Charles Strain; New York; May 5^th, 1884

Dear Brothers,

I owe you an apology for not having written to you long ago. You must forgive me this time. We'll do better please for next time and write oftener than I've done since I came out here.

The principal cause of the delay was I had nothing very special to mention in a letter. I have got some news for you now you need not be surprised to hear it. I was married last Saturday two weeks (April 19^th). Perhaps Willie has told you about it as he wrote me saying he was going to write to you in a few days. He and Mary Ann were the only ones that knew anything about it until we were married. I told Willie about it last Fall when he [?] here and introduced him to her. He will give you an unbiased opinion of her as you might think I might be partial in giving an opinion of her. All I will say about her is that she is a good wife and that is a very difficult thing to find here and she is also a good practical Catholic.

I met her when I was living in Drogheda (?). She was at business in Dalys with me she come out to this country two years before I came. She is a native of Cork her name was Georgina E Burke. I hope that God will bless us and make us happy, for without that you need never to expect to be happy. James do not be uneasy about me I have lived a good life and have attended to my religious duties. I have done what [?] McConville told me to do, in fact the last words he spoke to me about I have not forgotten them and I hope to keep them ever fresh before my memory they were: "Mind your religion." [McConville's title might be Monsignor, as it looks like M^w or something.]

I had no word from Pittsburg for about 6 weeks at that time they were all well and I hope they continue so.

Willie is not going to stay in Kansas. I think he is right in not doing so - what is life unless you share part of it's joys. There is no use in making a slave of yourself as by all his accounts you would have to if you took a farm there. No doubt he has experienced a most severe [?] one of worst winters that has been in this Country for a long while. He will be better able to judge by this time what he will do. I believe he will not stay in this Country at any rate. He is sick and tired of it. His visit to this country will do him no harm. He will become settled down to live at home and work with a better will and he has also gained a great deal of experience here which may profit him when he goes home. Tell M^w McConville that I will write to him between this and the first of June - he will think it strange of me that I never answered his letter. It was negligence on my part. I have upbraided myself many times for not having written. I would of on evening to myself that I would surely write tomorrow but when morrow would come something turned up and prevents me from doing. However I hope to fulfil my promise this time.

Agnes Morgan is living out in Newark now. Hugh is gone to a situation in the Northern part of this state if he likes the [?] Agnes and the family will go up this summer. They are very well speaking to John McGivern about 3 months ago he called in to see us and gave us all the news. Told us that Dan Byrne had got married. Remember me to him.

M John, Patrick, Edward, Maggie, Emma and the children are all well. Remember to Big Dan and Wife. Also Aunt Mary, McGill, John & Mr Jameson (?). Uncle Edward if you should see him John Boal (?) also all friend in and around Creevy. I was near forgetting to put M^w McConville with the rest. Hoping you are quite well again as Willie Wood told me you were hurt by a fall. I will write to Willie and MA [Mary Ann] this week telling them I have written to you. I will close this epistle. Georgina joins me in sending love to you.

Your affectionate Brother

Charles