[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading]Templeton, Nov. 22, 1906.
Dear Lucy,
I thought I was going to have time to write you a good long letter tonight, but it is now past eight and I am very tired, so I think it will not be long. You will not miss much for I had not much to write. Last Thursday I was going to write, but had a good deal to do and was so tired after supper that I put it off till the next day. Friday I had an appointment with Dr. Jewett at 11 A.M. and started at quarter before eleven, (the car was late) and got to his office at twenty minutes before one. The car went off the track just beyond the Stinsons' and we waited there as nearly an hour - then the "refrigerator car" took us as far as E- T-n square and left us there for a long time, without any heat and the wind blowing in on all sides - when the B-ville car came we got on that and finally got to G- It took three cars to get us home but did not take so long - after I got home (about two) I got dinner, finished up the work, built and looked after two more fires and was busy as I could be till Carrie got here - and of course I could not write that evening. So your letter was not written and as Mary was going to write the news Sunday, I gave up trying and sent paper instead.
To day I have been making pie-meat, and doing other things but have not accomplished much only to get pretty tired - this eve. I have mixed bread and chopped apple. The wind is blowing a gale and has blown down our kitchen chimney worse than for a long time. I wonder if it does not blow some in New Salem. The Baldwinville Ladies' Club invited the Wellington Club there today, but neither Carrie or I went. She has had a worse cold than I, and still coughs badly. I would rather like to have gone but thought it best not. The W- Club meets with Mrs. Brooks tomorrow, and they are to have the papers about T-n that they had several years ago, and I would rather like to hear them, so may go there.
I suppose Mary wrote you that they have decided on a minister and have all gone wild over him. I hope all will be well, but am afraid he is too smart to stay here many years, if his throat gets well. He leaves the parish in Saco because his throat troubles him and the Drs. say he must get away from the sea - he has had several 'calls' but all were to places near river, lake or sea, so we get him. I have not heard him but all seem much pleased with him.
I was much surprised to hear that Mabel Dudley Akers died Sunday. I had not heard but she was well. She had consumption - she left a baby about a month old. Mary heard that Blanche has taken that but I do not know whether it is for a little time or whether she will keep it. There is a young man at Hiram Seaver's house who is very sick with typhoid fever. I heard that he was a little better today. Mary rode from E- T-n to Gardner on the car with Uncle Warren this morning - he was not working for a few days - she said he was very talkative (for him), that he inquired for you and talked most of the time. Carrie says tell you that she has been making meat pies today - that is she cut the apples: and so she knows they will be good. We went to Athol
Tues.Mon. afternoon and got our hats fixed up. C. got a new one - very fine indeed. Mrs. Alfred Lane washed for me Tues. and is coming next week.I think I will close this up and tell you the rest - only a few days now. I send this card along. [no longer with the letter] You better accept some of her good places and let Mr. L- run things alone.
Good night and much love,
Mama.