A Letter Written on Mar 25, 1903

[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading]

Templeton, March 25, 1903.

Dear Lucy,

You will probably be surprised to receive a letter from me 'off time', but Carrie sent a sample of gingham to me to see if you would like a dress like it. I did not feel at all sure about it so I am going to send it to you and let you decide for yourself and you can send a postal card to her as soon as you make up your mind to let her know about it - she proposes to start the dress there, so the sooner you let her know, the sooner she will begin it, if you decide to have it: you are to do just as you like about it. If you don't think you will like it to wear out there, say so - and if you think you would like it, say so. If she starts it, she will tuck the waist so the white stripe shows.

I have a host of things I want to do this week and as usual in such cases I don't seem to do much of any thing. I am having a bad time trying to wash your muslin dress. I got along very nicely till I thought I would blue it a little to make it look more like new - the muslin looked well but the lace and insertion took all the blue and now I am trying to unblue it, with not very good success. I don't know how it will come out.

I have been to Gardner this afternoon to start on putting my timber money in the Savings banks before April 1. I planned to come back and go over to Baldwinville and put some money in there, but I forgot that I should have to wait half an hour in E- T-n and so that made me too late to get into the bank: but I found it out while I was waiting at E- T-n. While I was waiting for the B-ville car I thought I would make a little call on Aunt Ada but did not find her at home - then when I found it no use to go to B- I decided while waiting for my car to walk up to Mrs. Ward's and find out what I need to get for linings &c. and take the car from there. When I got there I could not find anyone, and as it was too cold to wait on her piazza, I walked on slowly and had nearly reached the top of Ladder hill when the car came. I had walked from West G- up to town and back, and all together made me feel a little tired.

I saw Mrs. Holden on the car - she said she had grip in Feb. and had now got so she could do most of her work, not all. I saw Mrs. Braithwaite in G-, and she reported all well. Mary says that Anderson girl, Mary's sister, says it is "fierce" the way people are dying in Gardner. There have been a great many deaths there - 14 funerals in one week. I saw Elsie Walker Rogers in the store - she said the little ones there had had measles & chicken pox. I don't expect to write to you again till after you have been home. What time do you expect to get here? Mary saw Mr. Lord on the car yesterday so he is gaining and he told her Lizzie is better and he expects Bessie is on her way home. Carrie expects to come about the 18th of April, so you will just miss her if you have only two weeks.

Must stop, and get to bed early.

Much love,
Mama.