Templeton, Sept. 27, 1903.
Dear Lucy,
There does not seem to be much to write about to-night, but maybe the ideas will come if I begin. We are having a thunder shower now and I am afraid we shall have cold weather after it - we have not had any frost yet and the flowers are still blossoming. Carrie has a vase of rose buds that she picked this morning - the sweet peas are not doing much now but the nasturtiums &c are all right. We are eating corn every day: I wonder if you have corn there. I should hate to husk corn for so many.
Do you have as good board at this house as at Safford's? I suppose you don't have to wait on table this year. I am glad you have your work in the morning - it must be much nicer to have it done with early. How do you like your room and do you enjoy being alone. Be careful not to stay alone too much. Do you feel any better than when you went. If you don't gain, write and tell the Dr. about it and have him send you something else. I think you better not try to do all your washing this year. I think you better take some of Aunt Augusta's money (or yours that she gave you) and get part of it done - she would rather you would and it will be better for you. I don't think she likes to have you do it - perhaps she thinks it is not popular. Isn't your gingham ready to be washed yet? I shall expect that and a lot of other things with it soon.
Aunt Augusta called me Tues. afternoon - she stopped in Gardner for a few days and came up to E. T_n for two or three days - she is thinking of spending the winter in Gardner. Aunt Mary has invited her to stay with her. Ada & Warren have been to Lake George, N.Y. for a little visit. Friday morning, the day of the grange fair here, Warren told Ada that if she went to the fair she had better come home at noon, for he was coming home at noon and they were going to Lake George that afternoon to visit his relatives: she did not come up to the fair but went to G- and bought one of those black silk outside garments, and they went to N.Y. in the afternoon and came back home Monday. She has been to Boston twice this summer - he told her at night and they started early next morning: he says she would wear herself all out getting ready if she had a lot of time.
I have not seemed to do much this last week - Tues. I washed several dresses and of course it took time to get them ironed. Wed. afternoon I went to the funeral of Col. Hawkes, in the church - he sang in the choir Sun. forenoon and died about one that night. I think you had a better account of the funeral in the paper than I can give. After the funeral I went to E_ T_n to call on your Grandmother - found her well. I came down to take the 6-5 car and found I had to wait half an hour, or more (the car was late) so I made a short call on Ada to pass away the time - while I was waiting at the store, who should appear but Marietta, Mrs. Geo. Coleman - she was home to get things to go to keeping house with - she had on a very pretty suit and looked very well. I told her you meant to have called on her, and she said she wished you would write to her - said it was lonely there. I told her I would tell you, but you were very busy &c. If you do write, perhaps you can skip one of Edith's once in two or three months and take that time for M. I am not sure but she needs it more than Edith - foolish girls, both. M_ has been boarding with Nellie Coleman. If you write, direct to Townsend Center.
I think I saw the match scratcher that Annie sent. I spoke of sending it to you. I think Edith C_ and her mother went back some time ago. The Chamberlains are here yet. I suppose they voted on the division of the town yesterday, but I have not heard the result - I think no one expects it to be divided - there seems to have been a change of sentiment in regard to it. I don't know what has caused it.
You will be sorry to know that I have sent the doll to Mildred Cook, so we can not have our tea-party. I wrote you that she and I guessed the same name, didn't I? Carrie sends love and says she will write later: says tell you the church was trimmed with autumn leaves - a large bunch in a stone pitcher on the table and two small bunches on the organ. I nearly forgot to tell you that the organ recital was Wed. night. Carrie & Uncle Isaac went - we did not hear of it till that afternoon and I was so tired from going to the funeral & to E_ T_n that I did not try to go, but stayed with Mary. I believe it was very nice - there were two singers, a lady & a man.
Uncle Isaac went to Fitchburg one day last week, and Friday he went to the H_n grange fair: and Sat. he was not at all well - some bowel trouble, but seems all right today. I don't know when we are going to H_n - I have given him to understand that I am ready and I don't know as I can do any more. Mr. & Mrs. Roundy went away for three or four days last week. Wont he have to peddle early and late to pay for it? Amber has seemed quite unwell some of the time last week - he is better now but he is getting old.
I must close now. Shall expect to hear all about what you do & wear and where you go and whom you see, and every thing else. I am glad the Trig is all right. How is the music? Did you have to pay the extra tuition?
Much love -
Mama.
