[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading]Templeton, Oct. 20, 1905.
Dear Lucy,
As usual I am late about writing but I did not quite forget it this time as I did last week. It has rained nearly all day and now it is clearing off and I am afraid it will freeze before morning: it is so wet
tthat I hate to go out and cover up thingsnitonight. I have made bread today and have done a little ironing, not much, and have managed to be all day about it, as usual. I have taken a little rest several times, which did not help the work along. I felt tired and not at all ambitious. You see I was very giddy Wed. The 'Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs' held a meeting in Athol. I did not plan to go, but Tues. forenoon Mrs. Parker came in and gave me a special invitation - said she would look out for me, she is a member of the Athol club, so I finally made up my mind to go. I watched for her next morn to tell her I was going, she was going at 8-15 and I could not go till 9-15, but did not see her, but supposed of course she was gone, and I did not knowittill I was well on my way to Athol that she had an attack of indigestion the night before and could not go. (You can straighten out the ands and buts in that sentence at least you can try)I found Ada on the car so was all right - we kept together all the time, so that I had a very good time: I don't think it would have been very good for me if she had not gone. There were several speakers, some quite interesting and some not so much so to me, a nice dinner which we had to pay .50 for and then we came home, getting here at 4-30. What do you think of that?
I got quite anxious this week - we did not hear from Carrie for 2 1/2 weeks, not a word, and even Uncle Isaac thought something was wrong - I got quite wrought up over it, but when we heard found she had been going about with Emma, who is spending her vacation there, and had not thought that we might be anxious. I thought she was going to do something about a birthday present for Mary for us both, so I did nothing, and when she wrote found she had got something for herself and nothing for me. I got the letter Wed. morning and had not time to get any thing, (I did not read the whole of it till I got back from Athol) so poor Mary had a dry birthday - not one thing but promises - Carrie has written her that she has sent a package but she has not got it yet - she did not say whether it was by mail or express.
I wrote you that Uncle Isaac's wife's half sister's husband spent a night here last week - he said he should probably be back in about a week so I have expected him all the week, but he has not appeared yet. I hope he will not come and spend Sunday here. He was driving from Milbury to some place in Vermont. Your aunt thinks she shall come home the last of next week, but she may not. Mary says that 'thing' that you are expected to go to in Greenfield is next Friday. the [sic] teachers in Gardner High are going, and they are going to take Thursday for a visiting day, so Mary will have four days of rest - quite a little vacation.
Well, I must hurry for it is nearly six. You thought I would be glad to get home that Sunday night. I thin
gk he run the car so it only touched the rails once in a while, just bounces - like "Off again, on again," and I think he might be "Finnegan". I hear that Marvin Miles is going to move in where Fred Winch moved out: that he has sold his place. Mary saw Edith today, and they are all well. I must stop. Shall you come home, or go to South Hadley? Is your money holding out?Much love,
Mama.