[Some paragraph markings added for ease of reading]Templeton, Mass.,
May 22, 1904.Dear Lucy;-
I have volumes that I could write to you but it is getting towards eight o'clock and I don't know how you will come out. Cousin Fred Leland was here for a little while this afternoon or I should have begun sooner. I went to church to-day in my new suit & felt very "swell" It was pretty warm with my jacket on but I wanted to wear all of my suit if I wore any. I have been trying to write on the "Last of the Mohicans" but find "Jolly Good Times at Hackmatac" far more interesting. I haven't read that since I was a child so it is as good as new.
The jug breaking went off all right. We big girls ate everything that we could get hold of so had real good time. Jay sat at the head of one table and Mrs. Books & the twins at the foot & Lucius at the head of the other & Cousin Minnie and the boys at the foot. Wasn't that strange? We girls went up in the hall and tried to dance a little and Ralph and Arthur came up & we stayed until we thought that we were late for the entertainment but we weren't[.] There [were] quite a few little ones there. I had charge of Karl & Russel. Russel insisted upon talking and making a noise and punching everybody that he could. He acted so that I got in between Karl and him and Linnie and sat beside Karl. She had her arm around him to keep him still and when he got home he told his mother that "he liked to have Linnie put her arm around him and he liked to put his arm around Linnie." Both of the twins broke jugs and felt very big about it. Miss Brewer's class had the most, having over two dollars. There was in all $9.39. My class had $1.73 I think.
I am trying to make a poster for Drawings the first of June & we have to design them. We had to have a figure on them & I wanted a small boy. I was undecided whether to try Karl or Charlie S. but finally decided to take Karl. I armed myself with candy and a story book and went down. Cousin Minnie had a fight with him at first but finally I got him to stand for me. He behaved real well for a little chap. He had picture books to look at and every two minutes would run and show them to me. The picture is real cute but I don't know as Miss Cook will like it.
I had a may basket hung to me Friday night after I had gone to bed. I had just got into bed when some one knocked. Uncle went to the door & found it. Auntie had been making a call on Mrs. Batchelder & was just coming home. She
metsaw a young man going up towards town on this side of the street but she didn't notice who it was. I suspect that the one that she saw was the one for it was just the right time[.] I think that it was Charlie Rich though I have no reason to think so I think that a boy made it for it is all coming to pieces!!! It is red and green & had a gre-at big orange in it. Ruth and I went after white violets Fri. night down in Mr. Brooks' meadow. We found them by the bushel. We went into two pastures I saw fields of violets after I got home and found the ground white with them. I never saw so many of them.I took your extension case of things down to the station and everybody thought that I was going away. I was measured the other day by Mama & Auntie & I am about a quarter of an inch taller than when you were here! Have you grown any?
We have rather a funny thing happen at school Thurs. Miss Bailey was sick & had to go home so we were left to our own devices. Well sometime during the recess Gregory sat on an orange. Of course it burst. I wasn't there when it happened but we got to laughing over it so we couldn't do anything. There was the juice right down by his seat. Added to our trials; in walked a man. He stood & looked at us. We were almost choking and every one once in a while someone would laugh out. When he left we all burst. We went into Geom. & in walked the same man. We laughed a little & then we were quiet until Miss Cross sent Douglass after a chair. He had just got it inside the room when the man turned & walked out!!
What are we going to do about the birthdays? I have just discovered that they will come on Sat. & Sun. Can't you think of something that I can do to help them celebrate? The handkercheif [sic] will not be done. I fancy that it never will get drawn work in it for Mrs. Bartlett will go away of course now. Is there anything that you want done for Memorial? Can't you think of some short, interesting classical book that I can write on next time for I don't think that I can get hold of the "Little of Kingdom Come"? Can't you think of some more themes for me? If you answer all these questions you will do well but I suppose that you can since you are are [sic] Junior in College. Shall we leave all celebrations for Mama & Auntie until you get home as it will only be a few days?
X X X X X X X X With love X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X Molly. X X X X X X X X X X X