Urker, August 10^th, 1875.

My dear Mary Jane [1] ,

I have this day seen the advertisement of your intended auction and from it I concluded that you have given up all idea of labouring the farm; at least for the present. This has been suggested to me to make a proposal; which if you accept, well and good; if you reject; no harm is done. It is that you would permit Andy Jackson [2] to become tenant of the farm, at such a rent as (added to the incomes from Dungooley and Tullyvalee) would pay all the annuities bequeathed by Uncle Bradford [3] in full. Andy to occupy the old house as long as you required the new one.

I would not trouble you with this proposal or any other at this present time; but that if you approved of this plan; he might have an opportunity of purchasing such things as would suit him at the auction; and also of engaging the labourers before they are scattered elsewhere, to seek for employment. You may perceive that this plan is only in outline; any details you might think fit, could be arranged hereafter.

I will only add that never for a moment did any of us think of annoying or disturbing you in any way.

Hoping that God may direct you to whatever is best, I remain

Your affectionate sister,

Eliza Jackson [4]

P.S. The foregoing is entirely my own invention. I did not let either David [5] or Andy know any thing of it till after it was written.

Miss Oliver,
Cavananore,
Hackball’s Cross,
Dundalk
[NOTE: The post mark on the envelope echoes the date on the letter]