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Leney 28th. Dec 1.1.1924 Dear EdwardA few lines to say how we got through Xmas, the weather was frosty Xmas eve was bright and dry when I was going to midnight mass. Don P. did not go, the time slipped by and our clock was slow so he would have to foot it too lively, there was a great crowd in it, over twenty motors. The next day was wet, and it is raining ever since. The Lacken wren-boy team was very small this time-five or six the same old crowd, "Butcher" (Mahedy), Delaneres and "Hunt" (Reilly). It is nearly time for them to resign. The Harriers were in Bun St. Stephens day, they drew Farra and got a fox and went to Tom Nugents (Grangegeeth). I was not out; my mount met with an accident one night I was coming home from Knightswood. I met John Fallon driving a motor down into Multy below the forge. He had no lights and she shied a little at it so he banged into her swept the hind legs from under her and slapped her on her side. I came out quite safe, but the mare was cut about the haigh. You would think she was fired for a spavin, it swelled up but went down after about a week but the wound is not healed yet, however I expect it will come all right after a short while. He never pulled up, I enquired where the car went so I traced him up and challenged him about it. He regretted the affair - at least he said so, he thought I wasn't knocked down. I don't think there could be anything got out of him for I think he has not got the car insured and of course he owns nothing. It is strange that the like of him is allowed to drive a car, he is noted for close shaving, most of those chaps give no mom to people. Jim Hanly is gone to the Asylum, he took a sprid some time ago and went in to see the Widow Mulvaney, it was thought he would be married to her, so he chased her round the place. Either herself or her brother got him arrested, I think in Mulry later on. People say it preyed on him but he might be touched at the time. They say Stephen Briody is to invest in her shortly, he is a red chap, was in U.S.A. for a while. Wilfred Wallace bought a three year old mare from T. (Tom) Leavy, Ballyharney for £32/10/0, I met him this evening on the road, he tells me she is going well so far. They had a card from Leo this morning, he had a touch of malaria. A bad disease I believe, one who gets it severe seldom gets out of it clean. Tom was home at Xmas; he has an easy time in Ferbane (Offaly) brought about by the respectables about. Old Dud is keeping indoors this good while, he got light looking, he was under doctors’ orders for a while. Peter Leslie got married to a girl named Kenny from near Longford town. Don P. was on the job and Frank Delamere. Don P. got on very well with them, she is red haired or nearly is. There is another son in Crumbs. Andrew Stephen. Reddy is making no headway at all. I had a letter from Paddy Dalton Xmas eve, he told me he had a letter from you some time ago, he regrets that he can't come to the Irish class. He says he forgets a lot of it too so to keep him in practice I answered him to-day and wrote the half of it in Irish, I expect he'll make, it out too. There is a young Moriarity coming to the school here at night. His father was a "peeler" (a policeman in Ballinalack) and he is smart clear brained. The teacher says that he and I have all the intelligence that is in it. He is teaching a song now "Fainne geal an lae" Bright ring of the dawn, it seems to be the as "Boy you are come of gentle blood". Ni raibh broga na stocai, cabana cloca ar mo stoir in ognaspeir No boots or stockings, cape nor cloak had my little treasure of the sky Och folt finne oir a sios a fas go barr an fhaer But hair of gold growing down to the top of the grass Don P. had a letter from you sorbe time ago I sent you papers and songs, you should have them about New Years Day. "McGinty's goat" is a great favourite for dancing but the words are not very complimentary, some of them verses are replaced by different ones. Leo Murtagh (Ballinalack) got home, he was twelve days on hunger strike, also John Blake, Clonave. The "merchant" (Delamere, shopkeeper) took a spree (drinking) lately. There was coats stolen from the last dance in Leney. The victims were Jim Tormey (Bun) Peter Doherty (Multy) and the tailor Cormack's son. Also, a cap belonging to a civic guard (policeman) and scarfs. One coat was left back in Reilly's field. Finnegan's was raided by the guards, there was lads from Granard and their places were searched too. I believe Frank F- (Finnegan) brought a bundle of coats our and didn't bring them back. Through charity back working for his own. I believe he threw them on the School floor, Delamere considered he gave them to Junction crowd (Inny Junction on railway, 5-6 kilometres away) to save them from the rain, so that is how the raid came, they took it badly too. It was a great dance; I wasn't in it I had a cold. You asked me some time if I go to the pictures, well I don't. The trains were not run to suit one going into Mullingar) in the evening until lately, there is a 5 o'c going in and 8.10 coming out. I was in town a few nights ago but didn't go. I met Pat "arra mock" (Irish), he had a dose of pneumonia lately, got it poaching for salmon along with lots of lads. The cock salmon he says has a big hook under his mouth with which he scrapes up a big heap of sand and stones. The hen pushes herself through it and the eggs are squeezed out of her Wishing you a Happy N.Y. Yours, John
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