Urker
                                                             Crossmaglen
                                                               Ireland
                                                                 July 17th 18

My dearest Sallie [1]

                I have two letters of yours to reply to and would have done so sooner only waited to get the [Dungooley [2] ] money.  It has never yet been paid and E. Gilmore [3] does not know the cause of the delay.  I shall do as you wish when possible.

    Thank God so far we have no more deaths to record.   Poor George McCullagh [4] was the last.  It was a sore blow.  Sally Gilmore [5] hears from her son Dr. Tom [6] regularly.  Now that the German big attack has begun he will be kept very busy no doubt.  Cecil Major Kathleen [7] , Johnny's [8] daughter's husband is in the thick of it also Russell Jackson [9] and Philip Griffin [10] .  The other boys and Clair [11] were in various parts of England when we heard of them.

    Bessie Brown [12] has been very delicate with a bad stomach for a long time. Mary Reid [13] looks no worse than she has for a couple of years.  She has the shake in her hands very badly and slightly in her head.  She cannot rise or walk without assistance but keeps bright & cheerful.  Peggie's [14] intended [15] has never got leave from the front yet tho' it was due long ago.  Jim and Molly [16] are well and also Mickie [17] .  He is to be home in August from Rugby.  He is a big man now. "Time flies".  It's forty-eight years since you were one of my bridesmaids.  Few are living who were at my wedding.

    Maggie [18] had a visit of a night from Mr. Henry [19] and Max [20] last week.  We have no minister in Creggan now.  Mr. Morrison [21] has resigned.  I am sure you are very tired of the apple pulling.  We will not have a large crop of fruit this year and not much sugar to make jam.  Eva Ussher [22] & family also Allan [23] & Mattie [24] are going to [Rosnowlagh] in August.  There is good bathing and golf to be had there and much quieter than Bundoran.  How I wish you and I could spend a month at the latter place and recall old times.  What a number of "Dreamland Faces" we have to remember.  I don't suppose your face or mine will ever appear to each other except in dreams.  Strange to say I seldom dream of my dead or absent friends - only a lot of rubbish.

    We will be very anxious till this great push of the Germans decides who is to win or lose.  Surely God will not give the devil his way and allow such villainy to prosper.  However we must "trust in Him tho' he slay us"  It would be very hard to do.  We have promise of fine crops this season and all prospers about this house.  I had no letters from Stansted [25] lately but if any thing  was amiss I should hear.

    Eric Gilmore keeps on foot but is white and old.  Both David [26] & Tom [27] are engaged but not married so far.  Eileen Gilmore [28] is on a visit to Mrs. Bremmer at Valencia Island.

    Shall write as soon as I get the D. [29] money.

    Fond love to you and Mary [30] ,

                              Yr loving cousin

                                      Mary Griffin [31]