A Letter Written on Feb 1, 1903

[Paragraph marks added for ease of reading]

Templeton, Feb. 1, 1903.

Dear Lucy,

It is Sunday night again and I suppose you will expect me to write to you. I am afraid it will storm before morning and Carrie has some clothes that she must get washed and ironed before Wed. morn. You must be sure to be there in Springfield in time, for she will not know what to do with your bundle if you are not there - and she expects to have only about half an hour there so you will not have long to visit with her. 11-8 is the time she expects to get there.

I have one piece of news for you. I have sold my timber, or I expect it is sold - the papers are not made out yet, but are to be this week - I did not quite get my price, but thought I better sell than pay taxes another year - the taxes and interest on the money for the year will about make it even. I am to have $3000 but have to put in 25 trees from my part - the large timber that is just over my line: and I am to have six cords of hard wood and eight or ten of pine tops, of course hiring it cut myself. He pays me cash except $500, and a six months note for that, secured by timber. That is not quite as I wanted but I think is as well as I shall be likely to do, and better than any one has offered yet. The man's name is Rhodes Knight. He came here from H-n, but is from Rhode Island. I hope it will be all right and I see no reason why I it should not. There is one thing I don't like - I had to say he might put his horse and buggy in the barn if he can not get a place where he can keep them.

I shall have to go up and call on Mr. Blodgett tomorrow or next day. I believe there is to be a hearing at Boston on the division of the town, this week, so I may not find Mr. B. I rather hope the town will not be divided, and I don't believe it will. You and Carrie can talk over what you want for Edith and she will get it for you in Phil. or you can buy it in Holyoke or Springfield - very likely you will want to make a present to some of your other friends before very long, and we can use the comb and brush for that. Annie, perhaps. Carrie thought it was sacques that Edith was going to make instead of socks. I would send your present as soon as possible now.

I did not suppose you would have to study so hard all this week - how does Helen get along that she has time to come home. Mary said Kendall was at school Friday and she was grieved because she did not see him to speak to: so Helen will be likely to see him if she comes home. Mary went to see the 'Drummer Boy' yesterday afternoon, and had a fine time: she had to weep some I believe, but enjoyed it: the play and weeping too, I think. I think Blanche Dudley is visiting Mabel, and I notice Annie gets time to call on her. They went off on the car together yesterday, and Annie has been there today.

Margaret spent Wednesday with us, and of course we had a pleasant visit: she called a few minutes to-day to say good-bye to Carrie. Mr. Lord is gaining and is well enough to take care of the furnace during the day. Margaret told us today that Bessie is going to take quite a journey with some friends of hers: they are going to Cuba, Nassau, Mexico and perhaps Porto Rico. It will be a beautiful journey to take at this time of the year: I think she is a very fortunate girl. The twins and their mother were all doing well the last that I heard - they say they don't look alike, but I presume they will as they grow older.

I received the waist, and will try to mend it, but don't believe it is worth spending much time over. Mary saw your Aunt Ada on the car and she said your grandmother had been out on the piazza, and was getting well fast. Our furnace fire went out Wed. night and we have not made one since, it has been so warm and we have so little coal - have kept very comfortable by the fireplace. Benjamin took Uncle Isaac to Petersham one day. Ar'n't they getting giddy? Carrie, Uncle Isaac, and Mary went to church. C- said Helen Maynard had on a waist trimmed much as your silk waist is, only she thought H- had buttons instead of velvet - she stared to to some purpose, I think. Carrie went to Gardner and called on Sarah, and on Fred Leland's wife one day, and Friday she spent the day with Mrs. Howe and Laura. It is going to be very quiet here with you both gone, but there will be work enough so I need not be too lonesome. It is not decided yet whether Fred and his mother come to Mass. to live.

I must stop. I wish I was going to Springfield, too.

Much love,
Mama.