd recognize it. A song about a woman missing her lover whose gone off. ]
no subject
I saw Martin in passing, he looked quite polexed and I'm beginning to suspect it has something to do with you. What on Earth did you say to him that put him in that state? I asked him, of course, but he told me not to worry about it, which is nonsense, obviously I'm going to worry about it, that's what I'm doing right now.
Whatever it was, I hope the two of you resolve it.
Things here have been strange as of late. Mother has been more than insistent that I maintain a stricter schedule and dine with her and Papa every morning. There have been a number of callers in the early hours, but what they desire, I have no inclination to give.
I imagine this seems all very silly from a distance but it's creating such an unnecessary fuss over nothing, and I had to talk to someone about it.
I miss you
every minute of every dayas well.Emily
no subject
Someone sent me a letter post marked from him but the writing was all wrong. I let him know about it. It wasn't anything serious but the fact someone is impersonating him was bothersome. Much less writing to a foolish paddy like me. Nothing to gain there.
I just hope the impersonator is found. Your brother's good name is important as the next lord.
You already having suitors banging down the door? And without me there to scare them off and give them Herculean trials to win your favor? A crime. Though if you do settle down, the man would be a lucky one. Its gotta either be you or Joanna, men only come calling early for one reason. They come calling at night for the other.
You can write me about anything, your words are uplifting in this hellish place. My Highland friend is dead, he was hit with an artillery shell yesterday.
Your faithful friend
- Jude
November 7th 1918
Warrant Officer Class I, 16th Corps, Jude O'Malley of Dublin, Ireland, has been Honorably discharged from his majesty's army on this the 7th day of November in the year of our lord ninteen hundred and eighteen. Due in to inability to return to battle via wounds inflected in service of king and crown. Warrant Officer O'Malley is expected to return via train on the 1st of December.
- Some high command dude.
A separate letter enclosed, apologizing for bothering the lord and lady, explaining their address was all the Irishman had in his paperwork, and assumed he was a servant.