[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading.]Templeton, Oct. 19, 1902.
Dear Lucy,
I have been writing to Hattie tonight and have spent so much time over it that I have not much left for you. I have not written to her before since she went home, and my conscience began to trouble me a good deal. I really have not so very much to write this week - at least I can't think of much now. Uncle Isaac gains but I think he over does - he feels that he must take care of things before cold weather and keeps doing so much that it worries me. My apples are not picket yet, only a few that he picked Friday, and I am afraid they will get frozen. Jerry Mossey gave some encouragement that he would pick them on shares, but am afraid he will not.
We picked one basket of grapes Fri. night and the rest are out: but they are not ripe and we want [to] wait as long as we can. Carrie has got her plants in and has put them on the flower stand in your room - we thought they would be best there - she has a rose, (a garden rose) almost blossomed and another bud started which probably will not blossom - she picked quite a bunch of nasturtiums to-day: we have not had as much frost here as there has been in most places. Carrie and Mary have been to church - C- said tell you Alice Trutt had on that same white waist and short skirt; no jacket.
I suppose Mary told you how she went to Edith's yesterday - Mrs. B- came to the door to know if she would not go and stay all night with Edith, but Mary said E- did not seem to know any thing about it. E- is not well and could not go with Andrew, so Mrs. B- went with him. I wonder if they are not afraid to trust him off alone. Mary said Edith is not at all well - her teeth were aching but the Dr. said she was not well enough to have them filled, so she has to bear it. M- say[s] Mr. B- is going to give up peddling milk and sell his route. What shall we do?
I went to H- on Thurs. I started at 7.30 in the morning, caught the train at Heywoods, and reached H-n all right - the coach was not at the station, and I should have to wait an hour, so I walked and saved my quarter - it was quite a walk for me, but I got along all right, but was rather lame next day. I found Aunt C- had not been well for several weeks - had been so dizzy that she could hardly walk - she had got along alone though, but it is not safe for her to do so. I tried to persuade her that she would come and stay with me for awhile, but she declined very decidedly. I don't think she feels able to get herself what she ought to have to eat. I don't see as any thing can be done, but it worries me to have her there alone like that. She seemed to think favorably of your going to college and hoped you would rank high in your class.
I rode to the station and got home all right, but pretty tired. I think you may feel complimented on your Latin composition and should think they did not think very badly of your English. I suppose they don't give you any encouragement of your getting it done before the end of the year? Are you sure it will do no good to apply for a scholarship while you are conditioned? I suppose you have not done any thing about your music! I wish you would find out more about your gym. suit, if you can: find out what they would ask to make it, and if you can what a ready made suit would cost in Holyoke. Carrie is going to Boston Wed. for a week, and I want her to buy the cloth if I make it: so I shall want to know right away. If there is any thing that you will need soon that can be bought better in Boston, let me know at once, or write directly to her there.
Have you had any books from Miss C-? If you have and have not paid for them, send to C- to pay. Every body inquires after you, how you like &c. I don't think Mary and I succeed ing making as good cake as you do. Have you returned Alice's call yet? The Scollays are still away but I see some of them go to the house nearly every day: but Charlie stays away beautifully and I very seldom see Annie. I don't know of any news though the town may be full of it. I must pay my taxes tomorrow. T. Y. M- wrote to me to know if I would take $2500 for my timber lot but I wrote him I would not and I have not heard from him since. I wish I could sell it this fall.
Mary says Linnie has to write her autobiography. Do you think she will tell of all the young men? Doesn't Helen get along well, that she thinks she does not know anything? Have you sent off your pictures yet? I think we must give 'Carl' one he seems so anxious about you. I think Mary was well pleased with her birthday presents.
Well, I must close though I think there more things I wanted to say, but I can't think of them. Go to bed early and take good care of yourself.
Much love from Mama.