[Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading]Templeton, Oct. 18, 1903.
Dear Lucy,
Here it is Sunday night again, and things enough to write about but my head so muddled that I am afraid I shall not think of half I want to say. In the first place, we can not go to Springfield Wed. We are not nearly through at H-n and I don't believe we can get through this week, and that would mean that we could not go to Springfield for two weeks: if that should be the case, I think Carrie better go out alone, or take Mary with her, and help you buy your dress, for you ought to have it now. I don't think it best for me to try to go to Mt. Holyoke this fall - my dress is not in good order, or any of my other clothes, for that place. I shall come to S- if I can get through my work there soon enough and I am not too tired: but I do get pretty tired and nervous.
Uncle Isaac and I went over Tues. afternoon. Benjamin carried us over and as it was a very pleasant afternoon, we had a fine ride. Aunt Ann got over there about noon, and Mary came up, so we went to work at once, the first thing being to pull up the carpet in the chamber, the parlor, and sweep and wipe up the floor, ready for us to carry things in there to look over. I went down to Mary Miles's every night and had my breakfast there, which made it much easier for me as there was no good place to sleep at Aunt C's. I would not sleep on a feather bed with Aunt Ann, both on her account and my own: we have the bed-room and that bed aired now and I hope we can make up that bed for Uncle Isaac, and I will take the lounge. I can get to work earlier if I stay there. Elsie Rogers came over Wed. morning and stayed till Thurs. night and is coming again next week. I think that the more I see of her, the less I like her, but perhaps that is my fault.
I feel a little worried lest some of the heirs insist that the things there must be appraised and sold at auction. I shall fight that with all my might and if there is no other way to prevent it, I think now that I will take the whole at the appraisal, if the other heirs will give their consent to it: but I don't think I shall have to do that. I have heard Aunt C. speak against having her things sold at auction more than once, and they shall not be if I can prevent it, and I am sure Uncle will help me. Of course you will not say anything about that, and I would rather you would not mention it in your letter to me. I wish you could come in some day and see the pretty and nice things she had: nice, new dress goods, old silk dresses, some lovely shawls, laces, embroidery, jewelry, &c. Alice and Elsie enjoy looking at them very much, and I think we all look so much that we don't get along very fast. There is a quanty [sic] of new, cheap things that she had bought of Lottie - anyone would be surprised to know what a quanty there is. We have not looked it nearly half over yet, but I hope we shall accomplish more this week: we have not found her watch and chain yet, but probably shall find it in her bed-room. I see a great many things that I should like for you and Mary but don't expect I shall have many of them.
Uncle and I came home Sat. afternoon and expect to go back Tues. I found Carrie sick when I got home but is better to-day. I think she may have had a touch of grip - if she is not a good deal better, of course I shall not go back. I have to pay my coal bill, pay my taxes, pay Mr. Braithwaite for having some wood cut for me, pay Arthur Lamb for some wood that I bought of him, tomorrow. Do you think I shall have much money left? Mr. & Mrs. Lord and Bessie are going to Plainfield, N.J. for the winter - they are to have two rooms with the Nickerson's and take their supper and breakfasts with them, and go out for their dinners - they are to go about the second week in Nov. if nothing happens to prevent. The Unitarian fair is to be Nov. 5: and they are to have a farce, so Mary tells me - she says too that Helen Bourn has been very sick but I don't know what the trouble is - and that Harold Cobleigh is getting along well.
The Inn is closed. Mrs. Lane and Charles are going to Leominster to spend the winter, and Mrs. Hawkes is going away for the winter. It seems as if no one would be left here soon. The Bourns have already commenced to build and that is good news - they are to build on the same side as the pain shop, and will build the shop only one story high. I saw your Uncle Warren last night on the car and he inquired for you. I believe Aunts Mattie and Ada came on to the piazza after the Wellington Club Friday afternoon, so we can think they are all well there.
Mary saw Martha Newton lately and she inquired after you, sent her love and wished you would write to her - they don't seem to realize that you can not write letters all the time. Do you hear from Edith? Have you all got over your scare at Pearson's? Do they lose any more things, or get any clue to the mystery? I think it would not be strange if some one in the house was the guilty party. Have you gotten entirely over your cold, and are you real well? Do you play tennis, how do you like it, and have you bought your racket? How do you get along practising [sic] for field day and when is it? I shall probably come home next Sat. I think I shall need a change by that time.
I should think Carrie and Mary were very brave here alone. C- told me the pantry window is shut every night: they say they put all the curtains down as soon as it is dark, so people cannot see there are only two here, and then make noise enough for six.
I must close this as it is nearly ten. Be sure to take care of yourself and not work too hard. Carrie sends love.
Much love,
Mama.How do you enjoy your music and how do you get along?