[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading.]Templeton, June 11, 1903.
Dear Lucy,
I will write a short letter tonight to tell you that I sent the box of clothes to you this afternoon. I presume you will get them before you receive this. Probably your gingham dress will fit a little nearer now, but I am afraid it has not shrunk enough yet. I hope it will ont be quite as long - please let me know, when you write how they all fit and hang. We could not get them dry to send earlier; if you get short of collars & h'd'k'fs, send a little bundle through the mail.
Lizzie came home yesterday afternoon and I think intends to stay till next week before starting again. Fred spent Sunday with her at Hubbardston he was on his way here and found her, with Mr. & Mrs. Smart, in Gardner, so went home with them: she says he expects to be in Springfield next Sunday and intends to call on you, and wishes you to go to Mt. Tom with him. Will it be possible for you to get permission? I will write a note to you about it, and you can show it to the faculty if it will be any help. Perhaps if he went with you to make the request it would help - maybe it would be just as well not to say where you
rwere going. If you are not allowed to go, I suppose you will be allowed to show him about the grounds - make it as pleasant for him as you can. Don't be afraid of him, or afraid to joke with him - he is a great tease with his mother. If you can go your short skirt will get there just in time for you to wear.There is nothing new to write about. Uncle Isaac went to Worcester yesterday and has stopped at Hubbardston I suppose, for he has not got home yet, and he spoke of stopping if he felt well enough. Mary has been over to see Charlie this afternoon. I can hear him singing, and sometimes howling, very often - it is hard on the little fellow. Mary saw Miss Blodgett and she will help you in your Trig. if you wish thought she says it has been so long since she studied it that she don't know as she can do much with it. Miss Blodgett has been appointed librarian - that probably means that Annie will tend to the library a good share of the time. Miss B- works at the power house mornings, is clerk at the Inn afternoons, gives music lessons, teaches singing school, has private pupils, is organist, and now is librarian. It don't seem quite fair for one person to have all the chances there are, does it? I think the Doherty girls start for California next Monday. I will not try to write much more but will say the rest next time if there is anything to say. I hope you will be able to go with Fred and will have a nice time.
Much love,
Mama.I have written a little note as the family here wished, but you will know whether it will be of any use. Of course Fred may not call on you Sunday - he may not be able to go to S-.
[A second letter in the same envelope]
Templeton, June 11, 1903.
Dear Lucy,
Your cousin Fred Matthews expects to spend Sunday in Springfiel[d] and will probably call on you. If he calls, try to make it pleasant for him. I hope you can get permission to go away with him for a few hours, if he wishes. Heis mother is with me yet.
Much love from your mother,
Ella C. Baker.