[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading]Templeton, Jan. 14, 1906.
Dear Lucy
Probably you are feeling that you are a neglected child, and I don't know but you are; but I have been as busy as I could be trying to make Mary's suit. I did not begin it till last week - the week before Mary had measles and I wanted to fix up the pantry & cupboard and cook up food for a few days, so if I had the measles it would not be quite so hard for Carrie. I have not any measles yet. Have you? I am feeling quite anxious to hear from you. If you don't have them very soon, I think you will not have them from Mary: but I would not be surprised if they got to New Salem without your carrying them - they have them in Phillipston and so probably will have them in Athol and Orange if they have not all ready got them. They have measles, mumps and diphtheria in the G.H.S. Mary is all right now and plans to go to school tomorrow if it is a good day. Dr. said she would have to stay away from school "three days after she was well," and as he did not come down to say. I called her well Thursday - she went out of doors that day measles show on her face when she goes out in the cold yet and I suppose they will for some time.
There was a knock at the door just now, and some one came in that I think was Lucius - he has been very attentive - he called at the door to inquire three times before she got out and since he has walked home from the store twice with her and now he is down here gain. She will have a 'fit' as she says - she had a lot to do today and has not got it all done and most likely he will hinder her for a long time - it is too bad he don't know any better. She told us the other day after he had walked home from town with her, that she "was sick of him." If he wants her to have much to do with him, he better not be quite so attentive. She did not have measles hard, but had to stay in bed three days and was up stairs five days - of course she must be very careful not to take cold now, as one is more tiable [sic] to throat and lung diseases after measles. If you do have them, don't try to use your eyes at all till you are well over them, and be careful not to go in to the cold or you will drive them back. I happened to think of your cough medicine - that of Lizzie's - be sure to shake it well before you take it - that is part of the prescription.
Mrs. Parker came home from Manchester with a terrible cold and cough, but is better now - she called in here Friday night, and is still able to talk. Mrs. Pratt was quite poorly two or three days last week but Mrs. Parker said she was much better Friday. Eva called on Mary one afternoon and Grace Stanley called yesterday afternoon soliciting for the band fair at E_ T_n. I have been feeling quite uneasy about Miss Wilkinson. Mary called on her the afternoon you went back, and I have found out since that she had measles when she was a baby so would be liable to have them again - she came to the door yesterday so she has not got them then and I hope she will not have them.
I began to think I should not get a letter written to you tonight. I was looking for my pen and Persis came - she did not stop very long and I had just found my pen and Carrie wanted me to go upstairs to see a waist she wanted to try on Mary - before that was done, the door-bell rang and I found Mabel Titterton there - she came to call on Mary and bring her a box of molasses candy. I had first commenced to write and Lucius came, but I have not been in to see him, though I suppose I ought. Mary will not get time to write you tonight, but will as soon as she can - she has been studying hard to get her lessons made up and now Lucius has been here most an hour and I don't know what she will do. My clock has gone back on me - it will run when I lay it down but as quick as I set it up, it stops. I shall have to borrow one to get up by.
Persis said Mason was at church today. I presume he came up for Sunday. I have not heard what the parish did for them, or if they did anything. Mrs. Parker told Carrie that the insurance was between two and three thousand dollars, but that Mason had to give bonds when he went to the medical school and the insurance policy was used as security: so they can not get the money on it yet or only a part of it. Alice is round with Ralph as much or more than ever - it does seem as if she lacked something. We have not called on Mrs. Pratt yet as we have had measles. The Dr. told me that Mr. Bourn would come down and put a yellow card on the house, but we have never seen any card - they must have been out of cards. I did not see or hear any thing more of Fred - it was not even in the Recorder that he had been home or had gone back. Persis told me that Ethel has a little boy, born this morning.
I have not seen or heard from Edith since you was here. Mr. Nichols still preaches here and I think they like him, but Persis says she liked Mr. Pratt better. All five of the little Stones have whooping cough. Isn't that awful? It is lunch time and as you are not here to get it for me I shall have to get it. I don't think I shall have measles now. Carrie took all the care of Mary, so I did not have to be over her, though I went in to see her once or twice every day. Miss Horton & Miss Stevens have only about half their usual number in school. Miss Miles did not begin last week as Myrtle Baker had the measles. Bessie went to the Athletic ball Friday night with Tandy. Warren Seaver and Curtis both asked her to go. She stopped here as she went home yesterday and finally took dinner with us. She brings the report that Mr. Brainard has been asked to resign, and that Mr. Morse and Miss Bates are both asked to resign. I don't know how much of it is true. Carrie Wright was sick Friday & Sat. with tonsilitis. She will not graduate if she is not careful. Carrie says tell you she will go and take care of you if you are sick - that she is just through nursing one patient. I am going in to see if I can't rout Lucius - it is too bad.
We have just had lunch and I will finish this. Carrie & I both went into the sitting room and after a few minutes L. departed, but Mary will not have time to get her work done. She says tell you she has had a measley time, sends love, and will write soon as she can. I shall try very hard to finish Mary's suit this week, and you must not be disturbed if you don't get much of a letter from me Sat. I shall have to work early & late to do it. How is school going? Has John Edd appeared? Take good care of yourself, go to bed early and keep well.
Much love,
Mama.The Pratts have the minister now. Mason was home just for Sunday. Does the quinine help? Stand erect