Harris-Cameron-Lanfear Heritage: Founding Families of Athol, NY

Harris-Cameron-Lanfear Heritage: Founding Families of Athol, NY Photos, papers & stories documenting the lives of the Harris, Cameron and Lanfear families of Athol, NY in 1931.

These are transcribed letters from my great-grandmother (Grace) to my grandmother (Ruth) while away at Green Mountain College.

04/28/2026

"Tidy habits are a great help all through life."

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Envelope: Dec. 4, 1931 Fri. P.M.
At the store.
Dearest One.
Another nice letter today. Lessons all caught up to bed rather late, breakfast eaten and a nice compliment again from Mr. Compton.
I can imagine he will be perfectly willing for you to keep on in that particular way and so are your mamma + Daddy.
My girlie finds this is the only way to succeed and show them all what kind of material she is made of, not one to continue in a mistake after learning where it is + how to remedy. You are doing very nicely in your Bus. Law recitations. Am so glad. And I know you and Mary will come first every time in room inspections. That is a very good and a very important thing to practice. Tidy habits are a great help all through life. I hope it will not take too much time from study periods, but you can adjust matters to fit I guess.
I will do the best I can with your gloves. You should have told me the material next best to Kid. Of course Kid would be real expensive if the other will ans. You won’t need them of course until the night you wear your beautiful red evening gown, so I will have them for you before then. I am so glad my little girlie can possibly have those things even tho it means some sacrifice on Mamma’s part. It gives her pleasure in seeing you have and enjoy them. You better tell me the size of your gloves, that is one thing I could not be sure about for I do not remember what your blacks were. The front roof of the big part of house is painted, but storm today stopped the front porch roof. Will says it would not take harm if left till spring. The current floor in basement is complete + Uncle Dick was to start digging at spring + make the wall there to hold water, but too nasty to work out side. Began with sleet, then some rain mixed now snow also, freezes on fast as comes + very slippery. Lee will finish insulation today then I guess will be through unless he lets him help Dick at the spring in Father’s place, which I should advise Will + Roy clap boarding on back under porch. Hope they won’t put in the P.M. there. Will tells me the latest place for standing the hot water tank is down in basement underneath the kitchen. Then it is out of the way + out of sight. Your Dad thinks it can’t be done + heat the water, but I am going to talk to E. Robinson about it. I expect if it would be a bit more work + a bit more expensive he would say it could not be done. He has the job, you know, and has given his price. Think how nice it would be to have that corner clear to clean around + paper behind. Worlds better. You bad girl, you did not tell me in today letter just what time to listen in for your College singers, so will have to guess at it. I know you said W.G.Y. + Fri. The boys, or one of them said in the P.M. but I believe it to be evening so will listen from the time I go over to get supper until bed time. Then we will pretty surely catch it.
Buchin Cameron was just in and paid 10.00 on bill. Pretty good. Never expected it. Well, I will close now and perhaps do a little ordering from Butler’s + may be other places.
Love to glore to my own darling from
Loving Mamma

03/26/2026

Makin' mamma proud!

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Envelope: Dec. 3, 1931 Thurs. P.M.
at the store.
My Darling Girlie.
Another nice letter today and such good news. You certainly made mamma proud to do so well in your Economics test. Keep right on sweetie and you will come out top of the heap I know. Just do not let well enough alone, try for better. That’s a good girlie get your lessons all caught up each + every night before play. Then there will be no getting behind or trying to catch up. Easier all around. We had a bill of 1.00 from G.M.C. today, Physical Examination for Ruth E. Cameron. I will send you the 1.00 spending money today. It would never do to have you go busted until Christmas. You might have to buy some eats. Perhaps I can send you some things in a few days. Aunt Myrtle has had washing from Aunty Ruth this week and to the Falls one day so is doing ours today. Will send yours soon- as they are ready.
Aunty Ruth does not get on quite as we would wish. Her water is not just right. Dr. is keeping watch of it and I guess will send some to Laboratory at G.F. + have it examined. Gee! if she is even on her feet again it sure will be a worry off our minds. He is not letting her have any solid foods, fruit, milk + butter milk in larger quantities to flush her kidneys. Baby Jean is real fussy both night + day somehow. The medicine Ruth takes may make her. We can’t tell. I was up last night about an hour. she was sitting in chair in bedroom. I believe they have spoiled the baby by giving it too much attention. Pearls head seems to be getting thicker every day. Last night Harry Robinson came down from John’s looking for ride to Wbg. Was here at store when supper call came so came over with Dad. I served hot bean soup from a bowl on the table, then potato + creamed red salmon, bread + butter, tea, raspberry crinkles (without the mice) and peach sauce. He ate a pretty good meal. Then got a ride over with Lee + Myrtle. They went over to Will’s a while in evening + in to see Dr. Goodman about Ruth. The color is going on this side of the house roof this P.M. Looking so much like snow. Thus may be the only day this winter the roof will be free of snow. Don Cameron said today it ought to take one man just one day to throw on that stair. It could be put on with a mop he said. Nothing particular you see, just get on enough to run down into every crack + fill them. The back of the house will thaw up most every-day with the sun. The insulation is nearly all up + down. Roy is on this end clap boarding + you will probably find him there when you come again if he is as long as one the other end. Oh!!! I just been talking to a game protector. One of those extra ones around Wbg + north I guess looking for a house to live in a while to do a little looking around here. I told him we needed some also 2 or them Federal Officers. He heard we were going in the new house quite soon and thought could get the one we are now in. I told him we were planning to go about the middle of Jan. He spoke of the Bowen house. I don’t know if they would rent or not. Probably not. Now, my time has been taken so must close.
Be my Darling girlie, get your lessons, breakfasts, sleeps + keep well. Loads of love, Loving Mamma

03/02/2026

A "dandy letter" and and "old mutt"

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Envelope: Dec. 2, 1931 Wed. P.M.
At the store.
My Darling Girlie.
A dandy letter from my girl today. I got fooled too. When I stamped them looked for yours + thought had not found it but must look in another pile. When sorted there it came to view as a surprise. Forgot about the College Sta. Wed. Mamma is sure glad every thing is coming so nicely for you. I knew you would not let grass grow under your feet until you got in touch with that new dress and I am glad it was just what you wanted and the fit. You were lucky that just the dress you had your eye on was right in every way. You sure are a lucky kido. Guess you have luck for both you and I. I never had any. Today is Desmonds birth day. You could have sent him a card. I have forgotten what time you said the bunch from College sings. I guess it is Fri. night but perhaps you better tell me in your letter if you get this in time. We heard the Blackstone last night. I bet you will be real naughty to the little blue Chrysler boy. Well, I can’t blame you much. He seems to mean well but he acts queerly.
What a nice table you are at. I am so glad. Your worries on that score are over for a while. Mary + Drexel too. All one could wish. Now for the good marks I know my girlie will get after them + make everything come out good. You really are quite a lucky girlie Ruth dear. Now aren’t you? in many ways.
Willard just rolled in with a parcel to insure. He kept gabbing about it till I had to shut him up. Old mutt. Must hustle now. Your dress is very pretty. Glad you made a diagram. I could not imagine at all. Sun nice + warm today, but cold wind. Worlds of bestest love to my own Darling sweetie. Ted was pleased with the rocks. Bye Bye Honey Till tomorrow Loving Mamma.

12/22/2025

A letter from a December long ago.

"Not a bad day or a good one."
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Envelope: Dec. 1, 1931
Tues. P.M.
At the store.
My Dearest Girlie.
Well, Mamma won’t start in telling how she misses you for you already know all about that. Little Chas. nearly kicked me from the bed last night and he had a hot flat at his feet. Colder than yours. He rode in the back seat and it is not as warm. I was piggish and sat in front. Home at just 10 PM. Boys in bed. Got more pop corn to bring to them. I can see you and Mary in your cozy room. I was sorry you did not take your lessons back all finished. So afraid you might not find them last night and perhaps that will rush you today. I was wondering since Mary said Compton asked if you had returned, if he might not have heard some one remark you were going home T-giving for good. He may have thought you had.
Myrtle + Frances have gone to G. - Falls today riding down + back with Keith Robinson. They sure want to go badly. Hope M- looks for a baby basinet for Aunty Ruth’s Jean. I don’t want her to use that old Burch crib. She had a box from Mrs. Drice today. Something pretty no-doubt. Never mind, our blanket out shines all so far eh? Do they serve rolls with soup in Poultney?
Uncle Dick had the trots, and could not come to work this morn. Guess the rest of gang are there. Not a bad day or a good one.
Blows + squalls part + sun shine the rest but quite cold. Want to get time to order your spread. Have made Star Report + written just a bit + put in with puzzles for Mrs. Fryr. She wrote Myrtle feared I had forgotten her. Must skip over + see to fire. Too cold to go way out. Miss my girlie so. Be my goodest little sweetheart and keep well + I know you will be happy.
Much love hugs + kisses from Loving Mamma. Hope your tooth is good and your tonsel too.

11/17/2025

It's been a while... I'm intrigued by the "skating rink on the living room floor."

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Envelope: Nov. 30, 1931 Mon. P.M.
At the store.
My Darling little girl.
When you rec. this you will be far away again, but Mamma thought of her sweet one looking for her letter each morn, so has written one while she is still here. I shall covet the days until she will be with us again. The radio chair will look bare tonight, + no cold feet to crawl in + warm on mine.
Let me know your marks dearie soon as you can, and study goody, goody all you need to to grow better and better. You will have your nice new dress and nothing to worry about, so put in your best to your lessons and make Mamma + Dad proud of their girlie. I know she will.
You will have to select your bedroom furniture before the Christmas holiday, or it won’t be here in time for your to get your room all fixed while you are home. We might find just what you want at Montgomery Ward at the Falls, then we could see what we are getting but they did not have a thing in the catalogue here, when you looked it over. But that isn’t a mail order house + may carry what isn’t in their book. Guess Gramp Harris is going up to help insulate this P.M. Nothing to do special and it all helps. I shall let you know how they get along, then you can jack them up if are failing on the orders you gave them. Did I tell you Frances wants the job of papering the house! I fear he has hired Starry Robinson + I do not care so much for his work. I saw some of it on the church. Frances certainly can paper. That will be some job, picking out the paper for each room. You must do that. There will be worlds of filling cracks before paper is put in. Then scraping floors for varnish. But, all in good time we will have it completed, then the boys can have their skating rink on the living room floor + not need to go out in the cold. Now, my Darling, Bye Bye, until tomorrow and God keep you well + safe + happy. Loads of love. Mamma.

09/12/2025

There certainly was a feisty side to my great-grandmother!!!

Ah, that small town gossip with a dash of criticism makes this one feel less formal, and more human.

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Envelope: Nov. 23, 1931
Mon. P.M.
At the store.
Dearest little girlie.
No card from my Darling today, but I shall see her tomorrow night if nothing happens. I know she is very busy these days. Daddy will wait at the school house until you come, so you go right there. You will rec this before you leave. Another lovely day. Warm as summer. My outside door is open and was all day Sat. Dad just ran over this noon with roll of paper for use under clap boards. They are working at that now every day, so there won’t be so much gain. It seems to me they are working slowly on them, but it is a dandy job and the boards quite narrow, also painting as they go, so no rain will touch. Jack can help again Wed. but I just as soon he would not climb way up to the gable for might fall. If this weather only holds a week, but even then they will have the coldest sides done + can finish off + on as a good day comes. But we may have quite a few days warm now it cleared up warm. Every one looked for it colder when cleared. This morn. was a wee bit cooler, but the sun just as warm now.
Yesterday I was very busy getting cleaned up some what. Did not fuss for dinner. Dad got some spare rib of a man through Sat. + I made dressing, so with meat mashed potatoes + gravy made them get their own dessert which was rolls and a jar of logan berry jam from the store. Mr. Bani was over and Ted + Chas. went to “childrens story.” Myrtle, then Beatrice + two boys were all the crowd. I did not feel too good. My stomach has gas or some old thing makes me so uncomfortable most of the time especially after eating sauce. I am taking codliver oil now, to see if it won’t get the phthysie out of me. I get so stuffy at night. After getting dinner work done, I had my bath and thus about 5 o’clock went up to see Ruth. Had not been there in 3 days so we have had quite an anxious time over her. Dr. said her bladder was left to get so full and expanded so greatly before it was emptied is the cause of all the pain she has suffered and it makes us so disgusted that her suffering was all brought on unnecessarily. It has taken the voice right out of her, and she was feeling so good after babe came. She is better now, and we hope getting back to normal conditions again. The doctors now days do not look after those cases as they should at all. My Dr. out west came in every day for a week then he knew if every thing was alright or if it wasn’t. Well, as I said, I went to Ruths, found “Doody” there. Ha, she had to speak then + Phillip near talked my head off. She had only been gone a few minutes when in rolled B- + whole family. Oh! Gee! You know the rest. She just simply spoiled my whole evening. It was a pity. The way Kit lets those kids act is perfectly shameful at times, they raced in + out doors right through in Ruth’s room slamming around, mouths going ahead of anyone else, her nose stuck right to the handle in everything + tease tease tease to hold the baby. hold the baby until of course her mother let her hold it until she was satisfied. I sometimes sit and wonder if I ever can live in this town many years and stand that girl as we have to for Kits sake, with out taking my feelings out with shutting her in an iron cage + hear her holler to get out for 2 whole years, or until she knows enough to mind her business. Well, I could go on forever on this subject, but what’s the use wasting anything on it. You will love the darling babe. It is sweet as can be when awake, its little eyes are so bright + mouth so cute. Poor Aunt Ruth hasn’t had a chance to enjoy her much, she has been so miserable, her breasts are terribly sore too + little Kathryn Merle, half kills her when she nurses. I have the sweetest Esmond blanket for her. We will give it her together when you come. Then I am fixing a baby basket too, not to sleep in but for toilet use. The girls + I are to get him a crib together when we can get where there is one. Aunt Net is quite bad again. Probably we can’t have a donation there unless she gets better. Mr. Bain said after Christmas would be the best time. Now, I am closing the last letter until I shall have my girlie + lost her again. You do not know how badly I want to see you sweetie. Love hugs + kisses from Loving Mamma.

08/12/2025

The next letter in this epistolary from my great grandmother to my grandmother.

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Envelope: Nov. 21, 1931 Sat. P.M.
at the store.
My Dearest Girlie.
Another sweet card rec’d today. I came over from home to help with the mail because I wanted first grab at it. I was trying to catch up in dish washing. Yesterday, Dad went to teachers conference at Lake George then to some banquet, getting home around 12:30 p.m. that kept me in store all day and till closing time. The boys lunched, and no dishes washed. Jack is painting clap boards fast as Will + Roy put on a strip. They change sides + leave some for Jack to paint. That is, of course, the primary coat, and it saves a man doing it and helps a lot, as well as giving Jack employment, which is better for him. The plumber has been here all week and the wiring all done. 4 men digging ditch today and are liable to finish, very nearly any how. At last the sun has shone today. Is now under somewhat, but warm as summer. Beautiful weather for clap boarding, but some how it is slow. They are very particular though, and it looks fine. Hope this weather lasts a long time, then they can work inside all the time rain or shine. You will see quite an improvement since you were home before.
We are having quite a bit of anxiety over Aunt Ruth. Her water does not come as it should, and makes terrible soreness and much pain. Dr. has to come nearly ever day + empty her bladder, to relieve her. He says it will get alright after a little but one always worries about Bright’s disease. Shall be glad when she is oke again. Babe is better now since she has plenty of milk. Eyes real- dark. Can’t tell if blue or black. Perhaps she will look like “Dudy” who knows. The time seems short yet, longer, till my Baby girl will rolll in Tues. eve. I can hardly wait. It will be nice to see Mr. Mulford. What will we do with him if he comes in? Give him our only rocker, of course, and let him rest his tootsies on our only good rug. Well, we can take him through our new house and promise him better next time. You and Mary would be “regular heroes” should you stay from the party + study. I truly hope you will if you need the time it would take for better marks. I think after you once get caught up and going on your new schedule you will find it easier and some time for recreation too. I hope so. All work and no play will make Ruthie a dull girl, but I guess it can be managed some how.
The time will seem short till the Christmas vacation, then you will have a longer time. You did not tell me if you still hear from Walton, or if you were mad enough that he did not run over to see you, so you did never write him again. You said perhaps you wouldn’t. He is a good kid, but, I guess rather sensitive. He probably cares more than you. He probably does not look upon you as a sister. Old Hank Tiff, is on his way. Wish me happiness. Dad has been to the store for Buckwheat flour. Last night Myrtle + Grandma H- went to the “College Flappers” at Wbg. put on by Eastern Star ladies. Said it was silly. Your Dad will go tonight, I guess. I shall not care to. I forgot to say, the folks went with Kit + B-.
Now I will close + get this in the mail. Hope my Darling will get just some dandy marks in all her tests and I know she will. So glad you like your new subject and can manage it along with the rest of your work. I guess they will find plenty of material for good work in my girlie, once she finds she needs to use it. Loads of love hugs + kisses to my sweetie. Loving Mamma.
Yesterday I had to write Mrs. Nivelly + send our bill.

07/10/2025

Envelope: Nov. 21, 1931 Sat. P.M.
at the store.

My Dearest Girlie.
Another sweet card rec’d today. I came over from home to help with the mail because I wanted first grab at it. I was trying to catch up in dish washing. Yesterday, Dad went to teachers conference at Lake George then to some banquet, getting home around 12:30 p.m. that kept me in store all day and till closing time. The boys lunched, and no dishes washed. Jack is painting clap boards fast as Will + Roy put on a strip. They change sides + leave some for Jack to paint. That is, of course, the primary coat, and it saves a man doing it and helps a lot, as well as giving Jack employment, which is better for him. The plumber has been here all week and the wiring all done. 4 men digging ditch today and are liable to finish, very nearly any how. At last the sun has shone today. Is now under somewhat, but warm as summer. Beautiful weather for clap boarding, but some how it is slow. They are very particular though, and it looks fine. Hope this weather lasts a long time, then they can work inside all the time rain or shine. You will see quite an improvement since you were home before.
We are having quite a bit of anxiety over Aunt Ruth. Her water does not come as it should, and makes terrible soreness and much pain. Dr. has to come nearly ever day + empty her bladder, to relieve her. He says it will get alright after a little but one always worries about Bright’s disease. Shall be glad when she is oke again. Babe is better now since she has plenty of milk. Eyes real- dark. Can’t tell if blue or black. Perhaps she will look like “Dudy” who knows. The time seems short yet, longer, till my Baby girl will rolll in Tues. eve. I can hardly wait. It will be nice to see Mr. Mulford. What will we do with him if he comes in? Give him our only rocker, of course, and let him rest his tootsies on our only good rug. Well, we can take him through our new house and promise him better next time. You and Mary would be “regular heroes” should you stay from the party + study. I truly hope you will if you need the time it would take for better marks. I think after you once get caught up and going on your new schedule you will find it easier and some time for recreation too. I hope so. All work and no play will make Ruthie a dull girl, but I guess it can be managed some how.
The time will seem short till the Christmas vacation, then you will have a longer time. You did not tell me if you still hear from Walton, or if you were mad enough that he did not run over to see you, so you did never write him again. You said perhaps you wouldn’t. He is a good kid, but, I guess rather sensitive. He probably cares more than you. He probably does not look upon you as a sister. Old Hank Tiff, is on his way. Wish me happiness. Dad has been to the store for Buckwheat flour. Last night Myrtle + Grandma H- went to the “College Flappers” at Wbg. put on by Eastern Star ladies. Said it was silly. Your Dad will go tonight, I guess. I shall not care to. I forgot to say, the folks went with Kit + B-.
Now I will close + get this in the mail. Hope my Darling will get just some dandy marks in all her tests and I know she will. So glad you like your new subject and can manage it along with the rest of your work. I guess they will find plenty of material for good work in my girlie, once she finds she needs to use it. Loads of love hugs + kisses to my sweetie. Loving Mamma.
Yesterday I had to write Mrs. Nivelly + send our bill.

05/29/2025

I love this one: "...Daddy need never know anything about Mr. C-‘s complaint."

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Envelope: Nov. 18, 1931
Wed. P.M.
At the store.
My Darling Girlie.
Now, the first thing to talk about after telling you that I rec’d your precious letters full of good resolutions + better marks is your dress, rec’d today from Nate. It is very pretty, but I am afraid, not so durable. Do you think it can even be washed and don’t you think the flimsy lace yoke will break out in no time? If you look closely on one or the other shoulder right near the seam you will see where I had to mend the lace. I suppose you do positively need it if you are to attend the dance, and no time to change. You did not tell me what night. That is great luck you had in getting to Wbg. You will arrive at the school house in time to some right over with Daddy. Tues. night. He will, of course, wait until you do come. Perhaps Beulah can come to see you while you are home. I did think I would drop her a card + tell her about going out with Daddy but now I course I won’t need to. That trip off will be quite a help to him too, because he has just had 2-days home, sick partly abed with Grippe. Went this morn. but was pretty weak + miserable. Expect he will come home all in. He has been pretty badly rushed since the house started and I guess it will be some relief when it is finished. It looks very much like a house now. Window + door casings in, chimney all done, shingles on all over, except the sides, of course. I got several more lights + base plugs in than we planned first. Marcus has 2 new with him today. Guess they are pretty nearly through. Ed Robinson was over this A.M. + I guess brought some material to use in plumbing. The ditch diggers had to quit for rain about 9 o’clock A.M. Then it cleared up a bit after dinner and B- came back to work alone. Now we are having the worst shower of the day, but is not lasting long. Then the sun will shine through about a half minute + gone again. Last night Jack came home feeling Grippy. I gave him pills + [feenamint?]. He is rid of the grippy feeling but weak + not much appetite so did not go today. Putting in most of his time at the new house. Chas. is having his tests this week. The little rascal is letting Frederick beat him some I guess. Daddy goes to teachers conference I guess at Lake George tomorrow and next day so no school anywhere. I knew my darling girlie would see where the trouble was with her marks and do all she could to remedy it. So glad you can notice improvement in many places. You can make good I know sweetheart and make your teachers proud of you. If you do that now, in the future, Daddy need never know anything about Mr. C-‘s complaint. Want to order from Butler loads of best love to my Darling. Loving Mamma

05/16/2025

A little pep talk. "...work like a nailer..."

Envelope: Nov. 17, 1931
At the store.
Tues. P.M.
My sweetest Girlie.
Just one week from tonight. I expect to see my darling. Hope you can get all caught up nicely with your work. Then after your vacation is over you can start in even and it will not be so hard to keep even. I don’t know about the extra subject. I hardly think he could expect you to take that on if it really interferes with your others. I do not like you to go with out your meals and you are paying well for everyone they serve. I think you would feel better, too, with something warm to start the day. Your coffee would help a lot.
No, dearie, when I wrote you yesterday, we had rec’d no letter from Mr. Compton. It just arrived today with this one of yours. Perhaps I am wrong but I have not made up my mind to tell your Daddy any thing about things yet. If he was like some fathers to handle things like that quietly + sensibly, he could have a talk with Mr. C- and get thing’s straightened and understand. I think I could criticize the college in some measure and I may write him my self after thinking matters over a while. I do not mean to be sarcastic only I think some of the methods used there _ are not for the best good of the students if they expect to crowd them much. You know, Dad would only see the low marks side of it. Nothing else much is considered with him, except education.
But, sweet heart. you do just the very best you can until Thanksgiving, and we will try to get things going on an even basis + above all I want you to have your meals, and I shall not have you staying up nights as you are. Your schedule must allow you your meals + sleep. And dearie, take the time you use in writing me from now till you come, for your study. I am enclosing a few cards. Use one each day + only say I am well + Oke. That will ans. until I see you Tues. eve. I know my girlie can get everything all caught up if she works good and hard just let all the fun + dates go for a while, get in the good graces of Mr. Compton again. You have through him such a wonderful man. Keep up Darling, while you are there if you have to work like a nailer. Its not pleasant I know, but it is all keeping you and it will be an honor to be one of the prize students of the college. We will have our lovely new home and take lots of comfort with it. Just be my good sweet, bright girlie that you are, and can always be, and all good things will come your way and Mamma will help them all she can. You will be driving the car next summer vacation and think of the good times with that alone. I know some of that stuff is dry, but get help from your teachers, and dig + you can handle it. Don’t let them say you are capable but will not. You always were a sort of “put off” little girlie, till the last minute and that may well put one in very tight places often and you must hustle so to catch up making it lots harder than taking more time. I feel sure we shall see better marks in the next test.
Now, for more pleasant subjects, Marcus Branch + Judson Smith are here this week wiring the house. The ditch is being dug from the house to the spring and Ed Robinson will start in right away, perhaps this week some time with plumbing. Last Sat. Dad tried to round up enough men to dig the water trench all in the one day with him helping some. The most of them wanted to hunt as Sat. had Uncle B- and George Beadwell, tomorrow B- doesn’t work on R.R. + he + George will come again, also Geo. Bryce. They want to finish + lay the pipe next Sat. That means most of my time here last Sat. + this Sat. probably all of it. After writing you the short note last Sat. I went to the field where Frank was with the diggers + told him he must take me to Ruth’s at once with our oil stove which she thot would need to warm her bed room enough + I wanted to see just how she was. Found her quite bad, altho no where near the end of her trouble. She wanted me right back so I came down, put on some different clothes and rode up with Claud. The poor Darling suffered so long, it was heart breaking, but patience was the word. Never saw more grit. I hope I never see her go through that again. But it is worth all of it she said when we took the little tiny thing in to her after dressing. Named her Kathryn Merle after her two helpers. Kit was there too. Of course Pearl was her nurse. Dr. Sevan attended and he is one big good natured school boy. He is brother to Chas. Woodward’s wife and cousin to Marnie. I got supper for him about 6:30 then about 12 a.m. he said, “say we put on some coffee” for a little bracer, so I made quite a pot + he had lunch of home made cookies, both ginger and sugar, rolls + cake. I could eat nothing, but drank a little coffee to pep me a bit. At 4 o’clock Sun. morn, the little 8 # girlie arrived, much to the relief of all. Yes your card came to Gramp + just at the proper time. The 14th and you were a sweet girlie to think of it. He was pleased. He misses you to cut his hair. Got Francis at it last Sun. Had to, was so long. Myrtle was pleased with her letter too. Don’t try, girlie to write any body this week now. You will see them all soon.
Must close now. Been bothered so have no more time.
This will take your study time too.
Love hugs + kisses to my only Darling girlie,
from her own
Loving Mamma.

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