[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading.]Templeton, Sept. 20, 1903.
Dear Lucy,
I suppose the time has come to write letters, but; while it is much better than nothing, it is not half as good as a good talk. I don't know what to write about first. I think Mary has told all about the fire. Isn't it too bad. I hope they will rebuild, and as the paint shop and all on that side of the road are saved, it seems as if they might. It was a pretty exciting evening - the alarm was given here about 9-30, and at E_ T_n only a few minutes later, and at E_ T_n they blew that old whistle most of the time for half an hour: and the men began to come up by car-loads and wagon loads &c. The steamer came from there and from B_ville and as there was no wind they saved all but the main shop, boiler house &c. Mary heard it was a hard fight to save the station and the Hadley's house. I went up on the common twice to see it: once alone, and once with Carrie. Mary slept through all the noise and I was very thankful she did - she was all tired out from the day before and the fire would have excited her so she would not have slept at all.
After I got off the train at Athol the day you went away, I stayed in the station till about time to get my car. I had just got my collar and skirt off after I got home when Carrie called me down to see John Brooks, who was round about the dinner for the Grange fair, he had hardly gone when the tea man came. I had not got out of the kitchen when Lizzie Lord, Bessie and May Sawyer called - and all that time I had no collar on. I did a little washing Wed. and intended to put Bartlett pears but found them all spoiled, so was saved the trouble. Thurs. I baked beans for the grange dinner and for my own dinner and made some pies: and of course Friday we went to the fair. I will send you a paper with the account which will be better than I can write. And I got the doll. I guessed the name Mary and Mildred Cook guessed Mary, so we drew lots and I have the doll. I am going to send it to Mildred, but brought it home for the fun of it, they all laughed at me so.
I asked Mrs. Bartlett if she would play with me if I took the doll over there and she has promised to and a number of my friends have agreed to come and play with me. I did think we would send it to little Margaret but think it better go to Mildred Cook. Mary would have carried it yesterday if she had not been so busy and tired. I had quite a party that day - we invited Mr. & Mrs. Smart home to dinner with us - they had not been there long when Alice Miles and Elsie Walker Rogers came (they had dinner at the hall.) We went back a little past two and came home about four as Alice was to go home at that time - we intended to go back again but Sarah Leland came to wait there for Charlie and after she went it was too late. I enjoyed it all very much and wished you was here.
I saw a number of people that I don't see very often, among them Mr. & Mrs. Webber & Callie. I did not see your Aunt Ada and don't think she was there. Of course Mary has written how they got the prize - their team was very pretty. Aunt Ann and Lester have been here for a little while this afternoon. I suppose we shall go to H_n soon. I shall be glad when it is over. Aunt Ann seems as well as ever, but I presume is not rested. Mary has been down to see the ruins with Helen and Florence Taylor, this after noon - they planned to go over to Bessie's on the railroad and then home, but I would not let Mary take such a tramp when she is so tired, so the others went without her and she came home alone.
I suppose you will be twenty-one tomorrow. I can hardly realize it. I hope it will be a happy birthday and wish you many more. I hoped to have had some little trifle to send you but have not succeed[ed] in getting any thing I thought you would want. I hope you will buy a tennis racket with some of the money I gave you, if you wish one. I think it would be a good thing for you if you will use it - if you would not use it, you will find something you would like - the money was for you to buy what you like with for your birthday. I presume before you get this you will have found out why I did not lend you my pins - of course you could have taken them but I knew you would not want two sets there.
I must stop or my envelope will be more than full. I discovered today that one of your white skirts was left at home - I will send it now if you need it, if not will wait till I send other things. Mary saw Mrs. Batchelder sitting out on her porch, so think she is nearly well. Carrie thought the church was not trimmed much to-day. I am anxious to hear the result of your exam. I hope you are settled and comfortable, and have a key to your door. It is lonely for me without you - I miss you much. I shall expect to hear soon -
Much love -
Mama.Carrie sends love.