[Some paragraph markings added for ease of reading]Templeton, Dec. 14, 1905.
Dear Lucy,
This letter will not be very long for I am very tired. I have been at work on pork for the last three days, and it is not done yet, but I can begin to see the end. I supposed I was to have half of a pig that would weigh about 125 lbs. or perhaps a little more; but Sat. afternoon Moses came with 190 lbs. of pork. I felt rather badly for I did not want so much, but, of course, felt obliged to take it, and I have put most of it into lard and sausage, and it made a lot. I sent the feet to Ada this morning; she will take them to your grandma and they will "have a feast", Ada said. I was glad to get rid of them. I am tired of it and want to get it finished.
I don't know of much news. There was a concert at the Orthodox church last night and Carrie & Mary went: it was given by the choir and a male quartette from Gardner. Miss Blodgett and Mrs. Curtis, our new neighbor played a duet on the piano. Your Uncle Warren and Aunt Ada came up to it. Mary wants me to ask if you did not take the linen in your trunk last fall, thinking to make your pockets. We cannot find it anywhere. If you have not used all that you took the last time, please send it to Mary - she is very anxious for some, and would like it as soon as possible.
I don't think you will want to go to Springfield if you can get along without. It would be a very hard day and a crowd so you could not get at anything. Can't you stop at Athol or Orange, or wont that do? C & I shall probably go to Athol or Fitchburg some day, but we have not planned anything we have had so much pig. Carrie says tell you the man woke up and came down on the car with her. I don't know much about the Pratts. Mason is still here - he came to the door with the jar a day or two ago - said his aunt was going in a day or two and he was going soon. I don't know what is going to be done. I heard they would pay the funeral expenses and his salary to
theJan. 1 - I don't know whether they will do any thing more or not. I think they ought. I have not called yet - think I better wait till Mason is gone - she will be lonely then.I think Edith's finger is all right now. I was frighened [sic] about it - she showed it to me last week and it was quite black -s he was on her way to see the Dr. then - I was afraid she would lose her finger, but her father told me this morning that it was healed.
I suppose Mary wrote you that I got very giddy last Friday - went to Wellington Club and made two calls. I have not had time to sew any this week. Amber died the next afternoon after you went. We buried him under the big sweet apple tree by the summerhouse - between that and the porter tree. Uncle Isaac dug a grave just as nicely as for a person; and Carrie and I found a box and I put him in it on a soft bed. We did not say any thing to Mrs. Arthur, it had been so long after we spoke to her, and last Friday Dr. Cleaves came to the door. I did not expect him after so long a time.
I will stop for this time. Mary says send the linen along post haste - she wants to make one for Carrie W. Is your wood in? Take care of yourself.
Much love,
Mama.It is too bad about Addie Fitch.