[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading.]Templeton, Nov 17, 1905.
Dear Lucy,
How are the trustees? And how are you after their visit? I have no doubt you worried yourself nearly sick over their visit, and then rather enjoyed them. Was John Ed Matthews brilliant? I don't think you will get much of a letter, for there isn't much to write. I have been to Fitchburg this afternoon to exchange Mary's rain-coat - the first was too small, and I am inclined to think this is too big, but that can be remedied. I was disgusted to have to go back with it: I stayed in F- only an hour - got some pants for Mary and one or two other things - I had a good ride but there is so much to do at home that I did not wish to spend the time now.
Persis came for a few hours yesterday and cleaned the sittingroom and promised to come again next week. The Lincolns are going to close their house this winter and P- expects to live with Mrs. Wallace in T. B. Clark's tenement. I think she hardly [knows] what to do do with herself. Alice Cutting is dead and the funeral was Wed. at her father's. Mrs. Maynard went and she told me Alice looked beautiful - not at all as if she was not bright. Mr. Cutting must feel easier about her. I hear they have scarlet fever at Geo. Stone's. Isn't that awful? The hired girl has it, (if the report is true), and I think they feel now that Leland and Margaret had it first - they were not well - had sore throat, but were not sick enough so they thought of that - I hope they will all have it as lightly as that.
I don't know of much news. The Lords went to Leominster for the winter, last Wed. Have I written you that Bessie owns Mrs. Batchelder's house now? The whist club met with Mrs. King to-day. I have not seen Edith since the Wellington Club a week ago. Andrew works at Gardner now for the Heywoods. I don't think that a very good move - I think by the smell on the car today that there is some liquor in G- even if it is no license this year. Mary says tell you 'she feels like a - I don't know what.' She has a hard cold and is badly used up. I tell her Lucius will be down to see her tonight, but she says she has set her foot down that she will not see him if he does come. Poor Lucius! I thought he had more sense than to hang round so. Mary has stopped going to P.O. evenings as he is on the watch to come home with her.
Poor Amber is very sick and I don't believe he will get well - he will eat nothing, although I have made him beef tea just as I would for any one. We take care of him as if he was a baby - carry him if he wants to go any where, and I keep watch of him nights to make sure he is all right. We don't know what is the matter. I hope he will get better but do not think he will - he does not seem to suffer.
Carrie says the muffler is what she brought from N.Y. for you. I must stop and try to send this. We expect to see you soon.
Much love,
Mama.