On August 22nd, 1910, Jimmy wrote the first letter to Janet that we have in the collection. They must not have known one another too very well, because he misspells her name on the envelope. The stationery has photos from the Montreal YMCA's "Camp for Men at lake St. Joseph open July and August" located at "St. Adolphe de Howard, Que."
August 22nd 1910.
My dear Jennie,
Some class to the camp note paper.
Owing to an unwritten camp law it was quite impossible for me to write yesterday, Sunday, but this is only Monday morning, so that isn't too bad.
I cannot understand how Flora came to get her postal before you got my letter as they were posted at the same time. There must be something wrong with your mail dept.
Do you know what: A friend of yours arrived here on Saturday evening--the gentleman who sang the very touching ballads at the party at Baird's place. He has not recognized me in my camp clothes and I have no intention of introducing myself. Looks to me as if he is not going to be such a favorite as he was at the party. He started off by offering to sing at the social on Saturday evening, but fortunately, or should I say unfortunately, his services were not accepted.
The fun was pretty good last week and it finished up with a camp inspection and social on Saturday. evening. The ladies were the inspectors and a vote was taken as to the best kept tent. Our bunch were presented with a cake of soap so that at the next inspection we might have some chance, but never mind some day they'll be sorry, and as a final climax your humble was roasted in the weekly journal, viz: "The Moule" the editorial having been devoted to my benefit. However, look at the compensation you get--advertising etc. etc.
I think I will accept your invitation and come to your place for the week end. I thought perhaps I might have got out for Labour Day, but there is always the chance that business might detain me in Montreal so I guess the best way will be for me to come out next weekend. I will have to leave camp Friday night, getting into Montreal about 9-40 pm and can therefore leave Montreal as early as you like Saturday afternoon and probably I can stay till Monday morning --if you will let me.
I would have liked very much to have seen the couple that made you "weary" Who were they?
I would also like to know if you did not omit something from the quotation at the beginning of your letter. Did you not intend to quote the revised version?
The next time you write here please address it c/o YMCA Camp. I might never have got your last letter had it not been for one of the "pretty" girls having noticed at the Post Office among those "to be called for" and brought it oer to me. One of the Campers is appointed "Postmaster General" and no one but him is authorized to get mail for the camp, and, therefore, we never think of asking for mail. You will have to write letting me know when to come to your place so that I will get it Thursday night.
I was very sorry indeed to hear that the Best Maid was not so well. Is she getting nervous.
I will have to stop now as they are shouting "All up for baseball" and this will have to be posted right after the game.
Hope you had a good time at Iberville.
Yours with more lub [?]
JMcSkimming
There is a scarcity of paper. (James had written the last part of his note on half a sheet of paper.)
Interestingly, the back of the envelope is postmarked "Montreal, QUE. Rec'd Aug 23 12_M 1910.
Mail service was certainly better a century ago than it is today. In 2012 the US Postal Service announced that it would no longer promise next-day delivery for any first-class mail, even within the same city.
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