Mary Ann Strain; Chicago, 722 W 43^rd St; Sept 11^th, 1894

My Dear Brothers,

I received your very welcome letter and I was very sorry to hear of Edward's death did you have a letter from M John since giving you an account of it if he was long sick or what ailed him. I think he was bothered with rheumatism a good bit. M John told me last time I saw him. I would have answered your letter sooner only I thought you were not wanting me to till you sent me the other £10. I wish you would speak to James and Willie and talk [to] them. I need the money very much you know how it is in a strange place. Pat only earned $31.60 since the 8^th of last March and you know we cannot get a mouthful of anything without buying it and our rent going on as well. Pat he worked 21 days for the South Park (?) Commissioners and then got laid off as all the men their employ got laid off as well. There never is the memory of man was as hard times in the Country as at present. The Tariff Bill has left millions destitute employers were afraid to invest their money in any way till the bill would be passed or thrown out and now whatever the reason they are holding back. Noone seems to know. Everything is at a standstill since ever Cleveland got a hold. Anyone that is working only about 2 days in the week. I would have wrote sooner only you said in your letter you would send it the week after next sure so I am waiting and not wishing to bother them it places me in a very ugly fix telling our grocer and the undertaker I will give them some such a time and then they never send it only we have some good friends we would be very badly off. Our Mayor is a Catholic Dem and afraid to give employment twas a great loss to Chicago the loss of Mayor Harrison but better times will come again. Tis not us alone who are hard up there are thousands like us as a great deal worse. We always kept our store bill and rent up as well as possible. I hope this will find you and the children and all in Creevy and Glasker in good health (a blessing we all enjoy thank God) but we still miss our little darling so much she was so good too good for this world but not for where she has gone. I will send a picture of her soon I got four at the World's Fair last summer but they were taken off me but one I will get some taken of it. I will want £10 more about New Years. Send me what you said you would send by return mail as I need it so much.

Pat and Johnnie join me in love to you all

Your loving sister

Mary Ann