[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading.]Templeton, Feb. 8, 1903.
Dear Lucy,
It was quite too bad that you and Carrie had such a time finding each other and lost half your time, but I am very glad you did not miss each other entirely. I have had about two lines on a postal from her saying she made connections all right and reached Phil. safely. Lizzie was sick when she got there, but she said she was all right when she wrote. Did you talk up what you will send Edith I bought a little white sacque in Gardner yesterday, but it will be all right if that is what you are to have, for she will be glad of several.
We are having quite a storm to-day and I should not wonder if you had a chance to take that sleigh ride soon. Uncle Isaac and Mary went to church. though it had just commenced to snow when they went. We are expecting measles any time: quite a number have them, Ruth Manning for one, and lots of the rest have been exposed. Linnie thinks she has been exposed and a boy that lives in the same house with Bessie has them, so it looks as if Mary might get them. Well, if we do we shan't have to dread them any more, and I guess some one will take care of us. Minnie's brother, Charlie Rich has measles, and the other brother Earl has broken his wrist. Russel is sick; they thought at first he had Pneumonia but I have heard it was not: and I have not heard from him for a day or two. I think Minnie will be discouraged. Mrs. Rich was at Prescott Cutting's but they sent for her to go home after Russel was sick. Earl Rich was taken to the Fisher's and I don't know whether he is at Moses's or not.
I don't know what you mean by asking if I went to hear the new organ. Who has a new organ? If you mean our church, they certainly have not yet. They had a parish meeting Thursday night and talked about it, but nothing is decided yet, and I would not be surprised if they had quite a time deciding: some want to take some of the money that has been given to the church, to buy it, and some think they ought not: some think the Ladies' Society might give $500 and some of them think they can not afford to: some want the organ up by the pulpit and some don't: and they want to keep the old organ &c., so you see the new one may be a good ways in the future. There is to be another meeting a week from tomorrow night, and I have half a mind to go and hear, what they have to say.
I should think very likely Mary Weir has married a "good for nothing" but I should hardly think the Braithwaites would feel much like criticizing other girls' marriages for a while.
I suppose Carrie told you all that had happened before she went away. After she had gone that morning I got ready and went to Mr. Blodgett's to acknowledge the deed of the timber. (I keep the land and he has three years to get it off.) I got pretty wet and hung most of my clothes round the stove after I got home. Mr. Knight came in the afternoon and brought me a check, (a cashier's check) for $2500 and took the deed and seemed perfectly satisfied with it - he gave me a note for the other $500 and he is to leave 300 000 ft. of timber standing till he pays it. I did not like to take the note but it seems as if that would secure me all right. I like the man very well so far, but I don't know how he will wear. If he does not find a house with a barn he wishes to put his horse in my barn, and I shall have to let him, I hope he will find a house and barn.
Frank Johnson has sold his house to Willie Rice. I am wondering what he, Mr. Johnson, is going to do.
I got very giddy yesterday. I went to Gardner on the 10-30 car to carry my check down and do some shopping, and came back at 2-15. I bought me a new wrapper and a number of little things, and coffee as usual. When I got home I found Mary had gone to Gardner with Linnie. L- has her horse back, thinking it was not treated well. She had not got back at 3-30, so as I was dressed to go out, I thought I would go to the library to save her going in the evening. I went there, then I went over to see Lorenzo Manning: he was not at home but Mrs. Manning was, and as she had called on me several times I went in for a little call - found Mrs. John King there, and Mrs. Scollay came in soon so I made a short call: when I got along to the Bourn's I decided to call on Ellen Spear so went in there and made quite a call. Don't you think I did well?
I saw Mrs. Scollay in the library and spoke with her a little - she says she is not very well this winter: has a good many crying spells, owing to 'nerves.' I asked if Annie would go to Fitchburg soon and she said there would be no place till next summer; and she did not think she would go at all: she had worked into the taking care of old ladies, and liked them and got along nicely &c. and could keep on at it without going to take the training for a nurse. I fancied there was a peculiar smile on her face and made up my mind that Annie & Stuart were engaged now or would be soon. I saw Annie & Stuart riding together last week and they looked very nice and sweet. Don't write this to Edith. Is she, Edith, well and in good spirits? Have you heard from your examinations yet? Mary was delighted to see Burton; she said the day he took Miss Allen's place he came and looked in both freshman rooms and she thought he was looking for her. Who was the 'hit' on if not Helen? Must stop now.
Much love,
Mama.