[A few paragraph marks were added for ease of reading]Templeton, Sept. 27, 1906.
Dear Lucy,
The time has come when I must write if you get it before you go to Amherst. I am glad you are going and hope you will have a good time and that it will do you good. Please remember me to the cousins. You must keep a look out for Roger, perhaps you will meet him being made to walk about with his coat wrong side out, pants rolled up to his knees and his cap in his mouth - he wrote to Mary that he saw some of his class going about that way - they had not hazed him when he wrote but most likely they have before this.
Mary is quite anxious to hear how Gregory passed his exams. Perhaps you can find out if you go to COusin Mary Brown's, without saying anything about Mary. Will Miss Bliss stay and come home with you Sunday or does she return the same day? Carrie and Mary have carried flowers two or three times to Miss Cutting and Mrs. Fairbanks, and Monday afternoon we were surprised to receive a call from Mrs. Fairbanks - she thought Mary was going to enter Mt. Holyoke this week, so she had written a postal to Ruth B- to tell her and ask her to look out for her a little - she thought she would call here to find out before she sent it, so of course it will not be sent: but I thought it very thoughtful and kind of her, and it was very unexpected.
Miss Cutting was not quite as well, but that was to be expected - she thought she would be better after she had rested for a few days. It is wonderful how she has gained. I will say now before I forget it that we shall be very glad to have you bring Miss Bliss home with you: of course you will let me know two or three days before - I shall be glad to see her again. Lizzie is coming tomorrow night and I expect she will stay a week or ten days, so she will probably be gone any way before you would wish to come: and if she should be here it need make no difference about you and Miss B- Lizzie can sleep in C's room for a night or two and C- can sleep with me.
I am trying to sew a little but do not get along much. Do you remember that cloth waterproof of Carrie's, that has been in the wardrobe for so many years? C- has ripped and washed it and we are trying to make Mary a long outside garment like the plaid ones you see: it was badly moth eaten but I have it cut and if I can have good luck making it, think it will look quite well.
I have not wholly got over my cold yet and do not feel very energetic. I am going over to see the Dr. and get something to brace me up a little. Uncle Isaac seems quite a little better but does not try to do anything. Mary called on your grandmother Tues. night and found her well - she heard there that Mr. and Mrs. Denton have a little girl. I am glad they had a girl and hope she will be all right. Girls seem to be plenty this
weekyear. This has been a week of callers till today. Mrs. Fairbanks one day, Ella Spear the next, and yesterday Mr. Wheeler from H-n. Uncle Isaac owns all the things at Aunt C's now and as soon as I can I must go down and pack them up and bring them up here. I dread it, but the sooner it is over the better.I forgot in my last letter to tell you of Mr. Toby's call - he came one morning on the 9-30 car - I did not think who he was when I went to the door and Uncle did not know him at first. He stayed to dinner and went off on the 2-30 car - he seems just the same - had just as many stories to tell. Mr. & Mrs. Parker have been to Lynn - were gone two nights and got home tonight. Persis stayed nights with Mrs. Pratt. The Scollays have bought the house where Harry Stanley lives and the Stanleys are to move in over here. I don't like the change. Persis says the Inn is to be closed Oct. 1.
Mary took her first music lesson of Miss B- Monday night. The Carpenters are to move to Gardner soon, and Fred Winch is to move to G- soon. I saw Edith go by today so think she is well. I have sold my apples on the trees to a Mr. Hardy of Gardner. I have what I want and pay for picking what I have.
I was surprised to hear that you went to ride with Mr. W-. I am glad you had a good time and see no reason why you should not go if you wanted to. Of course you can't go very often without causing some remarks, and perhaps he would get more attentive than you wish. I don't know just what you wish about it but hope you will see a little more of the world and men before you wish any one. Don't think I mean you should not have gone, for I don't. I am glad you went, and should go again sometime, if he asks you, [sic]
It is too bad you have to board there. Who arranged that? If you are to have a cook there soon, it is most a pity there should be any change - it will probably make some feeling. Have you arranged to use the piano? And do you practice any? Don't let all that go - it will be too bad when you can play so well. You seem to be having a jolly time and I am glad of it - but if you can bear a little more advice, don't get too 'chummy' with your pupils - you will find it harder when you have to correct them and some m[a]y think you have favorites &c. Have a real good time with them but be the 'teacher' all the time. John Ed. is quite a boy, isn't he? Now don't take all this 'advice' in any way to spoil any of your good times, only you have to look out for so many things. D-d-did Mr. W- stutter much, or does your influence still hold good?
Well, I must stop for it is almost ten. Take care of yourself and keep on having a real good time. How does Mr. Taylor wear? And how do you like Mrs. T-? Miss Wilkinson inquired how you were. I hope I shall see you before many weeks.
Much love,
Mama.