Letter from 1895 Found
One of our readers has passed on part of a letter found behind the wall of the house their son is renovating on Turn Street, Syston.
It was discovered behind the boards and render. The cottage dates back to the 1800s and the following is a typed version of the letter with an image of the first page:
January 29th 1895
East Langton
Dear Mrs Greasley
I have just had my first night on duty and Mr ‘Loney’ (not sure that is correct) is coming to pass me today to take charge tonight, it will be rather a new experience for me. I may say I was rather agreeably surprised with the place and although it will never be as pleasant as Syston, still I think I shall be able to settle down fairly comfortable in time. I am living with the station master at the station and I may consider myself lucky to drop into such good diggings. The boss is fond of a glass of beer and also likes a game at ‘nap’ in fact we had a game last night, of course I did not understand the game but managed to win a small amount. The village is about a mile from the station which makes it very awkward, but perhaps it will be better for me in many respects for I shall not be able to spend so much money. I went into Leicester last Saturday at a moments notice for I intended going to Harborough but I found I should have to walk back from there so I thought I would go to Leicester instead. I came across Nelly Hill and also Ede Clark. I thought I should meet H.D. but I found after he intended going to Nottingham. I shall tell Freer what I think of him when I come over to Syston. He gave me a very bad character here and said that I was too gay to remain at Langton long and that he never came across such a fast chap in his life and other things too numerous to mention. All the people here were glad to get rid of him for he was an oily mouthed chap and such a liar, they say the Syston people will soon find him out, he was a thorough mean hound to say what he did and I shall have it out with him when I come over. I have had the parsons daughter down already to ask me to go to church and also for……