Templeton, June 12, 1904.
Dear Lucy
I wish you had been here today - we have had a picnic out in the yard: but perhaps I would better go back and tell how it came about. To go 'way back', Lizzie went to Gardner last Monday and visited at Charles Leland's, and came back here Friday evening. Hattie went to Boston last Tuesday and visited Anna Leland, and Mrs. Henry Newton: then from there to Worcester to visit Esther, and came back here Sat. afternoon. Alice Newton has finished her exams. and has nothing more to do with lessons, she came Sat. to spend a few days with Bessie. Sat. afternoon Bessie and Alice called here and Bessie had a plan - they were all coming up to church to-day and she had to stay to practise with the children for Children's Sunday, so she thought it would be nice if they brought their lunch and came down here and had a picnic dinner with us out under the trees, and that is what we did. Instead of getting dinner, we made sandwiches and had cake and bananas, and they brought about the same, and I made tea - then we carried a table out under the pines, (it was warmer that side) and ate our lunch out there and had a nice time - Mr. & Mrs. Lord, Bessie and Alice, Hattie & Lizzie M- and the four of us. The neighbors may have thought we were a little wicked but we did not mind.
After dinner Bessie, Alice, Carrie, Lizzie & Mary took a walk as far as Mr. Cutting's to show Alice the fine view. Mr. & Mrs. L. went home early, and Hattie, Lizzie, Alice, Bessie, Uncle Isaac and I all went to the cemetery for an hour, and when we came back Bessie & Alice went home. Don't you think that made quite a day? Mary and I did not go to church but the rest of the family did.
Tomorrow afternoon we are all going on the electrics, to Leominster to call on Etta, and Tues. Hattie is going to Otter River. Lizzie is going away the last of the week and plans to go to Maine the first of next week. Alice Newton is going to Northampton Thursday: she is having her graduation dresses made there and they are not done yet - the one she wishes to wear next Sunday she has tried the lining on once; but she does not seem troubled about them - her mother is though. Hattie and Bessie go out there next Sat. and I think they will call on you while they are there. Shall you go over to Alice's graduation? Perhaps your organdy would be pretty for that - you have your long white gloves to wear with it. You will see what others wear and know better than I do.
Invite Addie Fitch to come home with you if you wish - I don't expect any company unless Hattie comes back for a few days, and that would make no difference - your room would not be occupied and you would have her room with you. Lizzie has your room now and Hattie has Carrie's, and Carrie and I sleep together. The dining room is not in order yet and I am afraid it will not be then, but perhaps I can get it done before that time - but we have got along with it with our company and Miss Fitch can: and invite Ruth Johnson to visit you later - if we are all well, we shall be very glad to see her. Hattie & Bessie will be more likely to call on you Sun. or Mon. I think. Hattie & Lizzie both send love and L- says she is sorry not to see you but hopes to next fall. Mary has studied all the time she could get to-day and was very tired and I told her you would excuse her if she did not write to-night. The L.A.H. made (with outside help) 5 comfortables to send to the people who were burned out by the fire in Lamb city. They tied them at the chapel yesterday afternoon.
I am not going to stop to write much more for it is late and shall see you soon but there is a little business I will write about. The checks from Uncle Joseph Baker's estate came a few days ago. I will send you a letter. Ada wrote me and you can do as you please about it. If you wish to send the check to Aunt Mary, Carrie has written in pencil on the back what you would have to write - you can erase it and write it in the same place with ink - if you decide to keep the check, put it in a safe place and bring it home. You must sign and send the receipt whichever way you do. I have kept Mrs. Loring's check here as we have no right to send that back - but you must sign the receipt; Lucy M. Baker, Executrix, and send to Mr Edgell as he requests: and do it at once, if possible. It will not take much time. I think I have made it plain - if you return the check, endorse it as Carrie has written - if you keep it do not endorse it, but keep it safe. I asked Ada what they would do as I thought you might like to do the same - but it is all right if you don't wish to. Mary has decided to return hers. Mason Pratt graduates next week.
Much love,
Mama.
Byron Woodberry is married to Agnes Chipman. I send five dollars-
East Templeton.
Dear Ella,
I received a check from Aunt Mary last night. I have indorsed [sic] the check making it payable to her and shall send it to her when I do this. Mattie will do the same, you asked me to let you know what we done, but Ella, dont feel that you must do the same. I am letting you know because I told you I would we are returning it because we think it will do her more good to know how we feel about it than the money could possibly do us.
Sincerely yours
Ada.
[Pencil inscription on the reverse: "Do not cram for exams. your head will be clearer if you sleep as you ought, and go out of doors all you can."]
Gardner, Mass., June 3, 1904.
Dear Madam:-
You will please find enclosed check for eighty-nine Dollars and sixty cents, which is in full of the distributive share of Augusta M. Loring in the matter of the partition of real estate, etc., among tenants in common of which Mrs. Loring was one, in the Joseph Baker real estate. Her share was one twenty-eighth. You will please sign the enclosed receipt [no longer with the letter] as executrix and return the same to me before using check as I am required by the Court to return said receipts.
Yours truly,
Frank B Edgell
Commisioner
[Ink inscription on the reverse: "Signed June 15, 1904"]