[Some paragraph markings added for ease of reading]Templeton, May 22, 1904.
Dear Lucy,
As I wrote quite a letter a few days ago, I think this will be rather short, for there is not much left to write about. I suppose you have received your box before this, and I hope I [sic] have found and tried the cake. We had quite a busy time Friday getting the box ready to go in the afternoon - in the morning we had nothing ironed except the drawers, and some of the things were on the line drying - and I wanted to make some cake to send you. I thought I would make currant cake for the first kind - so I made one and I suppose the oven was not quite hot enough, so the cake ran over and fell and was a pretty bad looking cake when it was done - then I made chocolate cake and that looked fine till I went to take it out of the oven and I found that with a deep hollow in it. I was discouraged but concluded to try once more so tried french cake, making two kinds of it and that was all right. I have bad luck every time I try to make any to send to you - all that bad luck was a big hindrance but we got the box ready and Mary carried it to the station and I expect you have it now.
The family have all been to church (except me) and since have been sitting on the piazza, Mary in the hammock, quite like summer. We had a short call from Fred Leland tonight. He boards with Mrs. Buss, Bernice's mother. I presume Lizzie Matthews will get here by the last of this week. I don't expect a long visit from her for she plans to go to Maine early in June. I have finished Mary's suit so that she wore it today - she insisted on wearing the jacket even if it was hot, for she wanted people to know she had a new suit. It looks pretty dark, but very well excepting that.
I think Miss Ripley (Aunt Eunice) is dead. Mrs. Parker told Carrie that her mother had gone to Lynn to the funeral of her sister, and said I should know her, so I have no doubt it was Miss R_. Mrs. Parker is not well as usual since she came home - not sick, but not quite well. I have not seen Ada since Mrs. Loring was buried - I hope to call on her this week. Dr. Stickney of Holden sent in his bill for himself and the other physicians and I have put it with the other papers. I did not think you would want it with you. I hear Mary asking how to spell 'squshed' [sic] - she is writing to you. Hiram came and grated a tree, and trimmed some of the trees a little - there is more that should be done but I don't expect to catch him again. Uncle Isaac does not stand work very well this spring; he seems to get very tired, but I think seems rather better than a while ago.
Only a short time now and you will be home - the time will go very quickly. I hope you will like your new room, and I think you will find some good friends there: and the others will not be far away. I don't know as I took in all the points of your 'grind,' but I think I did some of them. I hope you will get time to return Alice Newton's call before the term ends. You may never see her again. Carrie called on Mrs. Batchelder one evening and carried her some apple blossoms that Hiram had trimmed off.
I think the Scollays had the new minister over Sunday, and there was a minister who lectured at the vestry last night that I think stayed there. Wouldn't Charlie be in his glory. I see Annie from the window but never see her to speak to. Mabel and Elmer went to ride today, and went home looking very happy. Mrs. Arthur has a new dog. Jay and Grace cut some of the trees in their yard yesterday and we can see to the common much better.
Much love,
Mama.Clara Aiken told Mary that the box you sent was paid all right - Walter AIken & Carl Drury are at St. Louis.