A Letter Written on Jun 19, 1904

[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading.]

Templeton, June 19, 1904.

Dear Lucy,

I am not going to write a long letter tonight, though we have had more excitement in town this last week than for a long time. I can tell all the news Wed. and that will be much easier than writing. I presume Edith has written all about everything so you know more about it now than I do: but as she may not have written I will tell a little. Monday night between 8 & 9 Arthur Hawkes's barn was found to be on fire, but after a hard fight they saved the house - the barn and a shed were burned. The whole family of us went over to the fire - when we got there it did not seem possible that they could save the house. The E_ T_n steamer was all to pieces for repairs and the Oregon Rough & Ready was down there, so there was only the smaller hand engine here. The men from E_ T_n came after a time with the other engine and they put the fire out. Now of course there is everything said - that Arthur Hawkes set it on fire and any thing else about him they can think of. I pity his wife and children - his wife gave out from the excitement and I heard there were two doctors working over her: the eighth Hawke will be along in a few months if nothing happens: and he (Arthur) is hanging round Bertie Cobleigh about half the time, or so people say.

The next news is a strike on T_n street railroad - the conductors and motormen have struck for higher wages, and I hear are trying to copy the scum who throw stones & rotten eggs. They have cut the wire toward Otter River, and I don't think it is repaired as that any cars go that way, and I feel that they (the cars) may be stopped entirely any time. I think it is a disgrace to the town for our own town'smen to behave that way. It will be the safest way for you to come to the Ware River station: we can get your trunks from there without much trouble:if you come to Otter River or Gardner, it may be hard for you to get home or to get your trunks. Of course everything may be all right by that time but it is very doubtful. I don't think they run to Athol at all, but am not sure. They go from here to G_ pretty regularly, but few people ride.

Fred Winch has gone to work on the raoch but the men expect to "make it hot" for him. Well, we wont talk about that any more. I wonder if Hattie & Bessie have called on you to day - it has been so pleasant I did not know but they might. Lizzie went to Boston Thursday and intended to start for Maine Monday. If you wish to invite Addie Fitch home with, do so - we are all right here, only not in very good order. I shall expect Hattie back any time after Tuesday - of course there is the risk about getting any where on the electrics. Carrie says tell you she sets the table for you every day so to be used to it.

Mary's white dress is all made over and is very pretty, and Hattie has made & given her a new lace collar, we have made a new white skirt with a ruffle on it to wear with it (the dress). She has some new low shoes, and Mary Priest has invited her there for the night of the graduation, and Mary Baker is very well satisfied with things. Hattie brought her cloth for a pink dress, and some thing pretty for you.

Good bye till Wed.
Much love, Mama.