You will be sorry to hear that dear old Barrie died on Friday morning. We told you that some kind of paralysis had affected one of his forelegs … On Friday morning when Mamma came down she found him dead … We are missing him a good deal about the house. He was a good old fellow. We make it that he has been fifteen years with us … Stornoway 23rd Feb. 1919

In this week’s extra letter, Mr Gibson relates the heartbreaking news of Barrie the cat’s demise. As a patently beloved member of the Gibson family, Barrie had been mentioned frequently in letters by both Mr and Mrs Gibson. Over the years, his escapades included stealing the best spot by the fireside, having to be rescued from storms, having his porridge stolen by the neighbourhood cat Stripey, beguiling visitors, and sending feline kisses to Jean. He helped to give a real sense of the domestic life of the Gibson family; he will undoubtedly be missed by both the writers and readers of this blog. He was indeed a “good old fellow”. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get in touch if you have any comments: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk

Jean dear,

You will be sorry to hear that dear old Barrie died on Friday morning.  We told you that some kind of paralysis had affected one of his forelegs.  After a day or two this passed away but on Wednesday afternoon he took sick and one of his hind legs became paralysed.  He had a very restless and painful evening, very distressing to see as he so evidently looked to us to relieve him.  He was weak on Thursday, but not restless; only able to take an occasional sip of water.  On Friday morning when Mamma came down she found him dead; he must have died just shortly before she found him.  We are missing him a good deal about the house.  He was a good old fellow.  We make it that he has been fifteen years with us.

The old schoolboys continue to drop in.  Alex. Maclennan, Valtos was in during the week from Salonika, Murdo Maclean, Ballantrushal, from France, and Murdo Maciver (Class V. of 1914), from Syria.  Mr. Roderick Macrae has also been set free, and is to resume school work on Monday.  I am more than a little glad to have one of the Secondary masters back again.  On Friday evening Mr. Clark, Laxdale, was in and took tea with us.  I was at school clerking during a good part of the day, and in the evening we had our usual routine at the Hut.  The takings for the evening were £4”1.  Miss MacColl could not get down as she was nursing Peggy & the landlady, but her place was taken by Mrs. Small, and the four were kept quite busy.  There seems to be no decrease in the sickness in town.  Of the staff Miss Isabel Mackenzie and Anna Macleod are off; and Miss Annie Morrison and Murdina Mackenzie are still not fit for duty.  I think I mentioned that the last named has lost her mother.  The attendance in most of the classes is thin; the Infant Division made only 51 per cent for the week.

Mr. Colin John Leaves in a fortnight.  We are to give him the usual little Staff tea and are presenting him with a watch.

It is better that the Mor. Phil. essay and exam. are being left over, though it not pleasant to have them lying in wait during the holidays.  It will, however, leave the decks clear for the English and Chemi. exam^s.

We are sorry to hear of so much sickness in “107”, and we hope you’ll not take it; also that you’ll keep quite clear of the household attacks of examination nerves.  Both the Gibsons and the Lairds have taken a sporting interest in exam^s.  So you see!  You have to resist the mob sympathy.

We think it will be such a pity if Maud is not let come home for Easter; we hope her mother will think better of it before then.

Mamma’s turn of Sunday evening at the Hut is to-night, for which I am sorry, as I don’t think she’s able for two consecutive nights.  But the fishing-fleet will probably be mostly away in another week or so, and the pressure be reduced.

I am to take the service with the fisher boys, in other words, to give them a Monday – or rather Wednesday – morning talk.  I am going to speak on the elder brother the parable of the Prodigal Son.

Your last two letters have been nice and long and newsy, also have arrived at the right time.  Keep it up.  I must stop, as it is nearly time I was off to the Hut.

Our love.

Papa

[Italics written in left margin]

Ref: 1992.50.64iii/L32

Transcribed by Dawn MacDonald, Archives Collection Assistant