A Letter Written on Dec 8, 1905

Athol Mass
Dec 8, 1905

Dear Miss Baker:-

I will try to write you a few lines just to say that I am alive and am at work in Athol in my Uncle's Hat shop. I came up here Monday and started work Monday afternoon I have got so I can make hats now with out any help I made 59 to-day with a few starters to help me along a little faster but I get around alone in time.

They are all telling [me] what a smart girl I am because I learned so quick.

If folks don't stop prasing [sic] me so much I shall begin to believe I'm smart.

How's thing[s] up to N.S.H.S?

Tell the girl[s] I will write to some of them as soon as I can but time is a pretty scarce thing here you see I have to be at work at 7 and don't get through till 6 so we don't have a bit of day light at home only at noon.

I am bording [sic] with my two Aunts.

I think its [sic] nice up here only I wish I could enjoy the air a little more.

We went down street to the stores last night and I was pretty tired and felt pretty sleepy this forenoon[.]

We have a cat here that is the liveliest thing I ever saw when he moves he moves so you know it.

Aunt Lillia [sic] lets him set in her lap at the table and he sometimes jumps up and takes a piece of meat off her fork. He does it as quick as lightning[.]

I suppose the three sophs - are still grinding Latin History and algebra etc - into their brains while I a stray chicken am grinding the skin off my hands running hat[s] around & around in them.

I am the youngest here as near as I can find out.

My cousin Ernest is the boss and I think he is just lovely I never knew him before. (He [is] pretty too.)

There is a Charley up here for me to smile at now only he's married but you wouldn't think so to see him in the shop. He's awfull [sic] funny makes me think of a feller down to N. Prescott by the nic-mame [sic] of wincom slyly. Perhaps you know who I mean.

Give my love to Bernice & Mildred & Mr & Mrs. Cambridge & all of the girls but just rember [sic] me to Uncle Charley and let that do for him.

I may appear there some Saturday night and stay till Monday some time in the sweet bye & bye.

I wish you a merry Christmas & Happy new year and hope to hear from you soon.

With much love I must close so Good bye

From
Mary B. Shaw

Address/
260 Riverbend St. Athol. Mass

I mean Mary Bernice Vinnie Carrie Milldred [sic] Mammie etc & you know who my friends were
Tell the girls my address and tell them to write me and I'll write some time.

Excuse my poor writing but I am writing in bed so don't expect any thing nice I try to do better next time.