A Letter Written on Jan 18, 1903

[Paragraph marks added for ease of reading]

Templeton, Jan. 18, 1903.

Dear Lucy,

It is colder than "blue blazes" tonight, and growing colder. Perhaps you don't say such things now that you have joined the Y.W.C.A., but I have not joined. I think it a good thing for you to join, if you don't have to say any you believe any thing which you don't: it will probably be a help to you there and when you are out in the world. That may not be the highest motive but no doubt is as good as many have.

To return to the weather, I feel a little afraid I shall let Carrie's plants freeze, and most likely my hair would drop out fast then and kerosene would not stop it. She (Carrie) went went to Boston last Mon. morning with Fred, and I expect her home the first of this week. I had a card from her and she thought Tuesday. Then I suppose she will go to Phil. in a short time.

I went to Gardner Tues. afternoon to do an errand for C- and to pay Dr. Jewett - so I don't owe Dr. J. or Mr. Braithwaite now. I feel quite free of debt. Carrie had to get have some money and a check from Gardner bank while she was in Boston, so I told her I would get them for her so she could go back with Fred, and have more of a visit with him. To night I have been helping Mary with her algebra problems, and between us we got them all - she had worked over them faithfully and needed only a little help. She had a fine report card - G in both parts of English, E+ in History and E in all the rest, and I think that pretty good. She does not intend to be beaten by her sister. There is a boy who sits back of her now, and spends his time pulling her hair &c. I tell her to take her hat pin in and run it through him a few times.

I have had a very quiet week but it has taken me about all the time to do the work Wed. I was washing flannels, had some in the water, and Mrs. Parker came in and sat down in the kitchen and made me a long call. I enjoyed her call, but wished she had waited till afternoon when I should have had the flannels done: that same night I had a long call from Persis. She told me that Mrs. Whittemore is sick and that Mrs. Miles has fallen and broken her arm again. I will try to remember to send you the paper, which tells about them. Florence French went to the hospital at Worcester the first of the week and I think the operation was performed Friday. Mary heard that she came out of it all right. Dr. Greenwood went down, and as he went to G- on the car Fri. morn, and looked at his watch on the way, Mary concluded he was on his way to W-r then.

Arthur Willoughby has been having measles. I hope he has not left any here with the groceries. Mr. Johnson has been [doing] the rounds lately. I see by the paper there are a number of cases of measles about town - Martha Newton was one of the cases. I saw Mr. Scollay on the car Tuesday and he said his coal was nearly gone. I hope he will be able to get some. Our coal still holds out and I don't believe but it will last till Feb. 1. I think I am very fortunate: of course we don't use it very freely but we keep very comfortable: and a big wood-pile when that is gone: people about here can not get dry wood now. I suppose Annie thinks she has made things all right with you by writing how very sorry she was that she did not call on you. I have heard nothing from Edith, but I see Andrew go by with the team, so I think they have not shot him yet - perhaps they have not thought of it.

My new pullets continue to lay and some days we get four eggs: and we have all the eggs we want to use now. I have beans in the oven tonight: will you take dinner with us tomorrow? It seems as if you had been gone three months instead of only a little more than a week. I have most forgotten which way you went, it has been so long. I am eating popcorn that Mary has just brought me - she has some new and has to try it nearly every night. She has braided her hair in one braid today and intends to wear it so tomorrow - it is only little girls who wear two braids. I think you would better go to that sleigh-ride if you wish to go - you know you missed those here, and if you are well, and wish to go, I would go. I will send you $1 to pay expenses - what it would have cost, perhaps, if you had gone to those they had here: if you don't go, you can buy the new pillow with it: I dread getting up and making the fire in the morning: it was ten above at five, and I think it will be zero at least, by morning. Uncle Isaac has not been to H-n yet. I am afraid Aunt C- will think he is sick. He works at the wood pile as if it must be cut at once.

I must stop and get lunch - I have had no time to read today yet. Mary and I made a ribbon cake yesterday and it was good.

Much love,
Mama.