Templeton, Mass
Feb. 12, 1903.Dear Lucy:-
Thank you very much for the little powder box for the basket. It was very thoughtful of you to send it. It will be very useful and I hadn't as yet got anything of that kind although I am planning to go to Gardner next week and get a few things.
It seems to me that the examinations were not very difficult. So much the better for you then, and I am very glad you found them so easy. I think I could answer the Chemistry Questions [sic] all right and also the History. But the Bible question I don't know any thing about.
I am so glad you know the earth is round. I suppose you left the class-room with a wonderful increase of knowledge, after hearing that. I don't doubt the observing part in Astronomy at all.
I should suppose you got quite a good idea of London in the time of Shakespeare.
I shall have to warn your mother not to send many boxes to you, for fear that you may get indigestion, and prehaps [sic] become a chronic dyspeptic.
Did the heat and fever of examinations cause your clothes to become so soiled that it was necessary to do so much washing; or, were you washing old ideas out and new ones in?
No, "Adam
"Bede" has never been read by me. Doubtless, he will be sometime, as it is one of the books I intend to read. What I have learned of Ruskin and of his books I think fine. He must have been a beautiful, morally and intellectualy [sic] I do not agree with everything he says. Still in a good many things I agree with him. Here is one instance. He says, "I beleive [sic] that the athletic health of our school-boys might be made perfectly consistent with a spirit of more courtesy and reverence, both for men and things, than is recognisable in the behavior of modern youth." This is quite correct in my opinion.The answer to the Adam & Eve question is correct. You will have to allow me another week to answer the ones you sent me.
Mr. Frank Johnson has sold his house to a Mr. William Rice of Philipston. Mr. J- finds it hard work getting a tenemant. [sic] They are all most all occupied, and he hasn't the faintest idea where he is going.
They gave a reception to Harly Smith at Memorial Hall. About fifty were present. They presented him with a purse of money.
I send a clipping [no longer with the letter] which prehaps might interest you. It did me.
Papa lost quite a valuable Dutch-belted bull. He died with congestion of the lungs.
They are talking of mergeing [sic] the Current Events' into the Wellington Club. There were only five present in the last meeting of the Current Events. Friday the subject at the Wellington Club, will be "Nature."
The Union was postponed one week on account of "Old Homestead," being played in Gardner.
My calla has four buds. My freesias have started blossoming, as also two varieties of oxalis and a purple hyacinth[.]
Papa is going to work on the wood-lot your mother sold. Hauling lumber etc. He is drawing logs from Mr. Farnsworth's for Mr. Bourn now.
He moved a man from Barre, and has had such a time. The first time the men got started and a little below Mr. Simion Grey's when lo! they met the man. He didn't want them that day. So back they came, loseing a whole mornings work. Next time they started. They went with a vengeance for we saw neither hide nor hair of them until half-past nine at night. Come to find out when the men got over there they had nothing packed. So the men had to take down curtains, beds and run to town for string and various other things. After supper was eaten they had to go down (Washburn place) and store the things that were freezable in the cellar. He wanted a team for one day more. Away went the team got to the house in Barre and found everything locked up with no sign of the keys or the man. After waiting four hours for the keys or the man the team came home. Another day wasted. Next day the team went again and the man followed, so, I guess we have finally got them moved. Papa hopes so at least.
To-morrow I am going to cook. I cook twice a week Tuesdays and Fridays. Last Tuesday I made two cakes, one leaf of ginger bread and some sugar cookies. One day in the week I iron. I iron all the morning and then mama finishes in the afternoon.
There are no more new[s] and so I will discontinue for this time. I send a little reminder of Valentine's day which I hope you will like. [no longer with the letter] I suppose that you will have some sort of a time at the college which you will please tell me all about the next time you write[.]
With love
Edie