Union, Conn.
Sept. 25th, 1897.My dear Susie;-
I left off last week at the post office so I will begin there this week. I read the papers as usual, on the homeward journey and was some what astonished when I read this item
Invitations are out for the marriage Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 3 p.m., of Miss Ida Agard and George A. Furness.Did you suspect any such thing? If you did you never said it. Well they will make a very good couple any way and I wish them all happiness.
Mr. Upham visited school Monday morning and in his remarks said some things that you would disapprove of so I will not repeat them. Mr. O. B. Carpenter came after the pigs Wednesday and departed with five of them, leaving in exchange eleven dollars.
And that reminds me. Do you remember how much those feathers were? I want to put it down in my account book if you can tell me.
Just after I got home from school Thursday night Uncle Myron and Aunt Jane came and stayed over night. Friday morning Aunt Jane went to Aunt Viola's and Uncle Myron to Mashapaug. This morning Uncle M. came back, called here and then went to Aunt V's for Aunt Jane. They were going to the Cat Rocks this forenoon, without any guide. Do you suppose they would get lost. If they are not lost up there they are going back to Putnam this afternoon. Father killed a rather small lamb yesterday and gave Uncle Myron half of it, to help pay for the bees, he said. But Uncle Myron declared that the bees were to go towards Ellen's board the fall she taught school here. I don't know how they will ever settle their accounts.
I made fourteen glasses of red grape jelly Thursday morning. Four of them are for Dedie, in her glasses. Aunt Jane said it was the prettiest grape jelly she ever saw and I think it is equal to any we ever made. Father bought six two quart cans today for the rest of the pears.
I forged your signature to an order and father withdrew fifteen dollars from the bank to pay Lula, but when he went there the house was locked up and he ascertained later that one of Lula's aunts was buried this afternoon, so we shall have to keep the money until next week. You have $66, and some cents left.
I see by the last Southbridge paper that "she that was" Jacobina Taylor has a daughter to be called "Isabella".
I have not needed to cook much since you went away, until to-day. The marble cake you made lasted nine days and other things "accordin'." Today I baked two apple pies, cookies, doughnuts and a fruit cream fcake [sic]. Amanda made her bread yesterday. Have hunted eggs, as usual, on Saturdays, and discovered a nest of seventeen this afternoon. Thomas Harman and Thomas Jr. have finished cutting the corn[.] There are a few more potatoes to dig. Amanda and I went cranberrying one night and picked all we could find which amounted to five and one-half quarts. The Thayers have them by the bushel.
Eva came over last night to borrow the chopping knife and tray. They had so much green tomato pickle to make that they wanted to ahve two people chop at once. She wanted the old bonnets too, but I could not find them when she was here. I continued my search, however, and at last found them in the old "up and down" church in the attic. Eva thinks the concert will come off some time next month.
Edwin Perry is studying Book Keeping. He doesn't get very enthusiastic over it but I enjoy it. I have lost my poor stupid Elmer. One day this week I saw a fine two seated, carriage with two horses drive up to the school-house, and I was much alarmed for I thought it must be Secretary Hine at last. But when I went to the door I found Amos Chaffee occupying the entire back seat, and a driver in front. Amos said he had got to take his boy back to South Willington for Secretary Hine had made a fuss about his going to school in a town where he didn't belong. Things have been some what easier since he left.
Sunday morning
Father is going to church today. I wish that you and all the Baldwins were here today to eat fruit. I don't know what we are ever going to do with so many pears.
Zida Young has left home with a trunk as large as yours, and the Thayer's and I are very curious to know where she has gone. I don't think of any more news for this time.
Lovingly yours,
Mary.P.S. After Lula has been paid we will send you the change.