A Letter Written on Feb 22, 1903

[Paragraph marks added for ease of reading]

Templeton, Feb. 22, 1903.

Dear Lucy,

Now I must rack my brain, (if I have any) to think of something to write to you. We have had a wintry week. It stormed so Tuesday morning that Mary did not go to school - we listened for the whistle and heard it plainly, so she was contented and I think glad of a chance to stay at home. Her cold is very much better and she appears to feel very well. I have heard no more complaint about the latin: the trouble with that was that she was about sick. She was a very generous girl, and did not want to keep every thing for herself, so she gave me a cold, or I got one some other way - I felt it Monday and have felt half sick since. I am better now, most well - have a bad time coughing two or three times a day - have put my clothes soaking and plan to do most of my washing tomorrow. I shall have Mary to help as school does not keep.

Do you celebrate Washington's birthday there? I wonder if you had a fine time last night. Do you go to the Junior Prom.? I want a report of all the gaieties festivities. I have not been off the piazza since the last storm came: we had a lot of snow, but it is not drifted as badly as sometimes.

Uncle Isaac has a very lame back - rheumatism, I suppose: he insists on bringing in wood and taking care of the furnace just the same, though I have brought in part of the wood. I hope we shall not have another snowstorm till he is better, for I should not dare go out and shovel. He had a letter from Aunt Charlotte last night, giving sad news about herself. She has taken to drinking whiskey and is indulging in it at a fearful rate - she takes a teaspoonful a day, and thinks it is doing her lots of good. Isn't it awful? Uncle Isaac seemed very much amused - he said he should have to go to H-n right away to look after her. She wrote that the Miles family are in H-n yet and Alice calls on her very often. I am very glad of that, for I have felt uneasy, for I did not suppose any one was there to look after her.

Harold is with Eliza but has no work - think he does not amount to anything. Aunt C. also wrote that Aunt Ann and Lester had both had grip, or have it now - and that the Walker's housekeeper was away taking care of some one who is sick, so they (the Walkers) are taking their meals with Elsie. Lizzie Lord has another cold and is in bed again. Francis told Mary today that she was gaining a little, but she is so weak the Dr. thought she better stay in bed. If Bessie hears of it I am afraid it will spoil her trip. They have not heard from Bessie since she left N.Y. The twins are doing well - each weighs over nine pounds now. Mary gains slowly - has not come down stairs yet: her nurse leaves today, and Lou Hunter is going to help her with the babies for a few weeks.

Persis called on me last night - she has worked down there a day or two a week - she said Leland asked if his mother if he used to get his dinner the same as the twins do - gnaw, and gnaw, and gnaw. Carl, Russel and the other Rich boy all have measles - and I read in the paper that Moses has fallen and cracked some of his ribs. Mary said Linnie said he had crushed his ribs. I don't [know] how badly hurt he is and of course do not wish to go down there while they have measles. Bessie went home from school Friday - was excused because she was sick and Linnie told Mary today that the Dr. went down there Fri. night and yesterday morning: they (Mary & Linnie) don't know what is the matter. I feel a little afraid it may be measles - a boy who lives in their house has had them. If it should prove to be that I shall feel rather uneasy, for Mary was with her that day. But maybe it is not that so I wont worry till I know.

I did not go to the Parish meeting Monday night, and don't know just what they decided on. Persis thought they voted to buy an organ, and I don't think they have decided yet where it shall be placed. P- said some wanted to build a piece on to the end of the church and have the organ put in there, back of the pulpit. It seems to me that would spoil the looks of the church, besides being a great expense, and I don't believe they will do it I don't know of any news about town. I should not know it till I saw it in the paper if there was.

What kind of a gingham dress do you want? A pretty fine one or what? I sent the things to Edith yesterday. Mary had them put in their P.O. box. Was E- pleased with what you sent? Miss Miles was sick last week and had to dismiss school: a bad cold was the trouble All the little Hawkes have measles. Mrs. Parkhurst visited in Boston last week. She and Grace Stanley went to Worcester to a L.A.H. conference a short time ago.

I must stop for there is nothing to write and no space to write it. I expect to hear all about the good times and how things go off with the young Ag. Had a letter from Carrie last week - she was well.

Much love
Mama.