[Paragraph marks added for ease of reading]Templeton, March 15, 1903.
Dear Lucy,
I don't feel now as if you would get a very brilliant letter this time, for I am about half asleep. I presume Mary wrote you how we made her blouse yesterday: the mouse had a chance to run down by the time I got to bed last night, but she can have her blouse tomorrow, and I expect she will take cold every time she wears it. I think it foolish. Now she is all excited over the party and inviting a boy &c., and I think that is rather foolish. I think Mrs. P- or the Club as a whole would much better invite the boys. I suppose I am an antiqriarian [sic] - that makes me think - one of ours died the other day so we have only three.
I was not so much surprised to hear of your Aunt Augusta's gift as I should have been if she had not told me what she intended to
godo when she was here at Christmas time. I was very much surprised then, but thought I would say nothing to you, as some thing might happen to prevent her making you the present, sickness or even death, or losses - and if you knew nothing of it you would not feel any disappointment if you did not receive it. It is very kind of her and something I never expected. I did not see her last week - she told Beulah that she was coming here one day but it rained. I think your name may have had some influence.It is spring here and no doubt it is with you: the bluebirds and robins are here - the robins have the same scold. I wish we could think this weather would last but I am afraid it will not. There is a new crop of measles around most likely you will get them when you come. Mabel T- has had them. Walter Akers, Clara Aikin [sic] and some others. I am afraid we shall get them - Minnies sister has them down there, Minnie is still sick in bed, does not gain, Carl has been sick, they were afraid of diptheria but he is better, and Moses has the shingles. I think he will imagine he is Job. I hardly think he is quite as patient as Job, for the Dr. went in to see Minnie one morning and she told him she should have slept very well if Moses had not sworn so - so Moses showed his back to the Dr. and he told him he had the shingles.
I went to Otter River and called on Lizzie Lord last Tues. afternoon I found her sitting up and looking very feeble. Mr. Lord came to the door - he looks badly and was lying on the lounge part of the time I was there. They thought Bessie might get home yesterday, Sat., but I have not heard whether she did. I hope so for they need her badly - they are both gaining a little, but it would take very little to make them worse. Lizzie was very calm and told me some about Margaret's sickness, but excitement helps keep her up.
Mrs. Batchelder sent a Christian Register to me containing a brief notice of Margaret's death which was very nice - it was written by Mr. Nickerson. I mean to make a copy of it. I don't wonder that you cannot realize that she is gone. I cannot. If I send you the Recorder this week, I wish, after you have read it, that you would send it to Mary Brooks. Mrs. William H. Brooks, Augusta, Me.
I had a letter from Carrie Fri. night - she did not say but she was well - said she had not written to you as she knew you was so busy and had so many letters to write - she did not write of going about any or what she has been doing, only of a little sewing. I am wondering if she has been well - we did not hear from her for more than a week. She wrote that Fred is boarding with Mrs. Frank Derby, at Somerville. Mrs. D- wrote that if he was under forty she would be a mother to him and if he was over forty she would be an aunt. Fred wants to know what she will be if he is under thirty. I am sorry you have had cold. How do you get so many? How are you getting along with Sophomore English? I rather think Alice Newton is not very anxious to become acquainted with Templeton cousins. I called on your Grandma the day I went to Otter River - stayed two hours, and found them both very well. Your Grandma does not get very strong - does no housework except make her bed: says she shall gain faster when she can get upstairs to sleep, and I think she may be right.
Frank Leland made me a long call Mon. Talks of going back about April 1.
Must close & write to Carrie.
Much love,
Mama