[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading]Templeton, Oct. 11, 1906.
Dear Lucy,
This will have to be very short, for I am pretty tired, and I must try that new? coat on to Mary before she goes to bed. I have outdone myself in slowness on that, but I must get it done so she can wear it Sunday, if nothing happens. She went to the P.O. tonight and Lucius came home with her. I suppose Carrie and I will have to take turns going now, or he will come every night with her. He certainly is the most persevering fellow I have seen. Roger sent her a piece of birch bark from Mt. Toby, as a postal card, this week. I suppose she has told you all about Fred's visit and how he surprised us all - we had a pleasant visit from him - he spoke of you several times and thought you ought to be here with us, and I wish you could have been. Lizzie said that if you went to Springfield to the Teachers convention, to go there Friday night and visit them till Sun. and to go some other time if you did not go to convention there. Esther is going to visit her the last of this week. Elisha and wife are at Moses's now.
Everything in the neighborhood is the same as usual, so far as I know. The men have not picked my apples yet and I am afraid they will freeze on the trees - they have picked three barrels and I shall claim two of them if they let the rest freeze - we have picked the grapes today and Carrie & Mary have taken up plants, and I carried in some of the beets and cabbages. Uncle Isaac does not do any of those things now. I think the Dr. has talked to him. The Wellington Club begins its meetings tomorrow afternoon at Mrs. Roundy's. I shall not try to go to this meeting. Mrs. Roundy asked me to read but I declined.
How is your cold? Are you feeling better every way? If not, you better send to the Dr. for more tonic. I don't know what you want to do about a new hat. It would be nicer to get it about the time you get your cloak, but you could come to Athol Sat. and get a new ones. [sic] But you know many wear an old hat late in the fall, so if you rather wait, I don't think it looks very bad. I like it better with your brown suit than with your light dresses. I am looking forward to your visit next week, and I think we can make Miss B- have a good time. Ethel Stanley's baby is but just alive - perhaps not living. I don't know but the poor little thing will be better off. Mrs. Hawkes is quite sick - very near nervous prostration, I don't wonder. Why do you have to do Mr. Taylor's problems? I don't think it belongs to you.
I see Edith go by most every day but she does not call - she usually goes with that wrapper on. Miss Wilkinson has given me a squash and Mrs. Roundy two pumpkins, so we can have pies for Thanksgiving. I must stop.
Much love,
Mama.