[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading.]Templeton, March 1, 1903.
Dear Lucy,
I had got so used to writing Feb. that I tried to this time: the wind has blown hard enough to be March any way, and it has blown down our chimney and we have been nearly smoked out. I ought to begin with a scolding - your letter did not get here till night last night and Mary had to go out in mud, water and ice after it. Uncle Isaac and Mary have been to church - there are five Sundays in March and I suppose Mr. Pratt has only four, so there were services to-day the storm carried off most of the snow and it looks quite March like.
I am glad your concert went off all right and that you had a good time - for I suppose if Fred enjoyed it you did - at any rate you would not have enjoyed it if he had not appeared to. I was going to write to you about Edith Grey's wedding, though I knew nothing about it only it is to be in the church and the reception in the church. I think he is in the employ of the government and is going to Texas to look up the cotton bug or some other bug. Mrs. Parker says he looks very much younger than she, Edith. They did not intend to be married till June but he could have a vacation now and could not in June - perhaps she was afraid he would get away and she had better make sure of him she has wanted some one so badly. I had a call from Mattie Goodrich Winch, Friday - she is not invited to the wedding which is very strange, I think. Mattie seems very happy and I had a very pleasant call. Mrs. Rasey is keeping house for some one in Orange - the wife is dead and there is a man and his son there all the time and a daughter who comes home Sundays - a furnace that the men take care of and washing and ironing put out. I should think it would be a much easier life than she has led for some years.
Mrs. Parker called one day and talked just as fast as usual. They, the Parkers are going to Boston the last of this week for a while, I don't know how long. Dwight Seaver is better and I presume is out of the hospital by this time. Minnie has been threatened with pneumonia, but is better and will probably get along without having it. Moses is gaining and the children are better. I hope nothing more will come to them for a long time. Do you know how soon your vacation comes? Better send your white dress home as much as two weeks before. I think Uncle Isaac is planning to go to H_n and Worcester this week if he feels able. It is of no use for me to try to write tonight. I will tell you the reason and stop and try to do better next time.
Margaret is very sick with pneumonia. She commenced to be sick last Sunday but said nothing about it. Monday Lizzie noticed she did not look well but M- did not give up and Tuesday she was so sick she did not get up. Mrs. Cobleigh went to take care of her and Thursday they got a trained nurse. The Dr. felt quite encouraged Friday and I did not hear again till today when I heard she is worse. I have been up to Mrs. Batchelder's to inquire and she told me the Dr. says there is no chance for her to get well. Dr. Mullin met with him to-day and both said the same thing. The Dr. told Mrs. B- that she had failed since morning.
Lizzie is still in bed - the Dr. will not allow her to get up. They are going or have telegraphed for Bessie, but of course she can not reach here for several days. It is such a pity as it has proved that Bessie went and she will feel terribly. Mr. Lord is quite feeble, is not gaining. Well, I will not try to write more for I can only think of one thing. My cold is much better.
Much love,
Mama.