[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading]Templeton, Mass.,
Nov. 4, 1906.Dear Sister:-
It is my opinion that there are a number of things to write about but whether my desire to write will give out before I get done remains to be seen. I guess I had better begin with the first of the week so I shall be less likely to miss anything. Mon. the folks went to Hubbardston so I was house-keeper. There was no fire when I got home & though there was little to do to get dinner I didn't get it ready very soon. We were in the midst of it when Cousin Esther, Cousin Minnie & the baby came in for a few minutes. They were going over to the Lord's & waited till the half past three car went. Then Arthur Willoughby came & then the woman with stockings & I begun to think that the fates had decreed that I should have no dinner. I dug my gladiolas (68 in all) & about that time the folks arrived and my dinner dishes were undone. Wasn't that terrible?
Tues. I didn't go to school. The half past ten car which I wanted to take went down about 11:45 & I thought it wasn't worth while to go. Mr. McNamara had given up a two page theme to write on the distillation of coal & I couldn't do it as I could find nothing about it so I wasn't over & above anxious to go. I practised 3 3/4 hrs. that day.I had a dandy time at the Union. The farce was short but good. Bertie Cobleigh, Minnie Seaver, Grace Stanley & Mr. Ducette of E. Templeton took part. Guy wasn't there but Mr. Holly and Mr. Hadley were. Mr. Hadley hardly knew of any existence however. Mr. Holly asked me to dance. I think he is struck on Auntie. He sits beside her a great deal. I like him ever so much. Guy wasn't feeling well. Andrew asked me to dance & Charlie did. Lucius did not come near me. (Praise Hannah!) Guy told me to-day that perhaps Mrs. Searles & the men would come up to the house some evening before they go. They expect now to go the last of the week.
Wed. Cousin Esther was here. I was going to show her my postal cards for I though[t] that as long as she reads them all it would be great fun to here [sic] the remarks. I have 213 now. Cousin Lizzie sent me one, Nellie gave me one, Miss Blodgett gave me two, I had some more to-day & Auntie gave me two - one of the drifts by Stinson's & one of the "Rough & Ready." That reminds me, the young man was terrible sick the first of the week. He had one of his turns. I haven't seen him out yet[.]
Thurs. I went to Mr. Solly's lecture on "Arts & Crafts" & it was great. Auntie & I thought there must have been about fifty people there. He had lovely things to show & was a very interesting speaker. I can't
tellwrite you about things but can tell you better. Here is a secret but I guess that it will do no harm to tell you. Helen, Clara, Dorothy & I were very much interested in Mr Solly's work. You know that the L.A.H. usually have a party in the winter. Mrs. G- was sick last winter so we couldn't. Well we girls thought it would be nice to take that money we would have spent on last year's & this year's party & go over to Winchester & see Mr. Solly's work-rooms. Mrs. G- approved & asked Mr. Solly about it & he was delighted & paid if we would let him know when we were coming he would ask some of the Winchendon girls in to meet us. So we may go but it isn't to be talked about.I stayed to supper up at the chapel (It was regular Ladies' Society meeting) & as the other girls had got to study I came home though I wanted awfully to stay to Parish Meeting. I found that Auntie rather wanted to go back so we went & while it was so very exciting it was quite interesting. The Seavers[,] Cobleighs, Bourns & their intimate friends want Mr. Gifford & the others want Mr. Bucking ham. When the meeting adjourned nothing was decided but something has happened now which I shouldn't wonder if [it] helped matters some what. A Mr. Skerry from Soco Me, preached to-day & everyone likes him. As he is a candidate I shouldn't wonder if the other two were dropped, & perhaps everyone will unite on him. I like him very much but oh! I do like Mr. Buckingham. But I had rather give him up than to run any chance of getting Mr. Gifford. Mrs. James Maynard proposed we should hire Mr. G- for 6 months for she thought that at the end of that time we should either like him or be glad to get rid of him & I guess she is right. Rob was more mild & sensible than I expected he would be. Miss Mary Stone expressed her views clearly against Mr. G-. Mr. Fred Stone thought we ought to have Mar. Buckingham by all means. Mr. Lord sent up a letter to the same effect. It would be very interesting to one who was not interested but it is too serious to the inhabitants of Templeton.
Friday Mama & Auntie went to Hubbardston. I didn't feel very well so I didn't get along very fast. I made an apple tapioca & cooked ham for dinner. Cousin Esther stopped on her way to Gardner. She was happy for she had finished Cousin Minnie's waist & with one exception she was satisfied with it. I took a music lesson in the P.M. There was no school.
Sat. I was house keeper again. I ironed some starched things for myself, made a pie & some gingerbread & got dinner. The ginger bread was slightly pecular. [sic] I couldn't scare up quite half a cup of molasses so I pieced out with water & made half the rule. It was very eatable however. I went to L.A.H. in the P.M. Some of us brought our Xmas sewing & the rest worked on the quilt that Alice Cutting started. We are going to send it to the Floating Hospital
s. We are going to spend $5. for sheets for the Floating Hospital. We are going to make them ourselves. We are going to send $10 to something I can't explain. I believe it is called the Hale endowment fund. Arthur came home during the meeting & for a minute or two things were a trifle broken up. Elsie Maynard was at church & S.S. She wanted to know all about you. Bert Phelps has an auto so I guess his life is in danger. Mama saw Ben riding out with Dr. Johnson in his this A.M. -Sunday morning! Think of Mr. Parker's name for them & then think of Ben. John Stanley is going to live over the store. Henry Akers has a little son. Mama says to tell you that we thought it wasn't best for you to have all the colds so we have each a good (or bad) croaky one. I had a letter from R. A. J. Will tell you about it next time.
With love,
MollyI have thought of a number of things but they have got to wait.