Wed. night.Dear Mamma:-
It's nine o'clock and I've just finished attending to the business mail that has accumulated here. I'll not try to tell you all the things I've done here in Nashua because I shall see you so soon, and can tell you about them then.
I saw Mr. Clough almost the first thing. He had $28 of rent money and I drew some more because I had so little left, but I can pay it back in Oct. I have paid the insurance, the interest at the bank, and for the Telegraph. The tenement is not rented but I think it will be. There is one possible tenant, a man who is waiting for his daughter to come back from Scotland. Mrs. Peavey knows of them and says they are all right. He hasn't said anything to Mr. Clough I guess because he thought he couldn't hold the tenement so long ahead - but from what Mrs. Peavey said I thought he would take it if it isn't rented when the daughter comes back sometime this fall. Mr. Nixon has paid for one month. Mr. Clough thinks him all right and all business here is still very dull. I think it's better to keep them than to change. They seem very quiet. Mrs. Peavey says all are delighted to have Mildred Gage go. She had gotten pretty wild and was very rough and noisy. I guess she made more noise than all the four Nixons. Everything seems all right now. I think the Nixons are better than you feared at first - certainly they might be much worse. I believe Mr. Clough said one of the boys paid the last rent.
All my projects seem to be progressing all right. My teeth are filled and my jaw is lame enough tonight. There is another small one but Dr. Sprague thought it would go another year, and he didn't think I'd like wedges on both sides at the same time. He hurt me a lot because it was way back.
Miss McWalter has my new grey skirt and a white shirtwaist nearly done and they look well. I'm glad I didn't try to have her do any more because she has to be away two days this week, and she has rushed as it is. She doesn't do as well when she hurries. Mrs. Lapham is doing my red one well, I think. She knows how. I think it will be done so I can go Friday.
I have engaged a hat. It will cost more now, but for less than I should have to pay
innear South Hadley so it will save in the end. Mrs. Dean has washed my clothes. I haven't had any respectable laundry work done this summer, and these things did look well tonight. I am trying to fade out my muslin dress but it hasn't all come out so far. Hope I'll have time to make another try tomorrow morning, but I've got to get to bed pretty soon.Yesterday afternoon I had my hair washed and then make calls on Elizabeth McClure, Eva Locke, Alma Hunt's mother, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Pollard. They all, and various other people, sent love to you. I'll tell you more about it later. Called on the Harmons tonight and am invited to supper tomorrow night. I have my meals at Mrs. Flanders and have good things to eat, but the serving is awful. The people are a mixed lot. It is very crowded, but I can stand it for a little while.
I'll inclose the edging - the best I could do here. I've forgotten Mrs. Aldrich's initials, so send it to you. I was intending to send to Boston for samples if she had sent me the little piece at once as I asked her to, but this will do. If it makes the shoulder strap look too wide, perhaps she can set it under a little. It is for the armholes of those that have the wider edge for draw ribbon. I guessed at the quantity. It doesn't match well, but will do.
I had found out where Mary Swain was, and was going up, but she came down here this afternoon.
I must go to bed now. Will tell you the rest later. Oh - Fred Giddings' wife has tuberculosis of lungs and bowels, has gone to some sanitarium and probably can't recover. If I can see Fred I shall try to have Gardeke send him some flowers to take up to her (he goes up every week, Mrs. Walker says) if he can take them, instead of taking them up to the cemetery. I haven't been able to see him yet, but shall try to before I leave.
I have your bank book and the insurance policies. Hope Frank and Louise are better. I think I shall get off Friday noon, and that Elizabeth will come up to spend Sunday. When do you plan to come on from Boston? Emma Longfellow will be in South Hadley sometime soon after college opens - Monday and Tuesday I think her letter said. If your train doesn't stop at Wenham, you could get out at Newburyport and get one that does, probably without waiting long. A timetable would tell.
I am glad you have gotten your dress done. Hope you will like it.
Love to you,
Abby.I will send one more letter to Phillips.