A Letter Written on Mar 8, 1903

[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading]

Templeton, March 8, 1903.

Dear Lucy,

It is after half past eight now and I am just commencing to write to you, so you are not likely to get much of a letter. It has been a rainy day, warm, and for that or some other reason every thing has dragged all day. I have felt very tired and finally took a nap at the time I usually write to you. It has been a hard week of course. I can hardly realize Margaret has gone and it don't seem as if I can have it so: it takes a great deal out of my life. Mr. Pratt told us to be thankful we have had her, and I think we all are thankful, but we were not ready to give her up. I thought Mr. Pratt spoke finely that day - he gave her the highest praise and was spoke with much earnestness and feeling. I sent you a paper with a very good account of the services, though it was set out a little - the church was not actually crowded but there were a large number there, and all were mourners. Emma came about noon and went with me and Mary came from school to go: the three of us and Charlie, Moses and Frank were all the Leland cousins there. [sic] I went to Gardner Wed. afternoon and ordered some violets, and sent them in Carrie's and my name, but of course my name would stand for yours and Mary's too: though I would have put your name in if I had received your letter before I went. It was just a bunch of violets - it would not make nearly as much show as some other flowers, but I wanted violets. I think Mr. and Mrs. Lord are rather better - Lizzie sits up some. How terribly hard it was for her that she could not go up to see Margaret or do any thing for her. I started to call there yesterday but found Mrs. Batchelder and May Sawyer on the car, and felt sure they were going there, so I got off at E- T-n and called on your Aunt Ada. I shall go the first day it is possible.

Bessie is expected home the last of this week. Esther has hurt her knee - she was carrying her wash-bench out and hit the end against the door and that pushed the other end against her knee - she did not think it was much hurt but after an hour or two it began to pain her and finally she had her Dr. She gets her breakfasts and suppers with Arthur's help and Mr. C- & Arthur get their dinner out - and she and Arthur make the beds and I think she lies down most of the time. Emma goes over and washes up the dishes for her. I am afraid she may have a bad time of it.

I had a letter from Hattie Fri. night - she has a bad cold, rheumatism &c. and had the Dr. She said Alice and her room-mate wanted to go to Boston to spend the Easter vacation - the room-mate would not go home because she does not like her step-mother, so they plan to go to Boston and Hattie wished me to send her Mrs. Pope's address. The Parkers went to Boston Friday - they are to have a room at Mrs. Pope's. I suppose Fred Matthews is in Boston - he started last Sunday - he is to have $40 a week and expenses paid when he is out of Boston, and salary raised after six months if he gives satisfaction. How is that? Mary says Flossie French is coming down with measles. Warren Seaver was exercising Mr. Howland's horse, and it fell and threw him out some distance beyond the horse - he struck on this [sic] head, but it was mud instead of frozen ground and Mary thinks he was not hurt much. Uncle Warren said Perley Smith is at work, motor man, on an electric road in Clinton or Webster - he was not sure where. Aunt Augusta is stayin [sic] in Gardner for a short time. I have not seen her.

It is time I was in bed and I must close this thing. I have not taken my bath yet - no church is not convenient for me. I will send a paper with the account of Edith Gray's wedding. I did not go.

Much love,
Mama.