[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading.]Templeton, Sept. 28, 1902.
Dear Lucy,
I think you will have to come home for I can't write every Sunday night: if you only were here we could talk much better than we can write. I don't seem to have much to write about, now you are away and Mary goes to G. I don't hear much news - you seem to have heard more of the T-n news than I. Uncle Isaac is better - sits up a good deal and can eat more, and seems quite like himself. The Dr. has not called on him to-day so you know he thinks he is about well, only the getting to feel well after the sickness. I think he is very fortunate to come out of an attack of dysentery so well at his age. I gave him a small slice of toasted bread, an egg and a glass of milk for his breakfast: that was the heartiest meal he has had since the day you went away.
I am planning to go to Hubbardston Tues. or Wed. if ti is ever pleasant weather again. You know I had talked of going and Uncle Isaac wishes me to go soon so to pay his taxes by Oct. 1. I should have gone yesterday if it had not been rainy. We have been canning pears and making apple jelly - we put up 14 cans of Barletts and made 18 glasses of jelly. We are going to make more jelly if we get time - Carrie wants some to treat the girls at 37 Upton St., and we thought you would like some to take back with you. We have made part of porters and part of gravensteins, and they look just alike. I suppose you have not heard from Alice yet. I have not written to Hattie but must soon.
Your Aunt Augusta called on me one day - she came up to visit Miss Wilkinson - says she shall visit me soon - she asked for your address - and I suppose you will hear from her; she is anxious you should go and graduate - she says college graduates do have such nice times at their reunions: but she did not say any thing about helping you through; well, she is about the last one I should want to help you.
Mary has just gone to bed - she has got stuck on one or two of her Algebra problems. I looked at them a little but did not see the way out: I find I am pretty rusty when I try to help her. I should think she was getting along all right - the girls are not to have drill, but calisthenics. They have had one lesson - "Mac." taught them and I think he and Capt. Potter are to teach them: I should think a teacher who had practised and been taught would be much better.
Carrie and Mary went to church - they had a minister from Athol: two of them. Mary said tell you, bushels of them. Mrs. Cobleigh had your S.S. class. Dr. inquired for you yesterday - he had been to Boston and to Lowell and called on Mary Stone, and she inquired for you. I wonder if you have been to church and prayer-meeting four times. I would not go so much unless I wanted to - you will find it a great addition to your work.
How much did you wash? Don't try to do too much at first - you know you are not used to washing, and you will get used up if you try to do very much at first - it will be easier for you after awhile. Do you have to wash the coffee-pots &c. What time do you have to get up? and what time do you have to go to bed, and to breakfast, dinner, and lunch. How do you get along with your studies? Do you feel any better? Do you like your room-mate? What do you wear? What did you wear to the reception? We want to know all about things so we can think what you are doing.
How is Helen? Does she have as good a time as she expected? Mary saw Kendall at school one day but he did not see her - he was talking with Linnie when she saw him. Mrs. Parker said Walter, Mason, and Miss Clark were all going away last Wed. I have heard nothing about Mason's exams. I will try to remember to ask Mrs. Parker. I am very sorry you did not pass in trig. but I should not think it would be very much to make it up: beg, hire, or steal a book that they use there that was where your mistake was in both algebra and trig. I think you might have passed in both last spring if you had used the same books they did at the college.
You are in the Sophomore class are you not? I want to know what to tell people. Have you got your sofa pillows made? Perhaps Annie is going to make one for you. Carrie went to Ware to the conference Thursday and enjoyed it much. I tried to have her buy a bottle of whiskey for me but she would not. Lizzie Lord is gaining slowly. George Stone is sick with typhoid fever, but think he is over the worst if nothing new happens, for Carrie heard he was to take some nourishment today for the first time - he has been sick two or three weeks. Mr. Hadley broke one of his fingers - he was at work on a car and when he got off he caught his finger in a ring and broke it and nearly pulled it off: he was at church to-day with his hand in a sling.
Carrie sends love, and says tell you she still lives: conference did not finish her: she says tell you she did not buy the whiskey because she did not think she could get it home, with the crowd she was in - Mr. & Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Geo. Bourn, Mr. Pratt, Chas. Lord, William Stone and Mr. Cutting. How is that.
Well, I must stop and go to bed. When you write Miss Cooledge (I have forgotten how to spell her name) tell her Carrie will settle, or that she told you to send. Did they give you back the ten dollars? Write all about things, and what you do &c. Be good and take care of yourself.
Much love from
Mama.I think this letter is rather choppy.