[Paragraph marks added for ease of reading]Templeton, May 10, 1903.
Dear Lucy,
I am not in a mood to write much to-night and I don't know of much to write, so it seems now as if you would not get much of a letter. I saw Mr. Braithwaite this morning and inquired for Edith - he says she is better - she sat up for an hour or two yesterday and is beginning to have an appetite; so I think likely she will gain quite fast now. The Dr. says it is not best to waste powder on Andrew. "Kill him with a club." I see by the paper that Mr. Braithwaite will lose $200 by the failure of a man in Gardner: too bad, isn't it. Persis has just come in so I must go to see her - she is my near neighbor now - the Lincolns have bought Mr. Hale's house and moved in.
Here it is 8-30 o'clock and this letter only just commenced. Persis did not make a very long call, but after she went there was lunch and the time has got away. Persis says that Leland Stone has measles, so of course the other babies will have them, and May Coleman has not had them either: they will have their hands full, I think. Carrie and Lizzie have taken a walk upon Dolbear hill, but I did not try to go. Moses is quite poorly but is getting a little better. I don't know what does ail him but think he is all run down - the rest of the family are well, for a wonder.
They carried Frank French off to the insane hospital last week - I hear that he went willingly, but I don't believe but they will have some trouble with him there. Miss Wilkinson says it is the best job Dr. Greenwood has done since he came to town, sending F- French out of town - she thinks the Dr. hurried him off lest he should get better and not have to go. Julia is all used up and has gone to Athol for a rest. Mrs. Briggs, Mrs. Maynard and Miss Wilkinson called on us one evening - on Lizzie's account, partly. Mrs. Batchelder called Monday afternoon. We had a man from Gardner to fix up that pump but it is not right yet. I think Annie has come home. I have seen her about there for several days.
Has your Aunt Augusta come back to Holden yet? Did you introduce her to the faculty? Are you disappointed that Louise is not going to room with you? You must not feel hurt about it, for the Curtis girls are older friends. I think you will like rooming alone better, on some accounts, but you must not shut yourself up alone all the time - that will not be good for you. Don't be persuaded to room with Mary Spring on any account - you could not be shut up so closely as she shuts herself, and if any thing should be said about it, tell her so. You must do as you think best about your schedule, but I would advise Mathematics instead of French, and it seems to me I should rather go on with Latin rather than zoology: you can take up zoology by yourself, I should think if you felt you must have it, and you can go on with French alone, or with a few others, better than you can mathematics. I want you to do something with your music next year, so you must save time for that.
I expect we shall send that box to you this week. I hope by Wed. The things are nearly ready. You better send your white pique home and have it whitened. I wish you had sent it and we could send it back with the other things. You better get your hat, if you have not already done so: you must not expect to get one such as you want for less than $3.50 or $4 - perhaps more - perhaps you could do better in Springfield or Amherst. We could not tell whether it would fit or be becoming to you if we got one. I don't get much time to sew, but Lizzie has been helping me finish your waists. Carrie came home from Gardner and Lizzie from Worcester last Tuesday night. How are you feeling now? Have you sent to the Dr. for any medicine? Uncle Isaac went over to see him a day or two ago, and got a big bottle of medicine.
Marian Stone is to have Mary's blouse to wear to the prize drill, as Mary does not take part in it. They had a dance at Grange Hall Fri. night. I wrote you that Gardner steamer came to the fire - that was a mistake - they sent for men and chemicals from G, but not the steamer.
I must close now - have probably forgotten some that I meant to write -
Much love -
Mama.I send a little towards the hat. [no longer with the letter]