Templeton, Nov. 8, 1903
Dear Lucy,
I feel tired tonight and can't think of anything to write, so you will not have much of a letter: but I am thinking now that we may go to Springfield Wed. to buy that long talked of dress. Will that be convenient for you? I wish we had got one last summer as we had planned, then you would have had the good of it: we shall not have the good of the trip that we should have had earlier in the season, and you are coming home so soon that it will not be quite so much of a treat as if you were not coming for six weeks. I don't mean by that that we shall not be very glad to see you and you will to see us, we both know we shall be glad. But if you think you can go in to S- and buy one by yourself, I really think it would be better now and I could go some time when it is warmer and the days longer. Well if the weather is good, we will plan to go and if you cannot go you must get word to us by Tuesday night, and if you rather buy it yourself, I will send you money and see you in two weeks. If it should be a stormy day we shall not go, of course. I don't know if I have made it plain: in fact I don't know much of any thing.
I came home from H-n last night and I am sorry to say I am not done yet. I don't expect it will take more than one day more or at any rate that I shall have to stay more than one night, but I may be mistaken. It could have been all through if all had gone as I hoped, but it didn't. There is a lot of stuff waiting to be burned and to be taken off and dumped and I can not finish my work till it is done - and I could have finished it last week if that had been done - and that is what is the matter.
I have wanted Lester to go over for a day, but he has not been yet, and he may decide to go over Wed. and if he does, of course I can't go to Springfield, but we will send a despatch on a card if I know it in season. If Uncle Isaac has to do all the carrying out and burning &c. it will take me longer for it will be more than he can do in a day. I think it uses him all up to go over there and see us pulling things over - he acts as if he could not do any thing. Of course my work is all behind - I have done no housecleaning or sewing and seem to have lost all spirit for it.
Mary has not been up to help me any this last week, as Mr. Miles is still sick - he seemed to be improving Sat. so hope he is gaining faster now. Alice came hoe a week ago but is going to stay till about Thanksgiving with Eliza, if her father is better. Alice came up to help me two or three days but we had got where she could not do much - and she is not strong enough for real hard work.
I don't know of much news I have been away so very much. Mrs. Batchelder and Lizzie Lord called a few minutes to-day. Mrs. B. said there was an accident on the street electric road last night - one car ran in to another and one man had his leg broken, and there was one on the B-ville road Friday night and some were hurt and the cars smashed. I don't know who were hurt, or how badly. It was in the paper that the road had gone into the hands of a receiver, and we feel a little anxious how it will come out.
Mary says Walter Hadley came home to vote Tues. He did not wait long after he was of age, did he? I am very glad Mason has the money to go on, but what a debt to begin with. I will tell the rest if I see you Wed.
Much love,
Mama.
Bring your washing to take back when you go back from Thanksgiving, and any other bundle you want sent home.