My dear Susie,
Your letter came today when father went to church. I am about over my cold though I cough a little, that kind of an unnecessary cough, you know. I have not been anywhere except to Emma's for more than two weeks. Father and I are planning to go to Southbridge tomorrow if it is pleasant. I am going to get some cotton cloth for sheets, etc, etc., collect my rent and get some library books.
Miss Maum has finished school and gone home. She wanted the school in the spring but Amos said that he "wanted a little peace," so he carried her to Stafford Springs yesterday. She sent me word that she would come over Thursday night but it rained so hard she didn't. There was a school-meeting last night to discuss repairing the school house. Father didn't go and Charlie, who went, reported that there were not enough there to do any business. Willis Howard said "I'd as soon think of platin' 'taters tomorrer as to fix up the school house." People don't seem very enthusiastic for it. I havn't [sic] heard of teacher for the spring being hired yet.
Not having been to Union recently I have not much church news to tell. Harry Back has taken a letter to the Danielson church.
The great excitement around here is the poisoning of James Munson of Putnam by his wife. She is daughter of John Young and neice [sic] of Mrs. Thayer, et al., also cousin of Elmer Chaffee. Maybe you remember her visiting Mrs. Farnham, when she was a girl and Mary Barrett's great admiration of her. She gave him bi-chloride of mercury in his coffee. He isn't dead yet. Is at the Putnam Hospital. I have no doubt but that the Molineux case will be the cause of other similar murders. Mrs. Munson had another man on the string. She may go down to Brooklyn for Harvey to labor with for awhile.
You may plan to go to George's for your vacation if you wish. I don't know that I can leave home. Father has a good many logs cut over west, (cut in the forest primeval before it was sold) and they are to be sawed as soon as Mr. Clemence gets a mill on the lot. Father and Charlie will have to be over there then of course. They work over there most of the time now, and Rosa and I keep house. So I can't plan to go any where until that is over. Father says he shall not try to build any this year but may next. Will sell some of the stuff he is cutting and store the rest for us to build our domicile with. I have found a plan for a two family house that almost suits me. It costs $4000 though.
A to
o-be-married couple want [sic] our house.I shall have to go somewhere and get filled up before I try to write you again.
Susie Gildersleeve has another son. I don't know his name yet. Don't make any trouble to see about those eggs for I don't think Emma could afford to buy them. Still I think you would enjoy seeing them (the R.I. Reds), and the geese. I'd like some ducks again this year, Pekin ducks. Yes you did well to send George so much. I have visions of a carriage, rent money.
Your loving
Mary.Union, Conn.
March 4, 1900.