Templeton, Mass.
Nov. 4, 1902.Dear Lucy:-
Your letter was very interesting. What a jolly time you must have had. I should like to have been with you, so that we might laugh together.
Ernest Bourn is engaged to be married. Of course the name of the young lady is Miss Frances Stimpson. He went home with her for a few days. Everybody says she is a very nice girl. What I have seen of her has left a very pleasent [sic] impression.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hadley are rejoiceing [sic] over the birth of a daughter. So Walter has another niece.
Lucy Hadley sails for Jamaica the fifth of November. She goes with her cousin, and is going to work in the hotel of her uncle.
Clara Aiken has been elected secetary [sic] of the Union in place of Miss Hadley. The next meeting of the Union is going to be the night before Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is comeing. [sic] It seemed a long way off when you went away. And now it is almost here.
We are in a perfect turmoil at home. You remember I told you papa was going to Boston to get some horses. Well, he went and then returned and then came the horses. Andrew hitched them up with great expectations, but they were nipped in the bud. One horse felt a great inclination to topple over. Which he did, much to papa's horror. And topple over he continued, too. So back they were shipped to Boston. Papa went again but did not seem to strike a bargain. Of course there is wailing and gnashing of teeth in Hubbardston as they want two double teams. Papa's hair is fairly standing on end in excitement. He can't find any horses around here and so he is going again to Boston on Saterday. [sic] And the work is way behind at home. Sunday Andrew, Papa, John Fargo and Mr. Le Clair dug potatoes. And now half of them are not out. To-day papa had some boys from Gardner picking apples. Then there is a whole acre of turnips to pull and several hundred other things to be done.
Papa has sold his Gardner milk route, and four of his largest milkers. Friday is his last day in Gardner. He says he is going to keep the Templton and East Templeton for a while yet. Really, everything is in a perfect whirl. I even had to carry a calf up to Edgar Hill's yesterday morning. It was a lovely day for a ride, but the calf sang for his mama all through town and when I returned the wheel commenced squeaking and I came near not getting home on account of a hob. bos. [?] O, well, every
thingpleasure has some bitterness, and so I compressed my lips and said to my self let it squeak.I received a letter from my oldest uncle in Russia. His son is expecting a visit from the stork in November. So grandpa Braithwaite will be a Great-grandfather. He has eighteen grandchildren living. If they had all lived there would have been twenty-four. I think he ought to feel satisfied. Don't you?
Andrew was going to wring the necks of all his hens because they didn't lay. We had hard work to persuade hi
sm that they had to have a rest. But they have commenced laying and so he is in a very happy frame of mind. He is very impatient and it takes considerable smoothing of his fur to get him into a reasonable frame of mind. Sometimes I want to smile but I don't dare too, [sic] for then, if he caught me he would have what we girls at school used to call a conniption fit. Men like to think they do to commanding, it's a good idea to let them, and still you can have your own way.Amber Snowdrop's digestion is fine. He ate twelve cooked oysters this morning and then some hash, and licked the platter clean.
Mrs. J. Taylor has been housecleaning for us. So that our fall cleaning is almost done. Mama says she begins to breath [sic] with more ease.
I made some potatoe [sic] chips the other day and had fine luck with them. Andrew and Mama were in danger of becomeing [sic] atoms from eating them and so I had to take them away, and hide them in the closet for clothes.
I hear Mrs. F. Chamberlin's sister is going to be married but I do not know who, too.
Andrew saw Mrs Maynard and her son promenading to-day. He thought Mrs. Maynard looked more like a grandmother than a new Mama.
Flossie French has got another fellow. Balwinsville [sic] breed so I understand and about as soft as Perley. He carries books home for her, etc. She has him Tuesdays and Thursday and Perley Wednesday and Sunday[.] I suppose that is so they won't meet, and she does not care for a duel. What it is to ins
ipire the divine passion in the human heart!Now, I've written all the news for this time so will start a collection for next week's budget. By the way, when are you comeing [sic] home. What is the exact date. You neglected to inform
Your most gracious and obedient servent [sic]
E. N. B.