Templeton, Jan. 25, 1906. [According to the date on the envelope, this should be 1907.]
Dear Lucy,
Are you frozen stiff? I did not know but we should be yesterday - it was twelve below here at a little past seven but it ranged from that to °22 on the common - it was 22 at Ben's and some other places - 18 over at the north side of the common. I have felt the cold more today. I don't know whether I have taken cold or not, but I have not been warm since I got up this morning till the last hour or two.
Minnie and the baby have been here this afternoon. Minnie has been to Worcester for a little visit and so stopped here to wait for Moses to come for her. Baby has a bad cold and Minnie seemed tired. Her sister Ida has been helping her for a week, to give her a rest, and is going to help her next week. Minnie said Esther seemed better than when she was here in the fall, but she never saw Emma when she seemed so tired - she has a half of a house more to take care of and no more help and no more pay. I don't believe she will stay there much longer unless there is a change. Arthur is quite interested in his school - they could not get him to take the baby - he would not touch it. Carl told his mother before she went to W_r "Not to let the baby die while she was gone." Poor little fellow, I presume he really felt afraid she might die.
I don't know of any news only that every body is having cold or grip. I hope you won't have any more - take your medicine faithfully - that will help keep you from taking colds &c. I have one piece of news, but Mary says you must not publish it - you will be very likely to there - Miss Blodgett is going to Texas with Mrs. Hinds - (Edith Gray). She told Mary she might be gone a month or she might not be home before April: but thought she should come by the first of April any way: I think she must need such a rest and change, with all her work and I am glad she can go. But it will put an end to Mary's lessons, and I am sorry for that: Carrie intends to go to Boston, tomorrow, for two or more weeks. As usual she had company, (Minnie today,) when she had her trunk to pack. If you would like she could find out a good agency there, and get a blank for you to fill out. It could do no harm.
I am glad you can have that piano and enjoy your chance to practice. Shall I have to express the shot-gun up to you to settle Mr. W- with? I sent the box to you today, and hope you will get it all right. I dont know whether the cuffs on your waist are right or not - if they are not I will try to fix them when you come home. Mary says she hopes you wont use more of the ribbon than you need, so she can have a belt too. I did not send the black piece for I have not been able to find the pieces yet. I thought I knew where they were, but when I went for them they were not there, and I have not located them yet - will send some as soon as I find them. Did you burn a big place?
Mrs. Skerry arrived in town last Sunday night, and I suppose they are settled in the parsonage before this. Bessie Lord took dinner with us last Monday - she was soliciting for money for the Unitarian Association. I did not contribute any thing but the dinner. She had got sixty dollars when she was here. I will tell you something that will surprise you. The hens have laid five eggs this week.
I must stop. Don't let Mr. T- [?] worry you. Take him easily as you can as long as you have to work with him. Good night much love -
Mama.
Is she either of your classmate [she was not]