Maxton Papers

Materials dating from Maxton's early career

Letters from James Maxton to his wife Sissie, ca. 1919-1920

James Maxton

Posted 8th Aug 1919

My own darling Sissie,

I got the plates from Harry Glass on Saturday and brought them through here. The two Isle of Man one's were under exposed and gave him most trouble in development but I believe they will give the best prints.

The one with the pond and the bridge has had a streak of light across it. He says it will probably be due to the velvet in the carrier beginning to have the pile raised up and this can be done simply by dampening it. I got some printing paper and took rough prints which I enclose. They are neither toned nor fixed. I have had good meetings here over the weekend, but I expect the stiff ones will come through the week. I hope your weekend has passed off pleasantly.

I'm wearying for you already and don't know how I'm going to last out the week.

The people here are very nice but my own wife is the best.

I hope your mother has enjoyed her trip down and that her visit has made it pleasant for you. Lizzie, I hope, is still ministering to your comfort.

With fondest love,

Your devoted but absent husband,

Jim

Posted 20th August 1919

My own dear lassie,

This week is slipping slowly in. The big half now past and I'll be back to you on Saturday. I was afraid about my voice. I think I mentioned it was bad at Dalkeith on Monday. Fortunately, last night in Edinburgh here it was all right, and it seems to be settling down to work.

I'm glad your mother has been able to stay on with you, and I hope it's doing her good to be away from her domestic duties for a bit, and to be looked after by a capable lady like yourself.

I am being asked on all hands here why I didn't bring Mrs Maxton with me, and I give various answers.

I'm doing great business with my correspondence aren't I. Haven't missed a day yet. I hope they reach you with the morning post. I think my money will last me the week without breaking my 17/6 P.O. I'm getting quite the economical married man thinking of my domestic responsibilities. Mr Graham whom I am staying with is the manager of one of the departments of the big co-operative drapery and furnishing place here in Edinburgh. He is on the drapery side but he took me up yesterday and introduced me to the manager of the furniture department who spent an hour showing me round and giving me an insight into the furniture business although he knew I was making no purchases there. He tells me after 20 years experience in the trade both private trader and co-op that the best and most economical way to furnish is by paying 1/- to join the Progress Co-op Society in Glasgow which pays no dividend, and this enables you to buy furniture at the manufacturer's price, with 5/0 added on.

I'll make some enquiries about it when I get back. When I get back we'll have to set about making some arrangements for September.

Your loving husband,

Who's wearying for you every minute,

Jim

Dated 22nd October 1919

My own darling wife,

It's now Wednesday so it's not long to go til I'm back to you again.

I'm wearying for you already and longing to see your bright face and happy smile. I hope the back is all right now and the landlady is keeping within the reasonable bounds, that the coal box has arrived from the store and that Dixie keeps to its own bit.

I hope the parties are coming off as arranged.

I don't think I can possibly get back before Saturday but I'll be as early then as possible. Am wearying for a wee line from you.

Yours ever,

Jim.

Dated 24th October 1919

My own dearest lass,

This is the last day now and I'll be back tomorrow. I've had a very easy time, on the whole, but I'll be glad to be back again. Mr Lee and his wife have been very kind to me, and his boy and girl are nice bright kindly youngsters.

I'm glad you got the 5/5. Although I said you'd get it for yourself I expect there will be a box of cigarettes for me out of it.

I have unfortunately a meeting of the Scottish Div. Council tomorrow (Sat.) afternoon but I'll be with you for the evening.

I'll probably arrive in town about eleven, look up to the office, see the letters, get my pay, and arrive out about 12.20.

Mr Lee comes with me for the Council meeting so if circumstances so decide I may bring him out for lunch.

I'll squeeze you into wee bits tomorrow night.

Yours truly,

Jas. Maxton

Champion fire-fighter, expert back healer and faithful lover.

Posted 21st December 1919

My dearest wife,

I've got this length now and am a day nearer home again. I got my train quite easily yesterday morning and had quite a comfortable journey up to Keith, where I had a nice meeting. I go down to Aberdeen town tonight for my meeting tomorrow. I'm afraid I've got to go to Fraserburgh on Monday. I hope you're getting on nicely since I left and had good luck with Menzies yesterday. Remember the address I told you to write to 3 Bridge Place, Aberdeen c/o Paton. I wish I was back to my own wee lass and my own fireside.

Your loving husband,

Jim

Dated 17th May 1920

My own dearest wife,

I am writing this in the writing room at Dundee Station while waiting for my train to Montrose. I have had a very pleasant weekend, but the weather has collapsed here today.

I don't know what it will be like in Montrose. I stayed with my friend James Thompson at Broughty Ferry whose wife is also called Sissie.

Joe Duncan and Jimmy Houston also stayed there on Sunday night so that we had quite a lively evening.

I had two meetings yesterday. One at Lochee and the other in Dundee Town.

I hope you had a pleasant weekend and were not too lonely. The new bedroom suite should be getting licks today. What does a woman want with a husband when she's got a beautiful wardrobe with a mirror door. I shall being Oban til Wednesday forenoon and a letter c/o Dick 39 Lorne Terrace Oban will get me there or be forwarded on.

I hope you are making all arrangements for your party.

I will I was back to you and am wearying for Friday. With all my love.

Your loving husband,

Jim.

Dated 14th July 1920

My dearest Sis,

I got through to Markinch quite nicely last night. Just before we left Queen St. the station policemen came along and warned everybody that there were card sharpers in the train.

However I did not get skimmed.

Since arriving here, I have read some School Board minutes that I got before leaving and there is a meeting on Tuesday about promotion to Headmasterships that I want to attend. If I can manage it at all I'll run through on Tuesday morning and return with that same train the 3.40 for my meeting on Tuesday night. If that is feasible I'll come through as early as possible and come right out to the house arriving probably about half past eleven.

By the time you've got this you'll have had your weekend over - hope it has been an enjoyable one. The weather here today is excellent and I'm looking forward to a pleasurable weekend. I hope you've been a good lass and longing for the return of,

Your loving husband,

Jim

Posted 11th August 1920

My own darling wife,

I'm still at Fraserburgh but go on to Huntly tomorrow.

The weather has not been great but my meetings have been excellent.

This ought to be the height of the herring fishing here but up til now it has been a failure, and the people are feeling very blue for all the shopkeepers, and tradesmen helped on the fishing.

I'm wearying to be back beside you again, and Saturday seems a long distance away.

I haven't looked up the trains but I'll likely be travelling from Keith on Saturday morning so it will be late on Saturday afternoon before I get in. I have asked Willie to send John Mason or wee Jeanie up to the house with my letters on Saturday as they go home from the office.

I hope you haven't been too lonely and have been finding plenty to amuse yourself with. Bob and Sally would be married yesterday. I sent them a congratulatory telegram. I hope it arrived about the right time. I expect you'd look after their present all right.

I'm longing for you and for home every minute for I know in spite of my badness there will be a smiling bright faced lass to welcome me.

Yours ever,

Jim.

Dated 13th August 1920

My dearest girl,

Have arrived here from Fraserburgh via Aberdeen. This is my first visit here and it is a nice quiet country town. My meeting last night was very good. I think I had the whole village there. The Rev. James Barr was speaking in Temperance in the Public Hall.

I go to Keith today and then down full speed ahead to Glasgow, Garngad Square and wee Sissie. I have been looking up the trains and think if all goes right that I should get into Buchannan St. at 5 o'clock.

I got your two letters yesterday at Aberdeen, and was pleased to hear all the gossip. I'm glad you've had a little relief from your loneliness and that your dentist is getting you fixed up.

With best love,

Yours ever,

Jim

All Letters taken from Maxton collection in The Mitchell Library, Glasgow