1243 W. Alleghany Ave
Phila[delphia], P[ennsylvani]a
Jan. 10th / 1927
My dear children,
Aloys, Tilly and Buby! That’s all, I think!
Although a little late, I wish you all the compliments of the season and a Happy and very prosperous New Year! I did not feel so well of late and spent most of my holiday in bed, resting myself like. My nerves went back on me and I had lots of trouble with everything and everybody, the church, the house, some unscrupulous tenants and even with a few refractory and ungrateful pupils. But everything is coming out all right again, and in few weeks more I expect to see all my troubles ended. I suppose you heard, I bought myself a new Piano! It was built by an old New York firm by the name of Becker, and has a new Steinway action. Oh! It is beautiful; a semi-grand and the tone and action is superb! Do I not love to let my old fingers run over the keyboard. Oh yes! dear Tilly! I still can play, but not any length of time; my heart won’t allow it. With the organ it is different; I could play and improvise the whole day long and feel no bad effects from doing it. Your occasional announcements and concert programmes give me the greatst pleasure and I am, as I always was, justly proud of you. –
One great drawback in my work is my eyesight! It is getting very weak and I can neither read or write any length of time. Ferdie says, I must get new glasses! So I will after a little while. How do [you] like the School of Music work? I trust everything works smoothly now. Is Mrs Empson there still; I suppose not. This is the 6th letter I wrote today and I must stop now. So wishing you again every health and the greatest possible success, I remain yours
very affectionately
Hans Conrad Swertz
On the margin there is the drawing of a cat’s head and under it: Do you know what this is!?
[He died on 29th July 1927 of cancer of the stomach at home in the presence of his sons Franz Xaver and Ferdinand and the former´s wife, who had nursed him](Aloys Fleischmann Diary, 7th August 1927)
