Stewed Bugs and Onions

Date: September 30th, 1913

Address: 9, South Terrace, Horden, Co.Durham

From: Tom Gray

To: His brother

Dear Brother

We received your weekly letter last night and are glad to hear you are as fit as a lop. We are all A.1. here. You don't say what you had for your grand dinner - was it stewed bugs and onions served up with turnip sauce, or was it a 7 year old pullet stuffed and roasted: the thought of that dinner makes me smack my lips and sigh. We gad a grand concert a week gone Sunday night, the chapel was full and proceeds were for choir funds. The Harvest Thanksgiving here has been postponed to a week come Sunday. Frank is an experienced hairdresser now and was busy combing and brushing Harry's hair on Sunday. Have you sewn your trousers an to your shirt any more; the next time you want a patch on the seat of your trousers, keep them on while the patch is sewn on and the experience of trying to get them off will be delightful. How has Shakespeare got into your letter. I think he will feel out of place as he is sandwiched between a 4/9 PO and a pair of extraordinary cheap, good, strong, and wearing trousers.

When filling in PO it is wrong to put in Mr Gray, you ought to put in "Thomas". Now, remember, next time you have any money to send put my name on it and it will be alright. In your next letter you might tell us what sort of place Spennymoor is. I got an invitation to a smoker at Nimmo's on Saturday night at 10 o'clock and the smoker started at 7. Of course I wasn't there. It was in connection with the presentation of an Ambulance Certificate. I got mine on Sunday. I was at Sunderland on Saturday, and got a box of chessmen, so I will give you a game next time you come home. We had a visit from Mr. and Mrs. G. Humble yesterday. Lily is at Sunderland today and I am going to work now, night shift. Bob has got his cavil [??] in SE1 and started it on Monday. He has not done so bad so far. I must close now.

I remain, Yours Faithfully, Tom

PS We may come through some Saturday afternoon on our bicycles. Tom.