[The letter says Feb 12, but the envelope was postmarked Feb 11 at 6pm.]Templeton, Mass.
Feb. 12, 1904.Dear Lucy:-
Your letter came this week and I was more than pleased to hear from you. I supposed that you owed me a letter consequently I was expecting to hear from you right along.
Thank you very much for the birth-day remembrance. It was very kind of you to take time to make them yourself and for that reason I appreciate them the more.
I have been quite busy, although I have not been out but a very little. The weather has been almost to[o] cold to go anywhere.
Last week I went to the Wellington Club at Mrs. J. Brook's. Mr. Haskins spoke on India. He lived there while he was a child. He exhibited an image of the God of Love, and it was certainly a most hideous thing. A beautifully hand-carved card case of ivory, drawn-work done by the Hindoo women, a c
rarved ebony box and other things were of great interest to me.Mama went to the Union before the last. Miss Potter whistled, and as she had never heard her she was quite anxious to go. She said Ella Winship was there, and that with Dwight Seaver she occupied the corner of the room the whole evening I really don't see how she can like him. Did you know that Mrs. Henry Seaver is expecting a baby. I am so sorry for her, I think she is very much worried as Harold's arrival brought her much pain and sickness.
Marietta Bryant Coleman, Mary Weer, (a good many say she isn't married, she has gone home to be sick) and Mrs. George Lillie are also among the expectant ones. Delphine has got two more teeth making eight in all. She will be ten months old the thirteenth of this month.
I went to the last Union. Miss Mytie Douglas gave several readings and Lena Farrington sang. Thee weren't a great many there. There never is for that matter, lately.
Have you heard from Nellie Doherty. I sent her a little X-mas remembrance, but have not heard from her since. I do not know whether she received my letter or not.
I received quite a number of birth-day presents. Papa gave me a volume of Longfellow's poems, mama a wrist-bag, Andrew a china plate and cup and saucer. Besides I received a pretty embroidered apron and a collar & cuff set made from a handkerchief, & a book of the Life of the Duchess of Orleans.
At X-mas time I was very well remembered. A golf-vest, mahogany music cabinet, book "The Captain of the North Stair," puff and powder box of real Haviland China, enough percale for a dress, bottle of perfumery, several handkerchiefs, rubber stamp with my name name [sic]& the India Ink to go with it, turn-over collar and one or two other things.
Delphine got her bib pin unclasped the other day and proceeded to
salswallow it. I happened to look at her and much to my horror saw the tail end of it disappearing down her throat. I managed to fish it out at which she much objected. She is worse than any goat I ever heard of.I forgot to say that during Mr. Haskins talk he sang us a funreal [sic] dirge, which was anything but funereal. He also said "Little Jack Horner["] in the manner in which his Hindoo nurse used to say it.
Eddie Bourn is quite struck with Linnie Searles. And Ralph Hawkes with Louise Farnum, who is Mrs. Burnhamer's niece. They go for sleigh-rides and have a merry time minus chaperon.
I beleive [sic] to-night quite a member of young & old people are going on a sleigh-ride to Ashburnham. They are going to have a dance and return in the wee small hours.
They had a fire-man's dance in E. Templeton last week. Several told Pa that it was very rough. We did not go and I am glad of it. I do not like to go to E. Templeton as it is apt to be very rough.
Bertie Cobleigh and Arthur Hawkes are now very much devoted to each other. She is giving him private dancing lessons so I hear. He tries to dance at the Union and looks -.
You will write soon for I miss your letters very much. I should like to write the same as we used to if you are not too busy.
With love
Edie.