[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading]Templeton, Feb. 18, 1906.
Dear Lucy,
You are probably wondering why you did not get a letter last week. Well, I went to Wellington Club at Mrs. Parker's Friday afternoon. If it had not been so near I should not have gone for I was very busy and did not want to spare the time, but I felt as if I must go there. Ada was there and she told me that there is another little girl at Warren Peckham's - her name is Elizabeth, Nellie wrote she was named for her grandmother. Ada says Warren's mother's name was Eliza, but she was always called Lizzie. While I am talking about babies. I will tell you that Harvey Winch has a little girl, Ruth. And what surprised me (if it is true) Persis told me that Helen Maynard has a little girl, born Feb. 5. Why in the world didn't she get married sooner, instead of staying about here? and she did not get married for some time after she went back. Perhaps it is not just as Persis told.
I was telling you why I did not write. After I got home Persis came in for a few minutes, then just as I was through supper Roger Johnson came down with a special delivery letter for Carrie from Mr. Leland. I opened it and then went up to telephone or telegraph to her to go to see him and with it all I got quite stirred up, and as I had some work to finish I did not write. Yesterday forenoon I went to Athol. I did not expect to find you but as our letters crossed, and I intended to go in the
morningafternoon, I decided to go in the morning. I was about out of a certain thing that I have to go out of town for when I live in a no-license town. Mary stayed at the Burnhams Friday night and went to the ball. Johnson escorted Mary and Dwight took Carrie they had pinks from Johnson and were very swell. Mary has been having a bad cold and I felt really afraid to have her go and dress in a thin dress, but I don't think she got any more cold.Lucius called on her last Sunday night, has been home from P.O. two or three times with her, during the week, walked home from church today with her and I presume
wehe will be down here again tonight. It does seem as if he lacked sense. If he can't be with her "Every hour" he means to come as nearly as he can to that. Mrs. Greenwood is gaining. Mary thinks she sits up some. Lucius told Mary that they sent for the Dr. last night from Fred Stone's, for Mrs. Stone, but I don't know what is the matter. Edwin Brooks' baby died about a week ago and a woman who lived with Mrs. Howland. Edith's children are still with Mrs. Braithwaite or were. Mary saw Edith on the car one day last week. Have you seen that Mr. Barrett, who owned our electric roach, is dead? There will probably be a change soon, either for the better or worse.I am about two thirds sick with a cold, or I think it is a distemper and I took it from Mary. I hope to be better tomorrow. Have you decided what to do about coming home? I would not try to go to Orange Wed. night, to have such a long ride when you are tired and to have to pay so much. You could come Thurs. forenoon and go back Mon. morning. But I suppose you can fix it all right. We shall be glad to see you whenever you come. Mary has three days too.
I think I will stop and tell you the rest when I see you. I don't know whether Carrie will come home this week or not, but I presume not.
Much love
Mama.