Page 293 - Pipe_Bill_GBRailwayStationCancellations

I Addressed to HMS Gibraltar The Cape, posbnarked 24
'Raifway Station Postmaris
St Leonaras Station
Cover addressed to Captain Arthur Limpus on board HMS
GIBRALTAR at The Cape, South Africa with ld lilac tied by
the double ring ST LEONARD'S ON SEA/STATION OFFICE
dated 31 st May 1901. The cover reached Captain Limpus at
Simon's Bay on the 18 h June 1901
Known periods of use: 26.9.1898 to 15.4.1902
May 1901 and marked received Sa.;. Bay 11.6.1901
, I May 12 to May 17 Cheam Surrey
My dearest old man. This is a very business like & serious letter.
Firstly it does seem very hard that May & Norah should tum out of
Ballydanby & of course I have been casting over in my mind every
possibility of their staying in there - One is to beg Harry to let thew
mortgage stay another 3 years & then at the end of that time you
& t wilt be returning & we must go some where so why not to
Vouh{e 'Ring Cance{ Ballydanley & living then cheaply we ·should save enough to repair
the house & then it would not matter in whose hands the mortgage
passed. We find that any one holding a mortgage in a place has
the power to walk in have the place surveyed & compel the
owners to put the place in order at whatever the cost, so that in no
case must May & Norah be in the hands of anyone else holding
the mortgage. Of course for everyone concerned I believe the
sensible plan is to sell but from the standpoint of sentiment(& after
all sentiment makes up a large portion of one's life) I cannot
imagine returning to England & then having no old home to go to -
and so what do you think of that plan - our returning in three years
to Ballydanley and staying there quietly till we can put this house
into good order & pay off our bills - it would enable May & Norah
to go on in the house & they would not feel homeless. And that
might save them from having to tum out at all. I do think that
seeing how well off two of the brothers are that something ought
to be done. What do you also think of them putting in £200 into an
insurance for an annuity & paying £25 a year. Norah could have
an annuity beginning at 55 years of age of £40 a year - May is
going to do it, so that at 55 she will have £40 a year, and ii have
said that if Norah puts in her £200 which is now with Ernest - that
we will pay the premium. I think we ought to, for we would get half
out of Ernest and that would give them 800 a year between them
at 55 years of age. It only means we must be more careful and if
she were to die before she begins her annuity her money is all
paid back, so that it would not be lost in any case. I quite think we
might to begin a thing like it for Loma when we see our way to
saving a good deal more for her than we have succeeded in doing
at present. It would be a terrible thing to leave Loma in such a
destitute condition as they are if Mr rs money was to stop or May
become ill. I think & think of all sorts of plans & what I most hope
for is that .... will ... it & let them stay in for several years. Oh!
would not I give to have a thousand pounds now to do what I liked
with. I so wonder whether you would say - sell or keep. How I
wish dear man you were here. It is not at all right for us to be
without speaking distance of each other and I want you very
much. Your letter came yesterday morning and I have much to
remarlc about the houses and at once will remind you that before
taking a Nurse too far away remember that I am depending on
your men servants for the house.
May 17th Nothing further has been done about the house & it is
anxious work. On Wednesday May & I went to ... for a few days
stopping & ... ... with the Deverils. lady D & her three daughters.
The two little ones are. such dears. She told me she has seen that
the Gib had gone to & arrived at Delagoa Bay. I only see the Daily
Mail so never get any Naval news. On Wednesday I sent off a box
of things for the Cape to go by the "Beaglen so ... you· send for it
when.the "Beagle· arrives. I am spending a fortune in letters,
things all add up so tremendously. I shall be glad when you send
me the cheque for £20 for Margaret. The moment I get your letter
saying you have written by the same mail to Admiral B. Clarke, I
shall write to him saying I want it for the end week in July if he can
conveniently send us by one then. I have bought a travelling bag,
a tin one as I thought it would be better & answer having a bath
(??!!)You & the Admiral clearing papers must have been funny. I
think your breakfast dishes quite enough for any ... human
greedy and I think you are all becoming much to grand &
pampered - a wholesome diet of porridge is quite good enough
breakfast for all the ...... . a peasant and what with .... , this house,
preparation for self & two children - Lilian new ... etc. to think of
1
food is not to be thought of, but I will presently ..... My head id
however in a Whirl because both houses must be settled up
somehow before we leave & on the Monday we go to St Leonards
for 1 O days then Sevenoakes for 1 O days & .... for a fortnight.
This letter should catch you in time for your Birthday dear man. I
wish we could have spent it together. Now you are a captain of ...
a years seniority too and in your 39th year - how old we are
getting but young enough to enjoy the Cape .. together I trust. May
& Norah are awfully good in helping me with work etc. I have
heaps more to talk about but no time to do it.
Your loving wife