2 10 13 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/2a8b0f34d6702e8351969013b26b9324.pdf b4ccd4108dd8e5eae49a41d2ffe1a212 PDF Text Text ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/927dcd402233f2210d88ce9edf461fa9.pdf 8a4d40761abeabacf65f4f201f86fad4 PDF Text Text �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/85b97b1286fd8fbc09ddd8f75802b2e2.pdf 0f01392e5af55da20b1b9f04f0b37b73 PDF Text Text Theobald (Toby) Barrett (1895-1969) 1914 Transcribed by Rural Diary Archive volunteers DISCLAIMER: This diary depicts some discriminatory content which some may find offensive. During the diary’s time period, such racial terms and prejudices were commonplace in Canadian society. They are considered wrong today. January 1st 1914. Thursday, I began the New Year very badly by allowing the sun to get up or nearly so before me, but I was utterly unaware of it until too late, of course we didn't pretend to do any thing but chores so it didn't matter much. We got every thing done up and I got dressed ready for dinner at Aunty Maude's which was supposed to be at half past one sharp, but as Tiddums went to sleep and they didn't like to wake him, Dad, Enah, Roy & Frank didn't get down till about half past two, but I went down on time and told Aunty Maude how things stood. However when we did get after the turkey we soon polished him off. Dad, Tiddums and I came home about five and did chores and minded Tiddums by turns. Roy had to go back to-night and Enah and Frank went down to the station to see him off Enah and Aunty Maude also went over to Mrs. Johnson's reception where Winnie was tending door. Mrs. Johnson's sent word over to have Huby go over this morning, as she wanted - a man to be the first caller on New Year's day. Dick was skating all the afternoon and I guess it is great on the pond Enah came home after dark and Frank and Lila a little later. Huby and Aunty Maude went up to Mrs. Belle's to a party, Winnie came over to Aunt Lucy's and Quint is capable of looking after himself so Lila came over here to stay all night. Ed. was over here just before Dad. went down town this morning to talk over the coming election. Ed. says he has gone over the voters' list and given Vyse all the doubtful ones and has I think one hundred and fifty something votes to Vyse's one hundred and ten, but still Dad. is shaking in his shoes for fear of Ed. being defeated. Dad. sent a card to Rus. Lampkins to-day saying to come down to morrow if at all possible and put up the windmill. It has been freezing and cloudy all day but nice. The wind is rising to-night. Friday January 2nd 1 �Rus. Lampkins came at last this morning, he and his man have been here all day and now have the windmill all put to-gether and all ready to erect. I expected to see them build it up but instead of that they put the whole thing to-gether on the ground and rais it with, ropes, pulleys and a team. Huby and Quint came over at noon, Huby was up at his party till three o'clock so didn't get up this morning. He put in the after noon digging the holes for the foundation of the legs, they are just a little inside of the old legs and as they have been put in with stone and brick piled around them he had a fierce time but got three nearly dug. Frank went over and borrowed Tupper's post hole digger and that helped a lot as it will pick out a good sized stone. Chris Quanbury came over this morning and took 16 of the roosters. Lila has been over all day but went home with them to-night. Old Mrs. Martin and {Mrs. Atkinson?} were over this after noon. Cloudy with raw wind, not very cold. Saturday January 3rd It has been a very disagreeable day, it was just spitting snow when we went out this morning and threatened to clear up several times during the fore noon, but after dinner it settled in to snow and stayed right at it till by to-night there was a blinding snow storm raging, before tea the flakes were big and wet but there is quite a north east wind and the snow is drifting. First thing this morning Jim Waddle drove in canvassing for Aikens but Dad. didn't promise him his vote. When he left Rus. Lampkins and his man came, and soon after them Huby and Lila, although they were very doubtful about the weather permitting them to finish the job. We worked all morning digging the holes and Rus. levelled the little tank up and fitted the overflow pipe into it, after dinner they set two of the legs in cement, they just put a little cement in the bottom of the holes around the plates which are bolted on to the legs, and filled the rest up with clay. He said he didn't like to set the other two feet till he got the mill up and saw just where the wanted to go, and he couldn't raise it to-day on account of the snow, he said he would get his ropes all wet, so they left about three o'clock or a little after. Huby and Lila went at the same time. Rus. sized up the kitchen at noon and said he could put in a sink and all fittings from cistern to sink and all for about $17.00 Dad. thinks he will let him. We put the three heifers in the cow stable to-night but let John go loose in there we had a bad time tying Snowdrop up as she was frightened Sunday January 4th When we got up this morning which was late we found ourselves almost snowed in, so we had to get right to work and spend an hour or two shovelling ourselves out, but by breakfast which we had some where in the vicinity of ten o'clock we had the buildings 2 �pretty well connected by canals through the drifts, some of the paths are pretty roundabout but we took advantage of all bare spots along the sides of the buildings and made them part of the paths. We put in the rest of the day doing chores Dick couldn't very well get down town this after noon so he slept till noon and this after noon he helped us move the piano from the parlor to the living room and Enah played for us most of the afternoon. Tiddums also tore off a little ragtime for us but spent most of his time on the floor. No one has been off the place to-day and no outsider been on it. It has been cloudy (mostly) cold and windy but as the snow had packed a little it didn't drift much to-day, it is milder to-night. Monday January 5th Dad hooked up Joe to the cutter and drove the boys down this morning as Frank had to start back to school, the drifts were pretty bad but he only had to break the trail to the corner as Ed. Forest had been up to Iveys. Dad noticed just before he started out that Joe had rubbed the skin all off under her fetlock we supposed on Ginger's rope, she has been pretty sore on it all day. Dad. came right back and we did up all the chores this morning. After dinner we both drove down town. Dad. voted for Ed. and then I don't know where he went as there is a new law or else an old one being enforced that no one except the candidate can drive a voter to the polls, so Dad. lent Ed. the horse to do a little canvassing with, we took Belle because Dad. thought if he was allowed to drive any elderly ladies to vote they would not be at all afraid to ride behind Belle and they might be with Joe and Joe's leg was sore and Belle needed the exercise. I went around and got my hair cut and hung around all the after noon although things were very quiet. Dad. and Frank went home about five but as I had to be down at the band room at seven o'clock I didn't go home to tea but stayed at Huby's and Dad. and Frank drove down again with my horn Quint and I were up in Jim Low's pool room when they were counting ballots, when we thought they ought to be about through we came down and the first person we saw was Hugh McQueen and my heart dropped when he told us that Vyse had beat Ed. by 40 of course we thought he was lying but on going down street we found Ed. in the Dominion, and it was all too true, although it is rather hard to understand. The councillors are Freeman Henderson, Billy Langs, Ward Sovereign and R.M. Taylor. I was up at the band room soon after seven and all the boys were there except Murphy and Fred Warren although they were both in town. and they say Murphy was the one who first proposed that we go out to-night, but they suppose he was a little sore at the way things went, he should have seen Harry Moon who must have been as much disappointed as any of us and yet went out and enjoyed himself as much as 3 �any one. We started out soon after seven with Al. Martin and Douglas the Scotchman hauling Harry Dyer and his drum on a hand sleigh in the ban and followed by a large number of kids ranging from those about two sizes larger than Tiddums right up to those old enough to know better, and we had Barge Waddles {Jeik?} McDonald, Tisy and Ceicl Schram as torch bearers. Of course we set out for Vyse's first but by the time we got over the hill our horns were frozen solid so we had to go in to Carl Coleman's to thaw them out we got treated there to wine and fruit cake and in return played a measly waltz, which I got hopelessly mixed up in, we then went up to Vyse's and by the time we got there my horn was frozen solid and I had to thaw it out on a torch we got more wine and fruit cake in there to say nothing of the eloquent speeches of Walt. and Vyse, the former extending congratulations on behalf of the band and the latter slobbering smooth {bosh?} all over us, intimating how grand and fortunate for the band to have had him in the past and to have him again in the future, Dover's chief cook and bottle washer. We then dropped in on Uncle Ward where we got a royal reception, Aunty Maude, Win and Lila were all there and Huby had been over with some cider which was very much enjoyed by all who partook of it, we also had coffee, cake and oranges fixed up, as we were leaving Uncle Ward. remembered he had a box of cigars for us so chased us out into the snow to give them to us. I didn't take one but induced Pud. Slocomb to give me a few puffs on his, he became alarmed for fear I was going to keep it so knocked it out of my mouth into the snow but smoked it all the way down town then volunteered the information that it had been too much for him, our next call was on Mr. Taylor, but we had to thaw our horns out first at Bob. Rankin's before we could make our presence known to R.M. He didn't ask us in but made a donation to the band and passed around more cigars one of which I collared and smoked (foolishly I suppose) and was not bothered by Pud. claiming any puffs or by any feeling that it was too much for me. The next man on our calling list was Henderson and we thawed out at Mr. Thompson's before doing our little stunt for him. He made another donation and speech which contained the information that his house was much too small for us, which we know to be perfectly correct. Walt also gave his recitation which he had pretty well off by heart at this time, the same as we had the piece of music which he had us play and every stop. Billy Langs living farthest away was the last councillor for us, so we bent our steps for his domain. None of our number resided in that vicinity so we called unceremoniously on George Steel to be warmed up. George told us we were a hot bunch to come in on a feller with out being asked and that Bill Langs had just as much gas as he did but he lit another fire for us and we rattled off "We wont go home till morning" for him, he said it was pretty poor playing and sounded to him just like "To hell with Bill Langs. To hell with Bill Langs. When we went over to Billys he took us in and fed us up properly. I had got pretty well filled 4 �up before though so didn't partake of much We were there quite awhile and on coming out trailed down street in any old order playing "Marching throu Georgia" and such airs as we didn't need music for. I know I was coming down Main street beside Carl who banged the drum, with Harry Moon ahead of me and leads and other parts both ahead and behind. It was getting late but at the door of the Dominion we found George Hammond who we had heard had beaten Aikens by 109 votes so we went inside and kicked up a little row in honor of him Gundry who was last on the list of township councillors was also there. Hammond bought cigars but I {let} bad enough alone. We played The "Campbells are comin" in which the horns drone on one note with out music. Harry struck the note but neither of us remembered the name of it, I got E♭which sounded about like Harry's and played it all through finding out after wards that it was the wrong note the right one being A♭. but Enah said that it would not be a discord although I guess it wouldn't have mattered much if it was and mabee would have been better to give the desired bagpipe effect. We then broke up, and went home I picked Dick up or at least he fell in with me as he had been spending the evening at the Dyer's and we got home about twelve. Every body was in bed of course but Dad. was not asleep as he was brooding over the elections, the only bright spot in the whole day for him was a little incident this morning. When he was coming down Main street after leaving Frank at school, old man Stringer hailed him and asked him for a ride down town Dad. pulled up and growled at him to get in - and then said he supposed he was going down to kill his (Dads) vote 'Ah!' says old Henry "I dont know". "Well I know" Dad said good and savagely "darned well you are". They hadn't got quite to old Henry's place and hadnt gone half a block when he thought he would like to get out home and change his clothes, but Dad. assured him that his clothes were plenty good enough for the man he was going to vote for, however the old boy disembarked and told Dad. he thought he had used him a little rough, he had always had a great admiration for him Dad. said he had a mighty queer way of showing it. But what tickled Dad. about it was that Jack Martin told him to-night that old Henry has told the tale among the Vysebites. It has been a pretty nice day as far as the weather was concerned, and a beautiful night, clear, frosty and moonlight. It think it froze pretty hard before midnight judging from the looks of things and the way the boards in the side walks scrunched and creaked, I didn't feel a bit cold although I had no overcoat or gloves on I think it turned milder towards morning. Tuesday January 6th Dad. drove the boys down this morning and got a sack of flour. Rus. Lampkins and his man came while he was gone but they met him so he went around and got Huby. It took till noon 5 �to get everything ready to raise the wind mill as the snow made things nasty to work with, but right after dinner we raised it with out any trouble Harry and Bell walked it up nicely and by to-night it was all complete and pumping water, it works all right. Mr. Flemming was here to-day to invite us to go thrashin there to-morrow. It has been a raw, damp, miserable day and windy Wednesday January 7th Dad. went down to Sam. Laws this morning and got Jimmy to go over to Flemming's for us as he thought my cold would be pretty was too bad to go thrashing, and as they are coming here next we were too busy to go any way. After breakfast he drove the boys down to school & bank and saw Butler about getting a set of bobsleighs. Butler had sold the set which was there but was getting two more in a day or so. When Dad got home he went down and borrowed Alfred's. We did up the chores this morning - as we had neglected a lot of yesterdays we had {lots} to do. After dinner we went down to Penmans to see if we could get a load of soft coal for the thrashers. Harry Moon said that the General Superintendent was there then and Henderson didn't like to sell any coal but we could get it if we came down after five to-night or early to-morrow morning, so we went down and weighed the sleighs and on our way home stopped in at Uncle Ward's to get some wood. He has some good apple wood which he split and piled in the shed last winter hoping to have it for his furnace but he found it smoked there so said we could have it. We got all that he had in the shed in two trips and put it in the wood shed here. He has some more long stuff piled out side but we didn't take it to-day. This was Dick's birthday but he didn't get home till late to-night. Fine and mild. Thursday January 8th Dad. and I went down right after breakfast this morning and got our load of Coal Dick rode down as far as the mill with us. We only got 1850 lbs. and as no one was around the office to pay we don't know how much it cost. It wasn't very good - as there were hardly any big lumps, when we brought it home and unloaded it. Frank and I took the sleighs back to Alfred's as he wants to get a load of hard coal and Omar said it was going fast. Dad. did chores. This after noon we cleaned up the floor of the old barn and about five Enah and I drove down town for provisions Frank was sick last night and has not been at school all day. Dad. also feels pretty rotten with a cold so does Enah but Tiddums and mine are getting better I think. It has been cloudy but very soft all day it looks as though our sleighing 6 �wouldn't last long. There hasn't been wind enough to drive the wind mill since six o'clock this morning. Friday January 9th Dad. and I put in most of the morning cleaning up the big barn floor and Dad. patched the weak spots. Jack McBride and Albert Reid brought over the wire fencing that Dad. ordered from Sid. McBride. He was in yesterday and said he would dump it off the car down there some place for us to get when we had time but as it is we are saved a trip. They finished at Flemming's soon after dinner and moved right over here, it took them quite awhile to get set and they didn't thrash any this afternoon. About four o'clock Frank and I drove down for some more provisions which Enah forgot to get yesterday. While I was waiting for him Johnny and Helen Anderson came along and expressed the desire to see New York so I took them for a swirl around half a dozen blocks or so. Jim Law was in this afternoon and only charged Dad. $3.00 for two days and a half thrashing. It has been very soft again all day. There wasn't enough wind to drive the windmill till late this after noon and then she pumped a trough tank full of water. Saturday January 10th We thrashed all day to-day in the alsike but didn't quite finish as the clover mill broke down some where this after noon and there is still another load or so in the mow, it hasn't turned out very well so far we have only got about seven bushels of seed. We put the straw out doors and I looked after it or at least was supposed to I have kind of a {stede?} & square one but of course it isn't topped out yet. It was rather hard to build owing to a strong nor' west wind. It was pretty rotten up there except just on the north west corner. I kept that corner pretty well tramped. Dad. hired Jim Law again and Tupper sent Jonas over. Mr. Flemming sent old Bill George and Bill sent Teddy. Dad. did all the chores and as Enah had no one to help her, he and Frank I think looked after Tiddums quite a lot. It has been much colder today, froze a little all day and windy with a little snow. Sunday January 11th Dad. and I did chores off and on all day and I read, shelled corn and darned a sock in the intervals. Frank was sick in the night and has felt very miserable all day hardly stirring away from the stove. Dick got up about noon and this after noon took Belle and went for a drive we are not sure who with, conscience tells us it was Dess. Dyer but Dick tells us it was Mr. Hobbes. He didn't stay long ast it was a nasty day but went down to the pond as soon as he 7 �got home he said there was a big bunch down there, he intended to go to church and I guess did. Allan Law came over this afternoon and put a little fire in the engine to warm up the water in the boiler. He said his father sprained his ankle last night and was pretty lame on it to-day. I was a beautiful sunny morning with out any wind but this after noon it got cloudy and blustery with a little snow and to-night there is a fierce south west wind with snow. Dad. had to kill one of the pigeons which came here from the shooting match to day. Monday January 12th This has been the worst day we have had this winter. There has been a high north west wind and the snow blowing in clouds so that at times we couldn't see from the house to the barns, it has been very cold, and freezing hard all day. First thing this morning Mrs. McBride came over but of course didn't try to wash. Jonas and Ted. George came over too but there was no possibility of thrashing so they didn't stay long. I drove Dick down to the bank this morning and when I got back took Mrs. McBride home. The roads weren't impassable any where but our lane was drifted full in the road way so I had to go along the top of the bank next the lawn fence. We didn't try to do any thing but tend to the stock, not even clean out the horse stable. Allan Law came over this afternoon to put a fire in the engine to thaw her out. About five o'clock Dad. walked down town and got the mail and some whooping cough medicine from Dr. Cook for Tiddums as we are pretty sure he has it. He left word at Huby's for Dick to stay down all night. Frank was a little better to-day but feels pretty sick yet. Tuesday January 13th We didn't do any thing but chores and shovel snow all day. Mrs. McBride came this morning and was tuckered right out after her walk through the drifts. The road from here to the corner is impassable with a cutter and we shovelled a road out the lane. Ted George came over this morning thinking we would be thrashing but it was too cold so he played in the house with Frank most of the day building a swing bridge with Frank's Meccano. Sam and Allan came over this after noon to thaw out the boiler and fix the mill where it broke the other night. Sam said they never thrashed when it was below zero. They said it was 7° below zero down town this morning and I think it must have stayed about that all day for I had to spend about half the time keeping my hands and ears from freezing although it was a lovely sunny day with just breeze enough to run the windmill. Dick went to Simcoe to-night with a sleigh load which Billy Boughner took up and he said it was 16 below up there. In Toronto it was lower temperature than they had had for 27 years. 8 �Wednesday January 14th I didn't feel very well when I got up this morning, and while I was watering the horses a sick & weak feeling came on me and it was all I could manage to get to the house and flop myself on the sofa in the kitchen. I haven't done any thing but sit around the stove and read all day. To-night I went out to have a little tea but while I was at it I felt deathly sick and made for the door. I can just remember standing there for a minute and then tumbling over on the wood shed floor. Dad. and Enah hiked out and got me in on the sofa where I felt quite a lot better. Ted. George was over again to-day but as they didn't thrash he helped Dad. do chores. Jonas was also over but didn't stay long. Dad. and Ted went down with the team this morning and got the bobsleighs from Butler, this after noon they put the box on them and went down town again for groceries and got a load of apple wood at Uncle Ward's, this is smaller limbs than the last we got and will have to be sawed a couple of times. I guess they thought it was too cold to thrash again to day but we would have been short handed anyway with me sick and Jim. Law has gone to Stratford to a cheese makers convention. It has not been quite so cold as yesterday but more windy and with a little snow. Frank put in the day fixing a spring on Tiddum's carriage and fixing locks on various doors in the house Wednesday Thursday January 15th Although not quite O.K. I felt ever so much better to-day and was able to do quite a few little chores and fix a bit of sacking in the chicken house window to keep the snow out. Sam & Allan were in this morning and said they thought if it was fair they would thrash Saturday, but we saw Allan again this after noon and he said they would get at it to-morrow. Ted. and Jonas both came over again. Jonas went on over to Tupper's to work but Ted. stayed here all day and chopped wood. This after noon we hooked up Joe and Ginger to the bobsleighs and Dad. Ted and I drove down town and got the mail. We saw Dick but as there is a dance on to-night he didn't come home with us for Wiggins is going to press his every day pants for him. Very soft and cloudy all day looks like rain. Friday January 16th Sam Law came over soon after daylight this morning but as it was raining then he didn't know whether to fire up or not, but at last decided to, as it let up a little it took an hour or two to get any steam for some reason or other and it was after ten before they got started to thrash and then a belt broke - and it took half an hour to fix it. Ted. George was the only 9 �man to show up early Jim Law came over the middle of the fore noon and Jonas in time for dinner he was over at Tupper's. There was only a little alsike left and we just got about a bushel of seed out of it. They finished it up and got all moved over to the other barn by half past twelve as they had to spend half an hour or so getting the engine through a snow drift. By the time we got through dinner it was raining again so we hung around in the drive shed for quite awhile where Jim Law mauled the life pretty near out of Jonas - and then over in the barn where we kept snowballs on the fly but at last Sam decided to quit. and told them to be back by tomorrow noon. Dad. and I did up the chores and then we drove Belle down after the mail and took Ted. with us. Dad. saw Dr. Cook about the baby as he has been very miserable to day, the whooping cough is bad enough but he is cutting another tooth Saturday January 17th I drove Dick down to the bank first thing this morning and when I got back Dad. and I hooked Harry and Belle to the sleigh and went down to Porter's, we didn't get back till about noon. Sam Law came over while we were gone & fired up and they got started up about one o'clock and finished about four, there was about two bags and a half of seed from the four loads. Allan & Jim Law & Bert Munroe were all down at Ern Flemming's to a dance last night and didn't get in till about six o'clock this morning they said they had a fine time but thought it a little strange that they should be invited to a private house with the slipulation that the ladies were to bring refreshments, and that a collection should be taken up to pay the fiddler - and that the host should keep two dollars out - and submit the remaining five to the fiddler, who was Lym Waddle. After tea to-night Dad. & I drove down to get the mail and we took Ted. George with us, (the others all went home to tea) we chased all over town to find Dick as he had the key to the post office box and at last found him and he came home with us, he got another fifty dollar raise in his salary to-day dating back to December 1st. That is the secon one since he has been in there which is just a little over a year. Lila has been over all day and is staying all night. Tiddums feels pretty rotten but is a little brighter to-day. It was cloudy and blustery this morning but the sun came out this after noon and it was not so cold high north wind all day. Sunday January 18th I just did a few chores this morning and went down to church alone Lila went down earlier to be ready for Sunday school. Frank's calf was too bad for him to go, Dick was in bed, Enah had to look after Tiddums and Dad's. time was taken up ministering to the needs of a heifer calf which Charlotte presented us with soon after we went out this morning. Its ear froze a 10 �couple of times but Dad. and Frank thawed it out with snow, when I came home it was on the kitchen floor, they had to bring it in to keep it from freezing to death. They took it out after it got good and warm and dry and I had taken a picture of it but Charlotte didn't seem very anxious to own it so Dad is going to try to teach it to drink now but it hasn't drunk any to-day. Allan Law came in this morning with a bottle of stuff which he bought down town for Witch Hazel for Sam's eye. Sam said it wasn't the right color (dark brown) for with Hazel and told him to ask Dad. Dad smelt it and tasted it and said it was clear whisky. Allan said if Sam had known that he would have swallowed it but Dad said he hadn't better as something else might be in it, so he gave him some of his. Allan said his sleighs had come but weren't set up yet, so he said we would go to Jarvis with our seed to-morrow with our sleighs and his team. This after noon I drove Enah down town to see the Doctor about Tiddums, Dick went down with us and I suppose has gone to church to-night. It has been pretty cold all day but fairly sunny and no wind, milder to-night. Monday January 19th I was up before six this morning and we had the seed loaded and allready to start for Jarvis at eight o'clock, Allan brought his team up soon after and by the time we got his seed on and on the road it was ten minutes to nine, but the sleighing was fine and we got there in a little more than an hour. We unloaded the seed at Jake Fesses and he just got started on our lot a little before dinner. I had my dinner alone as Allan was down at Roy Misner's. I was over at Fesses all the after noon but Allan was just there a little while. They finished cleaning up the seed about four o'clock in time for me to get my check cashed which I did as I wanted to buy half a dozen bags from Fess and forgot to tell him to take the price of them off the check. The whole thing came $55.26. The alsike cleaned away about half, so I only got 4 bushels and 20 lbs, he docked me a little on it as there was a little white clover in it but I got $8.00 a bushel for it. The red seed he said had a little buckhorn in it and I only got 7.75 for it. I brought home about a bushel of it and sold 2 bushel and 40 lbs. Alan only had about a pail ful of alsike which he brought home and he got the same as me for his red seed, it had no buck horn in it but he docked him on brown seed. We got home here just about dark pretty well satisfied with the day's doings Dad. I guess did chores most of the day the new calf got loose this after noon and milked Charlotte for him. Miss Newel was over to see Tiddums and he drove her home. Cloudy, mild and a little breeze looks like snow or rain Tuesday January 20th 11 �We didn't get up till about eight o'clock this morning so were late with every thing. Dad. drove Dick down town while I was at breakfast After I cleaned out the stables I sacked some corn and Frank and I bagged up some oats to take down to be chopped. Dad. wanted to go down to a meeting of the cream factory patrons but it was too late when we got through dinner. He and I took our grist to the mill after dinner and came up around by Uncle Ward's and got another load of wood when we got it unloaded Frank and I went down town for the mail and provisions and came up around by the mill and got our chop and some bran, shorts & buckwheat, getting home soon after five. Dad. did chores and cut wood while we were gone. Mrs. Art Ryersie was in this morning with some garlicks which she said mixed with rum made a fine concoction for the whooping cough and she thought Tiddums would benefit by it I don't know whether he is to take it internally or not I think it will be {infernally?} which ever way it goes. Alan and Jim Law brought our sleigh home this morning. They drove down in them to get their own which are Bain make and cost $32.00. They are very similar to ours but a little heavier and there is $4.00 difference in the price. Rotten day, very cloudy and foggy, fine rain most of the day freezing light breeze to-night. Wednesday January 21st First thing this morning Molly had a fine big bull calf, good red one and as big as Charlotte's now or bigger. Dad. drove Dick down to the bank this morning and we didn't do any thing much but chores the rest of the morning. Lloyd Phillips came over and got a load of hay but he had Garf Porrit and another fellow with him so we didn't have to help him put it on. This after noon Dad. Frank and I wrote to Uncle Hal. for his birthday and I went over to Martin's with the bit Frank borrowed from Art. Quanbury the other day, I saw Mr. Briley and he was telling me that he didn't think a mash was the right thing at all for laying hens, while Chris told me to feed it so it's hard to tell what to do exactly. Dad. and I hooked Joe & Ginger to the bobs and went down to post Uncle Hal's letter but we were too late for to-night's mail. Dick and Wiggins rode over as far as the corner with us and then walked on around the hill we gave {Bruce?} Vice a ride home too. We also brought some lumber over from Tommy Gilles's for John Quanbury as Chris asked us to on our way down. We had great difficulty to-night in trying to catch Dreadnaught and drive him into his stall and at last by running him through the deep snow until he was tired and he went in of his own accord. Snowed an inch or two last night and has been rather cold and blustery all day. Thursday January 22nd 12 �I did chores this morning and cleaned the straw out of the chicken house and also sat in the dining room for awhile to catch Tiddums if he woke up coughing and put in the time sorting "Farmer's Advocate's" Dad. and Frank sawed down the old Northern Spy in the pig yard as it was dead. This after noon they cut some of it up and got a lot of first class fire wood out of it. After dinner I put a lot of fresh straw in the chicken house - and helped Dad fix a pent in the corner of the old barn to put the calves into. Lovely day, fairly sunny and not too cold, looks like snow. Friday January 23rd We spent most of the morning battoning up the calf pen and Dad. put the window in. This after noon he put the surcingle & bridle on Osprey. He didn't like it at all at first but once he got started he walked down to the corner and back alright but sweat up a lot. When we got back I did a few chores and Dad and Frank got some more apple wood. Cousins Loll & Phoebe came over - and about four o'clock Frank & I drove them home we also got the mail and a couple of boxes to feed the calves in Charlie Butler was in at noon to see Dad. about some horse. It has been cloudy and very soft all day. Looks very much like a storm. Saturday January 24th It was raining when we got up this morning, turned to snow about nine o'clock and snowed till noon. Dad. put the harness and bridle on Osprey again but we couldn't take him out so just left him there all morning He must have gone through some violent exercise, probably trying to get loose - as when we went in at noon he was wringing wet. Dad. also trimmed his front feet and had to resort to chastisement to make him behave We put the old waggon and the plow in the shed out of the rain before dinner. This after noon it stopped storming but got a little colder. Frank went down to the McBain's auction sale but didn't buy anything he said there was a big crowd there. I spent half the after noon looking at a book of house plans and then helped Dad. saw up a few pieces of the old apple tree we then did chores. I drew a plan for our new barn to-night. Sunday January 25th Frank was the only one from here who went to church this morning as it was late when we got up and Dad. and I spent most of the fore noon doing chores and we also took Osprey out for a little exercise. Dick was asleep the greater part of the morning. Frank and I went for a skate down on the pond this afternoon. Dick went down but I guess there weren't enough girls on the ice to catch him so he went on up town and lent his skates to Fred. 13 �Tuck. I was late getting there so only had an hour or two's skate but I enjoyed that much for the ice was pretty good and as it was my first skate this season maybe it was just as well not to make it too long. I went down to church to-night and came home right after, but didn't see any thing of Dick who was not home to tea. It has been sunny and quite mild all day but is a little colder to-night. Monday January 26th After we did chores this morning, we hooked up Harry and Belle to the waggon and went over to Sam's to get our quarter of beef. We took it down to Alfred's and weighed it and it was just 90 lbs which was pretty good for the front quarter of a calf not quite a year old. It was just about noon when we got home but we went and got a jag of rails before dinner. After dinner we went and got another load of rails and then went down town for the mail and some yeast cakes and got back about five. John Wess was in just before dark as his mare has a little touch of lymphangitis again. Dad. told him what to do for it and said that he would go over and see it in the morning. To-night I went down to the pond for a skate as I saw they had quite a lot shovelled off. I got a ride part way down with Allan Law and he said they were going to start hauling ice to-morrow and that he could haul ours for us if we wanted him to. I told him we couldn't put it in to-morrow but we might the day after. There wasn't a big crowd on the pond and only a very few girls but the ice was good. I put in most of the time chasing Bunyan Beecraft and Tony Bannister to punish them for throwing snowballs all over. I caught Tony early in the game and twisting his hair till he got down on the ice and filling his hat with snow succeeding in persuading him to behave himself but Bunyan was another proposition. In the first place I couldn't begin to catch up with him, being out of practice I suppose - and then he was so nimble getting around the corners. I would sometimes be nearly on him and he would jump right off the track into the snow and aparently make just as good progress there as on the ice. I jumped in after him once but my feet slid out from under me and I cleaned off quite an area of ice in a very short time and carried most of the snow off on my clothes. At last Alex Spain joined in the chase and we both got Bunyan headed for Ivey's point where we thought we would catch him for sure, we could just see his figure ahead of us - and followed him around the point right through the snow - and some very poor ice till the first thing we knew he was taking to the land like one of these aligator boats, we hiked back around the point hoping to be where we thought he would get on the ice again by the time he was but there was no sign of him. He told us after wards when we were taking our skates off in Greenbury's woodshed that he was up behind Ivey's ice house and heard us go past. Dick came down before I left and hung 14 �around till I got my skates off and went up to Huby's after a loaf of bread I got up town. We got home about ten. Very soft all day not wind enough to turn the windmill till after dark. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Tuesday January 27th As soon as we got things done up this morning which was about ten o'clock we hooked up and went over to John Wesses and Dad. gave his mare a ball. Mr. Morgan was looking over there and we got looking at his gasoline engine and he was running it and grinding oats and showing us all around so it was after noon when we got home. Mr. Morgan came home with us and stayed to dinner and half the after noon, consequence being that we didn't get any thing but chores done although we had intended to haul some rails and clear out the ice house Allan Law was in to-night and said if they were hauling ice to-morrow he would haul ours for us but I think it is raining now so not likley they will be doing much with the ice. It has been very soft and spring like to-day. It rained last night and took most of the snow of the roads and left them very slippery. Wednesday January 28th We cleaned out the ice house first thing this morning and got it all ready to fill. It rained last night and was so very mild that we didn't think Alan was coming but just as we got ready for him he came along with a load, he said he went to see Val. about it last night but Val. was at lodge, so this morning he went down after a load of sand for the chickens as the thought they wouldn't be cutting to-day but some body saw him down town and told him that Val. wanted him to haul what was on the stand over here so he did, he got two loads over before dinner and four this after noon. we didn't get the last load chincked or placed to-night and if all is well he is going to haul one or two more loads in the morning. We think we are putting this in better than we did last year, we are leaving a good space between the walls and the ice for sawdust - and we put rails and sawdust in the bottom, but the ice isn't as good as last year especially what has been out of the water in the sun all day. Jim Coley was over this morning and got Dad. to give him a two weeks option on his lots, he says he can almost guarantee the sale of them at $600.00. Bob. and Cars. Rankin also drove over and brought the saddle & bridle back. Bluch was very glad to see them and followed them way down the road but came back when we called him. Tupper came in to get his post auger which we borrowed to dig the holes for the windmill feet. Mrs. Tupper and the baby were with him. I guess Mrs. Tupper wanted to see Tiddums but she didn't want to bring her kid in on account of the whooping cough and it was asleep anyway, Enah 15 �brought Tiddums to the window to wave at her. It has been very spring like and the sleighing is going fast. Thursday January 29th Just about as we got ready for him this morning Alan came along with a load of ice and hauled one more before dinner, we then saw that we needed eleven more cakes to fill up the ice house evenly so he brought 14 over this after noon, he said he had a hard time getting them as the machine wasn't working. We put the extra three on top. Dad. chincked it while I cleaned out the horse stable which has been neglected for two days, that makes over eight loads of ice that can be put in that ice house. Old Bill George drove over before dinner to get the fork that Ted. left over here. He was driving his yearling colt to the cutter and the sleighing is about gone, it is the same age as Queen and not nearly so big so that sort of treatment must be hard on it. Harry Dyer, his brother and Hammy Innes were over for awhile this after noon. Dick came home to tea to-night to change his clothes and attend the dance of the Orchestra's in the town hall. Another April day, water is running over everything and "the buds are within a holy ace of bustin" as Art. Ryersie says. The snow is fast giving place to mud and it looks as if it would rain again. Quite a strong south west breeze all day. Friday January 30th It was freezing when Dick came home at three o'clock this morning and has been freezing in the shade all day but not very hard. We found that the south west wind the early part of last night had melted quite a lot of the ice that it could reach through the west window, so Dad. had to fix it a little and we put in all the sawdust we had, but will need quite a lot more. Dad. thought the roads would be too icy to go to-day. We gave Osprey a little exercise before dinner - and I sorted out a lot of the apples down cellar. This afternoon we tore down a lot more of the gully fence but just put the rails in piles. It was a lovely day to do it as the snow is nearly all gone. More like a lat fall day to-day except that there is so much running water. Saturday January 31st We didn't do much but chores to-day. Dad. cut a big pile of wood and I Frank carried it and I wheeled most of the sand which Dad. got for Frank Slocomb to mend the cistern with from the house over to the drive shed and put it in to dry up the mud - as the water as run in a lot since it thawed. This afternoon Dad. and Frank drove down town to get the mail and 16 �some provisions. They got a letter from "The Library of Original Sources" saying that our books would doubtless be here with in the next few days. I spent the evening making entries for the past month in my book keeping book. The hens haven't nearly payed for themselves. I got six eggs to-day which is the most yet. Mr. and Mrs. Walt McCall drove Dolly over this morning. She cawked one of her front feet and Walt got Dad. to look at it. It has been a very blizzardy day but not cold. It was hail sleet when we got up this morning then rain and a blow this after noon with strong east wind which shifted right around. Tonight it is blowing hard but I think clear. Sunday January February 1st I haven't done much all day. This morning Enah and I drove down to church but got home very early. After dinner Dick and I went down town I went over to Harry Moon's and spent the after noon and stayed to tea. Harry was showing me over the new part of his house which he has fixed up pretty slick but hasn't quite finished the upstairs yet. They went to church to-night so I went down to Huby's. Quint. and Win were at church and Lila was over here but Huby and Aunty Maude were home. Frank came home with Lila while I was there so I went home with him. I don't know where Dick went but I have a sneaking idea that he spent the after noon over at Dyers. Last night when Dad. locked up the stable there wasn't a sign of Bluch so we thought he must have followed them down town when they went down after the mail last night, although they watched him, so to-day after church Frank went down to the Rankin's and sure enough he found Bluch there so brought him home. Bob. Rankin told Huby. that Jimmy cried himself to sleep last night because they wouldn't let Bluch sleep with him and told him they couldn't keep him. Some fellow was in here from Nanticoke to-day to have Dad look at his horse. I got seven eggs to-day. It has not been very cold stormy to-day but there has been a cold strong west wind. Monday February 2nd After we got the chores done we went out and hauled up three loads of rails before dinner, we got nearly all we had torn down. We also cut the tips off Erie's and Spotty's horns as we thought that the comfort or even saftey of the other animals was hazarded by their sharp points, we cut one of Erie's a little lower than we intended and severed a little artery. It soon stopped after we let her out but this after noon she scrubbed it against Snowdrop or the straw stack and covered Snowdrop with gore and when we let them in to-night a beautiful little spurt was coming out of it but Dad. soon stopped it but putting a little chop stuff on it. We intended to go prospecting for sawdust this after noon but by the time I got the rails 17 �unloaded The Law's came in to take their clover mill and engine down to Bob. Leitch's as the roads are now in grand shape. We were very glad to have the clover mill out of the barn as it was a great nuisance, but we didn't get a chance to go for our saw dust as they were here most of the after noon getting up enough steam to raise hel the engine out of the ground where she was frozen in, when Alan threw her in she would hump and stop "breathing" just like a horse trying to lift a big load, but after a few strains she loosened up and got out. Sam's brother-in-law was with them and he seemed to understand quite a lot about it. When they went Dad. put Joe's harness on Osprey and hooked him up to the bobs with Belle. he did pretty fair but seems to throw or paddle his nigh forefoot. Jonas came over this morning and borrowed a pitch fork and the hay knife as he is going to move the hay from McBains barn to Sam McBrides as they are tearing down the old McBain barn to-day. he brought them back to-night and is now playing checkers with Frank. The bear had ample chance to see his shadow to-day as the sun has been shining nearly the whole time it has been an ideal winter day, not too cold and just enough wind to turn the wind mill. I got seven eggs again to-day. They are getting a lot of milk now and it is beginning to tell on them. Tuesday February 3rd I got up about five this morning and read till daylight When Dad. came out I found that Dick had brought home word last night that {Winkey?} Smith was dead and was to be brought here on the eleven o'clock train to be buried, and as the funeral was to be taken charge of by the mason's, Dad. was wanted at the lodgeroom at ten o'clock. I drove down with Dad. and hung around till the train came in and then drove up to the cemetery with him. After the service was over there we drove over to Evan's woods on the Radical opposite old Stringer's place to see if there was any saw dust. We had quite a time finding any signs of a sawmill but at last Dad. came on it way back in a little ravine. He said there were no men around but quite a few bags and a pile of saw dust. This after noon Dad. went down and got his hair cut and was gone all the after noon. I watered the horses and cleaned out the cow stable and then I took a walk back the lane to look at the little trees. Most of them on the west side are dead while most on the east are alive. To-night Dad. went over to a men's party at Jack Martin's. It has been very soft all day and the sleighing is just about gone. There is snow lying in the fence corners and on the north side of things but it looks very Spring like, water is running every where and the fields are nearly all brown and where ever the sun can reach it looks dry and warm. I got twelve eggs to-day which I thought was pretty good. 18 �{Harry Barrett (Toby's father) wrote the entries for February 4th and 5th.} Wednesday February 4th Tobe did not write this up last night as he went skating. I did not get up this morning until 7.30. I found Toby up and the kitchen fire on and good and warm. Dick did not get home last night till sometime after I did and then we talked till after 2 O'Clock. After doing up the usual round of chores, we caught the 5 roosters and took them over to Jack Martin. It was dinner time when we got home from there. After noon we put on a small load of hay to take over to the other barn for the cows and calves. Frank went to skate after school. After tea Toby and I went down town he to skate and I to a school board meeting where we had a lively time, it looked at first as if we would not get anything done but it became quite peaceable towards the close. Old Mark Topley is getting along fine in his walking and his cough is much better. Rus Lampkins came in this evening and I paid him for the windmill. Fairly cold all day. Thursday February 5th It was late again this morning when I got up, 7 O'Clock, being out at night does not agree with me. Dick worked late last night Toby and I came home with Jack Martin and got home first. Dick brought home word that the long looked for books had come. After the chores were done we hauled the hay over that we loaded yesterday and put it off, then we hauled ni a load of corn stalks. After dinner we went down town and got the books. That accounts for my writing tonight, Toby is absorbed in them. Dick went to Simcoe this afternoon, Frank went down and had his hair cut after school, Enah and little {Taphy?} went through their usual daily round. It has been pretty cold all day, but for the most part bright. I find it hard to keep awake, I will have to take a look at the new books. Friday February 6th We took a load of grist to the mill this morning six bags of oats and four of corn, we got one bag of the oats rolled for the chickens. Tige. Farr was in for awhile to see if he could rent some of the back of the place for pasture but of course there was nothing doing. Dad. went down town right after dinner to give the deeds of his lots to Jim Caley but as Cousin Willie was sick they couldn't get them fixed up so he & Enah will have to go down some other time to sign off. he got home about four and we then went down to the mill for our chop. We had quite a time getting up the hill as it was very icy and the horses slipped all the way. Old Jonas was over this morning to get a dose of salts for his pig which he says he thinks 19 �will die Dad. looked at it and he thinks so too - if it does he will only have one left as two have died already. Allan & Jim Law were in to-night Allan's horse got its legs cut in some way he doesn't know how and he wanted Dad. to look at it. I got up at half past four this morning to read the new books and also learn a little Latin out of Dad's old book. It froze pretty hard last night - and there was a cold east wind all morning but it turned mild at noon and has been snowing & raining alternately all day afternoon. Poor Tiddums felt very miserable this morning and they thought the poor little cus had the earache but after he had his sleep he felt a lot better - and has been all rigt the rest of the day Saturday February 7th I got up about half past five this morning learned latin till Dad. came out about half past six, then I went out to do chores It has been blowing a hurricane and snowing all day so we didn't do anything but chores and Dad. cut a pile of wood. This after noon Frank went down town this after noon to see if there were any waves on the lake but there weren't although it was a south west wind, but likely there is a lot of ice in the lake. Dad. and I started to make a boock case for the new books out of the box they came in. Frank got some cloth down town to line it with. I got thirteen eggs to-day. It has been pretty cold and very blizzardy to-day. Sunday February 8th Frank went down to Sunday school and church and Dad. and I went down to church this morning we were late for although we came accross the pond we had to stop in at Henderson's as my ear got frozen by the cold wind on the pond and we went in there where Dad. thawed it out with snow I nearly froze my hand holding snow on it from the pond up there. We came around by Huby's on our way home and got the old glue pot to make some glue for our book case and also looked at the old chicken house as we are going to bring it over here for a breeding pen. This after noon we read did chores and listened to Enah play the piano. Dick got up and had a bath before dinner, got Dad. to shave him and went down town about the middle of the after noon as he says he is going to church to-night. Frank spent most of the after noon skating on the ditch out here from the lane fence up to the oak trees and down in Bannister's gully. Very cold and strong west wind, a little snow otherwise not a bad day Monday February 9th 20 �It froze about the hardest yet last night and has been pretty cold and breezy all day, but was bright and sunshiny part of the time, and snowing a little part of the time. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. cut wood. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day and as it was too cold and draughty for Tiddums in the kitchen Frank had to stay home to look after him in the dining room. Dad. and Enah were contemplating a trip down town this after noon to sign the deeds to the lots but Mr. Howey who is buying them and a Mr. Ross brought them over this after noon and saved them the trouble. The option is up on them to-morrow so they wanted to get things settled. He paid Dad. a check for the six hundred. Jonas was over here most of the afternoon selling seeds. Dad. gave him an order for some of L.P. Gunson's seed oats and we are going to make out and order for him to-night of garden seeds from Simmers No body was down town to-day, so we haven't got the mail. Tuesday February 10th Dad saw a load of ice going into Mrs Battersby's this morning and just remembered that we had not returned John Quanbury's little ice tongs, and as we thought he might be needing them I took them down but he said he never used them as they were too small so told me to take them home again which I did. I stayed there quite awhile helping & watching him. Bob. Leitch was hauling the ice, it is a lot bigger and better looking than ours but John says it doesn't keep at all well in Mrs. Battersby's ice house. It is cement and built right in the side hill. The let the ice slide down the hill and drop about eight feet to the bottom of the ice house and it breaks up badly. Dad. cut wood while I was away and when I got back helped me clean out the chicken house. This after noon I cut a piece off the stack and Dad carried over a lot of straw to the chicken house. Jonas came over this morning and we gave him the Simmer's order although we are sure he is not an authorized agent, but as we don't have to pay for the stuff till we get it I suppose it will be alright. Dad. told him he was crazy to waste his time selling seeds instead of cutting his hedge down for wood over at Myers but Jonas said he had to get a little money some way as he only had fifty cents. Frank said he was working down cutting ice this after noon. It has been much milder though still freezing to-day cloudy and just breeze enough this after noon to turn the wind mill, snowing a little to-night. Wednesday February 11th We did chores and Dad cut wood most of the day, this afternoon we put some poles across a couple of beams in the big barn and covered them with hay to make a pen for the ewes'. The old ram seems to be getting crosser, he attacked me to-day for the first time, and we 21 �think it is because he has some way got the wool all pulled away from his eyes - and can see much better all around him. I got fourteen eggs to-day, the cold weather doesn't seem to affect the hens any, I guess it is the feed and care that counts. Enah cut the cloth for the book case of my new books this after noon and to-night Dad and I glued it on the wood, it is going to look pretty nice I think. It froze very hard last night. Frank said it was seven below zero, and although bright and sunny has been frosty all day barely thawing even in the sun. They say there was a slight earthquake felt in different parts of Ontario and in Montreal but I think the ones that felt it here just thought so after they got the paper. Thursday February 12th Dad. and I took a walk down to Porter's and back this morning, we got back about half past one. This after noon we just did chores. To-night after a lot of hesitation I decided to go down to the dance. Dick said he didn't think there would be many there but there was enough to suit me. No-one from Simcoe was down but all the Dover bunch was there and I had a good time. I didn't miss more than half a dozen dances and much to my surprise found that I could dance fairly well. I didn't expect to be able to do any better than the last time I tried especially as I haven't been down for over a month. They say it was fifteen below zero down town this morning and although it has been a lovely sunny day with out breeze enough to blow the wind mill, it has been freezing hard all day, and is just as cold tonight. Friday February 13th After we did the chores up this morning Dad. & I hooked Harry and Belle to the sleighs and went down town, the sleighing was good most of the way in town but was pretty icy in places. I took down 7 1/2 doz. eggs and got at the rate of 35 cts a doz for them but traded them off for groceries. Dad. got some lumber to fix up the sheep pen with and settled up with Tommy. This after noon we just did chores and I had a little snooze as I only had about four hours last night or rather this morning. To-night Dad. dressed up and went down to pay a visit to Alfred. and Lulu. Billy Faulkner came over this morning and took their heifer away. An old Peddler came in to-night about five he looked about frozen and piked off towards Sam Law's who he evidently knew as he asked up if he didn't live down by the mill before he moved up here. This is poor weather I should think for his job. I wouldn't mind it at all in the summer. pretty frosty all day and a cold north east wind but mostly sunny. It is milder to-night and trying to snow. 22 �Saturday February 14th I did chores all morning and Dad. & Frank cut up the old apple tree in the pigyard. They had some pretty hard sawing in it. This after noon Dad and I took the team and waggon sleigh and hauled it up to the house where Dad. split a lot of it. Frank went down town and got his tooth filled - and sent off a lot of valentines. Bert. Thompson came over this afternoon to see if we had any Black Orpington hens. There was just one left of the ones that Huby hatched out three years ago of the eggs he got from Bert. I knew she wasn't laying and was glad enough to get rid of her, I would have sold her for fifty cents or less but Bert offered me a dollar for her so I let him have her. Dad. had quite a visit down at Alfred's last night, the old peddler, whose name is Foster was there. Lulu was in Toronto but got home before he left, she told them that Art Ryersie who had brought her home heard down town that Blaikie was dead, but as we have heard nothing about it to-day, we feel pretty sure there is a mistake some-where. It has been milder to-day a little though still freezing hard. It snowed a little but was mostly sunny. Sunday February 15th Enah and I walked down to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school and church. This after noon Cousins Clare and Phoebe came over and also Quint, Huby and Lila. Dick was in bed all morning and went down town this after noon and says he is going to church to-night. Huby said Aunty Maude was pretty sick to-day. Dad. and I walked down to church to-night and went around to see Aunty Maude on our way home, she was sitting up on the sofa but looks pretty miserable, we got home about nine o'clock and Dick soon after we did. It is still pretty frosty but getting milder I think. cloudy most of the day and to-night. Huby told us of a great joke they played on old Tom the cook on the Vigilant. It seems he is quite a lady's man and gets a letter occasionally from a young lady he met in St. Thomas. Young Archie McQueen knew this and put Bill Davis, Parks and a few more of the bunch wise to it and they with Mrs. Walt. McCalls assistance composed a letter to Tom, from his girl telling him to meet her at the Fair corner (so as everything could be seen from the Dominion Hotel windows) at noon yesterday and to be sure and bring a bottle of gin along. When Tom. got the letter he never caught on and was in a great state of excitement all morning and kept his eyes on the Fair corner, meanwhile Archie had been getting togged up in a lot of Mrs. McCall's clothes, he is rather small and good looking and about two o'clock slipped out of the side door at the hotel and around the block up to the Fair corner, of course old Tom was right there to meet him and Archie immediately inquired about the gin so Tom told him to go over to the hotel and wait for him at the head of the stairs while he 23 �got it. He rushed into the bar to get a fifty cent bottle but Walt. told him that they didn't have any smaller than a dollar and a quarter bottles.Tom was in such a hurry that he said any thing would do so took a big bottle up stairs and rushed the fair one of to his room. Archie told Huby after wards that it would have been rich if he could have played his part a little longer but when Tom began to kiss his hands, he could stand no more, so with a burst of laughter he picked up his skirts and fled down stairs. Tom was so mad he never spoke to any one the rest of the day but got bory eyed on the bottle of gin. Monday February 16th Dad. and I went down as soon as we could get ready this morning to get the chicken house down home ready to move Huby helped us and we got it raised and up on blocks by noon. While we were at it, who should come along, bare headed, and without an overcoat, but Walter, he had come through the house and Aunty Maude had told him where we were, so that accounted for the absence of hat and overcoat, but as we hadn't the slightest idea that he was within a thousand miles of us, we were quite surprised to see him, but this after noon we got a letter from Roy which we should have got on Saturday, saying that Walter was then in Barrie having come down with the body of Mrs. {illegible} father. He got into Toronto Friday night and {illegible} up here this morning but had to go right back again tonight. He stayed at Huby's to dinner for as he said a walk over here before dinner did not sound {illegible} tempting and right after dinner Dad. hooked up Belle and went down and got him, he was only here an hour or two and then Dad. and I drove him down he had to stop in for a minute or two to see Miss Phipps, Cousins Bessie, Clare and Loll and say goodbye to Aunty Maude. Dick Quint at Huby went to the station to see him off so he had a very hurried visit, but we were all very glad to see him if it was only for a short time. Old Jonas came over to-night to get his orders ready to send away, and to get a little corn but I think principally for a visit. Aunty Maude says she feels better to-day but looks very miserable. I only got twelve eggs to-day. It was a beautiful morning but this after noon the wind got up and it was a rotten after noon very blizzardy and cold. Quieter and colder tonight. Tuesday February 17th We just did chores and cut wood this morning, I read for awhile this afternoon and then Dad. and I drove down town and Dad. saw Johnny Walker about bringing over the hen house, he said he thought he could load it on the sleigh and bring it over to-morrow after noon we went down to see if we could get it any more ready but thought we couldn't do 24 �much more to it alone. A couple of the little Ryersie girls came in with Frank after school and young Roy Bannister appeard from somewhere soon after Frank got home and they went sleigh riding back in the gully and Roy borrowed a book to take home with him. Tonight I blew a little on my horn for the first time since election night. It was a very blizzardy blustery morning, but turned out a nice bright after noon, snowed quite a little bit, and there wasn't enough wind to turn the windmill. Wednesday February 18th Dad. and I did chores most of the morning besides taking the wire off the posts in the hen yard so we could get through with the other hen house which we intend to put in the north east corner of the yard. We had to pump water for the cattle this morning as there wasn't enough wind to turn the wind mill, it took us over half an hour to pump half a tank full, we took turns at it, it is the first time we have had to pump for them this winter, and if we had a bigger tank which would hold two or three days supply, it wouldn't matter about it being quiet for one day. As soon as we could after dinner Dad and I went down to get the old hen house Jack Walker didn't come for quite a while, but I went up town and got Huby and we got it raised up in front nearly high enough to back the sleighs under, when Johnny came he said he thought it would pay us to raise it up high enough behind to back the sleighs, so we did and without so very much more work got it loaded beautifully, we were afraid the top of the pigeon house which Dad. built on the roof of the hen house would catch on wires and branches but we hated to take it off - as it has been there so long but Johnny said he thought it would go alright. The first obstruction occured going out the lane and we had to chop a limb off Mrs. Low's apple tree, but got past. Then going from the lane gate to the road where Dad. had a nice driveway fixed the road-scraper made a nasty ditch and never filled it in. Johnny was afraid the building might tip over on the horses going over the bump so Dad. went over and borrowed some rope from Gint. Rankin and tied it to the {rave?} of the Sleigh over the roof of the chicken house, we thought we had her solid but Johnny let his horses go a little fast down hill and rounding the curve with such a big top weight, she just keeled right over sleigh and all at the side of the road on end just nicely between the side walk and the road. I thought the jar would rack her all to pieces but as far as we could see it did hurt a bit, except knocked the pigeon house right off the roof. We decided to leave her there for the night and Johnny said he would get a pair of skids from Val. and take her over on them in the morning. Old Faucet said he would hang a light on to-night for us. We got a ride home with Charlie Quanbury. Tonight Dad. togged up in his dress suit and went down to pay a visit to Cousin Loll as she likes to see him dressed up so much. It was 25 �about eight below zero last night they say but has been a lovely day, rather Foggy but quite mild and no wind. Thursday February 19th Dad. and I went down about half past nine this morning as that was the time Johnny said he would be on the spot but there was no sign of him so Dad went down to see if Jim Low had any chestnut coal but he hadn't a pound. When he came back from there he went in to see old Mrs. Fawsett for awhile Huby and I carried back Mrs. Jim Low's blocks which we borrowed and then went and sat in the house, then as there was no sign of Johnny Dad. came over. At last about eleven we thought he wasn't coming so thought we would go home. Huby went down to the mill with us as they saw Johnny go in there with a load of shooks, when we found him he said he was just ready to go so we went back with him. It took us quite awhile to get it turned over on to the skids and we had to get a few extra hands to help us. Allan Law came along just as we were about ready to start and as one of Johnny's horses is very poor on the draw and he couldn't start it Allan hooked his team on and the two snaked it along to Allan's corner, then Johnny took his team off as they thought two teams would be too wide going down that narrow road and over the bridge. Allan hauled it to the top of the hill and then Johnny took it alone the rest of the way, he let his team sail right through and as it was too hard work keeping up afoot I rode part of the way so did Huby. Johnny got stuck in our lane here where the snow was deep and he ran into the side of the bank, we had to take the little horse off and put old Harry on with Johnny's big horse and they pulled it easily. Huby stayed to dinner and this after noon we placed the hen house just where we want to leave it and put it up on blocks. Dad. and Huby then drove back to straighten things up down there and to take back some stuff we borrowed from Mrs. Jim Low. I did chores while they were gone. Charlie Butler was in for a few minutes this after noon to see Dad. about his horse which has something like lymphangitis. Dad. brought the pigeon house back with him this after noon. Nice day, snowed a little, mostly sunny with a little breeze. Friday February 20th After we did chores this morning Dad. and I sacked up eleven bags of oats and took them down to get chopped. We went on down town and got some stuff and then down to Huby's where we cut down a little locust tree and sawed it up in lengths to fit the waggon box and brought it over for fire wood we also took a big limb which was broken off the old Newton pippin tree. We didn't get home till nearly one. This after noon we discovered we 26 �had left Alfred's cross-cut saw down at Huby's so we hooked up Joe and Ginger (who were delighted to get out after about a month's confinement) and went down and got the saw and came around by the mill and got our grist. It was time to do chores when we got home. Tonight Dad. went down to a school board meeting, he didn't feel much like it especially as he didn't know that it was specially important. Frank went down with him to go to the moving picture show. Pretty cold, sunny but cold breeze. Dick told us that Frances Henry got badly hurt last night on Edmonson's hill where a bunch were sleigh riding. She was walking up hill and fell and a sleigh coming down ran in to her and cut an awful gash in her leg. I practiced my horn a little to-night. Dad. heard down town that Billy Anderson was dead Saturday February 21st Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's this morning and got a couple of roosters, as we want to mate up a breeding pen as soon as possible. We got what they said over there were a couple of good ones although they were tough looking characters, as owing to their blood stained countenances it appears as though they had been indulging in a passage at arms. When we got home Frank helped Dad. saw up the wood we got yesterday and I cleaned out the new chicken pen. After dinner, Dad and I went down and got a load of coal, as Allan Law was in before dinner and told us there was a car in, we thought it would pay to get in in time and wood saved. I took down eight dozen eggs to-day but the price is down to thirty two cents, when we got home Dad helped me put windows, perches and straw in the new hen house and after tea to-night we caught fifteen nice looking pullets - and mated up a pen in there. Frank went back to the gully to-night this after noon and killed a dandy muskrat. Dick got home to tea to-night - as he had a bath to-night. Sunny and nice day but a cold wind. We three boys had a bath to-night and sat on the kitchen table in our night shirts till midnight telling bad stories, while Dad. snored in the big chair. Sunday February 22nd Frank was the only member of the family who went to church to-day and he went to the Roman Catholic (to see what it was like) but he went to our Sunday school. As the wind last night tore the door of the new chicken house off its hinges, Dad. and I were forced to break the Sabbath and put it on. We just did chores and sat around all day I drew a little this after noon I am going to try and draw the picture I took of the mill and Herb. Cooke's house from the old cemetery at the top of the hill, and Frank went back to the gully. Dick slumbered peacefully all morning and went down town this after noon, with the intention of going to 27 �church to-night. I got fifteen eggs to-day, eight of them were from the breeding pen of fifteen pullets, we thought that was pretty good for the first day. I drew a little to-night. It snowed to-day and was very windy and blustery, pretty cold. Monday February 23rd I learned this morning that our hard luck with the sheep deal was not over yet for when I went out to feed them I found a fine big pair of ewe lambs lying dead on the barn floor, as last night was one of the coldest nights we have had, I suppose the poor little things had hardly lived at all after they were born, but still I think if we had only been there to bring them in the warm as soon as they came we could have saved them but we never dreamed of any of them lambing before the 25th and this ewe wasn't due till next Saturday. It has been very cold all day (one of the coldest days we have had) so we didn't do any thing but chores and nail up a few boards for a sheep pen. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day, in spite of the weather. I got seventeen eggs to-day. Tuesday February 24th I went to bed with my clothes on last night as I got up about three to have a look at the sheep but they were all right, it is a good thing no lambs came last night for it was bitterly cold. We fooled with the ewe which had her lambs quite a lot this morning and shut her up in the stable this after noon away from the others. Dad. went over to see if Brirely had ever had such a case to deal with as he used to be a sheppard in the old country but he didn't get much information. Quint was here for a little while this after noon. He and Big George Hamaker had come back to the gully on the trail of a skunk which Bill Oakes saw tracks of, but they found Wilson McPherson and some Matthews had got ahead of them and were digging it out up in Robert John's gully, George joined them but Quint said they were all covered with mud so he didn't care for the job and came home via this place. He says Ivey's gully is full of men and teams hauling sod but I guess they finished to-night. This afternoon Dad. and I unloaded the load of coal we got and hauled up a load of rails which Frank unloaded when he got home. Sam. Law was in this morning and Dad. paid him for the threshing and beef. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to the Library concert leaving Tiddums in our care. (Frank's & mine) but Dad. says he will not enjoy himself at all for fretting. I also have to keep watch on the sheep for although it is not so cold as last night it would be too much for little lambs. It has been freezing hard all day in the shade but it was very sunny and thawed a lot in the sun. I think it is gradually getting milder. 28 �Wednesday February 25th I slept with my clothes on again last night and got up about four to look at the sheep, there were no lambs but I noticed one of the ewes was not well, she has been sick all day and has not eaten anything but snow, we offered her water and she drank a lot which made Dad think she was feverish, she was also quite badly foundered, and is evidently suffering from indigestion. To-night Frank and Dad. tried to dose her with salts but couldn't get much down her. Dad is afraid she won't pull through, it certainly looks doubtful. We don't know what caused it unless she has eaten some of the old chaff that came out of the clover mill and which is mixed up with the hay on the barn floor. Dad. thinks she may have got an overfeed of corn as he found them the other day out by the corn crib where Frank's pig had rooted a slat loose and had got out a pile of corn out on the ground. The ewe that lost her lambs and which we had shut up in the stable, we found to be all right this morning so after trimming her up a little Dad. let her out with the rest in the shed, while we were there we heard a racket in the barn and on entering found the split eared ewe, the one which was due to lamb to-day engaged in a desperate fight with Frank's pig, down in the corner was a wee lamb just arrived and unhurt thanks to the courage of its mother as the pig would have made short work of it, if she had alloud it. I had the satisfaction of landing that pig a swift one and send it squealing out of there. I hadn't been there very long when another lamb came bigger that the first one. It wasn't very cold in the barn but we had to take the little fellows in the house by turns and warm them Enah and Tiddums looked after them, the latter was greatly interested in them. When they both got good and warm and dry, we moved them and the ewe into the horse stable where it is very much warmer than the barn and they all three seem to be all right. Jim Waddle was in this morning to see Dad. as his horses have lymphangitis. Jonas was in at noon with our parcel of seeds from Simmer's, he said he guessed they wanted him to work for nothing, so I suppose he will not get any commission and as he had to pay express on the seeds I don't know just where the profit comes in, but he was going off canvassing again this after noon. He says he is through with "Ivorys" for ever now, he had some rumpus with them about his house rent. Dad. told him he was going to kill a couple of the biggest pigs this after noon soon and wanted his valuable assistance. Jonas is a wonderful pig sticker (as he says).. A fellow from Simcoe was in here to see him soon after he had gone. Lorne Brown came in after dinner with the sink and fixtures, he said Rus would be down to put it in as soon as we got the ditch dug for the drain. To-night I went down and got my hair cut and also to the moving picture show principally to go in with young Schrammy who was too young to go alone Dick got home 29 �soon after I did and we sat up till after twelve but I went to bed in a more civilized manner to-night. Sunny and soft but cold wind. Thursday February 26th As this is Saturday night and I am dead sleepy I can't remember the details of Thursday's happenings, we hauled two loads of sawdust from Evan's place up on the Radical road we just took the waggon box full this morning but as there were no very bad spots we took side boards with us this after noon and hauled twice as big a load. Dad. saw Evans about getting some wood and he is going to start buzzing up the limbs & tops of trees next week and said we could get 10 loads of it for a dollar a cord sixteen inches long. The sick ewe seems ever so much better to-night, she is not lame and picks at the hay a little. Dick went down to the dance to-night. I fully intended to go but thought as it was Lent I would go over to Quanbury's instead - as they were having a surprise party I think in honor of Charlie & Lottie coming home from the West. I had a good time in spite of the fact that they played Pedro and I tried to learn the game, but couldn't. Thawed hard in the sun, cold wind. Friday February 27th We went up again this morning and got another load of sawdust. We had to go around by town this morning to get some groceries, when we got up there young Stickney from Port Ryersie was there ahead of us but had his load nearly on, the pit was pretty well undermined but we got a good load alright and got home about one, the sleighing is just about gone. This after noon we unloaded the Sawdust we filled up all we wanted inside the ice house and Dad. threw the rest outside to pack in between the outside and inside walls. When we got through there we started to clean out the boxstall which hasn't been cleaned out for over a month. Dad. took two sleigh loads out and put on the old garden and there is still another load, the two days accumulation in the stable made the biggest part of the first load. Frank went over to tell Jonas to come and kill pigs in the morning as he told us he was going to work for "Ivory's" on Monday. He drove Frank home about seven he was bound for some Englishman's place way out past Tupper's some where to sell seeds. The sick ewe is apparently all right to-night. The salts had their effect and we found where she had eaten a whole pile of corn and not digested it at all, very sunny and mild barely froze last night. Saturday February 28th Jonas came over about nine o'clock this morning armed with a formidable looking knife, which he told us was no good all ready to show us how to "boocher" hogs. He did quite a lot 30 �of ordering around and knife grinding before he was ready. We killed the two biggest pigs of the lot and they weren't very big, and did it up in the pig-pen. Dad. & I held the pig while Jonas with great display made the fatal thrust. It took him a good big minute to do it which isn't a record breaking speed as Dave Waddle claims to be able to stick a pig and get the knife out with out getting a drop of blood on the knife, however they died alright under Jonas' treatment, we hauled them down to the old house on Frank's sleigh and scalded them both to-gether. Dad. said it was a dandy scald and Jonas says it was due to his method of putting a dipper of woodashes in the barrell and to his accuracy in testing the temperature of the water with his had. Dad. helped scrape them and then had to go out to Jim Waddle's to see his lymphatic horse as he was in after him this morning. Jonas and Frank dressed the pigs and I guess made a pretty fair job of it. I cleaned out the chicken house and fooled around. They finished up before dinner and Jonas stayed to dinner. The same fellow that was here to-day the other day from Simcoe was in again to-day to see Jonas and caught him this time. This after noon I drove Enah down town to do shopping, she took down ten dozen eggs but the price had dropped to twenty eight cents. I got twenty eggs yesterday and to-day. I had to wait quite awhile for Enah so drove around with Fred Tuck. Very soft and mostly sunny but cool wind raining and snowing a little to-night. Sunday March 1st Frank went down to Sunday school and church to-day and Dad. drove Enah down to church but didn't stay himself. I didn't go down at all to-day principally because I was too lazy. I didn't get up till way late this morning and haven't done any thing much all day but a few chores. Dick went through his regular Sunday programme, stayed in bed till noon, went down town after dinner and I suppose to church to-night. He took my camera down and was going to get a film for it. Dad. and I intended to go out to the Shand's this after noon but it was so late when we got ready that we didn't go. Mostly sunny but cold North wind, freezing hard to-night and wind getting worse. Monday March 2nd Dad. cut up the pigs this morning we weighed them with the old stillyard which Dad. brought over from home and they just came to 105 lbs apiece. I put in the whole morning writing to Aunty and at the same time watching Tiddums who was asleep. This after noon we did chores and covered over all of the sheep pen instead of a part of it we tried to fasten up the door which blew out of the peak of the barn but it fell out again while we were working at it and as it broke a little we left it for another time. I also helped Dad carry over a 31 �couple of loads of hay to the other barn on his back with the {illegible} rope. We couldn't do much out side to-day as there has been a terriffic north wind with a little snow and besides it has been cold. The storm was much worse in other parts of the province than here but has gone down to-night. Tuesday March 3rd After we did chores this morning Dad. fixed some bars up at the south end of the horse stable out of the old wind mill posts to keep the sheep in their own yard. Arthur Preston came over to borrow some of Dad's show clothes to wear at the Methodist concert next week. Colin Ryersie was also over for awhile. About noon Dand. and I drove down town to get some stuff and he wanted to see Harry Moon to see what kind of duds he wanted for the concert. I went over to the barn when we got home and found a lamb just arriving, the ewe was No. 117 and we didn't expect lambs from her till Saturday. This was a good big ram lamb, we left him there till after dinner and when I went out then his sister was just getting off. We brought them both into the house for awhile one at a time and to-night put them in the little box stall in the horse stable. We didn't do any thing much but fool with the lambs this after noon. Much milder to-day and sunny but frosty to-night. Wednesday March 4th Dad. and I didn't take our clothes off all night last night. Dad crawled into bed about half past two and I dozed in the big chair the rest of the night going out to the barn every hour or so to see how the sheep were, we expected lambs all along but they didn't show up nor all day to-day, so I guess we will have another night's vigil. It is the ewe which was sick that we are watching, she is due on Friday. We spent about half an hour this morning trying to get Osprey out of the stable to give him a little exercising. Dad. put the harness on him and went to lead him out the door where there is a drop of about a foot into the drivehouse, and he hung back. Dad. tried to coax him but he was positive and the more determined Dad was to bring him out the more determined he was not to come out. Dad. put a little rope under his chin and we tugged on that for quite awhile but couldn't get him any farther than the door. Then we tried whipping him but that had not the desired effect although it put old Harry into the notion of kicking and scared the other horses. Osprey would rear and paw and throw himself but not go ahead. Then Dad. put a rope on his front foot and we tried pulling him out that way but he would just paw and must have thrown himself a dozen times or more some times right under Belle's or Harry's feet. At last one time when he threw himself I took a hitch around a post with the rope on his leg and by dragging him out and 32 �not giving him a chance to fly back we at last got him out. He didn't seem at all mad and I took him down to the corner and back and he went beautifully. We didn't do any thing much the rest of the day but chores and I had a little snooze after dinner. Frank worked at the old house after he got home from school he is boarding it up so as he can fill it in with sawdust around the ice. Thawed all day, some snow & cold wind. Since writing this we have put in quite a night of it. I went over to the barn about eight o'clock and found Dad's ewe with a lamb. I came to the house and got Frank and Dad. who was asleep in the chair the only sleep he had all night to come out, while they were there another one arrived, so we brought the first one to the house to get warm, we noticed the sick one the one we have been watching all day looked very much as if she would lamb in a few minutes, but she didn't till about four o'clock. We all sat up for a long time, till Dick came home and he and Frank went to bed. I sat up till about one or two and then I went to bed. Dad. sat up and out at the barn all night with the two little fellows as they were both very weak at first but got stronger and he held an old coat over them a long time to keep them warm till they went to sleep and stopped trying to crawl out and till the old one lay down beside them and stopped trying to paw the coat off. He also had his eye on the other ewe and about four o'clock came in and woke me up, he said he hated to as I was so sound asleep and I guess he didn't hate to any more than I hated to get up but he thought the sick ewe was not right and something ought to be done so I went out with him and we caught her but didn't bother her much and we hadn't been out very long when her baby came, it was a ram and a bouncer, the biggest one yet I think, but she is the first ewe that didn't have twins. I went to bed again about five o'clock but Dad. stayed up all night. Thursday March 5th I didn't get up till about eleven this morning, so I guess I had my sleep out. Dad put the harness on Osprey and we gave him quite a long exercise, we got him out of the stable easier to-day. I held Belle out in the drive house and when Dad saw Osprey wouldn't lead out he just let him loose and got behind him and touched him a little with the whip till he jumped out with out much fooling. I started to take him down the road and got about as far as the culvert and he didn't want to go any farther. I wouldn't let him go back so we just turned around and around in the road till Dad. came out and he got him to go down to the corner and back alright. I then took him down the other way as far as Preston's barnyard and he got frightened and their cows and would go past so I started the same performance there again and at last started to lead him past but Dad. came down and said to take him home as it was so late. This after noon I cleaned out the hen house and did chores. 33 �Whitesell was in this after noon to see Dad. about a sick horse. Thawed all day in the sun but not in the shade cold east wind. Friday March 6th I camped in the big chair all night last night and Dad. went to bed. I didn't go to sleep till after midnight as I wasn't at all sleepy so had a good read. I went out to the barn at 12, 3 and half past 6 and slept in the mean time, every thing was alright out there. When I woke up at half past six this morning my knee was pretty stiff but it soon limbered up. I find I have a brute of a cold due I think to getting my feet wet. We did chores this morning and Dad. put the harness on Osprey and I took him out and he went fine, he started his little game of trying to turn around and go back this morning but I found out that instead of trying to make him go ahead which to me was impossible, I just let him turn around and then back him up in the direction I want him to go, he soon wants to turn around and when he does goes all right in the right direction. I tried it on him several times and it worked fine every time. I took him down to Flemming's corner on the side road and then back and down to Mrs. Battersby's corner. This after noon I had a sleep and then took what few eggs I had over to Jack Martin and was over there quite awhile. I only got sixteen eggs to-day I don't know what is the matter with the hens. To-night Frank and Enah went down to see "Satan" at the moving picture show I was going down but as I had such a cold thought I would wait till to-morrow night. It snowed all day to-day but didn't put much in the ground. Not very cold. Saturday March 7th Dad. and I sacked up 12 bags of oats this morning while Frank went down town after some salt petre to salt the pork with, then he and Dad. went down to the mill with the load. When they got back they cleaned out the rest of the box-stall and I started to chop a hole out in the chicken yard to put a post in but it was frozen too deep. This afternoon Dad. and Frank went down to the mill and got their grist and I took Osprey out while they were gone he went fine. When they got back Dad. drove Enah down town and left her there and I minded Tiddums all the after noon he slept for awhile. Frank worked at the old house and Dad. did chores when he got back. To night I went down to the moving picture show and saw "Satan" I thought it was pretty good. Cloudy and snowy but quite soft. Raw breeze. Sunday March 8th 34 �Neither Dad nor I have been off the farm all day to-day but have just done chores and sat around. We thought of hooking Osprey and Belle to the buggy and going out to the Shand's this after noon but we didn't, we have to keep a rather close watch on one of the ewes Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Enah walked down to church alone to-night. We didn't get through in time to go with her. Dick slept till dinner and after dinner went down town, he will likely go to church to-night. Cloudy and rather cold with some snow and raw wind. Monday March 9th We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day and watch sheep Dad. was not in bed at all last night and when he went out at four this morning to look at the sheep, found the wideheaded ewe with a lamb, which if it had been left much longer would have perished with the cold; but Dad. wrapped it up in his old pea jacket and brought it around alright. Mrs McBride was here washing all day and it has been very miserable out cold and windy. To-night Enah and I went down to the Methodist Choir concert, and thought it was great especially the costumes which were all old fasioned. The hall was packed full, and they say some were turned away. It lasted till late, we got home about twelve half past eleven o'clock. Dick and Dad. were both up. Tuesday March 10th We did chores all morning. Mr. Fleming was over for a little while this after noon. We hitched Osprey and Belle up to the bob-sleigh and drove them down to Jonas' corner and back a couple of times as that was the only place there was any snow. Tommy Jackson was over for quite awhile late this after noon to see about getting some corn stalks, he was telling us a lot about sheep and a good many other things. Cold, raw wind, sunny. Wednesday March 11th Dad. was up all night last night again and hardly slept at all I stayed up awhile but got so sleepy and chilly that I couldn't stand it so went to bed. The white ewe, which is due to lamb to-morrow was in rather bad shape all night, and there was no sign of lambs so Dad. got us all up early this morning and we had breakfast over by a little after seven and then Dad went out to examine her, and in about half an hour, we had two more buck lambs but one was dead. She was very weak, so we just left her alone for awhile and brought the live lamb in the house to get warm. When we took it out, the ewe wouldn't own it so it has been in the house all day and Dad. takes it out every now and then for refreshments, she was so 35 �weak we didn't like to urge her. We were afraid this morning that she wouldn't pull through but she seems much stronger now, she eats and chews her cud so I guess will recover. We haven't done much to day but chores and sit around. Dad is very tired. Tonight Colin Ryersie was here and Bill Duncan's man wanted Dad to go up there but he was too tired to go. There was a grand wedding in town to-day, Leo O'Heron and Inez Schram, Frank saw them go off. Tiddums can walk now all alone but he is a little afraid to unless someone's right besid him to catch him. Very sunny to-day but cold north wind. There was a fine eclipse of the moon to-night, we didn't know about it till we saw it. Thursday March 12th We did up the chores this morning and then hauled the hay rack over to where the sheep are and put on a load of hay, we got it on by noon and hauled it over to the horse stable Cousins Phoebe & Loll were over to dinner and after Dad. had showed them all around the ranch and talked awhile we put the load off over the horse stable and hauled another load over to the other barn for the cows and left it on the barn floor. The little lamb has been in the pen with its mother all day but still she doesn't recognise it although isn't bad to it. Dad. has to catch her for the little fellow to get refreshments but once he gets started she stands quietly. Tiddums started off of his own accord to walk to-day noon and was greatly pleased with himself to find out he could. he has prancing around ever since Jonas was over for a visit, after tea, and gave us a few selections on the mouth organ. It has been freezing pretty hard in the shade all day, fairly sunny. Friday March 13th This morning we did chores and I cleaned out the chicken house and separator as we want to begin separating again now. Loyd Ryersie came in at noon with a notice for Dad to attend a meeting of the school board at three o'clock on the school grounds. We wanted to go after a load of wood up to Evan's this after noon so went around that way although it made us pretty late. The way they have it surveyed out now, there is just the same width of ground on each side of the building and is fifty feet in from Main St. This they all think is too close to the street but they can't move it back without cutting down or trimming up the old hickory nut tree and as none of them want that done, they think it will have to go where they now have it unless they buy some more lots. When Dad. got through with them we went up to Evan's and got the waggon box full of wood. a lot of it was cut too long for our stove but we managed to get on about three quarters of a cord. We just got home a little before six. Not quite so cold to-day although freezing all day in the shade. 36 �Saturday March 14th Dad was up at twenty minutes to five this morning and I got up at six so he and Frank were able to get started at half past eight for a load of wood at Evans. They got back at noon with a little over a cord. I did chores all morning. They got another load this after noon and I piled the two loads that were here along the end of the old house, besides doing a few chores and watching the colts. dogs. chickens and Frank's pig that they didn't get into mischief. It was too muddy to take Osprey out on the road so I let him out in the yard and he and Dave ran around and chased the sheep out of the barn once. I also let this pen of hens out all over the place as I wanted to clean their place out and some out of the other pen got out in the hen yard so I couldnt let both pens in there to-gether. Tom Abbot was in here to see Dad about a cow of his but as Dad. wasn't here he came in again just before dark. He is going to start coming here for cream a week from Monday, if he is alive and well. It has thawed all day in the shade to-day and is very muddy and wet Sunday March 15th I didn't get up in time to get ready to go to church to-day and unless Dick goes to-night and I suppose he will Frank was the only one of this family who went to-day. I just did chores and poked around. About noon Dad. and Enah took Tiddums out to see the lambs, it was the first time he had been out side the house since New Year's day. I took a couple of snapshots of him - Dick also got up about that time and came out. This after-noon Frank went back to the gully and Dick went down town. The cows all wandered back to the gully and I went back after them we noticed they were all covered with mud and Dad is afraid they have been slipping down the hill, but seem to be all right. It has been very mild sunny and spring like to-day. Water and mud all over. Monday March 16th We did chores most of the morning, this after noon Huby came over as Frank told him this morning that we could use him now. he was glad to get to work he said and we hauled in two loads of corn stalks, putting two shocks on a load. They are in great shape to haul now as they have all thawed out. Tupper came in for quite a visit on his way home from town. He and Huby were both telling us about Tom Hurley hanging himself. Huby stayed to tea and Frank and I went down town with him. I went to band practice, the first one of the season. Walt had a lot of new music but there were only one or two of us there. Frank went to the moving picture show and then came up to the band room Dick came in too so we all came 37 �home to-gether. From the way they all talk there are going to be great doings in Dover this year, with the rail road, big soup factory and harbor improvements. It has been a lovely spring day sunny and mild and very muddy Tuesday March 17th Huby was over at seven o'clock this morning and we started as soon as possible to haul corn stalks. we hauled in two more loads and now have all in the barn that we have room for and left the last load on the waggon, there are only three shocks left out there now. Huby and I put in nearly the whole afternoon setting a couple of anchor posts in the chicken yard to put a cross fence in to make a separate yard for the breeding pen, they all got out together to-day. The frost was in the ground about two feet but by a lot of chopping and scaping Huby managed to get down past it. Dad is tickled to-night to think that the old white ewe has at last recognised her lamb. She noses him and lets him get "meals at all hours" and apparently thinks as much of him as the others did when their lambs were first born we blame it to St. Patrick. Froze pretty stiff last night, mild and muddy to-day. There have been a lot of robins seen in town but I haven't seen one yet. Wednesday March 18th I got up about half past four this morning but have been very lazy all day. Just sat around and did as few chores as possible, I had a sleep this after noon, I think the reason I felt so rotten was because my feet were so cold and wet. When Dad. went out to the cow stable this morning he found a black and white calf the property of Snowdrop up and running around with its poor mother tied fast in her stanchions; we got them both around in the barn where the soon were all right. By after breakfast another calf arrived on the scene this one a red and white one and Jim's both were bulls. Dad. just turned all the cows out of stable and let Jim and her calf have it to themselves. Tonight he tied Jim's calf in the alley way in front of her and let Snowdrop's run loose in the barn and tied both of the mothers up and milked them. He thinks they are both going to be good milkers and easy to milk Jim especially. This after noon Dad. and I drove down town in the waggon and got some groceries and also half a bushel of beans from George Gamble as Huby said he had some very nice ones. Dad. got me a pair of rubber boots which have made my feet ever so much more comfortable. Dad. went to a school board meeting to-night and I thought I would go down and get the films from Dick which he took down the other day to have developed. He said he was going to work to-night so I went up to the bank but no one was there so I went down and saw the moving picture show, they had on "Robinson Crusoe" and it was pretty 38 �good. When I got out of there I went again to the bank but there was still no sign of life so I came home and fell in with Dad. Mr. Flemming and Jack Martin. They are having some squabble about the street up there which the council orderd closed but which Vyse never signed (just dirty work. They have also decided to cut down the old hickory nut tree. Dick got home soon after we did and said he was at the bank all the time but he wasn't. It snowed last night and has been pretty cold and wet all day. Freezing hard to-night. Thursday March 19th We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day except set a hen up over the drive house in the loft on 15 eggs, we also wrung Frank's pig which we hope will keep him her from comitting any depredation by rooting. It has been pretty cold all day but fairly sunny. I drew some more to-night at my picture of the mill & Herb Cooke's house. Friday March 20th We just did chores to-day as there wasn't much else we could do except take a grist to the mill and we didn't bother with that. This after noon I practiced on my horn a little and finished my bookcase. Dick Faulmsbe was over this morning to see if Dad. would put any thing in for the canning factory, but Dad. told him he wouldn't although he signed his name to show McPherson that Dick had been here. There is more excitement down town now over the swing bridge; it seems at the council meeting the other night after Henderson had left having been told that no more important business was on that Taylor moved and Uncle Ward seconded that the County council go ahead and build a stationer bridge over the creek which is just what the Board of Trade is fighting against. Billy Laings made a vigorous kick (could be heard a block away) but he couldn't do any thing and Vyse, he just, oh he just smiled I suppose up his sleeve. Cold with raw wind sunny and freezing hard to-night. Saturday March 21st I did chores most of the morning and Dad. & Frank sacked up twelve bags of oats. Two Cooper kids and young Hayan came up the lane - and when they saw Dad. asked him if they could cut through here. Dad. told them he thought they had cut through and then Bluch charged them. This afternoon Dad. Frank went down town and took their grist to the mill. They saw a big flock of geese light out in the swail holes just before they left and and in a very short time Jim Law appeared and wanted to see if we had a shot gun as he had seen them too. Ont their way home from down town, just as they got to the garage the tire broke on one of the wheels of the old waggon, they crawled along to Ray Waddles and left the 39 �wheel and as it happened Bob. Law's waggon was at Chris Fairchild's with a broken axle so they just took one of Bob's wheels. I took Osprey out for a little run while they were gone and then came in the house and read. Tiddums feels rather out of sorts these days as he is cutting four big teeth. Sunny and bright but froze all day in the shade. Sunday March 22nd Frank went down to church and Sunday school and Enah and I walked down to church, while Dad watched Tiddums and kept house. This after noon Dick having got up for dinner he and I decided to go for a ride. so Dad. saddled Joe and I was to ride her to the corner and then bring her back for Dick. I got on her alright but as soon as I did she began to perform. I don't know just what she did but I know I was a little uncertain till I got out of the lane whether I could manage to sit on her or not, but did. I rode her down to the corner and back and when I came up Dick had vanished. Dad. said he had had enough before even I got nicely started and had got in to change his clothes and go down town. Dad. cinched Joe up again and I rode her around the block. I was very much surprised to find Tupper, John Wess and all out that way had the rural mail service. I wasn't gone very long and came home and read till it was time to do chores. Quint & Lila came over with Frank who had stayed down there to dinner. Quint had his shotgun with him as Frank had told him about the geese and they went to look for them but didn't get a shot at any thing. They followed a white hawk or owl all over the country but didn't get it either Quint went down before tea as he wanted to get ready for church but Lila stayed and Frank walked down with her after tea. Tiddums feels pretty miserable yet. Much milder to-day sunny and breezy. When Dad. went out to the cow stable he found a lovely red and white heifer calf lying dead behind Erie. It had been born dead and about a month ahead of time. Dad. thinks she must have been hurt when she fell back in the gully last Sunday. Monday March 23rd We did chores most of the morning and spent quite awhile with Erie. Huby came over after dinner and pruned trees all the after noon. I helped him till about four and then went down town with Dad. to get our own wheel for the waggon and take Bob. Law's back. Mrs. McBride was here all day. To-night I lugged my horn down to band practice but there was none. Frank came down with me to go to the moving picture show so I went with him it was pretty fair. I saw the orchestra there so understood why there was no band practice Walt. was there and told me it would be Wednesday. Allan Law overtook us on our way home and gave us a ride to their corner. We got home about half past eleven and Dick arrived before 40 �we were asleep. Snowed a lot more last night but has been very mild and sunny all day freezing to-night. We started sending our cream to the factory this morning. Tuesday March 24th I got up at five this morning although I hated to and didn't feel wide awake for an hour or two, but got the chores pretty well done up before breakfast. Huby was over at seven and pruned orchard all day. I helped him most of the day except doing a few chores. We didn't get over many trees but we gave the ones we were at a proper old trimming, especially the russet tree which has an awful brush pile under it now. Dad did chores all day, and late this after noon a new calf arrived via Spotty. It is a big bull calf and nearly all black. This morning Dad and I put some Nitrate of potash on the bulls calves horns to see if we could take them out, we can't tell yet whether it is going to work alright or not. Dick came home to tea tonight to try on his clown suit which Enah is making for him for the masquerade dance he had to go back again after tea. It thawed a lot to-day in the sun, but froze all day in the shade. Dad. sent away for a gobbler to-day. Wednesday March 25th Huby came over this morning and pruned the orchard most of the day. I didn't help him any as Dad. and I put up a fence across the chicken yard to separate the two pens. It begant to rain about the middle of the after noon so Huby and I put the cornstalks off the waggon and then he and Dad. started to clean out the calf pen. Enah went down town at three to havel her tooth fixed and Dad. and I minded Tiddums by turns till Frank got home. We forgot to tell Tom Abbot to bring us any butter although he hasn't brought our can back anyway yet, and as Frank forgot to get any on his way home, he had to traipse back to town and get some when Enah got home. I went down to band practice to-night but as Harry Moon, Walt. and Carl were the only ones there we didn't have any. It was a lovely day till it rained and was very mild all day and to-night. Thursday March 26th Huby trimmed orchard till we got the chores done and then we went over to the big barn and put on a load of hay before dinner. When we took the team over to the trough to water them at noon I let go of old Harry thinking he would go to the stable but the old fool lit out right for the field and Belle after him and they tore around there quite awhile before we caught them but didn't damage their harness any. This after noon we hauled the hay over to the other barn and put it off for the cows and then went over and got another load for 41 �the horse stable but didn't get time to haul it over. Huby did Frank's skins up for him and he is going to send them down to Hallam. Dick came home to tea to get all fixed up for the dance, he looked fine. I was kind of sorry I didn't go to a little trouble and fix up myself. It was terribly muddy and dark so I drove him down to the side walk. He didn't come home after it was over. It has been very dark all day and rained nearly all the after noon we heard thunder growl two or three times which Dad. now believes when heard in Spring to be a sure sign of cold weather off and on for six weeks but according to the other reliable forecast that the wind on the twenty first and twenty second will be the prevailing wind for six weeks we are to have it from the south west so Bill Oakes says, but they are having it very cold in the North West -6 below at Edmonton. Friday March 27th It rained nearly all day and got much colder as the wind veered right around to the north. Huby couldnt work in the orchard so put in the whole morning cleaning out the calf pen. I helped him for a couple of hours before dinner and Dad. for quite awhile but we finished soon after dinner. We then cleaned up the barn floor and sacked up what few oats were in the small bin so as we could have the bin to put the seed oats which we cleaned up in, we set the fanning mill but didn't have time to put any through to-night only a few to see if it was all right. Dad & I sat up till after twelve to night and finished reading Friar Tuck. Dick didn't come home again I suppose he couldn't get through the mud. Frank brought the new gobbler home to-night and weighed 18 lbs. but is young he looks all righ Saturday March 28th We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day. Huby didn't get over till about ten o'clock and he trimmed in the orchard all day. Frank took his furs down town to post and worked a lot at the old house. After dinner he, Huby and I went back to the gully to see if we could see a fish in the creek but failed although we saw a coupe of ducks get up out of a swail in the old timothy sod. There were two very interesting letters in the "Maple Leaf" yesterday everlastingly jumping on Vyse for not signing the bylaw which the council passed for closing Alma St for school property and also for representing to the County Council that it is the wish of the people of Port Dover to have a stationary bridge erected over Black Creek where a swing bridge ought to be, a good many other of his misdeeds are mentioned. Sunny & muddy cold north wind Sunday March 29th 42 �Frank went down to Sunday school and church and I drove Enah down to the corner and she walked down to church as she could make better time that way than driving the roads are so bad. I cleaned out the stables while she was gone and then drove down again after her. Lila was with her and came over to spend the after noon. Frank came home through Flemming's gully and found a skunk cabbage. Just before dinner Charlie Shand came over as he had walked down to church and he stayed all the after noon. Sam. and Tom Jacques came over for a little while late this after noon. Tom wanted to see if he could get a gobbler. Dick came home last night, spent the morning in bed and the afternoon down town I suppose he is at church to-night. Mild & muddy. Monday March 30th It was raining when we got up this morning and rained most of the fore noon but cleared off before dinner and although cloudy it didn't rain at all after dinner, rather a raw wind all day. Huby came over and while we were doing chores he sharpened the spade, shovel, pick and axes, and after break fast we cleaned up oats for seed we ran through over sixty bushels so think we have enough. This after noon Huby pruned the orchard. I did chores and helped him for a couple of hours, Dad. spent most of the after noon doing chores and writing to Aunty. Sam Law came over to borrow the buggy pole. Quint came through the orchard while we were out there. He and George Hamaker had been up creek and Quint came around this way to see if he could get a shot at the ducks but I don't think he saw them. He and George have been out since early this morning through all the rain, just to fish & hunt. Jonas came over to-night and as Frank was very anxious to go back to the gully to see if he could get a fish as the Ryersie's told him they got some in the little creek, and as neither of us were very anxious to go Jonas went with him. Tuesday March 31st Huby didn't come over this morning as he had some insurance to look after. Dad. and I did chores and I cleaned out the hen houses. We also docked all the lambs, we did the trick with a hammer, butcher knife and block. They all seemed to come through pretty well except the little fellow belonging to the white ewe. The shock seemed harder on him than the rest and he suffered more, but I think he will pull through allright. We also trimmed up the ewes. Huby came over after dinner and pruned in the orchard all the after noon I helped him for a little while but spent most of my time pitching the wet straw off the stack and carrying dry over to the chicken house and stables. I got a letter from Rus. Gordon to-day asking if he could come up here to spend his Easter holidays, it was about the first I had 43 �heard for three or four years from him. Frank and Jonas got home last night about half past eleven and never saw a fish although the Ryersie's were out and got a dozen I think Frank said. Jonas has been over at Tupper's all day pruning his orchard. It has been sunny and windy and very nice all day the mud is beginning to stiffen in spots. Wednesday April 1st Huby spent most of the morning repairing the long ladder but about ten he and I went out and started to prune we worked away till nearly one. Dad. went down town but didn't get back till after two. He spent most of the after noon doing chores and Huby cleaned up the old house - and put the lead in the cider barrel as Dad. took it out when we scalded the pigs. I took what eggs I had over to Jack Martin and just sat around and watched Huby till it was time to do chores. Jonas came through on his way from Tupper's Frank stuck a wind mill up on a fence post to-night (entered by request). I got a lovely bit of poetry from Louise to-day but not one of her own it is a college song she says. Mr. Morgan was through here this morning canvassing for the canning factory he said Dick Faulmsbe being out had helped him any. About noon Dick drove in with the Rural Mail carrier. He was a Scotchman and Dick was evidently showing him round, but neither of them seemed to know just where to go and Dick and his horse wouldnt keep still long enough to tell him any thing (it wasn't Dick's old horse I didn't know it at all) This was the first day they started on this new route. We didn't know they came past the front of this place but Dad. thinks it is just as handy to have Frank bring it from school. Huby asked Dick if he had quit the Canning factory and he said he was laid off till further notice. It drizzled a good part of the fore noon and rained quite hard most of the after noon, no wind. Thursday April 2nd Huby brought a coupl of quarts of harness oil over with him this morning and also a couple of saw benches which he made. While we were doing chores he fixed up the step ladder. We then took a tub of warm water out to the stable, slung up a couple of poles and began to clean harness. Dad. had wiped off all the windows which let in considerably more light. It was nearly noon and as we didn't want to get our hands all oily before dinner we just washed one set. About noon we saw Jonas mooching through the orchard headed for Tupper's. Dad told him it was too wet to prune trees so he came over and helped us oil harness all the after noon for half a dollar. Dad. did chores most of the after noon but Huby and I worked at it steadily, we washed it and Jonas oiled and what time Dad. had he put it to-gether after it had been oiled. We got all the heavy double harness done and half the 44 �light double set. Bruce Dell brought Rex over for Dad. to look at as he has a little lump on his back. Frank got the money to-day from Hallam for his musk rat skins I think they brought him $2.23. It has been a rotten day. It snowed quite a lot this morning and been either raining or snowing most of the day. Very mudy and raw nor'west wind. Friday April 3rd The ground was covered with snow when we got up this morning and it was quite cold although not freezing very hard but it got colder during the day and is freezing pretty hard to-night. Huby pruned trees for a couple of hours till we got things all fed up and then we started in at the harness again. Jonas came over soon after we got started and helped all the after noon We got all the harness including bridles, breaking harness & kicking strap oiled and put to-gether before six. Huby and Jonas worked steadily at and I was there most of the time but Dad did the chores so was not there so much. We had quite a concert at noon Jonas & Tiddums with the mouth organ & Enah with the guitar and all of them singing. Frank set the alarm to get up at half past four in the morning to go fishing with the Ryersies. Saturday April 4th It froze the ground stiff enough last night for us to haul the load of hay we have had on the waggon for the last two or three weeks over to the horse stable. I was pretty glad to haul it over as it was a great nuisance carring it over from the barn by the forkful. Huby fixed up one of the little ladders we got of the wind mill this morning while he was waiting for us to get the hay over thinking we would need him to help mow it away but we found we didn't so he pruned in the orchard the rest of the day. After we hauled the hay over we took the rack back to the big barn and hooked to the waggon and loaded up with the oats which we sacked up the other day. Dad. also hauled the sleighs over to where they will be handy to put in the shed as they have been standing out in the lane ever since winter. This after noon Dad. & Frank to the oats to the mill for chop, went down town while it was being chopped and got some shingles for the old house, and got home about four. Old Ivey at the mill who we have named the marquis owing to his likeness to gentleman of that title in "St. George & St. Michael" got Dad. to haul 600 lbs of flour down town as Herb's horse is rather laid up owing to the mud. The roads are a fright. I cleaned out the stables and helped Huby for about an hour. It was a lovely sunny morning but cloudy & a raw wind this after noon. Last night's snow thawed off to-day but the ground is covered again to-night. Froze all day in the shade. 45 �Sunday April 5th Frank went down to Sunday school and church and Enah and I walked down to church. I went up to see Ed. after church as he told Dad. if I came down any time last week he would give me a couple of grapevines but as I hadn't been able to get down I went up to tell him I would try and get them to-morrow. They are a couple he set out up there and as he is going to move down into Mrs. Allan's house opposite the evaporator and has no place for them down there, he didn't care to leave them especially as they have never done very well along the fence where he had them. I thought of going for a ride this after noon but the roads are in such a condition that I didn't think I would enjoy it much so didn't do any thing much but a few chores and read myself to sleep. Frank went back to the gully and Dick who was up for dinner went down town. It was a lovely sunny morning and the snow which fell during the night nearly all disappeared by noon but this after noon it got cloudy and colder and I think will pretty soon freeze Monday April 6th Dad. and I spent most of the morning doing chores but just before noon I went back and tore down a little of the gully fence. Huby came over late as he had to go up town to get his insurance papers and he spent a good part of the day measuring the buildings and renewing the insurance aplication. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. After dinner I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and then went down town to get my grapevine which Ed. gave me. I stopped in at Uncle Ward's on my way home to ask him about them and he talked to me for about an hour and told me all about his Uncle Loudon Bougner's vinyard over at Flint. I couldnt plant out my grapevines when I got home so just put them down cellar in a bag. To-night I walked down to band practice and had a fairly good one although there were only five of us there. It snowed nearly all day and has been a rotten day, Tuesday April 7th I didn't do much this morning but get dressed up and go down and meet Rus. Gordon. I drove down although the roads were awful. He came alright and we got home about noon. Huby didn't come over this morning as he had to finish up his insurance. He came over this after noon and Russ. helped us put on a load of hay. Huby also put in the two grape vines I got from Ed. He brought over a piece of hard wood and braced the step ladder. It has been a miserable day not at all cold but terribly muddy and cloudy all the fore noon and it rained 46 �all the after noon Dick came home early to-night and slept with Russ. I put the alarm clock in their room to-night set for half past three. Wednesday April 8th After we did chores this morning we cleaned up the barn floor where the fanning mill was and hauled over the load of hay which we put on yester day for the cow stable Russ & I put it off and Dad. bathed Spottys udder, the bad quarter is better and he was able to get the siphon in this morning. Huby came over about ten and pruned apple trees all day he saw the ducks get up out of one of the swail holes this after noon so went over and built a hide of some corn shocks, he also found two tame duck eggs in the orchard. This after noon Russ and I put on another small load of hay on the rack to take to the horse stable. After we got it on we went back to the gully and fooled around for awhile armed with Frank's rifle but we didn't shoot anything except a fence post we both took a shot at it and Russ hit it. It has been a miserable day, it snowed last night and has been cold - and windy all day, freezing hard to-night. Thursday April 9th After we did chores this morning Dad. hauled the load of hay we put on yesterday over the horse stable and Russ and I put it off. We then went out and cleaned out some of the big wood in the orchard. This afternoon Russ and I went down town. I got my hair cut and he went to see the Morgan's, then we both went up to school and had a talk with Mr. Smith after four and came home around by the mill with Frank. The old setting hen hatched out a few chicks to-day but I don't know how many. Huby came over at seven this morning and pruned nearly all day, it was too windy for awhile this after noon so he put a window in the wood shed which is a great improvement. Sam Law was over for quite awhile to tell us we could get butter over there now. It has been very cold and windy all day. It looked as if it would be a lovely day this morning although it froze very hard last night, but it clouded up and snowed every now and then all day. Freezing hard to-night. Friday April 10th Good Friday Huby pruned in the orchard most of the day but this morning he and I took a walk back to the gully and he paced off the length of fence it would take to go along the top of the gully to the road. When we came back I cleaned up some more brush in the orchard, I worked at it a little this afternoon to. This being Good Friday. Enah went down to church. Dick had a holiday so stayed in bed till noon. Frank and Russ spent the after noon back in the gully, 47 �they saw some fish but had no way of catching them. Dick was down town all after noon got home at mid night. We three boys went down to the Moving Picture show to see the battle of Waterloo, it was pretty good only all about the same. Lovely day sunny and windy much milder. Saturday April 11th It was cloudy cold and raining at seven o'clock this morning but Huby came over and worked around in the old house till we did chores he then went over with Dad. & me to see Tupper. Dad. wanted to ask him if he could borrow his hay rack and we took the shotgun & fish spear. After we'd seen all around the place Huby and I struck off down Tupper's creek we followed it way down to Black Creek but never saw a thing we then cut across to Art. Ryersies where we saw Wilson & James McPherson & Stewart Reeves with two or three measly looking fish. We got home quite awhile after noon. This afternoon Rus. & I did chores. Huby pruned orchard and late Dad. went over and got Tuppers hay waggon & scales which Tupper. was very anxious he should bring over. Frank went down town this after noon to get some window sash fixed & glazed for his shop. Quint came over this after noon and saw the ducks out in the swail hole and shot at them but was not close enough. Huby and I saw six geese fly over the place this after noon. It didn't turn out to be a bad after noon at all but is freezing a little to-night. Sunday April 12th Easter. I haven't done a thing in the shape of chores to-day since seven this morning. I got up fed the chickens sheep and horses and then went down with Dick to the early communion service we ran nearly all the way down or rather dog trotted but it just about killed me but Dick didn't seem to mind it, when we got home we had breakfast and then went down to the eleven o'clock service. The church was packed and Zeitha Barwell sang a solo. Every member of the Barrett family except Dad. and Tiddums was at church from both houses. After church, Rus. Quint, Frank and I took a walk over to the Thompson's with Joe who is keeping hatch at present. Quint came over with us to dinner which we had rather late Rus. wanted to make a few calls this afternoon so I went with him down town, we went to the Hobbes where we found Zeitha, Murry and Ada. Miss Prest is here over Easter. we had such a good time that the first thing we knew it was time to come home for tea. I did a few chores after I got home. The old hen I set on fifteen eggs up in the loft hatched out nine chicks but during yesterday the old hen got off the nest which is about a foot off the floor and three little fellows got off and couldn't get back when we went up at night we found 48 �them chilled to death and beyond all recovery. One of the turkey hens has disappeared, and we don't know where she is. It has been very windy all day but a nice day. The roads are drying up. Monday April 13th We loaded the hogs up first thing this morning and Dad. and I took them down to Neil. Elliot, we put Frank's pig in with the others and he weighed 172 lbs. We weighed them all on Tuppers scales before we started aand we made the total weight 994 lbs. none of them weighed 200 lbs and the lightest was 153 lbs. On Jim Law's scales they just came to 950 we didn't think they shrank 44 lbs coming down town and don't think we made any mistake, how ever we only got paid $9.00 a cwt for 950 lbs of hogs. We came around by Tommy Gillies to get some lumber for Frank to fix up the old house. Hazen was over for awhile this morning but didn't stay long. Dick didn't get up till the middle of the fore noon and then went down town to get some ham to make sandwiches for the dance to-night. He was down town all the afternoon playing base ball. This after noon we put a scaffold up along the east side of the old house and the boys and Huby got two or threes rows of shingles laid while we were doing chores. Huby pruned a little in the orchard and opened a ditch up out in the corn stubble. To-night we three boys went down to a dance in the hall given by the Sewing Club. The boys supplied the "eats" and the girls put up for the hall Dick went down early and went to the picture show first and Rus. and I got there about half past nine. We had a good though mighty hot time and got home about two o'clock. It has been a nice sunny day but cold raw wind. Tuesday April 14th I didn't do any thing much but chores and sow red clover seed on the wheat east of the orchard It froze hard last night and by the time I got that piece sowed it was too muddy & wet to sow the other. Rus. Huby & Frank shingled nearly all day at the old house and have it nearly finished. Rus. had to go back to Toronto to-night or they likely would have finished. I drove him down to the train, he said he had a good time while he was here, and felt a lot better than when he came. I drove Dick up town from the station he said he had been very busy all day and would have to work late to-night. I got a bunch of shingles from Tommy and the seed oats we got from Jonas on my way home. There was a school board meeting to-night but Dad. had such a terrible headache he couldn't attend. Frank went down to a nigger show which I suppose he enjoyed. I felt rotten with a cold to-night and nearly coughed my insides out after I went to bed. It has been a lovely day one of the nicest we 49 �have had this year - it was fairly hot. The young stock all got back across the gully after dinner and Dad and I had to go back after them we took Bluch on the chain. Wednesday April 15th Huby and Frank finished shingling the old house this morning and Dad. helped them put the ridgeboards on. I just did chores and fooled around. Mr. & Mrs Tupper came in and Tupper wants Dad. to put a team on the road scraper to-morrow if it is a nice day. After dinner Dad. and Enah drove to Simcoe and Lila and I looked after Tiddums with out any trouble. Dad. went up to pay Reid for discharging the mortgage and got all the old papers belonging to the farm - We spent the whole evening exploring them. The deed which gave Colin McNellige the place from the Crown in 1837 is lost but there is a big pile of other deeds and mortgages - and the will of old Alexander Clark which {Fa?}. drew up for him, where he leaves the place to his son. Huby finished pruning the orchard this after noon and started to trim up the trees in front of the house Frank worked all the afternoon at the old house. I got twenty four eggs to-day, it is the first time I have got above twenty. It has been very cloudy but not very cold all day. Quint came over this after noon and stayed to tea and fixed the music box. Thursday April 16th I haven't done much to-day but sit around and do chores. I have a pretty bad cold and don't feel up to much Huby and Frank worked at the old house most of the morning and Huby trimmed the trees out in front this after noon. Dad. did chores, went down to Sam. Law's after butter and helped Frank this after noon. Mr. Shand was over for a few minutes to see Dad. about one of his heifers. Art. Quanbury came over to get what eggs I had I only got fifteen to-day and two of my little chickens died. It rained all morning but wasn't a bad after noon, not cold. Friday April 17th Huby and Quint were over before seven this morning to see if the ducks were out in the water hole in the timothy sod they wern't so they set a lot of musk rat traps for them. Quint was here all morning and he and Huby helped Frank with the old house. Dad. started to dig an anchor post hole at the north west corner of the big barn as he wants to stretch some wire accross the barn yard for the old rail fence will not keep the cattle in this time of year, they are bound to get into the field which they punch all up. I didn't feel much like working so after I got the chores done I started back to the gully. Quint saw me going so got his gun 50 �and joined me. He didn't shoot any thing but got a crack at a ground hog but was a little too far away. We found a lot of spring beautys in Robert John's place they were on a sunny side hill. I suppose the may flower's are out too but we didn't run accross any plants Quint got one blood root. He didn't stay to dinner as he said he wanted to go up the Radical Road after dinner. Huby and Dad continued to dig anchor post holes this after noon and they set a couple of posts with an auger Frank borrowed from Jack Martin. Huby also pruned some more of the pear tree out in front. I started to stretch chicken wire down the fence between the plum orchard and lawn. Allan Law went by at noon with a new horse he sold his little chestnut yester day, he was going down to work at the school. It has been a beautiful day, sunny and warm. Spring at last. Saturday April 18th Huby and I hung some rails ont the bottom of the line fence where Ivy's tile drain runs through there is a depression in the land and the sheep walk right under the fence but we fixed it to hold them I think. This after noon Huby set the rest of the posts accross the barn yard, burned the old brush heap in the pasture field near Ivy's fence which has been there for a couple of years and pruned some more of the trees in front of the house. I stretched the rest of the roll of chicken wire which I started on yesterday. it just reached part way down the plum orchard fence. I also cut a hole in the yard fence - and let one pen of hens out to-night they were tickled to death and soon explored the whole plum orchard and most of them got out through the fence where there is nou poultry netting. They didn't all find the way back to roost - and we found one on a fence post way back the lane. John Wess McBride came over to-night about seven before we had had our tea, and got Dad. to go over and look at one of his mares which was sick. I went back with them and we didn't get back to supper till about half past nine. Dad didn't know what was the matter with the mare. She didn't seem very sick but was breathing very hard when we got there and was a little stiff in the nigh fore leg. Before we left her breathing got better and Dad. said he hadn't the slightest idea what ailed her. John Wess was up all night last night with Ray Lampkin's who died about ten o'clock this morning. Beautiful day, hot. windy to-night. Sunday April 19th Frank went to church and Sunday school this morning and Dick got up at noon had dinner and went down town, with the intention of attending church to-night but the rest of the family stayed home. I didn't like the idea of going to church and coughing or blowing my nose all through service so we just did chores and sat around. Ed. came over this after noon 51 �with Marion, he brought over a couple of dandy plans for the pig pen, the side elevation and ground floor plan. Frank stayed at Huby's to dinner. Huby said that Charlie McQueen told him he had seen our hen turkey over in Preston's woods Frank went to look for her but didn't see her. It rained most of the morning but not hard. Cloudy most of the day but very mild The wheat and grass has got very green to-day. Monday April 20th Huby & I spent the whole morning clearing the brush of the lawn and we got it all nicely raked and the brush piled in the plum orchard. Dad. put in the forenoon receiving visitors Dick Faulmsbe was the first caller. Billy Faloon then came in for a long time. He has a sick horse - and Bruce wanted him to get Dad's advice. He said {Buse?} was just about bushed, he had been practicing night and day and every thing he has been doctoring this spring has died. Charlie Martin then "dropped in on us" for awhile and the purport of his mission was to ascertain whether it would be convenient to smoke his meat in our smoke house. As Dad. has our meat just about ready to smoke, he told Charlie to bring his over any time so he came over with five pieces after dinner This after noon we put the fence up against the posts in the barn yard. We braced one anchor post well by putting wire around it and around the corner post in the barn but we couldn't stretch the wire tight although we had all of old Mr. Walker's outfit but the other anchor post was in very soft earth and the brace post was fairly floating. We forgot to get any staples so couldn't fasten it to the posts but we got so that we think it will keep the cattle out in till we can stretch it better. It has been cloudy and rather raw all day and drizzled & rained all the after noon. Mrs McBride was here washing all day. Huby brought over the grape vine that was down at the boat house and planted it along the front fence it has a big root & stalk. Tuesday April 21st Huby brought over another grape vine this morning and set it out down under the old willow. After breakfast he and I set fire to the pile of brush in the plum orchard it didn't burn very fast but it nearly all burned up. Dad. was very busy attending to a new bull calf which arrived this morning and for whose arrival Bobbie is responsible. We hung the meat in the smoke house and he and Huby started to build a stake and rider fence four panels long from the north west corner of the old barn to within a gate's width of the north anchor post of the new fence. We got it up by noon and it is a dandy about seven feet high. I went over to Jack Martin's with some eggs and to ask him about getting an incubator as I think I will have to have one or no chickens. none of the hens show any symptoms of wanting to sit. I 52 �found out he has one he wants to sell it being to small or something for him. It is a "Peerless" and he said he would let me have it and the brooder for half price or seventeen dollars. He told me he was paying me 36 cts a dozen for my eggs, so I have sold him more than enough eggs to pay for the outfit. This after noon we built five more panels of stake & rider fence from the north east corner of the big barn to the north west corner of the horse stable and we fixed up an old gate to put at the gate way between the old barn and new fence at the end of the rail fence we built this morning. We didn't get it quite fixed but set it up so now have the barnyard pretty well fenced. John Wess was in to-night to see if it would be all right to work his mare to-morrow. Dad. said he thought it would be all right for although her leg is swollen she seems all right every other way. Cloudy and raw all day. Wednesday April 22nd Huby didn't get over till late this morning he had gone over to Stickney's to get his rubber boots fixed and then up to Val. Leaney's to see Bill Rankin about fixing an old saw he has.. and he saw so many people that he couldn't get away but when he did get here we hooked old Harry to the stone boat and started to clean the brush out of the orchard. we hauled it up to the far end of the orchard and piled it where we burned it before. This morning we just had the little stone boat but it took such a small load that Dad. nailed a couple of boards to it and we found we could put more than twice as much on but when we started up the brush caught on the ground and the stone boat pulled out from under it, but Dad. got another board and put down the middle so there was no space for the brush to stick in the ground and it went all right. Huby and I went up with every load one on each side with a bar jammed into the brush for a lever to hold it on. We put on big loads and packed them well by taking the long iron bar and putting it accross the top of the load every now and then and one got on each end of the bar and bear down with all our weight and every now and then Huby would walk up the load and tramp on it. By to-night we had nearly all the brush which was separated from the big limbs cleaned up. spare moments Huby painted the places on the trees where he cut big limbs off and has got over most of the trees. Alfred paid us a visit this after noon he had come up the gully with a fish spear on a "wild goose chase" so he said and just stopped in on his way home. By today's paper we see that the Mexican war with the U.S. has started. The Americans have taken the Vera Cruz custom house with only four of their men killed and about 200 Mexicans. Canon Hicks died yesterday with pneumonia so Dick told us. It has been a lovely sunny day with a drying breeze. Thursday April 23rd 53 �We finished the orchard up to-day, it looks very nice and neat. We got the brush all hauled up by noon but are going to leave it till Saturday if it is a nice day so Lila can see it. We hauled the big limbs up and piled them between the old house and the woodshed. We also hauled the old stump of the dead tree that we cut down last winter up to the house and to-night before we took old Harry of the stone boat Huby and I hauled the old shoes which have been in the garret over the old house since the days of Titus up to the brush pile and dumped them. There was an awful pile of them. Huby brought over some suckers with him this morning that Quint caught and Frank went fishing after school to-night and caught seven perch down at the pier. They are about the first he has got since he has been here. Enah got a letter from Louise to-day inviting her down next Wednesday night to hear the new organ in St. Pauls cathedral. It is supposed to be the best organ in America and they are having the best payed organist in the world to play it so it ought to be good. Of course she said she couldn't go but there is no reason what ever why she can't as so I guess she will It has been a nice sunny day but a cold raw wind this morning. I got twenty three eggs from the white chickens alone to-day. Friday April 24th After we did up the chores this morning Huby and I went back with some old rags and a bottle of crude oil to make torches to burn of the blue grass field. It was just the day for the job with a little east wind and when we set fire at the east end of the field it swept over the whole area in no time. It burned quite a few of the fence posts and the first thing we knew it was in the wood. It was not burning fast in there but was spreading steadily Huby said we would have a very hard job putting it out and we might better let it go as it would be a good thing to clean the ground up and was not hot enough to hurt the little trees. He didn't think it would burn far any way so we took a walk over to McQueens in quest of the lost turkey hen, we found Charlie at the black smith trade shoeing a team for Phil Shaver and the old man outside. As John Henry Butler is about dead and Ralph Waddle is sick Charlie picks up quite a lot of business. Coming home Huby and I separated and looked both sides of McQueens gully and through Preston's wood. We had Bluch and he put up a rabbit but we saw no sign of the turkey - but just as we were about home coming along the top of Ivey's gully Bluch scared her up, we didn't find her nest but left her back there. It was nearly noon when we got to our gully and we thought of coming up to dinner but on second thought we decided to see how the fire in the wood was progressing. The blue grass field was black all over but the wood was full of smoke and after we got in a little way we found Dad. who had seen the fire in the wood and come back and had been fighting to keep it away from Evan's 54 �fence. It had got pretty well all through the wood but hadn't got to the fence yet, we all three fought for an hour or so and at last got it pabout stamped out of course there were stumps on fire. I was by myself most of the time and Huby and Dad had an awful time trying to keep it away from a few panels of rail fence between John Wess and us {arrows indicate order of names in this sentence} but about one or after we thought it was safe to leave till after dinner, then Huby and I went back again. We found it all out through the wood except a few stumps but it had started up at the fence again and completely destroyed it for a fence as the rails in two panels were nearly burned up and we had to tear them down and throw them on to the burnt territory. It had also started in the grass on the other side again and if we had been a few minutes later it would have been into Evan's wood and we would have had our morning's fun repeated. We were back there all the after noon trimming the trees along the edge of the wood whose branches hang over the field. We looked at the fence again before we came up to-night but it seemed to be out so we left. It looks like rain to-night and if it does; that will fix it. Nice day but cloudy. Dad started disking on the corn stubble this morning but found it too wet in spots. Sam Law was harrowing they are the only ones I know of around here who have tried it at all Saturday April 25 It was raining when we got up this morning but cleared of during the fore noon. Huby came over and worked at the old house and sawed wood most of the day. I spent most of the morning making a hopper for my little chickens so the turkeys can't steal their food. This after noon I drove Enah down to doo some shopping and she walked back Lila came over this after noon. Win was coming over but she thought it would be too wet to burn the bonfire in the orchard so didn't come when I got home, we went out to try it. it was a little too wet but Huby got a fire started in one place and it would probably have gone but a big thunder storm came up about six and not only quenched the fire but drove them all in from looking after it. Huby and Lila stayed to tea but as it stopped raining they went down after wards. Dad. Frank & I had a bath to-night (for a change). There was another editorial in the "Maple Leaf" everlastingly raking Vyse down. Every body seems to think Vyse will try to enter a libel suit against L.G. but I guess its all true about him Sunday April 26th I was up fairly early this morning so was able to get the chores all done, get ready and drive Enah down to church on time. There was a very short service and no sermon as Mr. Johnson felt sick. This after noon I went down town for a little while. I went around by Hubys 55 �and found him pruning his apple trees he is getting them in pretty nice shape. Dick went through his Sabbath routine. Frank went back to the gully and the rest of the family stayed home for company's sake. Cloudy and breezy all day not a bad day. Monday April 27th I finished making my little chicken feed hopper this morning all but putting the hinges on the lid. I didn't do any thing else much. Huby didn't get over till late this morning as he waited for Stickney to see if he had the post auger, he hadn't but said Stocker would make it and some of them would bring it down in a day or two. Sam Law came over after Dad. to go down and see his pig. Huby brought down over some stone nest eggs and put them in the various turkey nests. This after noon Dad. spent the after noon getting his hair cut and Huby and I sorted the apples and cleaned out the cellar. Tonight I went down to band practice. Harry Moon wasn't there but we had a good practice Murray was there with his picilo and a new man who is learning the clarinet. Cloudy mostly cool Tuesday April 28th We didn't get much done this morning. Huby and I cleaned out the wood shed and chored around. This after noon I took some eggs (three dozen) over to Jack Martin's. I am going to save all the eggs from both pens now for myself till I get enough to fill the incubator. I have ninety three now. I got twenty five altogether to-day, the most I have got yet. Sam. Law came after Dad. again to go and see a cow. When we got back we made some alterations in the site of the building in the back yard and to-night the view from the dining room window is considerably improved. Tupper was in to-night to say that he wants Dad. to put a team on the road scraper to-morrow but it is raining to-night so we will probably be relieved from the job. Cousin Clare came over this morning to stay till Enah gets back from Toronto. It has been very hot and muggy all day feels very much like rain. Wednesday April 29th I got up about four this morning and the rest of the family soon after. Dad. drove Enah down to the station, and as Belle was a little nervous of the train shunting around he let her out a little way up the street just as Mr. Barwell came along he was bound for Toronto too so she was alright. Huby came back with Dad. I didn't do much to-day except plant out some little daisy plants in the front border bed and fix it up a little. Cousin Clare brought the plants over. I had to stay with Tiddums a little while after dinner. He has been very good all day especially as he hasn't been able to be out although he is lonesome of course. Huby worked 56 �around out side and cleaned out the old house nicely. Jim Waddle came after Dad. just before dinner to go and see a sick colt and he didn't get back till about three o'clock. It has been a miserable day. Cloudy and chilly. Rained a lot during the night and drizzled off and on all day. Thursday April 30th Frank McBride came over before breakfast this morning with some maple syrup which Mrs Carpenter sent to Frank. He told us just where we Aleta had found the turkey's nest in Ivey's gully over near Preston's fence, so after breakfast Huby and I went back to look for it, we found the place but didn't see any nest so went over to ask Aleta. On our way over we saw the old turkey on the other side of Preston's wood. Aleta told us the nest was just where she we had been looking but as she had taken the eggs out of it, we thought she might have moved so went down to the mill to ask Clarence Ferris as he had found it before and taken two eggs out. He said it was in the same place, we got the two eggs from him and the five Aleta had taken and went back and found what we supposed to be the empty nest but although we searched for quite awhile we could find no sign of the old turkey. We brought the eggs home and and got Huby's gloves which have been back at the wood ever since the fire. This after noon Huby lined out his ditch at the end of the old garden and got it started the whole length. I did chores and fooled around and Dad. put in most of the day minding Tiddums who is terribly home-sick. Winnie came over after school while he was alone with Cousin Clare and she supposes he thought it was Enah for when he was terribly disappointed when he recognised Win. To-night I went down to a surprise party of Hazel Silverthorne's. The sewing club was meeting at her place and she invited eight or nine boys over, we all rounded up at the bank and went over in a body. We played pedro which I don't know any more about than I do about making toads, but still I would have had a great time only my head ached and I felt rather sick for some unknown reason. We also played a lot of other games to add to the card playing score. One table blew bubbles, another cut out paper dolls, another speared peanuts in a bowl with hat pins, next played crocono, next snipped buttons - and the other made some sort of rhymes, we had dandy refreshments but I couldn't take much and felt so rotten before I left that I forgot to say good-night. Dad. went down and met Enah. She said she had a great time "to the city" and enjoyed the organ very much. Tiddums was glad to see her but didn't kick up much fuss over it. Art. Quanbury came over to-night with my incubator and brooder. Nice day but rather raw. Friday May 1st 57 �Huby and I put on a small load of hay this morning and this after noon Dad. hauled it over to the barn for the cows we then put on a pretty good sized load and Dad. & Huby unloaded it in the horse stable, while I took little Joe and drove Cousin Clare home. Tupper came over this morning to get Dad. to put a team on the road scraper, but Dad rode down with him to Sam Law's and got him to go on instead. Whit. Dixon came in while he was gone - after a pig for Bob. Miller, he brought two of the most horrible looking sheep I ever saw. He said Bob. had had them down in the barn in a crate and nobody fed them much except Mrs. Tate. He said Bob. wanted him to bring them over here and if Dad. didn't want to keep them till they got in shape to kill to leave them for a few days anyway, Whit. said he supposed Bob. thought if he got them unloaded here they would stay. The poor things could hardly stand up when they took them out of the waggon and they have been gorming grass ever since they got loose. Whit. was telling Huby and me all about his western experiences, he is sick of it. We sent down the biggest pig with Whit. Huby worked. Mrs. McBride was here all day housecleaning. Sunny with cool breeze Saturday May 2nd After I did chores this morning I went over to Martin's and borrowed Art Quanbury's spirit level and leveled up my incubator and started the lamp going, I won't put the eggs in till I see how it is going to go. George Holden and his brother brought the fifty Carolina poplars and the two English wallnuts. I heeled them in the garden and this after noon Huby and I planted them out. We planted the two wallnuts out in front. They were very healthy looking trees - and a good size. It was pretty late when we got them planted so we just took ten poplars back to the gully, we put them out in the east end of the gully mostly on the flat. but a couple on the hill, we stuck slips in all over mostly on ant hills. We didn't get back till about seven o'clock. Huby stayed to tea and he and Frank set fire to the bonfire in the orchard but it didn't burn well and they had to leave it after being out there an hour or two, sunny and nice to-day but cool Sunday May 3rd Dad. and I intended going to church to-day but -. First of all we didn't get up very early, then Fred's calf got into the pig yard and the old sow got out so Dad. had to fix it. Then I noticed old split ear walking lame over in the pasture and we found the wall of her foot was turned over. While we were trimming her feet up, Mr. Brirely came along and stayed till about noon telling us all about chickens and things. He said he would come over in a night or two to see if the incubator is going all right. I think I will fill it up to-morrow. I have the 58 �temperature up to about 103° now. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove out to Jim Waddle's. I just sat around the house while they were gone and read a little, snoozed a little, practiced a little on my horn and a little on the guitar. Frank went back to the gully but I don't think it had changed much since last night, he got some wild flowers. Dick spent the after noon in town, which I have no doubt he also will find in much the same condition as when he last saw it. He will likely go to church to-night. It has been a lovely day quite hot. Dad is afraid it will rain before long if it doesn't we are going to start work on the land tomorrow if all is well. Monday May 4th We got a fairly early start this morning and I had both teams cleaned and ready to slap the harness on and start farming but just about seven it began to rain. It didn't last long but plenty long enough to put an end to {starting?} operations to-day. It came out sunny and a nice breeze after the shower but this after noon it was more cloudy and threatening. It is very hot and lightening to-night. Dad. and Huby fixed the wind mill rod which Dad. broke yesterday and I took Art Quanbury's spirit level back and got a few final instructions about the incubator. I filled it up about noon and by to-night she was up to 97° and blowing off. I didn't know whether to regulate it or not but I happened to overtak Mr. Brirely coming home to-night and he told me I should. This after noon Dad. and Huby went back to the gully and fixed the fence as well as they could as there will soon bee picking enough to let the young stock out I started to grub out the trees between along the fence between the plum orchard. I got a couple of little plum trees out but didn't get any of the cherries {illegible} We want to set out a cedar hedge along there if we ever get time. I went down to band practice to-night and we had pretty fair practice. Harry Moon wasn't there but Mid. is back home now and he was there. Tuesday May 5th It was pouring rain when we got up this morning and kept it up till the middle of the after noon and it had been raining most of the night. Dad was pretty well disgusted but that didn't seem to do much good. I got a loaf of bread last night and left it up in the band room so this morning I drove Dick down town and went up and got it. Dick had a bad toothache last night. Huby hadn't come over so I went around and got him, he thought there wouldn't be any thing to do if it rained but he came over so to be there in case it cleared up. We didn't do any thing much all day. He worked at the old house tacking up old window blinds for wall covering. He brought a lot of burlap over the other day and is going to use it to but 59 �the wind blows through it more that it does the blinds. He scraped some of the apple trees when it quit raining. Enah broke a tooth to-day so had to go down and get it fixed while Dad. minded Tiddums. Wednesday May 6th I didn't get up till late this morning, and haven't done any thing much but chores all day. I had to turn my eggs in the incubator twice to-day. Huby and Dad. squared up the old block they got from the dead apple tree in the orchard. It makes a beauty and is good and solid. Huby dug quite a bit at his ditch and Dad. took the storm windows off. Whit Dixon came in this after noon and got another pig. Two other fellows were in they wanted Dad. to go down to Henderson's to-night and have a look at their big black Percheron stallion. They want to travel him down this way. Dad. got notice of a school board meeting to-night so he went down. I got chores done up early hoping to take Osprey out for a run before dark but it began to rain just before dark. It has been very hot all day and felt like rain. I don't think it rained very hard nor long Winnie & Jonny Miller were over for awhile before tea. Thursday May 7th We put the halter on Pommer's for the first time this morning and tied him in Joes stall for awhile, he was pretty crazy at first but soon quieted down when he found there was no use fighting. We put the harness on Osprey and I took him down to the corner and back. He felt pretty gay and looked fine. Dad. and Huby cleaned up a lot more of the old barn floor. This after noon we hooked up Osprey and Harry to the waggon and the whole three of us went down to Billy Cunningham's to get Dave's cart. We found him and Billy Loan building a house. He said he had brought the cart up to Bobbie McMullins two or three weeks ago so Huby is going to bring it over in the morning We got a couple of nice little silver birch trees in Hammond's bush on our way home and Huby set one out on the lawn. He wants to put the other in the gully. We saw Tom Abbot and he gave us our cream check. It wasn't very high this month as butter has gone down. We only got a little over 19 dollars. Tom told us that Wilbur and Orpha Ryersie are the proud parents of a daughter. We met another man with an Iron grey Percheron stallion to-day. Huby said he liked the black one the best, but Dad. liked this one the best in some ways although he had poor legs. T.A. Ivey was in this morning to have his old mare's teeth fixed and also to get Dad to attend a friendly meeting to the farmer's who will be affected by some ditch on the other road that he wants the council to put in. It won't really affect any body much but him. Osprey went fine we had a stay chain on old Harry's double tire. None of the farmers down that way have any oats in - 60 �and we didn't see any wheat that could beat ours east of the orchard. It has been very nice to-day and clear to-night. Tiddums isn't very well to-night Friday May 8th Huby went around by Bobbie McMullin's this morning to see if he had our cart done but it wasn't quite finished. He took the other birch trees back to the gully and planted it out and set two little ones which were in the earth at the roots of the other one. Dad and I started to measure the distance from the road to the gully along the lane and orchard fence so as to get the fence we are going to put along the top of the gully the same distance from the road (concession) at the east end as at the west where it joins the lane fence at right angles. We got as far as the north orchard fence at right an when it was raining so hard we had to stop. Huby. put some more burlap and paper on the walls of the shop and late this after noon dug some more at his ditch. This after noon Dad. went down to Sam. Law's after the butter and I took a couple of dozen eggs over to Quanbury's as John was over and said Art. wanted to get them I had quite a visit with Charlie who was planting potatoes. He has his garden nearly all in and it looks fine. Enah went down to the Methodist church for choir practice as they want her to sing with the "Mothers day bunch" on Sunday. Frank went down with her intending I think to take in the movies. Tiddums doesn't feel very well yet. I started to cut the lawn to day but it was not long enough for the lawn mower. I couldn't see where I had gone. Saturday May 9th I started after breakfast towards town to head Huby off with the cart he was going to haul over because as we were going down in the waggon we thought it was too bad for him to draw it all the way over here, but when I got to Martin's I saw Art Quanbury and he was showing me how to test eggs and when I got back to the side walk Huby had come and as he had got so far he persisted in taking it all the way. It was a good cart but will need a little patching. We then hooked up Harry and Belle to the waggon and went down town. We got four big anchor posts and four small posts, some siding for the shop, lime for the chicken house and plaster for the kitchen. We saw Harry Ansley and he gave us three nice white fish. This after noon I took some eggs over to Martin's. Art Quanbury wanted another half dozen, he wanted two settings instead of two dozen. Huby planted out a lot more of the poplars along the rail fence. I went out with him when I got back and we got a lot put out on both sides of the corner field. Mr. Lawrie was here when we came up. He Huby and Lila stayed to tea. Lila came over this after noon - and rode Frank's bicycle and she and Frank 61 �went back to the woods. Frank put a lot of the siding on the shop. Dad. has felt very miserable all day and his muscles ache all over his body. Up till to-day it has just been in his arms. He is afraid it is rheumatism. It has been a lovely day. Quite hot this morning but nice fresh breeze this after noon. Sunday May 10th We got up rather late this morning and I have had my old clothes on all day. Frank went down to Sunday school but didn't go to church this morning I drove Enah down and on my way home fell in with Jimmy and Billie Rankin who {boned?} me for a ride so I brought them over to see Bluch who was overjoyed to see them. They went back to the gully with Frank and got some flowers and went home with Dick when he drove down after Enah. It rained a little now and then during the day so I think Frank was prevented from making his periodical call on the gully this after noon but Dick went down town. He was pretty tired last night and had some excuse for sleeping all morning. Wiggins offered him a quarter yesterday if he would cut the lawn around the bank so he started in at two o'clock, when he got it done Mr. Hobbes offered him double the price of cutting the two lawns if he would cut his lawn too so Dick kept right at it till eight o'clock and then with out any supper started to work at his balance sheets or whatever it was. This morning his hands were blistered all over and as he didn't get up to breakfast he went twenty four hours without a meal but made $1.30 out of it. He has been ledger keeper for the last week and balanced up very easily the other night. To-night I drove Enah and Frank down to church Enah turned Methodist for to-night as she is going to sing with the mothers this being their "day" I met Hazen on his way over to tak his girl to church so I gave him a ride over. When I let him out at Flemming's, I found Bluch who in spite of all our commands to go home had followed us down was not following me back so I went back and as I expected found him at Rankin's. After quite a lot of coaxing I induced him to get into the buggy and brought him home. It would have been a nice day but for a shower ever now and then. Tiddums feels very rotten to-day - cutting teeth. Monday May 11th It rained a good deal to-day so we didn't do very much, but remark on the inclemencey of the weather. We saw Reeve Vyse go past with his disks just before it began to rain but after going a few rounds it chased him in. We could see old Sam at it for quite awhile but at last he had to give up no doubt in disgust. Dad. and I put on a load of hay this morning and Huby oiled up the little dining room stove and pipes and put it away. This after noon I made a bootjack. I have tugged and pulled and nearly broken the rungs out of the kitchen chairs 62 �ever since I have got my rubber boots trying to pull them off at night and now when it is about sollid enough to do with out them I have made a neat little boot jack; however it will be ready for next season and I have hung it handy in the wood shed for us anytime we get mad. Huby covered more of the walls of the shop with some stiff wrapping paper he got from Tip. Varey and tinkered around. Dad. minded Tiddums who is fare from scoocum today. Geordie Allan was over for a little while, he is just up to Dover for a visit. To-night Chris Quanbury came over and test my eggs for me, he found 32 infertile out of the 138 which he said was a better test than most of theirs were doing. It is just about 23% bad. Raining hard with thunder and lightening to-nigh. Tuesday May 12th It poured rain nearly all day. It let up for awhile at noon and hasn't rained much since five to-night, but there was a steady downpour the rest of the time. Every thing is covered with water, and it looks as if we'd have to postpone some of the features in the game of farming for another season. I was pretty busy all day. This morning I cleaned all the straw out of the hen houses and this after noon started to white wash them. I couldn't find the white wash brush so I had to use a broom so I don't know whether it will make much improvement in appearance but will sweeten the place up. I got the pen this way white washed and part of the one we brought over from Huby's and used a pail of white wash, then I had to quit to do chores. Huby came over this after noon and worked at the old house. Dad did think of taking Joe down to Bobby McMillian to be shod but when he was ready thought better of it. Tom. Abbot came after the cream this morning and request Dad not to mention the weather, he hears enough about it. Wednesday May 13th I finished white washing the other hen house this morning. I did white wash the pen where the colored hens are as I had no place to let them out and they make such a fuss if I try to work with them in there. Huby scraped some of the trees in the orchard this morning but it started to rain so he came in and worked at the shop it didn't rain long but he worked in there most of the day. He put some of the white wash I had left over on the trees he scraped. Dad. took Joe down to be shod this morning but Bobby McMillian's shop was full so he came home. He doesn't want to take her to Joe Howel for fear she will make him mad, and he says Ralph Waddle knows too much. Bob. Davis was in this after noon with Bycler's big black horse. He is certainly a nice looking one. I put another broody hen up over the hog 63 �pen to-night. I don't know whether she will sit or not as I didn't notice her setting till to-day. It has been cloudy all day with a little rain before dinner and to-night the sun was out. Thursday May 14th We spent quite awhile giving Pommers a lesson on the halter. We took both the colts out and I held Queen while Dad. and Huby worked awhile with Pommers. We then let them run in the front field the rest of the day. We put Joe in the box stall for the day and Dave in Joe's stall but put them all back in to night and Dave out, he was pretty lonesome as we let all the young stock back the lane to-day and left them back. We let the cows back too but didn't let them out after they were milked to-night. This after noon Dad. put the harness on Dave and took him down the road a little way. It was the first time he has had a bit in his mouth so didn't do so badly. When we get him broken Huby is going to take him for his driver. We are very glad we didn't shoot him last fall as we intended. This morning we three boys went back and fixed a good set a bars from the gully into the blue grass field on the west side next John Wess's (the field not the bars). Dad cut new bars in the wood. We took the chain back and measured our share of John Wess's line fence. It was just 10 chains and one foot. We want to put up a new fence there if we can. This after noon Dad. and I put off the load of hay we loaded up for the horse stable the other day and Huby put out the rest of the young poplars. Stan Lowrie was in this morning to have Dad. look at his horse's mouth. He says some of them down there around Nanticoke have oats in but they are afraid after this rain they will rot in the ground. The rain caused a lot of damage up in Western Ontario, The whole country was flooded in places and they say even barns floated off their foundations. Poor Tiddums is pretty sick to-night. Cutting teeth, whooping cough and fever. Lovely day sunny & mild. Friday May 15th I got up about four o'clock this morning to choke off the alarm clock. I wanted to get out anyway before the hens did as I discovered yesterday that the old duck was laying in the chicken yard and so I wanted to leave the yard open for her to get in during the night but as I don't let the same pen out two days in succession I had to get up before the hens to shut it up. I didn't think to shut them in the house but I will here after I hope. Dick brought home word last night that Mr. Hobbes wanted two settings of eggs so I went over to ask Jack Martin if he wanted them especially but he wasn't home and Chris was down town so I sent them down. Vyse was over for awhile, after breakfast Huby got the brush heap in the orchard burned at last. I threw the brush out of the pig yard and helped him carry it over to 64 �the fire. After we burned it we started to clean up the wheat. We got it all cleaned by about half past four this after noon. There was only about forty bushels of it cleaned. we put a coarse seive in the bottom so got a lot of stuff in the drip box nearly enough to fill up the chicken feed bin. When we got it done Huby and I tore down and piled up handy to where we could get them with the waggon what few rails were left from the old barn yard fence. Sunny but raw wind all day. Sam Law was on his field to-day but Tom Abbot says it is very mucky. Poor Tiddums is very miserable, the whooping cough is back again. Saturday May 16th Lila came over with Huby first thing this morning and has been over all day. Jim Bannister sent over word with them for Dad. to come over as his mare was just foaling. Dad. has been over two or three times during the day - and is there now with Frank. Burt is there from Simcoe, and Dad. says his is afraid Jim will lose the mare, the colt I think is dead. Dad. and I hauled up a load of rails this morning from the old barn yard fence and then took the wheat to the mill. We made two trips of it and took down three sacks of oats for chop. We had 44 bushels and 14 lbs of wheat and it is just a dollar a bushel so we did gain a little by waiting after all. After dinner Huby and I went back to the woods and were gone nearly all the after noon but we got a beautiful little elm and set it out out here near the drive house and just behind the anchor post for this lane fence, we got it out in the open and it is a perfect shape and as we didnt cut much of the top off it will be pretty from the first. Frank and Lila went back with us but went the other way when we got to the gully and got a lot of flowers and some merels which Huby found the other day and told them about. Our little tree was all out in leaf but Huby took great pains in planting it, and he thinks with the attention we will be able to give it being so near the house that it will grow. Dad. was going down town this afternoon but as we didn't get back he didn't go so I helped him milk and then hooked up Joe and took Huby & Lila down, we took Win in at Uncle Ward's and she went up and got the stuff for me. I gave Joe Thompson a lift over the hill and old Mrs. Martin home from about Chris Quanbury's. Lovely day sunny and dry. Messers Flemming & Evans scraped the road again. Sunday May 17th Frank went down alone to church and Sunday School this morning. After breakfast Dad. and I went over to Jim Bannister's for a little while, the mare was dead and buried. Vyse was there and Jack Spain soon came. When we got home, we hooked Joe and Osprey up to the buggy and took them around the block. Joe was the worst colt of the two but they went 65 �fine. Dick got up for dinner and he and I played catch for awhile before he went down town. Then Frank and I went back to the gully and went in for a swim in Robert John's big pool. The water was pretty cold at first but after we got out and let the wind blow on us it felt warm to get in. I came home about four and unintentionally went to sleep. Dad. Enah and Tiddums were all out for a drive and while things were in this condition Mr. & Mrs. John Shand came, they never woke me up and so thought no one was home, pinned a note on the door and left but Dad. and Enah just came along as they were going out the lane so they came back. I got the chores done as quickly as possible and got ready and went down to church. I overtook Quint. After church I went up with him to see Big George about a fishing excursion to-morrow but he wasn't home so Quint came over as far as Martin's with me. Dick came along while we were talking. He said he felt pretty sick so we came home and he went to bed. It has been a lovely day, Sunny and a little breeze. Monday May 18th I woke up about three o'clock and heard Dad prowling around, he said he had just come back from town. Al Faulkner had come over after him to go and see his colt, which had got tangled up in the halter shank and was in awful shape. I got up at four o'clock and would have been ready to get a good early start on the land but for visitors. First Mr. Porter drove in then a little while afterwards old Mr. Duncan, he had what he thought to be a sick cow and wanted Dad to go up so Dad. didn't get out at all this morning and I didn't till about nine. When Dick got up he felt very miserable and was bound to go to work but they persuaded him not to so he lay down and slept most of the day and Dad. on his way to Duncan's stopped in and told Wiggins. Huby and Dad. started for Duncan's but met old Bill who told them the horse cow was alright. I got over the field once lengthwise with the disks and started to go again and Dad. gave it a good harrowing this after noon. Huby took my team for awhile after dinner while I got a nest ready to set a hen. Sam. Law came over and borrowed the drill at noon, he has his piece about in shape. Mrs McBride was here washing all day. To-night I went down to band practice and didn't get to bed till eleven Lovely day sunny and not too hot Tuesday May 19th I was up at four again this morning, the way I manage it I wind the alarm clock up so it will ring for quite awhile and set it over on the bureau where I can't reach it from the bed. Then in the morning it makes such a clatter that I can't stand the noise so have to get up to smother it and once I'm up I stay up although I felt pretty tough for awhile this morning. Try 66 �as we did we weren't able to get in the field before eight, but we got both teams started about the same time and got a pretty good day in I finished the field lengthwise and got more than half over it cross wise. Dad harrowed it both ways and is now following me down cross wise with the harrows. He thinks when we get done that way, it will be in good shape to drill. It was a hard day on the poor little team, they are too tired to eat to-night. I had to make several trips to the ditch to swab my eyes off with cold water and keep them from going to sleep. Old Bluch plodded up and down after the disks all day long. Once I took the little team and harrowed to keep awake when I wasn't near the ditch and poor Bluch was badly puzzled. He didn't know which one of us to follow. Sam Law brought the drill back and left it in the field. Vyse drilled his piece in to-day.. I set two hens to-night on thirty eggs. Huby worked around here and helped mind Tiddums all day. Dick felt better to-day but didn't go to work. He went down town this after noon to get his tooth fixed and didn't feel quite so well to-night. Cars. Rankin went by here to-day with an automobile they just bought. They have started to take down the dam bridge. They are going to put up a new ston one. It has been a nice day but pretty hot. Wednesday May 20th Four o'clock for mine again this morning and I didn't feel so sleepy during the day as I got to bed at ten last night. I did have one little short snooze on the disks while the horses were resting. Water is getting pretty hard to find now, but I located some in the wood to swab my eyes with. I got out soon after eight, and finished cross disking then hooked on the harrows and cross harrowed from where Dad left off till noon. Dad. didn't get out till ten o'clock owing to divers hindrances, so he started right in to drill. He put Jonas' oats in on the north head land they went two drill widths the width of the field and quite a few left over. He took out four big two bushel and a half bags and had the drill set for sowing 2 bushels and a peck and used all the seed and didn't quite finish to-night so there is something wrong as we didn't think there was more than four acres in the field. I finished cross harrowing soon after dinner and then took the disks back to the field accross the gully, and got over quite a chunk of it. Huby sowed clover seed to-day on the piece of wheat north of the orchard he also cleaned up around the shop a lot. Dick went to work today although he is far from well. It has been fine and pretty hot to-day. Thursday May 21st I didn't get over the gully to work till nearly nine o'clock so didn't get through disking till after dinner I then started over it again length ways with the disks a notch deeper. Dad. 67 �finished drilling in the other field, harrowed it all over and brought the harrows back and got a good chunk done in the back field. Huby didn't come over this morning till noon as he had some insurance to attend to. Dick has been home all day and has a pretty sore throat. Fine and sultry. Friday May 22nd Dad. had to take my team this morning to run the ditches in the field we have in so I hooked up Joe and took my eggs over to Jack Martin and took Dick down to see Dr. Cook. He gave Dick some pills and I think told him he would be alright soon. When we got home I got a little ice out and put it in the refrigerator which we placed in the kitchen this morning. Dad. had gone back over the gully and was disking but about the time we got home it began to rain. It rained hard enough to persuade Dad. to come in and then stopped for the day although it has been cloudy. Dad. helped me take the old bits of sacking from the chicken house windows and put in poultry fencing. Dad. and I went back after dinner and he harrowed and I disked but didn't get quite over the piece. I had to stop for awhile to drive a herd of cattle into out of Sam Law's wheat. I took Bluch and he chased them into the wood's so I suppose they were Art Ryersies. Huby had more insurance to look after so didn't get over till after dinner. I got up at four o'cock this morning but went to sleep saying my prayers and slumbered peacefully till nearly five. Tom Abbot told us this morning that Edna Sidway isn't expected to live. Saturday May 23rd Dad. and I got a fairly good day's work in on the land to-day, he harrowed and I disked. I am part way over it cross ways and have the disks set in the last hole but one except on the sand knolls. It makes them {lug?}. John Wess was over for a long time this morning talking to Dad. He is working on his buckwheat stubble. Huby and Lila came over this morning early and during the fore noon Quint and Charlie Ferris brought a ferrit over. They were going to put him after the rats under the corn crib but he was so big he couldn't get into their holes. They burned the three corn shocks in the field but didn't get any there either. Huby cleaned the ditches most of the afternoon in the sowed field. He got a toad and put on the front lawn to eat ants. Dick was better to-day and was down town this after noon, but Frank is all in to-day. He took the lawn mower down to be sharpened but feels tough. Quite cold today but mostly sunny. Sunday May 24th 68 �I haven't been off the place all day. I intended to go to church to-night but went to sleep before tea so couldn't get ready in time. Dad. and Enah & Tiddums drove down with Joe & Ginger this morning. They left Tiddums with Huby while they went to church and Huby took him up to the dam in the scow. There was no organist at church till Enah got there so she had to go down to-night again alone. Elva has quit for sure. I sat around and read nearly all day. This morning when I took the eggs out of the incubator to caul them I could hear the chickens peeping and one or two eggs chipped. To-night one chick is out. Dick got up and went to church this morning stayed at Huby's to dinner, down town all the after noon and came home to tea to-night. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and back to the gully this after noon. Lovely day. Monday May 25th Dad. and I both got a pretty fairl early start this morning and I nearly finished cross disking by noon. He drilled all morning but after dinner harrowed with the little team till after dinner I finished disking then took my team and hooked on the drill I finished harrowing with his team only went length ways instead of cross ways which made a much better job. When I finished I brought the little team and the disks up but Dad. stayed back till about seven o'clock and finished drilling. Jack Hodge and family just drove in as I came up and startled poor Huby who was running around in his bare feet. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's with some eggs - and I wanted to ask Chris about the brooder. There is an awful grist of chickens out. We sprinkled the eggs that weren't hatched again to-night and I put a fire in the brooder. The boys had holidays to-day but Dick was down town all day working part of the time. Frank worked around home and he and Tony Bannister went back to the gully. Jonas came over in high glee this morning he says he has the prettiest little colt he ever saw, he told Dad. that he and the woman had to dance for the joy of it. It has been very sultry all day and looked very like rain this morning, fresh breeze to-night. Tuesday May 26th I didn't get up till half past four this morning, but it rained a little so we couldn't go back first thing any way. Dad. took 38 little chickens out of the incubator and put them in the brooder this morning. I went over and got a little grit and charcoal to feed them from Chris. He says not to give them anything for forty eight hours. Dad. thinks they will all starve to death before that. After dinner we took 23 more out and there are still five or six just hatched. A lot of them have died in the shell after they got it all picked ready to come out. Just before dinner Dad. took the big team and roller back and started roll the back field as we thought 69 �that would just break all the lumps nicely. After dinner I went back and hooked on the roller and he came back about an hour later and started to harrow after me. He harrowed till I finished rolling about five o'clock, then he came up with his little team and the roller and I finished harrowing it took me till about seven. Huby. didn't come over this morning but was here this after-noon. He worked at the ditch, sawed wood and minded Tiddums & Frank brought home the news that poor Edna Sidway is dead. It has been way hot and sultry all day but quite a strong breeze. Wednesday May 27th Dad. helped me carry my incubator out this morning we took the seven little chickens that were in it and put them in a basket over the stove. I took the unhatched eggs out and buried them, there were forty thirty eight and twenty four of them had chickens in them. There are 68 chicks altogether and they all seem healthy and sound but one of these seven which has crooked legs. Dad. took the big team back to run the the ditches in the back field and I went over to Martins to get some chick feed and scratch feed. We fed the little fellows in the brooder. to-day. They thought over there that I had a dandy hatch especially as it was the first attempt. It began to rain while I was over there and rained quite hard for awhile so I didn't get back very soon. I didn't do any thing much after that except fool around. Huby came over at noon he had insurance to look after, and dug some more at his ditch. Dad. disked the garden all up. It had got so hard he thought he had better disk it before he ploughed it. Bob. Davis was in for about an hour. Quint also came over for a little while, he expects to go to work to-morrow. They are drilling at Blackheath where ever that is, somewhere down towards Canfield Junction. Aleta McBain was here house cleaning all day. About half past four we hooked up to the waggon and Dad and I went down and got a load of tile for Huby's ditch. We got three inch as they didn't have any four. We took Enah down to Miss Buckwells tea party and she walked home. Huby looked after Tiddums. It came out pretty hot after the rain but is cooler to-night. The rain freshened things up a lot and we noticed that the English walnuts which we thought were dead are budding. Thursday May 28th Old Jonas came over long before breakfast this morning and pestered around for Dad to go and look at his colt and while Dad. was at breakfast Jimmy Corbett came in to ask about his colt. Dad. gave him some stuff, he went over with Jonas with for a few minutes. I made a yard for the little chickens in the brooder and let them out. I also fixed it so as the old hens couldn't get in the yard where they are at all. One little fellow died last night but the rest 70 �look fine. Huby came over about nine thinking Dad was going down town before dinner. Vyse came over to fix his hammer handle for a while. About ten o'clock I took the disks out and started in the timothy sod. I worked all the after noon but didn't get over half of it. It is very grassy but I think will work up fine and make a fine piece for corn. This after noon Dad. & Huby went down town. They got Joe shod at Joe Howells and put in a big load of shaving to put in the ditch over the tile so Dad. didn't get home till about six. It has been very hot all day but breezy, cool to-night. Friday May 29th I disked all day on the corn ground and got all over it by to-night and started to straddle the furrows Dad brought the harrows out and worked for a couple of hours before dinner. This after noon he went back and borrowed a set of three horse eveners from John Wess McBride. John Wess was just ready to shear sheep so Dad. stayed and watched him for awhile. Huby laid the tile in the ditch as far as the chicken house which is far as it is leveled and covered them with shavings and got most of the earth shovelled in. Cars. Rankin brought a couple of girls over in his automobile to see Bluch this after noon. I didn't get up till five this morning I put the clock under the bed where I could grab it and consequently went to sleep again. Dick tells us that Norm. Brock is the latest purchaser of a car and Mr. Johnsons father gave him one. Very hot to-day but nice breeze. Saturday May 30th I went out this morning and straddled the furrows with the disks as we will put corn on and then started to harrow. I didn't lap the harrows at all so got over quite a piece. Frank and Dad. went down town this morning with the waggon and got some stuff chopped at the mill and the windo shash for the shop which have been at the widespread all spring. Huby worked around - This after noon we had to move the stove into the wood shed. We got it out all right but they broke another side of the base or rather the end so we had to set it up on bricks. We then went rat hunting. Huby had flooded all the holes with water this morning and ripped some boards off the floor of the corn crib but we found we couldnt get them without taking up nearly the whole floor so we did. We were all armed with clubs and had the three dogs. Dad. stayed inside and scared them out and the dogs would catch them Lila killed one big one with a lath but Bluch killed most of the others. Huby says he is the best rat dog he ever saw he doesn't waste any time about nabbing them and never let one get away. Nig. got one or two. I think we got five great big ones and two half grown ones besides a nest of eleven little fellows. When we got through with them it was too late for 71 �Dad. to plow the garden - as he had hoped to do but Huby and Frank surveyed all the land east of the lane and this side of the gully and "got stakes up" to set the fence posts by. They figur there is about fifty acres. Lila ha been over all day and Win. came over about five They and Huby stayed to tea. Frank and I went down with them after tea and found they had just laid fresh cement on the bridge and no-one could go over. So we went through Uncle Wards and took Ada's boat down from the barn and launched it for her. She went over with us in the boat and as it leaked like a seive Huby had to make two trips of it. I went up to get my hair cut and Frank went to the moving picture show. Ada was going to wait for us at Huby's so we could go back with her but when I got down there she and Huby had just gone. Frank came soon after I did and when we got down to the bridge Huby was just coming back with the boat so we took it back with us and left it below Woodson's. Dick came home afterwards when the watchmen didn't happen to be around and walked over the cement but didn't leave any tracks. The papers are full of the awful wreck of the Empress of Ireland which went down off Father Point yesterday with nearly 1000 people. It was a heavy fog and another a coal boat ran into her. Hot but nice breeze. Sunday May 31st Dad and Enah went to church this morning and left Tiddums with Huby. Dick and I went down and had a swim at the stump the water was fine we then came home and got dinner started Frank went to Sunday school and church. This after noon I had a dandy ride on Joe. We went up to Smythe's but Pud was at Vittoria Frank started for Marburg on his wheel but got held up at Ryersie's and fooled around with them all the after noon. Dick went down town and to church to-night. Enah and I went to church to-night. Mr. Johnson came over with his automobile to take Enah down, so I didn't wait for her after church thinking he would bring her home but walked down as far as the bridge with Quint and then home. I found Dad. looking after Tiddums who was too tired to go to sleep and Dad. having been so beset with visitors that the chores weren't all done. Enah got home about ten I don't what did happen to her except that she went down to Huby's. Cousins' Loll, Bessie, Harry & Willie drove over for a little while this after noon. To-night young Billy Louis came in to get his horse's shoulder lanced and hung around till dark so people wouldn't see the blood. Then Sam. Law came over to see if he could borrow the roller in the morning. Jonas then came for a short visit. It has been hot to-day but a very nice strong breeze. Monday June 1st 72 �I put in the whole morning writing in this and to Aunty Alice & Aunty, while Dad. ploughed the garden. This after noon I worked down the garden I disked it lengthwise & crosswise a couple of times each and once right around & around. I rolled it and harrowed it so it looks in pretty fair shape. Sam. Law borrowed the roller this morning and he rolled it before he took it away and then again when he brought it back at noon. Dad. spent nearly all the after noon shearing a ewe. He did pretty well and says he thinks if he had a good pair of shears he could do all right. Huby didn't get over this morning as he had to see about Kolbe's insurance. Kolbe was over at Erie so he has to see him about eleven to-night. He goes over to Erie every morning about five o'clock and doesn't get back at night till eleven. Dad. went down to a school board meeting and I went down to band practice. We didn't have any though as there weren't enough there. Walt says we will have to quit for awhile anyway if the council don't come over with the extra money he wants. The town hall was full of meetings. Council meeting, School meeting, band practice and a whole bunch out on the stairs I don't know whether they were all fellows tendering for the heating of the school or the bridge builders waiting on the council for money. Dad. and I met at Huby's and didn't get home till after twelve. Huby went down to the lake about eleven and found Kolbe & Harry Ansley down there. He got Kolbe's insurance raised and as it has run out will have to make out a new application so won't be over to-morrow fore-noon. Quite cool all day. Tuesday June 2nd We didn't get very much done to-day. Jim's calf was sick this morning, all bloated so Dad. & I gave it a dose of salts. It is much better to-night. I went out about eleven and rolled the corn ground till one. I couldn't hear the whistles. This after noon Dad. and I surveyed the field and fence along the top of the gully and decided to put a notch in the fence where the dividing fence between the two fields go. We then measured off six acres of what is ploughed for corn and the remaining four for buckwheat. I came out about half past four and finished rolling the corn ground. Huby didn't come over to-day, I don't know whether he went up to the nomination in Port. Rowan or not. They wanted him to but he said he wasn't going. There are two bunches of delegates going up from here One bunch cosists of Vyse, Cliff Lees and R.E. Matthews and I don't know who go from the other faction. I saw Tupper to-day and he said he might be able to slip over towards the end of the week to shear sheep for us. Bruce was in for a little while before tea. He wanted to get some instruments. It has been sunny but fairly cool all day. Wednesday June 3rd 73 �We hauled out manure all day to-day. We didn't get started very early and were bothered this afternoon by Bob. Davis coming, so only got out nine loads. Dad. is spreading it on the corn ground. Frank was home from school to-day as it was a sort of half in half holiday, being the King's birthday. The kids could go if they wanted to but it wouldn't be marked against them if they didn't so Frank stayed. We heard the bell ringing all through the day so there must have been some fools there. Frank worked all day putting in the garden and we helped him between loads. Dad. ploughed six potatoes furrows this morning and we got the Dad. Atkinson ones planted but there was only three of them so they didn't go very far. Huby planted two rows of Golden Bantam corn and we got in some cabbage and raddishs lettuce and onion seed. Huby's turkey eggs all came out to-day. The one down the road hasn't been off the nest as far as we know since she started to sit so all her eggs were rotten, but as near as they can see the one in the smoke house and Mrs. Bannister's old hen had a fairly good hatch. Dad. and I moved the twelve little chickens that hatched out Monday down in the yard where the brooder is; one of them died. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Huby didnt go up to Nomination yesterday but as near as he can find out Andrew Innes and his gang didn't get a chance to say a word as Mr. Slippery Slick at the last minute got ahead of them. Cloudy, cool, raining to-night. Thursday June 4th It rained steadily all night and rained a lot during the day. Huby came over this morning laden down with tomato plants and cabbage plants which he got from Ed. and some seed corn which he got from John Quanbury and four of the consignment of axes in the back of his hunting coat. He set out a row of Frank's asters the whole length of the garden and we put out some of the to-mato plants but it began to rain so hard we had to quit. However he got them out later in the day and a long row of cabbage plants out. Dad. sowed clover seed on the oats this morning till the rain drove him in when he was within five lands of finishing. We won't have enough seed to sow the piece across the gully. I cleaned the incubator all out and started it going this after noon. I had to go over to Martin's to borrow a spirit level this after noon. Carl. Coleman was in for a little while this morning to see if Tupper was here, he was going up to Stocker's to get his horse shod so Huby told him to bring our post auger down if it was done. John told Huby this morning that Mrs. Battersby has sold her place to some fellow in Los. Angeles. Dick didn't get home at all last night and he expects to start for Toledo to-morrow or next day. Friday June 5th 74 �I failed to get up till five this morning. After I got the chores all done I cleaned out the separator. I then went out and planted another row of Golden Bantam corn and a couple of rows of Country Gentleman. I also helped Huby cut some potatoes, which he planted. He came over this morning with about a dozen tomato plants which Uncle Ward. gave him. We only wanted three and Frank bought them to-night over at Quanbury's on his way home from {arrow pointing to blank space}. After dinner I made some drills and got some of the pecans planted. Tommy Jackson was in here soon after dinner to ask Dad. about a colt and he told us our cattle were all in the far end of the gully so Dad. and I went back we found they had broken down the fence where there were some rails. Nine of them were on the road but not far away we got them back with out much trouble, but found they had just torn our little white birch tree all to pieces. Dad. spent most of the day ploughing the pig yard, working it down and sowing the thousand headed kale on it. He also finished sowing the clover seed in the oats. He shut the old sow up this morning and she went to work and had sixteen young ones three of which got killed in the squabble for seats at the refreshment booth which will only accomodate twelve. We gave the eight turkeys that Mrs. Bannister's hen hatched out to the old turkey hen which made her family number twenty two as near as we can count. She struck off into the orchard with them but didn't get very far. Huby and I picked about half of them out of the ditch at noon where they had fallen in the attempt to follow her across. Mr. Monteith was in to-night to buy some seed corn. He has gone past with two loads of tomato plants. Sunny cool Saturday June 6th Huby didn't get over till about ten o'clock this morning as he went up town to buy a hoe. He also got some new kind of plants from Arthur Anderson called Koli Rabbi which are a cross between a cabbage and a turnip. Frank went down on his wheel to get some provisions and Mr. Johnson gave him a few plants of stocks. He came over with Huby and Lila rode his wheel over. We started hauling out manure as soon as Huby got here and all day got out 7 loads. The colts broke the wire we had stretched across the gap into the alsike and all got in so Huby, Frank and I had to put them out and fix the fence. I spent most of the day between loads putting in the rest of the peas and Huby dug out some posts which were in the shed covered with manure. He started to paint the window frames of the shop with some paint he found out in the brush heap. Frank fooled around with Lila most of the day and pulled some bindweed out in the oats. Art Quanbury came over this morning to see if he could borrow the roller for Jack Martin's corn ground and Bill Philips came over this after 75 �noon to get it. He told us that Jim Bannister has sold his place for $6000. Dick left this after noon for Toledo to visit Ferdie. His holidays last a couple of weeks. Hot & sunny all day. Sunday June 7th I lay "a bed" most of the day not getting up till seven o'clock but I got some chores done and drove Enah down to church. We got home and got through a light lunch early so had a long after noon most of which I spent in sleep although I read and wrote quite a bit too. Dad. and Enah talked of going for a drive till Tiddums went to sleep and then they couldn't. Frank rode his wheel over to the McPherson's and made arrangements to get a skip of bees from Mr. McPherson when they swarm. He is to get a hive from Boyd in Simcoe which will cost four dollars and the bees will cost two dollars I may put something into it if I ever have any money to invest. He and I spoke of going for a swim to-night but it got so rainy looking that we decided not too. It has been sultry and hot all day and to-night is thundering and very cloudy. It sprinkled a few drops. {Harry Barrett (Toby's father) wrote the entries for June 8, 9, and 10.} Monday June 8th We did not get a very early start this morning though we were up early and ready to begin but Mr Monteith came for a bushel of seed corn and he visited some little time we hauled out manure till about 10-30 when I had a break down, went through the double tree. I heard some one laugh when I went off the seat and there was Bruce and Ashleigh in a buggy on the side road they came in and stayed to dinner so we were late in getting to work in the afternoon. Frank rode his wheel down after dinner and got me some bolts and I fixed the double tree. Tobe and Hubert were busy with the garden and odd Jobs while I was out with a load. Tupper came along about 5 O'Clock on his way to the mill. Toby took his load on for him and he stayed to shear sheep so I helped him and we worked till after 7 we then had tea and it was good and late before we had finished every thing It has been a terribly hot day the thunder storm Sunday night did not cool things off. The horses nearly melted this afternoon. Tuesday June 9th I finished the shearing as there was one ewe we did not get done last night. Hubert and Toby went back to fix up the fence in the gully between Ivey and us I had my sheep finished and was putting on a load of manure when the boys got back, we hoped to have finished 76 �clearing out the old shed tonight but there are a few loads yet it has been another roasting hot day. Wednesday June 10th We finished hauling out manure at noon and after dinner I went down to Mr Flemings and got his diamond tooth harrows, it took some time to rig up a three horse outfit when I got back. Hubert helped me hitch Osprey with Joe and Ginger and I got in an hour and a half or so in the field. Toby was disking, if all is well we hope to get in a good day tomorrow. Toby and Frank went over to the McPhersons tonight with a bea hive so that accounts for my writing this. Thursday June 11th I didn't get up till nearly five this morning and Dad. & I didn't get started in the field till nine o'clock. We worked on the corn ground all day. I disked and he harrowed with the three horses and Flemming's diamond tooth. I had to make a couple of trips to the creek in the gully to keep myself awake. I did go to sleep several times but not for very long. I would see the horses in front of me when I woke up and be frightened for fear of running into them. Huby didn't get over till after we were in the field this morning. He was up town last night and heard some rich news. Charlton has pulled out of the election campaign and Andrew Innes is going to run against Pratt. Independent. Huby spent the day doing odd jobs and filling in his ditch. I cut a little lawn and set out a little castor oil bean plant. Very hot for awhile this morning and this afternoon but about noon it was quite cool and looked very rainy Friday June 12th I was up at four o'clock this morning and wrote in this and hoed in the garden till five. I then started to do chores and by leaving the stables for Huby to clean out and not cleaning any horses but Belle & Harry I managed to get into the field a very few minutes after seven. I worked steadily all day although I slept a little at the same time I got it all cross disked by about four o'clock and about half of it rolled. Dad got out about half past eight this morning and finished crossing with the diamond tooth and harrowed it all over with the drags by six to-night. It made quite a long day for his team and Ginger seems pretty tired but Osprey aparently is all right. Huby is going to try and get Bill Oakes to come over and mark it for us in the morning and we hope to get it planted. Quite chilly all morning & windy but sunny and pretty hot after dinner. Frank has gone down to the show to-night. 77 �Saturday June 13th Huby and Bill came over this morning at seven o'clock and Bill and I got right out and started to mark the corn ground. We took Harry & Belle and they proved to be a great improvement on Harry and Joe as a corn marking team. Bill made a beautiful job of it, with very little blasphemy. He got through a little before noon and stayed here to dinner. He said no other man but Dad would have got him to-day as he was very busy and has to be back this after noon. He shouldn't have come away this morning but George Gamble relieved him They are putting the canopy top on the new launch that he and George have just finished building for George Faulmsly. Frank scoured the country this morining in search of corn planters, we have one of our own and we wanted two more. He got one from John Wess which proved very satisfactory and one from Tupper which proved very unsatisfactory. It was an ancient and decrepit looking instrument with one handle and a spring and foot at the bottom to open it and release the corn. Huby took John Wesses and after he got his gait had no trouble at all. Dad. took our own and it was all right, but I got Tupper's and had to quit about the fourth hill, the corn came out from all over it, so I left it and went over to Alfred's, to borrow his. I went through Sam's place but he didn't have one. He said he borrowed Charlie McQueens two years ago and it was a good one. Alfred gave me one he said was a dandy. I brought it home but couldn't do anything with it, so traded with Dad. He worked it awhile but at last decided it was no good. By this time it was about half past four and he decided to go up and do chores so Huby and I stayed there till about eight o'clock when we ran out of seed although Dad. had sent some more out. We only had six more rows to plant, but my back was nearly broken and I was fairly hungry. We left a sand knoll near the south west corner of the field to plant potatoes and roots on. Lila and Dorothy Anderson have been over all day nursing Tiddums, who didn't seem to mind it much. Win came over for a little while this evening and said that Uncle Ward wants to get Huby for all day Monday. She didn't know what for but we supposed it was to set out tomato plants, Dad. told Huby to tell him that he wouldn't see him stuck but if possible to get someone else. Cloudy most of the day and cool. Sunday June 14th I didn't get up this morning till eight o'clock. and haven't done any thing all day but loaf around and do chores. Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but there was no church. They said Mr. Johnson had gone away and a temperance man was supposed to take his place but he never showed up, so Frank came home. I was out in the shop trying to caulk up the cracks in the chicken trough so as they would hold water when we heard some 78 �crows. We took the shotgun and started out in pursuit. We saw them flying around in the vicinity of the corn field but they were not within a mile of the place when we got there. We hid in a thick bush for quite awhile but no crows showed up, so we took a walk up the gully to Ivey's strawberry patch and made a careful examination of all the plants we could find, but there were very few ripe ones. We got all there were and nearly all the half ripe ones, which seemed to be much more edible than they generally are. It was about half past twelve when we got up to the house and Dad was getting ready to put the harness on Osprey. We got the cart out and it was very rickety. We oiled one wheel but couldn't get the other one off We hooked Osprey to it though and Dad. got on. Osprey didn't know just what was expected of him at first and cut up a little down at the end of the lane but once he got started he went beautifully. Dad took him down to Jonas' corner and then up the other way and down the side road to Flemming's corner and I couldn see but what he trotted pretty straight Dad said he didn't like doing it on Sunday but I think he enjoyed it when he got started. He doesn't feel very well to day. We had dinner about three much to Enah's disgust and after dinner Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down with Quint's tent and some bed springs. The gas drillers are going to camp down at Black Heath and they wanted this tent to cook in Charlie Martin came over for a visit a little while before they left but didn't stay long after. Frank spent the after noon down with the Ryersie's. We just did chores to night and went to bed soon after tea. Nice day but cool breeze Monday June 15th Craig Long came over before breakfast this morning to see Dad about Ivey's mare. She was down and in pain and he didn't know what ailed her, so Dad. went over right after break fast to see her. She had the colic and he told them to send for Bart if she did not show any symptoms of improvement, but she was better in a short time. Dad. went from there down to Martin's - and I came down with Joe and the cart as soon as I had break fast and got two bushels of potatoes for seed. They are very small so we will exchange the same ammount of them for the ones of Preston's that are left in the cellar. Frank went over to Preston's before school and found out that he could get a couple of bushels there so I went right down there and got them as soon as I got home from Martin's. I then shelled enough seed corn to finish planting and went out and finished. Dad went out and furrowed out the potatoe patch. After dinner we did up the chores and hooked Harry and Belle to the waggon and went down town to get some provisions and a pile of sand for Tiddums to play in. Huby has been agitating that move for quite awhile. He wants a pile on each side of the wood shed so Tiddums can always be in the shade. We took Enah and Tiddums and the 79 �baby carriage down with us and Enah walked home. Tiddums went to sleep before he got home and never woke up all evening. We saw Huby down at Uncle Wards, having a great time. He had three or four kids which he said were the best in town and they had all their tomatoes set out and waiting for more and a lot of potatoes planted. Chris said that they found Martin's dog but he was dead down at Sovereign's. Charlie Martin had told Mr. Flemming to shoot at it if it came around his place so Mr. Flemming did just to scare it. He didn't know he had killed it till they found it. He felt very badly about but Jack. felt worse. He wouldn't have taken fifty dollars for it. They say poor old Jimmy Larose has been sent down for eighteen months for forging a check, sunny, cool breeze. Tuesday June 16th I went over to Martin's first thing this morning and sold my eggs and got some scratch feed for the little fellows. I hadn't been home very long when Billy Louis came in with Tupper's team and fancy buggy and the news that Tupper wanted a couple of men for a couple of hours so as Dad. felt pretty miserable he said for Huby and me to go. Huby jumped at the chance of a ride in such a carriage and would have climbed over the back of the seat he said if Billy hadn't have tipped up the front ones and let him into a sort of trap nest. When we got over there Huby didn't know how to get out. We found old Maneer was bossing the job. All they are doing is raising the peak of the roof to square pitch, so we simply had to lift on the rafters with shores and when we got them up to the desired height didn't do anything but sit around and talk, while some of those who appeared to enjoy it worked like niggers spiking pieces on the ends of the rafters to meet at the peak. We stayed to dinner and hung around a little while after dinner - and helped raise a very little. Old Maneer was going to leave at noon to go to Vittoria as Andrew Innes is having a mass meeting there today, but I guess Tupper induced him to stay. We came home soon after dinner. Huby said he had a lovely time "socially" but didn't know whether he rendered much valuable assistance. The rest of the gang certainly appeared to enjoy his company. We got home about two o'clock or after and after I did up the chores I went out and planted beans on the two outside rows on each side of the cornfield. I planted them with the planter but couldn't see the marks along the head land. Dad. has felt too rotten to do anything to-day. It has been almost cold all day although sunny but cold wind. Wednesday June 17th Frank's exams started to-day at noon so he didn't have to go to school this morning. Rigt after breakfast he and I went out and planted mangel and turnip seed in the rows we left 80 �for them on the knoll in the cornfield. We planted two rows of each and seemed to have about as much seed when we got through as when we started and we watched to see that it was being planted plenty thick enough. We only had the four rows so I don't know what we will do with the rest of the seed. Huby and Dad. cut potatoes while we were out there so when we got through we came and got some and got quite a few rows planted before dinner. Huby and I went out after dinner and planted all there were cut which were Preston's, we had nearly 15 rows of them. We then brought out Jack Martin's, and planted over nine rows of them which was all there was in the field. They were much smaller so we had quite a few left and we think we will planted them in the old garden Dad. harrowed them in. Huby and I went and spread the manure Dad. hauled out on it last winter. Win was over to dinner to-day her exams are over. Mrs. McBride was here all after noon and nearly all evening washing and ironing. Whit Dixon & Bob. Miller drove over after tea to look at Fred's calf. Frank went back to the gully with them. The steer with Spottys last year's calf were through the fence into Ivey's but they got them back. Bob. told Dad. he would take him and not due him a dollar on the price which was $75.00. Mr. & Mrs. Lea Marshall were in before they left. Tom. Abbot. had told them we had a horse for sale so he came to look at it. Dad. took Osprey out and paraded him around and I think Lea might have taken him but his wife thought he wasn't big enoug to fit the price $150.00. She said he was worth about $125.00 However we are to hook him up and take him down some night so they can see him in harness. Dad. brought Ginger and Joe out and she was stuck on them especially Ginger but Dad. would not think of selling them. She thought Ginger was bigger than Osprey but Dad. told her she was mistaken. She said she wasn't as heavy but she was taller and in reality Ginger is about a head shorter but heavier than Osprey. She guessed Joe's age (thirteen) first time although Dad. told her Joe was the biggest colt in the stable. It has been pretty cool and dry all day. Thursday June 18th Dad. and I hooked to the waggon this morning and took the buggy down to Joe Howel's to have the tires set and brought back a load of fence posts, we unloaded them out along the top of the gully where we want to put them in. We were talking to Uncle Ward and he said they would be terribly hard digging it was so hard, and he said the best way to do was to dig down about a foot and fill the hole with water and leave it for a day and then it would be just in right shape. Huby spent the morning fixing the orchard fence so we can let the calves out. This after noon He. and Dad hung the gate we brought over from his place and let the five calves in the orchard. We didn't let Horace out as Dad. has to wean him from 81 �Erie and teach him to drink first. I hoed in the garden while they were at that and Col. McDonald came over. I had never seen him before and Huby didn't recognise him at first but Dad. knew him first thing. He said he and other officers of the insurance company were up taking a motor trip through this country visiting their agents. He didn't know when he started out that Dover was on the list. Dad was very glad to see him and appreciated his visit very much. About four o'clock Dad took the team out and we went to finish planting potatoes, just plow them right under the sod, but we only got two rows planted when a big thunder shower came up and we had to seek shelter at the house. Dad. and Huby got soaked but I got there a little sooner so didn't get the worst of it. Frank was back in the gully with the shotgun so he got a pretty good soaking. We heard the gun go off he shot at a crow, both barrels went off at the same time but he missed the crow. His papers have been pretty easy so far the only one he is much afraid of is the spelling. It didn't rain very long but freshened things up considerably. It has been very hot and sultry to-day but is cooler since the rain. Tiddums feels in a very festive humor to-night. The house is all torn up from the ravages of house cleaning and he thinks it's great. Friday June 19th I got up at four this morning and wrote in this till five. I then hurried through chores and cut quite a lot of grass on the front lawn. It rained a little about breakfast and looked so cloudy afterwards that Dad. didn't like to take the team out so he and I hoed in the garden and Huby worked in the shop. About ten Dad. thought it wasn't going to rain so we went out and ploughed in the rest of the potatoes in the patch we were at in the old garden. It began to rain just as Huby and I were through so we dug for the shop and got pretty wet but Dad. had to plough a little more so got properly soaked. We didn't do anything till after dinner. It stopped raining soon after dinner and when we got our chores done Dad. hooked Osprey to the cart again and took him down the road away with satisfactory results. We then hooked up the big team to the waggon and Dad & Huby and I went down town. Huby stayed down and Dad. & I went up and got our buggy from Joe Howell On our way back we got 18 more fence posts from Tommy. Frank is through his exams, he thinks he did fairly well on most of the papers. I saw Lila to-night she said both Huby's goslings were dead, died from exposure. Cold & wet. Saturday June 20th I worked all morning on the front lawn. I got all the long grass cut with the scythe and a good patch cut with the lawnmower, besides weeding out the flower beds. Dad. Huby and 82 �Frank went back and staked out the fence along the top of the gully and Huby. dug anchor post holes and bored ordinary post holes all day. Dad. fixed fence and plastered up some holes in our bed room this morning and this afternoon hooked Osprey up to the cart and took him for a little jaunt and then rolled down most of the buckwheat ground and the potato patches. I went down to meet Dick to-night. He came on the Woodstock train so was home early. He had a great time in Toledo and I guess enjoyed his holidays immensly. Lila was over here all day. Harry Ansley was over this morning electioneering. He told Huby he could get him the job of deputy returning officer but Huby didn't want it. It has been sunny & fair all day but cool wind. Sunday June 21st Frank rode his wheel down to Sunday school this morning and I drove Enah down to church. We called around by Huby's on our way home but didn't see any sign of the Lang's - This after noon it looked rather rainy so I read and played duets with Enah. Dad. sat around and slept and did all the chores. About four o'clock he took Osprey out all the way around the block. Frank went back to the gully and brought home some lovely {illegible}. Dick went down town after dinner with the intention of going to church to night. Elva. & Mr. Brady were over for a few minutes on the latter's motor cycle which was inclined to be balky. They had a side saddle rigged on behind for Elva. Jack Martin and Mr. {Culp?} were over for a little while before (tea looking at the horses. It has been cloudy all day and sprinkled a few times but not much Monday June 22nd Huby dug post holes all day and I helped him set the posts and tamp them in. We had to do a little surveying after dinner to get the two anchor posts in line which go lengthwise with the field. We got all the posts except anchor and brace posts, between the road and the jog in the fence which is just half way. I helped Dad. take the anchor posts out this morning and then he went down to the mill for some feed. This after noon he rolled down the rest of the buckwheat ground and disked the old garden where we planted the potatoes He started to harrow the corn ground, the corn is just coming up but quit at five and took Osprey around the block. They were doing road work over by McQueen's but he never paid any attention to them, He said someone shot a gun off right beside them going down Preston's hill and he never jumped. He has never seen an automobile yet. Tupper and Billy Louis came over this mornin to night to invite Dad. to Tupper's raising tomorrow. He has the roof off the other half of the barn now and is going to put plates up to run right through. 83 �Frank finished putting in the garden to-day he planted carrots beets and beans. Cloudy but not so cool. Tuesday June 23rd Dad went over to Tupper's raising as soon after seven as he could this morning and was over there till after dinner. This afternoon he finished harrowing the corn ground. Huby and I worked at the fence all morning. It took us a good part of the morning to get it lined out on account of two or three little dips where we couldn't see the stakes. We dug two more anchor post holes I dug one and Huby the other. I got mine started all crooked but fixed it so as the post will sit straight. We got the posts set part way across the field. The ground is getting pretty hard. When I came in to-night, the temperature in the incubator had gone up to 110°. I don't know whether it cooked all the chickens or not. It couldn't have been that way very long because I looked at it at noon, and as they are due to hatch in a day or so I think mabee they will be strong enough to stand it. To-night Dad. and I drove Joe and Osprey down to Lea Marshall's but he had gone to lodge so we told Mrs. Marshall we would be down again in the morning. Old Tom Abbot told us he was pretty sure Lea would take him if we dropped the price a little. It has been very hot & sultry. Wednesday June 24th Dad. and I got started about nine o'clock for Marshall's with Joe and Osprey. He took quite awhile to decide but at last bought him. I came down to $135 and he wouldn't go higher that $130 so we split the difference. He said he would come and get him in a few days. A big thunder cloud came up while we were gone and it began to rain just as we got home. Huby was back at the fence - and got soaked. It didn't rain very long but came out almost unbearably hot and sultry after it although there was a strong wind but it seemed hot too. We didn't do any thing much before dinner but this after noon worked at the fence. Huby dug the last anchor post hole but the ground was so hard that I only got two holes bored and three or four started, so I got a couple of pails and filled the holes all up with water. Huby is afraid we got a little low in the line going through one of the little dips and I guess we did. He went over to Ivey's and got a hat full of strawberries to refresh us a little. Bob. Davis was in this after noon. Dad. worked around the house till he came and then struck out four or five lands in the buckwheat ground. Mrs. McBride was here to-day and they have ripped the paper all of the kitchen walls. She is coming to paper it on Saturday if all's well. Frank and I went down for a swim at Quanburys to-night and Enah and Dad went down town to get Slocomb to come over and do some plastering in the kitchen. We saw Tupper 84 �to-night and he told us that there was a car of crushed stone to haul on the Winding Hill but Dad. told him we wouldn't have time to do it. Very hot. Thursday June 25th Slocomb and his man came over about eight and were all morning patching the kitchen, there was a lot to do. Dad. helped them and I did chores and got some of the chicken wire stretched along the fence between the garden and orchard. Huby dug post holes all day but the ground is very hard and he had to put water in a lot of them. This afternoon Dad and I went and got a load of gravel Enah and Tiddums went down with us and we took the baby carriage and they Enah walked home. We couldn't get any gravel on the beach but as Bob. Law was down there Dad. bought a load from him and he charged Dad a dollar We took it right out to the field when we got home and a couple of bags of cement and left a pile at each anchor place where we are going to put an anchor post. It was time to do chores when we got through with that it was time to After tea Dad. and I went down to hear Pratt. He has got to be quite an orator, and I think turned several who were a little doubtful which to vote for. He pointed out how the Whitney administration had closed so many bars where the two Liberal governments before him although they had made great promises the same as Rowel is doing now had not done a thing.. He had a wine list of the Ontario Club which is the headquarters for the Liberal party in Town and he said it was the most compete and elaborate list of drinks he had ever seen and among the list of directors he read out Mr. Rowel and several other temperance politicians. It was a good speech anyway and we were glad we went. Frank rode his wheel down. Lea Marshall and Jack Richardson were in to-night and Lea wanted to take Osprey wth them but as they were going to town first and would have to stand him in Henderson's barn. The other fellow persuaded him to leave him and we told him we would take him down to-morrow night. Hot all day. Friday June 26th I took some eggs over to Jack Martin's this morning but he has stopped buying them. Old Ivey came over about nine o'clock and wanted Dad. to come over and roll down the field he is getting ready for tomatoes. He said the factory fellows were over this morning. The have rented it and he prepares the ground for them then they plant them and look after them altogether after that. He seemed in such a pinch and offered fifty cents an hour so Dad. sent me over. I was over there about seven hours so didn't do so badly. Huby and Dad. worked all day setting the anchor posts along the line of the new fence. Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting but it wasn't very important. Fairly hot all day. 85 �Saturday June 27th Dad. and I cultivated the corn and potatoes in the garden this morning and then I hoed in it all day and got over nearly all of it. Huby and Dad. finished setting their anchor posts today. Mrs. McBride was here all day and stayed till twelve o'clock to-night papering the kitchen. She had poor Frank helping her and he put in an awful day of it. Dick came home to tea to-night to inform me that there was a band practice on at eight o'clock as it was then half past six and I hadn't got all the chores done or had my tea it made me hump to get down there by half past eight. They were practising for Decoration day to-morrow. I drove down and got home about ten just before a big thunder storm came up Mrs McBride papered up till twelve and then went home with the lantern and wouldn't listen to anyone going with her and it was too dark to drive. Henry {Odd?} came over this morning and got some more seed corn they soaked the last they planted in zincoleum and it never sprouted. Cloudy & threatening. Sunday June 28th We took the little chickens out of the incubator this morning and gave 16 to each of the four hens, there were sixty five but one was a cripple so we killed it. Dad fixed up some coops for them this morning while I cleaned my horn or tried to. It took me till dinner time and right after I had to hike down to the band room. It was a dandy day for a march as it was much cooler after yesterday's rain but on account of puddles we had to go on the side walk - Walt. had two Simcoe fellows on the baritone and alto - and a stranger who is working here for the summer on a cornet - so we had a pretty good band. I couldn't do much as I haven't had any practice either in playing or marching but still managed to escape from making any conspicuous errors. I was down at Huby's for awhile after we got through and when I got home We put the old hens with chickens all out under coops. None were dead yet but Dad. had to change one hen as she was pecking the little fellows and had several with raw spots on their heads.. Cloudy and cool all day quite cold to-night. Monday June 29th I ploughed all day to-day around the strike outs which Dad. made the other day. Huby didn't come over till late as he had to vote for Pratt. Walt McCall brought him and Lila over in an automobile and took Dad. out to Wiggin's to vote. They went around by Myer's and called for old Jonas and he went out and cast his ballot for Pratt.The Myer's were very much annoyed at it as Lorne had tried to induce him to go with him and vote for Andrew. The 86 �latest news we heard to-night was that Pratt was elected, Andrew got a big majority in Dover and Woodhouse but Houghton & Walsingham sent Pratt's majority way up. There was quite an interesting article in the Globe to-day about a lawsuit which has just been opened by A.C. Pratt, Conservative candidate for South Norfolk againss Fred Mossop, proprietor of the Hotel Mossop Toronto for damages in a series of poker games amounting to I think something like $3500.00. It is a sort of counter claim against a suit Mossop entered against Pratt for over $500. owing to him. This is a very nice mix-up for Mr. Pratt. anyway just before election and now people will know that he is more than a crooked skunk but a fool and a poor sport as these games have been going on for a long time and Pratt's been getting skinned right along. This after noon Huby Dad. & Frank set some of the braces and brace posts. Drizzled most of the day and has been cool. Tuesday June 30th When Huby came over this morning he told us that the Whitney Government was returned with an overwhelming majority and Pratt had beaten Andrew by 130 something. Old Tom was in next hurrahing for Pratt and he got a little Union Jack here and tacked on the front of his rig. He said he didn't know whether he would ever get back alive sallying forth in that manner into the teeth of the Innes men down east. Huby and I spent the whole day back in the gully barricading the little poplars. Huby bored holes three feet deep with the post auger and I stuck in rails we got four done and the hole started for five. We are going to stretch wire barbed if we can get enough of it around the rails. It was a slow job as the ground was pretty hard in lots of places. Dad. did some patch plastering in the pantry this morning and plowed the rest of the day he finished the land that I was at and struck out the rest of the fields. Enah and Frank papered the pantry all but part of the border. Mr. Johnson went past this morning in his automobile with Winnie, Lila, Norah Cunningham and some other girls on a wild strawberry hunt and they came in and paid Dad. a visit on their way back. Frank has been investigating in the corn and reports a large number of wireworms in places which news causes Dad. much distress as the corn is all up so nicely. The mangels and turnips are also up but there is no sign of the potatoes yet. It has been pretty hot today. Wednesday July 1st The first thing on the programme for to-day's celebration was a little foot raise by Tiddums. He was sitting by Enah at break fast and while she was pouring the coffee the handle came off the coffee pot and the red hot liquid spilt on Tiddum's foot. He had his stockings pinned 87 �on and by the time they were off the skin was off his foot. It gave him a horrible scald but only blistered one foot. He cried himself to sleep after a while and when he woke up felt very much like himself again as long as people would leave his foot alone but there are some beautiful blisters on it. Mrs. McBride came and worked around most of the morning. Dick went down town but didn't have to work much so helped Joe on the merry-go-round. Frank spent the after noon and evening down town but came home to tea. For the first time that I can remember I spent the entire first of July at home. Huby came over and we went back to the gully to finish barricading the little trees but didn't get much done on account of the rain. Dad rolled down what he ploughed this morning and this after noon we hung around till Bob. Davis came and then Dad. undertook to ring the old sow. He fooled around trying to get a rope in her mouth and when he did and made three attemts to ring her with one ring sticking the rope slipped out of her mouth I thought it would take all the after noon unless the old sow got mad and ripped Dad's leg off so I came in the house and wrote in this pesky thing. Huby wasn't any to keen about and Dad. couldn't manage alone so they worked in the garden till five o'clock when we quit to do chores. Mr. Brady came over on his motor cycle with a bottle of mentholatum salve Elva sent over for Tiddums foot. There was an editorial in "The Globe yesterday relating to A.C. Pratt's gambling and intimating that there were points in common between that episode and the one referred to in Bret Hartes poem entitled the "Heathen Chinee" Cloudy and cool all day and drizzly to rainy off and on all day. Thursday July 2nd I ploughed all day around Dad's strike outs and rolled down what I ploughed to-night. About another day will finish the ploughing but we want to start haying as soon as possible. Huby Dad. & Frank worked at the fence all morning fixing braces and putting in some extrat posts. Dad. hauled the wire out and this after noon Dad. & Huby set a lot of it up along the posts as they didn't know whether Sid McBride could come or not right away and Dad is anxious to let the cows in that end of the gully, but about five to-night Frank rode his wheel down to Marburg and saw Sid. McBride. He said he would be up tomorrow after noon. Dad. and Huby came up early and ground one of the mower knives so as we can get started tomorrow. Enah and Tiddums went down town this after noon. Lila was over all day. Charlie Martin came over and borrowed the disks for some thing. Mrs. Innes told Enah that Perce Brock was here yesterday and had been to a lawyer to see if he could claim his baby who has been down at old Mrs. Well's for the last two months. The lawyer told him that if he could prove that he was more capable of caring for it that its mother that he should have it. 88 �So Perce said it was the only thing he had to live for and meant to have it as he had a good place for it in St. Thomas, it seems his wife and her mother have all gone to the dogs and the baby has been in a home. So this morning when he knew Mrs. Wells was up town he went up to the house and found Mat. Lawrie looking after the kid, so grabbed it and lit out hotfoot up St. Patrick St. and up to his mother's where his sister was waiting with a horse and rig to drive him to Simcoe where he caught the St. Thomas train. Cloudy, hot, cool wind. Friday July 3rd I tried to get an early start this morning but as it took a little time to get the mower into running order I didn't get out till after eight. Dad. went the first round with me and then I mowed pretty steadily all day. I started on the south east corner field and have a good chunk down but it will take a couple of hours to finish. Huby and Dad & Frank hauled out some rocks on the stone boat this morning to put in the dips along the fence to anchor it. This after noon they put wire around a couple of the trees in the gully and waited around for Sid McBride but he never showed up, so that will put us out a little as we hoped to get the fence up to-day. Mrs. Woodson and Betty were over to-night to inquire after Tiddums foot. He doesn't seem to feel it much as he tramps all around the floor in his sock feet. Old Tom Abbot told us that Osprey rolled into a wire fence in pasture last night and will have to be laid up for awhile. He was getting along fine and Marshall was very well pleased with him. Tom. said Roy Hammond was telling around that he supposed we passed off the horse that was so badly poisoned with alsike last fall. He must think Marshall is an awful fool or else doesnt know what alsike poison is like for old Dave's feet show the scars yet and probably always will. Cloudy this morning but sunny and pretty hot this after noon. Saturday July 4th I finished mowing about half past ten this morning and hooked right on to the rake and finished raking about five o'clock. Dad. & Frank went down in the waggon with Joe & Ginger and got a couple of bushels of buckwheat for seed and took the wool down but the mill was closed as usual on Saturday and the watchman put it in the wool house. Huby waited down for them thinking they would take the tank he got for us but it was bolted fast to the trucks and Dad. didn't want to take time to get it loose. They got over about eleven and put up a few cocks before dinner. Sid. McBride came after dinner so Huby, Dad & Frank had to help him, they worked till after six but have the fence all stretched in fine shape but it isn't stapled yet. I just did up my chores when I got through raking. Enah went down to Maud Jamieson's sale this after noon but nearly every thing was sold when she got there. Cousin 89 �Clare was over for a little while this after noon and Lila most of the day. Sid McBride stayed to tea and it was late when we got through and Dad. had to milk after wards but Huby, Frank and I went out and cocked up hay. It was moonlight but rather cloudy most of the time so wasn't very light We worked till after eleven and got quite a chunk done. Dad. came out and relieved Frank a little while before we quit. I drove Huby home and got back about one. Enah spent the evening painting the oilcloth in the kitchen and the floor around the edge so I had to go to bed via the window. One of the Scotch mail-men was in to see Dad. to day about his horse which he said was sore inside. J.H. Butler died this morning and Capt. Spain & Mrs. Dave Turner are very low. Fairly hot to-day. Sunday July 5th Enah and I managed to get to church this morning although we didn't get up till very late. Frank didn't go to Sunday school or church but went for a swim and while riding around on his wheel caught his shoe in the chain and got upset and hurt his arm. Dick spent the morning in bed and went down town after dinner. Enah had to play the organ as Topsy who has applied for the job and who has been practising came this morning without her hat and had to go back to the Methodist choir for to-day where they eliminate their roofs. This after noon the family spent in peaceful slumber or literary pursuits. I hit the hay about three and never got up till six. Then chores and a family gathering on the front step to partake of some sandwiches and cake. Old man West was over this after noon to tear off a few fairy tales and disturb all the family but me. Lovely day sunny but not scorching. Monday July 6th We didn't get a very early start this morning and I ploughed till noon - and Huby and Dad. cocked up hay. Frank was exempt from strenuous labor owing to his injured wrist which he deems necessary to be exceptionally careful of. He took John Wess' corn planter home and went over to McPherson's to inquire after our bees. They have a skip in the hive for us and we can get them anytime. He came home around by Tupper's and borrowed his corn cultivator as it has a special thistle cutter on it but he didn't bring it home with him. This after noon Dad. finished up what I plowed and has just a couple more loads to finish up to have the field all turned under. Huby and I continued to cock up but didn't get through. Frank spent some time picking paper off the kitchen oilcloth which is out on the lawn. Enah painted it Saturday night right here on the kitchen floor and yesterday morning it wasn't dry so she put down a lot of newspapers down but they all stuck to the paint and made an awful mess of it. Frank scraped a lot off and then went down town and got the mail. He also 90 �saw the Doctor about his wrist and he put a bandage on it and told him to keep it there for a week Frank has it in a sling and I think is highly satisfied. Lila was over most of the day. The old guinea hatched out to-day but we don't think she had an extra good hatch. It would have been very hot to-day but for a cool nice breeze. Tuesday July 7th This being Dad's birthday and everybody wishing him a happy one and many returns we put in about the most strenuous day this summer. Dad. decided we had better haul in the hay before any rain gets on it although we are very anxious to get the buckwheat in and the thistles are whooping it up in the cornfield. It took us a long time to get started as various preparations had to be made for the slings, but we got one load in and off before dinner but not before twelve. This after noon we managed to get in three good sized ones and left the last on the barn floor. Huby helped us put on the last two but bunched up the winrows while we were unloading. This morning he had to throw a lot of old straw out of the bay in the big barn where we are putting the hay. As a little special sensation for Dad. the cows all came up early, the first time they have done it since they were out this year - and as the gates were all open - got into the garden before Frank noticed them and trimmed the "Country Gentleman" corn completely. We had the colts shut up in the stable and the sheep in the orchard. We had quite a time putting them in this morning as they would get nearly to the gate when one fool would run back and the rest of course all follow. They got in to the garden on trip and trimmed what little they could in half a minute. Frank of course is about useless but does a little with one hand. He helped Enah paint the oil cloth this after noon which they put out between the stable and the barn he also painted his wheel. Winnie was over this morning to dinner and Lila this after noon. It has been pretty warm to-day but a nice breeze Wednesday July 8th We hauled hay all day to-day and got in five loads leaving the last one on the barn floor. I went down town to-night to get my hair cut and got wet - owing to the fact that I indulged in two swims. I had one on my way down below Quanbury's but it was a premeditated one, then while I was in the barber shop Kindree came in to invite {Corny?} to go in and I joined them. Charlie Cooper and Booze Waddle also went we went in the pond at the danger sign and had a good one. I saw Dick with a new bank clerk. The other poor fellow is too sick to work and is going back home to-morrow. When I got home we had quite a hunt for some 91 �pills which Huby gave Dad for his birthday, and which Huby is very anxious for him to take as he thinks it will cure his arm. Hot and dry. Thursday July 9th Huby didn't come over till noon to-day as he had to attend to Mrs. Faulmsbee's insurance so we didn't try to haul in any hay. Frank and I took the team and waggon and went over to Tupper's first thing and borrowed his cultivator, he had to put the thistle cutter on which were the advantage it had over our own. When we got home we went down to the mill and got a couple of sacks of shorts for the pigs. Dad. had been training Jonas's mare to cultivate in the garden with our own cultivator but when we came took her out to the cornfield and worked with her till noon. She goes pretty well but gets rammy at the ends of the rows and walks fast. When we got back from the mill I hooked the team to the disks and disked on the buckwheat ground till noon. Huby came over at noon and we hauled in hay, we didn't rush at it so it was dark when we hauled the last load in but we had had our tea at six o'clock. We got in three loads and all we are going take off that field. There are a few winrows of couch grass which Tom Abbot is going to take as we don't want the seed to get in the manure. It has been very hot everything is drying up and we need a rain badly. Friday July 10th Huby Frank and I spent the whole day in the gully, we put the wire around the four little trees which we had the stakes around. This took us a long time as we put split rails around the stakes to brace them. Dad. & Huby did two the other day. Frank sat around with his pesky arm which everybody is getting heartily tired of. We used him principally as an object to heap abusive language on. We went all around the fence and patched it up as well as possible but it is in awful shape. We didn't do anything to the culvert hoping that the cows will be so delighted with the new pasture that they will not try to escape through the culvert till we can make a good fix of it. We let them all in to-night and the first thing they did was to tramp straight down along the creek and examine all the tree barricades. Tonight Frank and I went for a swim down below Quanbury's. Frank couldn't resist the temptation in spite of his poor wrist which he has been unable to wash for a week on account of the bandage but went in and swam around so now will have no excuse for not making a little use of it. Another very hot day, but nice breeze. Dad cultivated corn all day. Saturday July 11th 92 �Huby and Dad had a little work to attend to with the calves and pigs which took them an hour or so this morning. I took Belle out and cultivated a few rows of corn till Dad came out and relieved me. Then I went to help Huby staple on the wirefence, but I didn't feel very well for awhile so didn't do anything. Snowdrop got out at the culvert and stood in the middle of the road for about half an hour so we went down just before dinner to put her in. We met an old man on the road with a good looking setter and he and Huby had quite a conversation about sport. He wouldn't tell Huby his name but said Hec. Henderson would tell him. This after noon I felt better and we stapled on the wire fence - and then Huby went up and got a lot of wire and we barricaded the culvert. We stretched three strands of wire from the two posts each side of it and hung rails from the center at the bottom. It took us till after six quite a bit and then we took a look at Ivey's strawberry patch but there were hardly any left. To-night about eleven o'clock Dad. went out to wash his feet and and saw a fire down town. I lit right out for town but didn't know till I got to the top of the hill that it was the brickyard. The big building and the new long shed were beyond all hope when I got that far. I went down and sat on Huby's front step for awhile. Then Frank came down on his wheel and rode over to it he said the machinery was all ruined. I came part way home with old Jonas and induced him to go for a swim with me below Quanbury's. It was about midnight then. Frank has been driving his old mare all day. He went down town with her this morning and washed the buggy. This after noon he drove Enah and Tiddums down town. Warm but breezy all day. Dad got over the corn lengthwise going twice in a row and has started going crosswise. Sunday July 12th We didn't get up till very late this morning but I managed to get down to church. Frank also went down to church and Sunday School. Before we finished dinner Mr. and Mrs. Jim Waddle came over and stayed all the after noon. It was very hot this morning but began to rain the middle of the after noon and cooled things off. It didn't rain very long nor extra heavy. Tupper and a bunch of fellows drove in out of the rain and ran their buggy in the shed. Dick was in bed all morning down town this afternoon and at church to-night. Frank went down town on his wheel for a little while to look at the debris over at the brickyard. There was no insurance on the buildings, the rate being to high to carry it. They don't know at all how it started. A cow and calf got in the wheat this after noon & Frank and Bluch had quite a time with them. Monday July 13th 93 �Dad. & Frank went down town first thing this morning in the waggon and as it was so muddy they took Dick down with them. They got the tank at the Widespread which Huby has had ready for them for the last week or two. It is just a mate for the one we have and we are going to put it at the end of this one and connect them with a pipe at the top. Huby and Lila came back with them. I did chores and set out cabbage plants all morning. Huby helped me when he came, we got out a lot in the garden. Dad. worked on the buckwheat ground till noon. After dinner I disked the rest of the buckwheat ground and Dad. harrowed. Huby took all the rest of the cabbage plants and set them out in the corn field where there are hills of corn missed. He didn't get them all out by to-night so I guess we will be well fixed for cabbages next winter. Frank worked all day cleaning up the wood shed and the shop. He got a ticket from the inspector to-day bearing the joyful tidings that he had failed on his examination. He failed on Spelling and Arithmetic and was way down on the total. The failure doesn't appear to sit very heavy on his mind and I don't think he will lose very many meals over it. Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting to-night. Cloudy and not hot. Tuesday July 14th We worked on the buckwheat ground most of the day. I disked & rolled and this after noon Dad. sowed with the broadcast seeder. I harrowed after him till he finished and then he took the harrows and finished. He got the four two bushels on the four acres but had to go over some of it twice to cover it. Enah Frank and Tiddums went down to the Sunday school picnic this afternoon. I went down after tea thinking there might be a dance but I saw Joe and he said they were going to have a little dance but some of them left and delayed it so long that Morley closed up the pavillion. I fooled around with Joe, we went for a little drive but it began to rain so we went down to the moving picture show, we saw {Hale?} Long just as we came out and I didn't get home till nearly midnight. I picked Dick up at the bank he was talking to Douglas who is going to leave them soon. Huby worked in the garden all morning and picked all the cherries. Pretty cloudy all day and rain to-night. Wednesday July 15th We didn't get a very early start this morning but I cut hay all day and have quite a chunk of the timothy down; I had to leave one corner to cut afterwards as it is bounded on two side by ditches which I couldn't go over. I quit mowing before six and raked up what I cut this morning as it was dry. There is one spot or two where the timothy is not bad but most of it is very short blue grass. Dad cultivated the corn with Joe this after noon. He didn't do too badly. Huby and Frank worked in the garden. Huby got a lot of red cabbages from {Stan?} 94 �and set them out. Mrs. McBride was here all day, washing and stoning the cherries which Huby picked yesterday. Jonas presented us with a lot of vegetables to-night. Old Maneer was through here on his way to Tupper's to look at the shed. Pretty hot. Lila was over all day. The sheep all got out of the orchard to-day and got in the wheat. Thursday July 16th I finished cutting the hay this morning and raked it up after dinner. Then I helped Huby and Frank cock up we got quite a bit of it up, it will be a light crop. Dad. cultivated corn all morning with Joe but she didn't behave very well so he took Belle as soon as I got through raking. The Simcoe band came down to-night and we all went down to hear them Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down and didn't stay very long but Frank and I walked and went in for as swim at Quanbury's on our way down. We went down to Huby's for a minute or so and he was the only one home. After the band quit we went over and watched the dance for awhile getting home about midnight. Hot with nice breeze. Friday Saturday July 17th Dad. cultivated corn all morning with Belle and Huby Frank and I cocked up hay. We got it all up but a few windrows. A big thunderstorm rolled in at noon but although there were some very close flashes of lightning and some beautiful cracks of thunder it didn't last long. It rained very hard for a few minutes but soon dried off. It was too wet to cock hay this after noon so Huby and Frank went back and fixed the fence where the cattle got into Ivey's last night. Dad. took Harry and I took Belle and we cultivated all the after noon. We didn't get a very early start or we would have finished. It has been cooler and breezy this afternoon. Saturday July 18th Dad. finished cultivating the corn this morning and went through the potatoes again. He also went through the potatoes in the old garden which are up enough to see. Huby and I thinned the turnips and Huby thinned the mangels and hoed some of the potatoes. This after noon we got the binder out and cut the wheat east of the orchard. It took quite awhile to get started but Dad. cut it by soon after six but it took the three of us Huby, Dad. & me till dark to shock it all up. It is a good crop with hardly a thistle in it. Frank cleaned the binder up this morning and has been hobnobbing around with old Jonas all the rest of the day. They went to Simcoe this after noon with Nellie & Jonas' old rattletrap of a democrat, and Frank got a hive and various apiary supplies. Lila was over all the after noon and Win most of the morning. It has been a nice day a little cloudy. 95 �Sunday July 19th Enah and I went to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school and church. Dick didn't get up till noon and then drove down town with me I went around and got Marj. Clarke and we had a very enjoyable drive When I got home Ed. was here and had been here all the after noon. Lovely day with nice breeze. Monday July 20th We put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and then had to chance the car over to the horse stable as that is where we want to put the timothy. It took us quite awhile to get ready so we only got in one load before dinner and didn't get it unloaded. We unloaded it after dinner but as we have to use the fork in the horse stable it took quite awhile. We got one more in and unloaded and then about four o'clock I drove Enah down. We went around to Miss Battersby and got a hanging lamp which Miss Battersby gave us. I went down to the station as Marj. told me she was going to-night but I found she had changed her mind. Dad. cut alsike from about six till I had my tea and then I cut till dark while Dad. did chores. Nice day pretty hot. Tuesday July 21st I set the alarm for half past three this morning and although I heard it go off was too sleepy to get up and stayed in bed till Dad. called me about five. I got out to the alsike field as soon as possible and cut till after seven, but there is still quite a bit to cut yet. We got started hauling hay as soon as we could after break fast and got two in before dinner. It took a long time to put on a load as the cocks are so far apart we have to chase all over the field to get enough to make a load. After dinner we got all the hay there was left which wasn't quite a load and got it unloaded by a little before four. Dad. then went out and started to cut the wheat north of the orchard. Huby and Frank helped him shock up and as there wasn't anything very pressing for me to doo Enah Tiddums and I drove down town. They went to see Elva and she went down and got some ice cream with them and I went down to the station to say goodbye to Marj. She & Bessy Perry went to-night. Quite a strong breeze to-day but hot. Wednesday July 22nd Dad. took the alarm clock last night and got me up soon after half past four and I went out and finished the alsike soon after eight. Dad. took Nellie Green & Joe and raked up what 96 �was cut yesterday. We didn't have breakfast till after nine so Dad didn't get much of the wheat cut before noon. We noticed this morning that for some reason the windmill although revolving was not pumping. We surmised that some of the rods were uncoupled so Frank took Nellie & the democrat and went down and got old Felix. He was here all the after noon and found the valve in the cylinder had gone out order but he put in a new one Dad. finished cutting the wheat this after noon and we put the binder back in the woodshed. Huby and I shocked up for a little while before dinner but helped old Felix all the after noon so most of the wheat has to be shocked up any way. Frank went over to John Wess to-night to see if he would like a little help to-morrow as from here it looks as if he had a lot of hay out, and we knew he had no man. He was cutting wheat and expected to be at it to-morrow but said a man would come in hadny the next day, so I guess I will go over. Frank has put in most of the day running errands. He drove Felix home to-night and Huby went down with them. Felix told us that Jack McCarty cut his throat this morning. He has been sick for quite awhile and I suppose it has left him in bad shape. The papers are giving very apalling accounts of the terrible damage being done by the army worms in the counties directly north of us. They say they have struck the O.A.C. at Guelph. Pretty hot today. Thursday July 23rd Dad. routed me out again this morning before five and I went out and raked up the alsike finishing about seven. Huby got over early and went right out to shock up wheat. Frank went out soon after to help him and Dad. to help them as soon as he could and I to help them as soon as I got through with my chores. It didn't take long to finish it up but we were hindered a little by the horses all getting out on the road, they ran up the lane and as both the stable doors had been left open ran right through on to the road. Luckily they didn't go far either way and we managed to head them off without a great deal of difficulty. Enah ran out to help us and left Tiddums in his bath. When Dad. came in afterwards he found him standing up in the tub filling one of his (Dad's) slippers with water. and pouring it all over himself. When we got the wheat shocked up we hooked up to go after a load off the other piece. Huby & Frank cleaned up the barn floor while Dad. and I were after a load. By the time we got the first load off the waggon it was raining quite a shower so we couldn't haul any more. I hooked Joe up to the buggy and Huby and I drove down to see old Felix as the windmill was working again this morning without pumping and we thought the sucker must be again out of order. Felix said it would kill him to go out in the rain but that we could fix it any way. He said some of the scales off the inside of the pipe end jerked down and got 97 �underneath the valve and all it needed was a pail of water poured down the pipe. We tried it and sure enough the old coon was right. Huby had some insurance to do so didn't come back with me. This after noon Dad. took Belle and cultivated the potatoes in the field and garden. I cut the weeds around the wheat field we last cut. About four o'clock Dad. thought it was dry enough to haul wheat so we got started in about an hour after a load. We just got it unloaded by six but went out and got another and left it on the barn floor. Harry Harding was over for awhile to see Dad. but he couldn't stay long as his mother is in very bad shape and he didn't like to be away from her for very long at a time. Allan Law came in for a little while to see if he could borrow the manure spreader to-morrow. Frank rode down town tonight to get the mail and Huby told him that he didn't finish his insurance so wouldn't be able to be over to-morrow morning so I won't be able to go over and help John Wess as we have to get our own wheat in first of all. Cloudy but hot after the rain. Friday July 24th Frank rode over first thing to tell John Wess that I wouldn't be able to be over. He said that Crysler's man helped him yester day and was going to again to-day, and if he wanted me to-morrow he would come over, but Allan Law was in this morning to get the spreader and he said he was going to take John Wess a man to-night. We unloaded the load on the waggon as soon as we could get started after breakfast but only got in two before dinner. However we cleaned the one field. Tupper came in for awhile to ask us to bring back his cultivator and just as he was leaving he broke the cross bar on his buggy and had to borrow our shaftues. Zeitha Barwell came over for a little while to see if she and Mr. Crooker could come over this evening and practice som songs for the concert as they want Enah to play for them. We got in two loads off the other field this after noon. We got a late start and quit at five to have tea but unloaded a load after tea. Frank and I went down to Quanbury's for a swim - and Frank went on down and got them mail. When I got home Zeith, Miss Wimmer and Mr. Crooker were here Zeitha and Mr. Crooker were practicing with Enah while Verdi. was looking after Tiddums. He took her all over the place and enjoyed himself immensely. Old Jonas had Nellie to-day and sent her home with young Mertland one of his boarders kids who isn't bigger than a skinned minute and he let her come in the lane on the run and ran smash into the cutter in the drive house. I don't think he broke anything but I told him to tell Mr. Jonas to come after the mare and bring him home himself after this. As soon as we could get ready we left for Mrs.Scofield's where Aunty Maude and Ada were having a party although I felt much more like going to bed. Dad. stayed home to mind Tiddums but Enah Frank and I went Zeitha went with us to the party, but the other two didn't go. Frank didn't 98 �stay very long as Huby had to play bridge instead of spending the evening with Frank as he had wanted to. All the older people played cards but there was just a nice bunch to dance. They were nearly all strangers to me but I had a good time although it was awfully hot. Enah and I got home about three o'clock. Pretty hot. Thursday Saturday July 25th I woke up very suddenly this morning about five o'clock by having the two dogs barking and on investigation found two or three of Vyse's lambs in the garden. Dad. was out and was just getting them out. When I came to my senses I found I felt very rotten and had quite a bad pain. I went to sleep again for a little while and my pain got better but I still felt pretty miserable and haven't done any thing much all day although I felt better this after noon. I don't know what ailed me. all my bones seemed to ache and it hurt to take a long breath. Huby got over about nine o'clock. He said last night that his foot hurt him all day yesterday but he got a new pair of shoes and it isn't so bad to-day. He Dad. and Frank hauled in the rest of the wheat and I helped mow it away - we finished it up before five. They got in four loads. We then went out to get a load of alsike. Huby and Frank bunched up enough to make a load and Dad. pitched it on to me. It was very short and it took us till after six to put on a load and it wasn't a big one. My back got pretty tired. To-night Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down town. Dad. got his nearly semi-annual crop of hair reaped and Enah and Tiddums went to Cousin Clare's. Frank rode down to the moving picture show. Dick didn't come home to-night and we suppose he went to Turkey Point with Hazen in the "Lake fly". They intended going up there to-night and stay at Tip Varey's cottage and then go across to Long Point and home to-morrow. Joe & {Hali"} Long were going in the "Pilot". We thought there would be quite a sea on as there was quite a strong South West wind. The last report of the army worm is that they have gone to camp at Niagara. I neglected to say that yesterday was my birthday and that I received handsome gifts, letters and good wishes from all members of the family. Breezy. Sunday July 26th I didn't get up till very late this morning and haven't been off the place all day. I just chored around slept & read and to-night wrote a letter to Aunty & Aunty Alice and another to Roy. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and has been riding around on his wheel the rest of the day. He went to the stump for a swim to-night. Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove over to John Wess McBride's this morning before Tid. has his morning sleep and he hasn't slept a wink all day. Dad. tried to have a sleep this after noon but Tiddums 99 �wouldn't allow it. Dad. and Enah wanted to go down to the Methodist Church to hear Mr. Crooker sing but Tiddums wouldn't go to sleep and was inclined to be cranky so they didn't go. Dick got home late to-night burned to a crisp. I guess he didn't enjoy his sail as much as he expected. He and Hazen didnt get out of the boat till Sunday Morning and they left here at six o'clock Saturday night but there was no wind. They went over to Ryerson's Island where Joe & Hal. Long joined them and they went in for a swim. They saw Quint & George Hamaker over there. They had a good sail home they left at twelve and got here about two o'clock. Poor old A.M. Todd formerly of the "Maple Leaf" died to-day of heart failure while in bathing in the lake. They didn't find his body till about three hours afterwards when some people happened to run into it. Nobody missed him. Fair day. Monday July 27th We unloade the load of alsike we had on and got in one more and unloaded it before dinner. We got out right after dinner and managed to get in three by half past six. It is very slow stuff to handle it is so heavey & short and loose. Huby and Frank bunched up the first load, and then Frank bunched all the rest up this after noon. Frank Odd. came for Dad. while we were at dinner to go and see one of Flemming's horses so Huby and Frank pitched on after dinner till Dad. got back. Enah went down town this after noon to practice in the hall with some of the ones at the concert. Mr. Johnson brought Lila. Tiddums & her home at six. Lila and Tiddums stayed but Enah went back. Huby went down with them. She left word that Mr. Crooker never showed up and that Murray was coming up on the evening train and she wanted to practice with each of them. She got home about eleven and said that Murray didn't come and Mr. Crooker couldn't be found any where. She forgot and left today's paper down town but Lila says it reported bloodshed in Ireland. Cool and pretty breezy all day. We thought at noon we would get a rain but it seems to have passed over. Tuesday July 28th Huby didn't get over this morning as he had some insurance to look after but Dad. & I got in what was left of the alsike alone and Frank helped mowed it away. There was just one full load and a half of one. We left it on the waggon as it was half past twelve when we got in with it. This after noon we ground a mower knife and I got a few rounds cut in the blue grass and weeds this side of the gully while Dad. and Frank hoed some of the potatoes in the old garden. Dad. quit at five and I quit soon after so that he could get ready in plenty of tim for the concert. Billy Barwell came over at noon with some music for Enah to practice for the concert and he played around with Frank for quite awhile. Later Tuppy Fick brought Huby, 100 �Lila and Aunty Maude over in his car. Huby & Lila stayed and Aunty Maude took the musick back for Murray to practice. Huby went out and piled up the marsh grass we left out in the timothy sod to make duck hides. He thinks there will be lots of ducks next fall with the corn and buckwheat so near. When he got through Tuppy came back and got him. Tonight Dad. & Enah went to the church concert and Frank Lila & I stayed home with Tiddums. He went to sleep before they left and didn't wake up at all while they were gone. Dad. said he enjoyed the singing and playing of Zeitha, Miss Prest & Mr. Crooker very much and Pursell for his class, but the rest he didn't care for at all. Cloudy and cool all day and quite cold to-night. Nor'east wind. Wednesday July 29th Dad. & I hooked up Belle this morning and drove up to Bickler's. Dad. was never in there before but we found it to be a beautiful farm of 800 acres with the buildings set in a grove of natural timber a half a mile in from the road. It was gettin on to noon when we left there but we drove over to Dunkin's. He was down at a picnic at Port Ryersie so the young fellow told us so we went down there and saw him. He has had pretty rough luck again this year. He was sick all spring and nearly died and the young fellow had so much to look after that he lost five of his crop of eight lambs and the ones he has left don't look anything extra. He hasn't ours registered yet but is going to see about it as soon as he can. We heard several reports of the army worms on the radical road but didn't see any. Fred. Warren told us they were thick in all the pea fields but didn't seem to be doing any damage so we came to the conclusion they weren't the genuine army worm as they didn't seem to be anywhere but in the peas. Innes said they were the real thing and wouldn't take the peas green but will buy them thrashed. We got home about two o'clock. After we had our dinner I went out and cut a little more hay with Joe & Harry and Dad. cultivated corn & potatoes with Belle. Frank picked raspberries for Ivey this morning and helped Huby hoe potatoes this after noon. Mrs. McBride was here all day and looked after Tiddums this after noon while Enah took old Nellie and went to the Methodist Bazaar. Jonas sent a couple of kids after Nellie. He never said anything about wanting her to-day so he had to wait till Enah got back. Cool & windy no sign of rain. Thursday July 30th I cut hay all morning and nearly finished the piece I went out after dinner and only got a few rounds cut when the rivets came out of the pitman rod and it came loose so I had to quit mowing. I hooked on to the rake and raked for the remainder of the after noon but didn't 101 �get over it all. Dad cultivated corn all day. Huby didn't get over till noon and he burn a lot of worms nests in the trees. Frank and he hoed some thistles in the corn and potatoes and started to cock up hay but Enah called to them that the old sow was out and she got way down the road with all the little ones and it took them a long time to round her up, so they didn't get much hay cocked. They saw some fellows on the road who told them that the army worms were on Charlie Dixon's & Charlie Clalland's places and were skinning the oats; that is a Charlie Dixon who lives way out Black Creek on the fourth concession. John Wes. came over this forenoon to see if he could rent the manure spreader but Dad told him he would lend it to him, so he came over after dinner and got it. Tonight Frank went down to the moving picture show with Roy Bannister. An automobile came in after dark to-night and I think Dad. is holding a post mortem on a dog or something I don't know who the people are except their names are Simpson from Toronto. According to to-days reports nothing short of a miracle can prevent a general war in Europe. Austria has all ready declared war with Servia and Belgrade is taken. Russia is mobilizing an inormous army to support Servia and Germany. Britain and France are all beginning to squirm. Cool, cloudy day. Friday July 31st We spent quite awhile this morning watching Dad. operate on the dead dog. In daylight he found the left side of it full of shot and dug eleven no. 5 shot out of its hind leg. They had gone right through the flesh but didn't come through the skin. He then opened it and found a shot in its lungs and all through it so came to the conclusion that whoever shot it carried it to the lake and threw it in as that is where it was found dead. He thought it must have been fired at from close range but when Huby came he said a full choke gun would make the same pattern at forty yards. Huby didn't get over till quite late this morning as he didn't wake up and we didn't get out in the field till nearly ten o'clock. Frank took the pitman rod down and got Joe Howell to rivet it. The rest of us cocked up till he got back. Then I finished mowing before dinner. This after noon I finished raking about three o'clock - and then went out and cocked up with the rest of them. We didn't quite finish. Frank went over to John Wes's after dinner and brought Bluch home. He followed John Wes. home with the spreader yesterday and stayed all night. Jonas sent another hoach of kids after his mare again today and they chased her all over the field and then had to get Frank to help them so Dad. gave Jonas beans when he brought her home to-night. John Watts was in for a few minutes tonight to ask Dad. about a cow or some thing. Cool & breezy with a few clouds Frank went down after the paper to-night and went to tell Mr. Simpson about his dog. He has Aikens on the trail. 102 �Saturday August 1st Dad. and I put off the half load of alsike which was on the waggon and changed the car and pulleys from the barn to the horse stable it didn't take us very long as we didnt take any of the pulleys off the ropes Frank and Huby cocked up till we got out in the field and then Huby helped Dad. pitch on a load and Frank finished cocking up this afternoon we got one load in before dinner and three in this after noon but hauled the last one in on the barn floor and left it. We couldn't haul full loads as we had to use the slings and too big a lift wouldn't go in the doors but we got in some pretty good sized ones. I drove down town to-night with Huby to get provisions and the town was so full and the stores so crowded that I didn't get home till late. Frank went down on his wheel to see Professor Atkinson do some stunts in the town hall but I guess the show didnt ammount to much. Huby and I are planning a trip to-morrow to go and see Dr. McInnes about growing ginseng and come home by way of Billington's. It has been breezy and not hot all day. We need a rain very much everything is drying up and if it doesn't come soon it will be too late when it does come. Sunday August 2nd I got down to Huby's about nine o'clock and he was already to start but it took us quite awhile to get what we wanted to take loaded in the buggy. We had to take our lunch and several other things. Quint came home last night and he said he would like to accompany us so Huby fixed a seat in front of the dashboard for him so we didn't have to hold him on our knees. We let Joe take it easy as the sun was hot and the flys were bad and we made quite a load. Huby found Dr. Macinnes in his office in Vittoria and he told him quite a lot about Ginseng. He said that there never was a better market price for the roots as there is now and he thought that anybody starting in now would be independent in ten years. He had none of it there to show us as he grows it all on his farm four miles west of Vittoria, but he invited us to go up there - and wrote to his man introducing us. He told us where to find it if the man was not at home and said to put the horse in and feed her. We went up, it seemed like a long drive through about the most barrenest looking country I ever saw although Huby said there was worse in other spots. When we got there we found the man was not at home so did as the doctor told us and put Joe in. The Ginseng gardens were in plain sight and all in lattice work houses or sheds they have to be grown in the shade so he has these sheds built of pickets and clothes which lets in all the air but which keeps out most of the sunlight. It is as near like a forest as could be built. He must have had nearly an acre under cover like this and all the beds were full but the plants were not all the same age some just seedlings and others eighteen inches high. We took a good look around and then 103 �went over to the well to eat our lunch. There were fully a million half starved and half grown chickens beseiging us the whole time and we couldnt lay a piece of bread down for a minute but they would seize it and run off with it. It was very annoying and Huby felt very much like catching a couple biting their necks and broiling them. We left right after we had our lunch for Billington's but it was about two o'clock then. We got a little mixed up with the roads and went quite a bit out of our way, but got to Billington's about four or soon after. They were very glad to see Huby. We stayed there to tea and till after nine visiting. Before it got dark I took some pictures of the bunch and fooled around the creek. Huby and Quint spent most of the time in its vicinity but didn't have extra good luck. We got home about midnight it was moonlight but very chilly. It hasn't been at all hot all day and this after noon it rained a shower but there wasn't enough to do any harm or good. Monday August 3rd We hauled in all the rest of the hay off that field to-day. It took us all day and there were just five loads. We put four of them in the horse stable loft and left one on the old barn floor for the bull. Huby and Dad pitched one, I loaded and Huby and Frank mowed away. Frank spent most of the time between loads fixing the boiler pipe which Rus Lampkins brought down for the sink from the pump to the orchard fence to carry water to the calves and sheep in the orchard. Dad is not at all in favor of the scheme as he says Frank can't make it work and it blocks his path to the pig pen, but Frank is undaunted and has it nearly carrying water. Pretty hot to-day. Tuesday August 4th Huby didn't come over at all to-day, he had some insurance to look after and spent the rest of the day working around his own garden. Dad. and Frank went back this morning to fix the line fence between John Wes. and us as the cows got it last night and broke it down and tramped through his oats & buckwheat and ate up his beans. John Wes. came back with the spreader while they were gone and when I told him he just laughed and said such things would happen. They didn't get back till noon. I cut weeds while they were gone. This after noon Dad cultivated corn and Frank and I started to hoe the potatoes. Harry Harding came over and I went back to the gully with him to look at the horses and cattle. It was getting on to five when we got back and then I drove him down town and got some provisions. Dad. quit early. He and Enah went out to the Shand's last night and invited them all over here tonight for some music. Mr. Crooker, Zeitha, Verdi, Wimmer all came over and Mr. Johnson brought Aunty Maude. Win & Lila and Nora Cunningham over in his car. Dick also managed 104 �to get home, and all the Shands came so we had a very pleasant evening. Not hot to-day. Quite cold to-night. Wednesday August 5th {Harry Barrett (Toby's father) wrote the following entry and much of August 12.} We were up about the usual time after our night of song. I cultivated corn all day and the boys hoed all the weeds and thistles out that the cultivator missed Wednesday August 12th For a whole week this interesting and valuable record has been missed owing to an accumulation of circumstances, the terrible war being the chief upsetting cause for after reading the paper Toby had no time to make entries in this, he wanted to go down to get his hair cut tonight to I said I would do my best to write the doings of the past week. I think we began hauling out manure on the 4 acres we had sowed with Buckwheat on Thursday 6th and we hauled until Saturday noon. We then got the binder out and cut the oats in the old well field, it was a nice crop but the weather is and has been so dry that the grain was very light. Hubert and Frank cobbled up the fence around the hog yard on Friday and Saturday forenoon, Saturday afternoon they all shocked up oats. Sunday Morning Toby drove down to church, had dinner at Huberts and he and Hubert went up to {illegible} Hooleys in the after noon, Frank was at S.S. and church. Dick did not get up until noon. Hattie intended going to church but did not feel very well in the morning so did not go as she had to go down in the evining to play for Mr Crooker who sang a solo. I went down also in the evening there were very few in church a young student tried to preach. It was a very hot day and looked a little like a thunder storm. On Monday I had to go and load the binder on the truck the first thing Frank went with me, after bringing it in I went and got the roller and put it in, Hubert worked at the Hog fence, and Toby at the fence around the orchard to keep his chickens in. I brought up the old hay {illegible} valves and Frank has been taking it to pieces. Monday afternoon we all worked at the sheep for some time separating them so as to try and mark them for {resist....?} it actually rained quite a shower Monday evening and laid the dust. On Tuesday morning we marked the lambs, Hubert worked at his fence. In the afternoon Toby and I hauled out manure. It was quite cool at night. This morning, Wednesday we took {Toby resumed writing the diary at this point.} the binder back over the gully to cut the oats. We didn't get started very early either in the morning or after dinner so didn't finish to-night. Frank and I shocked up but we didn't get it all up either as 105 �we didn't work very hard. The oats are so rusted that they are all bent flat and there is nothing whatever in them. To-night Frank and I drove down town I got my hair cut and Frank got a pair of boots. On our way down we got started on the approach to the bridge before we saw a team on the bridge and we had to back up. Joe got a little impatient and hacked accross the road and got herl hind legs down a nasty hole between the bank and the sidewalk but didn't hurt herself. We saw Huby down town and he told us he had more insurance to look after tomorrow so couldn't come over again. He says his leg is bad again even worse as it hurts him now. Chris Quanbury asked us if two of us could come over to Martin's and help them thrash. It looked a little like rain to-day but didn't. Thursday August 13th We went back this morning and finished cutting and shocking up the oats just at noon but by the time we got up to the house and had dinner and put the binder in winter quarters it was pretty late and soon after dinner we saw the thrashing out fit coming around the hill so Dad. and I went over to Martins. They didn't get started thrashing till after four but we finished up about six. Their wheat only turned out about 20 bushels to the acre both Charlie's and Jack's. Neither one of them was there. Chris. was running things. The machine was out side and they put the straw in the barn. Dad. and I carried away. Cousin Clare was here all the after noon and stayed all night. One of us will have to go and help Flemming thrash to-morrow. It has been rather cloudy and threatening all day and to-night it did rain quite a shower and thundered quite a lot. It still looks very black. Friday August 14th There was a very hard thunder shower after we went to bed last night and every thing was pretty wet this morning but it has been windy and sunny all day so the mud is about dried up. We needed the rain very badly and it will likely do a lot of good to the corn roots and late sowed potatoes, but we could stand a lot more of it. Dad. had an early breakfast and got down to Flemming's about seven. He only thrashed his wheat and a load of oats so they finished at noon. Dad. said the wheat didn't turn out very well but the oats weren't so bad. I just did chores this morning and wrote in this and made a new milk record card and tacked it up in the cow stable. Frank and I looked at the bees and put in three frames which had full sheets of foundation in, in place of three which they hadn't worked on at all. We just took them from the super and put them in the lower hive. I got stung for the first time. We didn't do anything much right after dinner. Frank went down and got the paper but there wasn't anything startling in it. They don't know where the British Army is at all Kitchener is keeping 106 �its whereabouts strictly secret. The first decoration for gallantry was awarded to a French lieutenant of dragoons who had the Cross of the Legion of Honor confered upon him for doing what he would have been guillotined for a month ago. Such incidents do make war look horribly foolish. Dad. and I went out to look at the potatoes in the field to see if the wire worms were in them at all but we couldn't find any. They promise to be a fair crop for this year. When we came in we took the team and went down to Uncle Ward's and got a load of shingles. It was six o'clock when we got home. To-night Cousin Clare and Enah have gone over to see Mrs. Battersby and Frank has gone down town with Roy Bannister Lila is over here for all night. Frank went over to see Mrs. McPherson and her bees this after noon and got stung too. Like every one else's hers have made very little honney this year. Saturday August 15th We chored around about half the morning and then went out and straightened the oat shocks up a little, some of them were pretty wet and one or two heads had sprouted. We then came in and put the load of hay off that was on the rack before dinner Frank mowed it nearly all away in by Dreadnought's stall. He also unloaded our load of shingles while Dad. was examining the refrigerator, it was leaking and we didn't know what caused it but Dad. found the overflow pipe was blocked up. Frank went down and got the paper right after dinner and Dad. went to sleep. He has been saying so long how much he would like to take a sleep so we let him go till Tiddums came in about half past three and woke him up. We then went out and hauled out five loads of manure before tea. Frank hoed the potatoes in the old garden, and I helped him between loads. We got the buckwheat ground all covered. Bob. Davis & Jonas came in to-night while we were at tea with "Golden Crown". Enah drove Cousin Clare and Lila home after tea. Very windy. Sunday August 16th We didn't get up till late this morning, but Enah and I went to church. Frank went to church and Sunday school. Mr. Leigh preached he is from Courtright and Enah knew him when she was there. This after noon I read "The Lady of the Lake." Dad. Tiddums & Enah slept. Dick went down town and Frank rode out to Teeple's woods to see a lot of bees that some fellow from Simcoe has there. He didn't see the owner and Teeple's told him he had taken a lot away. Sam Law came in this morning to say he was going to thrash his oats out of the field to-morrow if it didn't rain and wanted us and our team and waggon, so I guess we will take a load of our oats over and thrash them. It rained a little this after noon and has been cool & cloudy. 107 �Monday August 17th It was raining when I got up this morning but didn't last long but it was too wet to thrash oats out of the field so after breakfast I went out and disked up most of the buckwheat ground. I got over the part where the buckwheat is the thickest. The buckwheat won't ammount to any thing now as only a little of it came up on the knolls and we are going to work it in and put wheat on it. Dad. spent the forenoon I think writing to Aunty. Tupper was in to see if we wanted to haul stone for road work but I guess Dad will pay it. I went over to Sam's at one o'clock and helped them thrash their wheat out, and Frank and Dad. came over with the team and rack to haul oats. They had three teams, ours and two of their own and three waggons, ours, Art Ryersies and theirs. Dad. and I each hauled in and Art. pitched on to us. Frank helped a little, while Bert Munro & Al. Martin pitched off the load standing. They had poor Skinner Manning and Douglas the Scotchman on the stack. Skinner says it is the last stack he is going to work on. The oats were very light. There were 830 bushels of oats and 66 of wheat. We all three stayed over there to tea. Huby came up creek in the boat and walked up here but Enah said he didn't feel very well he rode back as far as Sam's with Ham Thompson who was coming down to see Dad. His old mare was kicked by Frank Mar's horse and had her leg broken. Dad. told him to shoot her. The Japs have sent an ultimatum to Germany now giving them orders to get their cruisers out of the Far East. Pretty hot to-day and lightening a lot to-night. Tuesday August 18th Just as we got ready for bed to-night a terrific thunder storm broke on us. Dick just got home in time. There was an almost steady flicker of vivid lightening although there were no ear breaking thunder claps, but the rain came down by the barrell. The wind was so strong that it sounded like hail battering at the west side of the house. It was still raining when I got up this morning but was not so boisterous about it. It rained off and on all morning and has been very hot and sultry all day. It is thundering again to-night and seems to be shaping for another round. I drove Dad. down right after breakfast and got some groceries. I went down to Joe Howell's to have Joe shod, but he had a team to shoe all around so I didn't wait. When I got home Dad. drove down to the mill and got a bag of flour. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's with his two roosters which I have had over here since last spring. I spent the rest of the day building a trap nest according to instructions I read. Dad. put the cloak shelf up in the kitchen and Frank has been prowling around with his bee book looking for enlightenment on several subjects pertaining to bees. To-night I drove Dad. down to a school board meeting and got the mail. Mr. Flemming was in this after noon to have Dad. 108 �look at his horses mouth as she didn't eat right. Dad. found a great big piece of wood wedged in some way. Wednesday August 19th Last night we had a repetition of night before last's storm with more and heavier thunder. Dad. came home in it and got soaked. The school board are in trouble again. The debentures haven't been sold yet and they are afraid there will be difficulty in disposing of them now on account of the war. Secord is going to quit work on the school if they don't pay him. It rained a little more this morning but has been sunny with a fresh breeze all the after noon but very sultry and muggy before noon. This morning Dad. drove over after Mrs. McBride who has been here washing and ironing all day while I cut wood and then we both drove down town. Dad went and saw Mr. Smith to consult with him on the advisability of keeping Frank out of school till the hot weather is over as Aunty suggested. Mr. Smith thought it would be a good idea, so I guess Dad. will let him if he doesn't object. This after noon Enah took Nellie and drove down town to visit Cousin Clare and others and Mrs. McBride minded Tiddums. Dad. & I took the plow back to the alsike stubble and plowed all the after noon. I made a couple of strike outs my first ones and they certainly looked like it. Frank came back and joined us after a while Dad. went up about half past five to milk and I plowed till after six. Thursday August 20th It began to rain soon after breakfast this morning and rained steadily and quite heavily till after dinner it then cleared up for the rest of the day but it doesn't act as if it was through with us yet. I read all morning, the last bulletin from the Department of Agriculture on Lightening Rods. Frank studied his bee book and Dad minded Tiddums and slept. A fellow drove in to see if he could sell us oil wholesale but he couldn't so didn't stay long. This after noon Frank and I took Joe down to Joe Howell's and had her shod. Frank stopped in at Uncle Ward's on his way home to see how his vice was attached to his bench and was in there about half an hour. We got home a little before five. I looked over the paper and then carried Tiddums back to where Dad. was plowing and from there to the gully. We got back about six. Dad. plowed all the after noon. Friday August 21st It rained hard again during the night but has been sunny and windy all day and to-night the sky looks clear and it is cooler. Dad. plowed all morning and Frank and I tidied up a little 109 �around the yard in the vicinity of the woodshed and shop. This after noon Frank drove Enah and Tiddums down town to go visiting and brought Uncle Ward. back with him as he had some tools he wanted to sharpen on our grindstone and Frank turned it for him. As Jonas wanted Nellie at three o'clock I had to drive down before tea and get Enah and Tiddums who was getting homesick. Uncle Ward. wouldn't stay to tea so I took him home. Dad. and I spen the after noon turning the oats We turned every shock as far as we went but didn't finish. The ones that stood up weren't very wet but there weren't many that were left standing and the down ones were very wet and some of them sprouted. I had to help Dad. milk to-night and it was very late when we got through. We tried to get John into the stancions and nearly had her in when Tige commenced to bark at the Shand boys coming in and frightened her out. Whit Dixon came over this morning and Dad. let him have her calf and she has been bawling for it all the after noon. Dad. says he feels like a traitor as John. went back this morning without her calf thinking it was safe up here and when he, Frank and Whit surrounded it, it was all alone. It was watching Whit thinking (so Dad says) that he (Dad) would protect it when he came up from behind & grabbed it. To-day's paper says that the war is commencing now in earnest and the Germans now occupy Brussels. They, the Canadian Government, have put a war tax on Sugar Coffee Tobacco & liquors. so Dad thinks he will have to quit smoking. Huby left to-night for Toronto. Saturday August 22nd Dad. plowed all day and got in a good day Frank and I took a look at the bees first thing and then I went out and finished turning the oats which took me till noon. This after noon I put in cutting weeds along the fence bottoms & in the old garden, and to-night feel a great admiration for the pioneers who would swing a scythe all day and carouse all night. I don't wonder a lot of whisky was consumed in those days although I got along without even any water. Frank worked around up at the house all day. Winnie, Lila and Miss Leigh where here to dinner. This was the day of the Great Boughner Picnic which this year assembled in Simcoe, it is the first time they went out of Dover this wouldn't {happen} now only they got every inducement from the Simcoe people to come there while other years Dover has soaked them for all they could get out of them. A lot of cheap sports down town here got up another picnic to-day in opposition and made arrangements with Buck to get the Park free. They got out bills and put them all over the country they say advertising it as being formerly the Boughner Picnic but the Boughners threatened to take action against them and they had to around and collect all their posters. I guess they didn't get much of a crowd. The Toronto regiments got a sudden order to go from Long Branch to Valcartier and 110 �they all left to-day. Aunty told us in her letter that Fred. McDonald is with the 48th Highlanders and Elva told Enah that Byron Johnson belongs to the signal corps of the Chatam regiment. Dick is wishing he was old enough to enlist. I don't know but that I would if I were in his place but I think untill conditions develop more and the odds are against Britain, the Canadian farmer is of as much importance as the soldier, as they cant fight on empty stomachs, and Canada is where they are looking for their bread & butter, but I'm good & ready to scrap when they do need me. It has been pretty hot to-day, but looks fair. Sunday August 23rd Enah & Dad. went to church this morning and Frank went to Sunday school & church. I stayed home to watch Tiddums. He woke up before they got home and I took him back to the gully and woods where appeared to enjoy himself. Dick stayed in bed till noon and went down town after dinner. This afternoon Dad. Enah & Tiddums drove out to the Shand's and got back just before it began to rain. I got two or three mushrooms back in the gully this morning so Frank went back this after noon to see if he could find any. He came back with about a peck of them. I read, slept and cursed flies all the after noon till Frank came home and fixed a fly net over me which was a great protection. Huby got home last night - and I guess had a good time and saw everybody he knew either by lucky chance or by a premeditated call. He said Rus. Skey took him into the private office and talked for an hour. He is crazy to go to the war as an assistant army surgeon but they won't take him. Huby told Dad. & Enah that Vernon said we could all go down there any time and stay as long as we liked and that we could go in a body or by installments and that if Quint was home for him to go too. It has been very hot and a big thunderstorm came up this after noon. It poured rain for a few minutes and hasn't cleared off yet. Monday August 24th It rained hard again during the night but has been cool and windy all day and feels as if it had cleared up. We all got up pretty early and Dad. got a good fore-noon's plowing done. I cleaned out the separator and cut a little wood and before dinner went out to see if the oats were ready to be turned again as yesterday's wind knocked a lot of them down but they hadn't dried out quite enough on the outside. Frank spent most of the morning down town with Nellie, he got some groceries and then took Nellie down and let Lila drive Mr. & Mrs. Leigh over to dinner - and he waited down and got the mail. Early this morning he went back to the gully and got a nice lot of mushrooms. This after noon we didn't get out so early as Dad. wanted to talk to Mr. & Mrs. Leigh for awhile after dinner. He went back and struck 111 �out a couple of lands and then I came back and plowed around them and left three or four furrows on each for him to finish up. He came back about half past five and plowed till six. In the meantime he fixed at the pig yard fence to try & keep the little fellows in as they have been running all over the place and to-day took to roving on to Martin's domains and helping themselves to his chicken food. Dad. didn't finish the job but thinks it efficient as far as he has gone. Tuesday August 25th We hooked up Belle to the buggy this and I called for Huby about eight o'clock. We drove up to Bickler's again. We stopped in at Andrew Smith's but he was not at home Bickler's weren't home either but the man was and we went over to see Bickler as he was on another farm he has bought just south of Vittoria. We had a fine drive and got home about one. Dad. tried to plow this morning with Joe and Harry but had a terrible time as Joe acted very mean so he was glad enough to have Belle back this afternoon. Frank spent the after noo morning fixing the rest of the pig fence. After dinner Frank and I started to turn out all the oats in this field but got about half done when Mr. Morgan came to see the English Wallnut trees and we didn't get any more done that day, but Frank & I hauled up a load of rails with Harry and Belle as Dad. quit early. To night Dad. & Enah went down to a musical at Mrs. Hobbes and Frank and I stayed home to watch Tiddums. Quite cold this morning and cool all day. Wednesday August 26th We didn't get up very early this morning and Jim Bannister came over to get Dad. to go over and see a sick cow he has. She wouldn't eat last night or this morning and can't get up. Dad. went over and said he was afraid she was going to die. We got one load of oats in before dinner and three after and there is still a load out there. To-night I went down and joined a surprise party which they had for Verdy Wimmer who is going away next week to train for a nurse. There was quite a bunch and we went up there and played pedro all evening. I have never learned anything about the pesky game yet but I had a rattling good time just the same. I went up to the bandroom and found several practicing up there for to-morrow. Harry Moon told me the other day they were going to have a flag day Thursday but I didn't know they were going to practice for it. Cloudy and cool. Thursday August 27th 112 �I helped Dad. & Frank to get the load of oats off which we left on the barn floor and then got ready to go down town at half past ten. Jim Bannister's cow died so Dad. went over to hold a post mortem on her but could find nothing abnormal except an enlarged gall bladder. I went down to Huby's first thing to see if he could come over and help get in the rest of the oats but he didn't seem to feel very well but went over after dinner. Verdy Wimmer nailed me to buy a flag just as I was going into Huby's and I had to buy another from Pansy Fischer before I got up town, however they did me for the day although they were both sold again before the day was over. I was up at the bandroom on time but nobody else was we had to wait about an hour before the float appeared and it was then to late to meet the eleven o'clock train as we intended. Harry Moon had been working hard all morning and he and Jack Ivey I had Johnny Walker's dray all rigged up fin with flags and flowers and drawn by four horses. They had Al. Faulkner's spotted team on the lead and Johnny Walker's team on for wheelers but they had to have two drivers. Anyway they toated the band all over town all day and we played all the patriotic tunes we could find.. They had all the pretty girls in town pretty nearly riding on the a running board around the dray where it was easy for them to jump on and off selling flags. They sold all their flags early in the day and had to make a lot of little tricolored bows and sell flowers which Ivey gave them. We came over Prosper Hill here where they collected over thirty dollars mostly from Mrs. Battersby and Jack Martin, we also went over Brant hill I stayed to Huby's for dinner and went home for supper and didn't go down to the dance after dinner tea. The girls were going to sell flowers over at the dance but I guess most of them were pretty tired as they were on the go all day. They got a little over two hundred and fifty dollars. It will be sent to the patriotic fund for the releif of the wives of soldiers gone to the front. Dad. & Frank got the rest of the oats of the front field in and Huby came over to help them after dinner but they found the oats over the gully to be soaking wet so they turned a load out and left them. Dad. plowed for about an hour and Huby Frank and Lila hunted mushrooms. Very cloudy and threatening all day & cool. Friday August 28th Dad. went over first thing this morning to see John Quanbury's cow which has been taken sick the same way Jim Bannister's was and has been running in the same pasture Dad. says it is going to die but doesn't know what is the matter with it. I cut a little lawn and Frank and I pitched of the few sheaves while he was gone - and then we took the rack back over the gully. We all turned out for awhile and then Frank finished up and Dad & I put on a load. We got one load on before dinner. This afternoon we hauled three in and left a couple out there. 113 �We threw them up on top the alsike. To-night Enah had to go down to choir practice as Topsy asked her to play for her while she is in Toronto so I drove her down. We called for Miss Draton who was waiting for us at the gate of Mrs. Battersby. It was drizzling when we went down and was raining quite hard when we got home It rained very hard during the night. Saturday August 29th It rained a good part of the morning. Dad. went over to Billy Lewis' as he couldnt do anything else and the old man came over after him last night to see a sick heifer. He stopped in at Shand's on his way home and was there till after noon.They were weighing up all their stock. This after noon Charlie Quanbury came over after him to go and take a last look at their cow. She was better last night and this morning but before dinner took a turn for the worse and is on her last legs. Dad. couldn't imagine what was the matter with her. He got some new veterinary down from Simcoe and he happened to have the inspector with him so they both came down, they said it must be Anthrax the germs of which have come in with a lot of chickens Jack Martin has just bought from some fellow on the other side, but Dad. says he doesn't think it is that because the eggs or whatever it comes from wouldn't have had time to develop yet. He says if it is that, that likely all the cattle on this place will be infected through him and no telling where it will end. I didn't do anything much all day except write part of a letter to Uncle Hal. Tom. Abbot brought Mrs. McBride over after dinner and Frank and I took her down as far as Preston's orchard to-night. We intended driving on down town but just as I cramped the buggy off for Mrs. McBride to get out Joe gave a quick switch around and brought the wheel up against the bed of the buggy and the shaft broke at the curve. It held enough to pull me home but I didn't like to go down town so Frank walked down and got Dad's tobacco. Cloudy and cool all day. Sunday August 30th Dad. and Enah drove down to church this morning after we had fixed a good whipple tree to a good pair of shafts in a poor way. I stayed home to watch Tiddums. We stayed out in the barn for about half an hour and then we came in the house and he chased around till he rooted Dick out of bed. Dick got up and he & I took five pictures of Tiddums. This after noon Dick took the camera and took twelve pictures. Dad. and I drove out to the Shands to get a book of Dad's on sick cows but none of them were home. To-night Enah and I drove down to church. Cloudy and cool but looks clearer. 114 �Monday August 31st Dad. plowed this fore noon and opened some ditches out of some of the holes in the cornfield. Frank went back and turned over the rest of the oats across the gully. Huby came over a little while before dinner and piled up his duck hide hay. This after noon Dad. and I hauled in the last two loads of oats and Huby helped us unload them. Between loads he fixed up a gate post at the north end of the drive house and fixed the fence. Cloudy but fair very hot for awhile this after noon but fresh breeze sprang up later Bill Donald was in tonight to have Dad look at a shoe boil on his {toe?} Tuesday September 1st It was sprinkling this morning when Dad. took the team out but he didn't think it would ammount to much so took the roller out as he wanted to roll down what he has plowed before he puts any manure on it with the spreader. He just nicely got started when a nut broke on the roller and he had to quit, he would have had to anyway for just then it began to pour rain. It rained very hard for awhile but aparently cleared up before dinner but after dinner another cloud came up and we had a short session of the hardest down pour this year. Every thing was flooded in no time. I spent the morning in putting another roost in the far chicken pen and enlarging the table underneath. This after noon I made another trap nest or at least started another. Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning to pay him for our road work. Wednesday September 2nd Dad. got a fairly good day in plowing to day although he had a couple of visitors. Young Hawn came in to ask him about a sick cow and a map agent went over and sold him a new map of the Dominion. This morning Frank and I took the brooder and chicken coops out of the chicken yard and I dug up where they were. We then went out to the corn field and I opened some more ditches from some more holes and Frank started to dig the potatoes in the wet place but he said they were all rotten. This afternoon I cut the lawn, I had quite a time with the lawn mower as the {pauls?} have been worn. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day. To-night Enah and I drove down and got the mail. We got a letter from Aunty bearing the astounding news that Walter is on the verge of getting married. Breezy all day very hot after dinner and looked very much like rain for awhile. Thursday September 3rd 115 �Dad. plowed all day again to-day and the flies weren't quite so bad. I spent the whole day trimming the edges and digging up the rhubarb bed and also digging a piece in the strip where the currant bushes are. I didn't get much done as my back ached quite a lot from the digging. Frank cut wood and this after noon went down town and got the mail. To-night he has gone down to the moving picture show as Johnny Walker has on a twenty cent show "The Mobilization of the British Army." Cool and windy today. A short shower before tea. Friday September 4th We hauled manure all day to-day and got out 16 loads which just covered the unplowed part of the alsike stubble I spent in between loads cutting a little lawn and choring Frank went down town this morning and this afternoon cut wood. He has a big pile cut which he expects to last till he gets back from Toronto. A Mr. Walker was in this morning and bothered Dad. for awhile showing him a Nature Study chart which he said this school ought to have. Dad. told him the Minister of Education was a goat for putting stuff like Nature Study on the school curriculum but gave his name as one of the trustees in favor of buying a chart. It has been very cold all day and tried to rain this morning. {Harry Barrett (Toby's father) wrote the diary from this point to the end of Saturday, September 12.} Hattie went to choir practice tonight and the boys printed photographs, they had some very good ones. Saturday September 5th First thing after breakfast Toby, Frank and I went out to put the new bolt in the roller to replace the one that broke and we had a time but at last succeeded. I got the team out there and went at the ploughing Hubert and Quint came over for a little while Just before noon but would not stay for dinner as Hubert wanted to go to Charley Teeples and get some weed to send down to Roy. Toby and Frank had to do so many odds and ends preparing for their trip to Toronto. They left here about 3-30 and the whole four of them got off on the 5 O'Clock train, taking a basket of things down to Roy and Vernon. I had to quit the plough at 5 O'Clock and then it was late enough when I had every thing done up. It is terribly lonely I will be glad to see them all back safely. It has been cool all day. Sunday September 6th I put in a very lazy day. Hattie had to go to church both morning and evening and baby and I stayed home he was very good all day. I had to do the chores up early in the evening so 116 �that Hattie could get off in time. It rained a little in the early morning. I read while baby was asleep when I should have been writing letters. Monday September 7th I was up at 5-15 this A.M. and had nearly all the chores done up by 7. I had to go out to the corn field after the disk and it looked so much like rain I hardly knew whether to go to the field or not but I went and it did not rain but was so cold that I nearly froze but I got over a big piece. Hattie went down town in the afternoon and Lila came home with her to stay all night Hubert was over for a few minutes to tell me that he could not come in the morning as he had to see about the insurance on the Town Hall Tuesday September 8th This has been a most unsatisfactory day I got out fairly early considering I had every thing to do and rolled nearly all I had ploughed by noon. I thought I would have a good afternoon at the plough but Just as I was going out after dinner John Quanbury came and wanted me to talk to McMahon he had a report on the blood he sent away from John's cow stating an organism had been found in it that looked suspicious when I got back from talking to him Hattie told me that Charlie Shand had been here to say the three colts were out at their fence so I had to saddle Joe and go after them I had quite a time getting them home and it was too late to go to the field when I got back, in fact it took me all my time to get everything done up before dark Hattie and baby went down town again today It has been very cold all day. Wednesday September 9th I have had another upset day, a most trying one. In the first place I did not get up very early. Dick came home about midnight and the dogs woke me up barking at him, we talked for a long time after he came to bed, then I remembered that I had not shut the wind mill off and I stayed awake a long time wondering if the wind would get up before daylight, finally I got up and went out and shut it off and then could not get to sleep for ever so long after I went back to bed, so the consequence was when I did go to sleep I did it so properly that I never heard the alarm and slept until 6 O'Clock. I was Just ready for breakfast when Jack King drove in to have me fix his old grey mare's teeth, and after getting breakfast doing up all the chores, backing the spreader out of the barn oiling it and hitching up it was 10 O'Clock. I had my fourth load Just on when Jim Banister came over to beg me to go to Simcoe with him to argue the case of Lead poisoning against that of Anthrax with Dr McMahon. (Jim said) he 117 �would get Jack Martin to take us up in his car if he could, so after dinner Jack, Charlie Jim and I went to Simcoe to find our man in Delhi. I telephoned him and he said he would be in Simcoe in an hour and a quarter so we waited and when he showed up I showed him that in all reason and common sense the animals did not have Anthrax while there was every reason and many symptoms to charge the death to Lead poison. Hubert did not come over today and it was a splendid day to work. Jim said he would be over to help me in the morning so maybe we can get a little caught up. I must write to Walter now. It has been cool all day and from the looks of things there was quite a frost about Simcoe last night. I do hope the frost will keep off for a while yet and give the poor corn a chance for it has not had much of a one so far this Summer. Thursday September 10th I got up at daylight this morning and had most of the chores done before breakfast. I was putting the harness on the horses after breakfast when Jim Banister came over and he helped me with the manure till noon. Hubert came over Just before dinner and he and I worked all the afternoon. Harry Harding came over about 3 O'Clock and he stayed out with us till we quit work. Hattie went down town and Win came home with her they all stayed to tea and after tea I drove Win home and waited at Allan's corner until the boys came along. Then Harry drove up with me and held Joe while I went in and said goodbye to Miss Battersby, she leaves on Saturday for Brantford. It has been cold all day but much warmer than yesterday. Dick went to the dance at night and I don't know what time he got home. Friday September 11th I was up before it was light this morning It looked very like rain, in fact it did sprinkle several times, Hubert came over about 8 O'Clock and we got a fairly good start, we hauled manure all day but I did not keep account of the loads so I suppose Tobe will go for me. We expect them home tonight but it is now 8.20 and there is no sign of them so I think we will have tea It has been a horrible day, such a strong, cold East Wind, but it was a pretty good day to work. Saturday September 12th We got a horrible disappointment last night the boys did not come. Hattie had killed the fatted calf, which consisted of a boiled ham, (the last one) a fruit cake, baked custard, hot biscuit, fried potatoes and several "Entres" as Mrs McBride would say. We waited tea to give them plenty of time to get home after the train came in but there were no boys so we had 118 �our tea, Lila had come over to be here to see what old "Sunny Jim" would do when he first saw them but she was fooled too. This morning I wanted to get started for town early but I was Just putting the bridle on Belle when Whit Dixon came to see if he could buy Erie and Artful, I asked him $130.00 but he beat me down $5.00, he talked for so long "understand" that it was 10 O'Clock before Lila and I got started, and it was after 11 when Hubert and I got back with the plank for the barn floor. We did not get it quite done before dinner and Alan Law got here with the separator before we were ready for him, but we soon had the floor fixed and he then put the machine in the barn and put his team on our roller and took it home with him. Hubert and I then went at the yard manure again and have the place for the stack cleared. It has been a lovely day though quite a cool East Wind, we are expecting the boys any minute now, 8 O'Clock. Sunday September 13th Well we all got back at last safley last night after a very enjoyable week of it. We went over to Niagara Falls on Thursday, which took a day out of our plans. It was the first time Frank and I had ever seen the Falls but Quint had been there before. We thought they were great. It was also the first time we had ever been in the U.S. - We weren't so favorably impressed with it. We came over from Toronto by boat to Lewiston and from there to Niagara Falls by the Gorge Route so weren't on the Canadian Side at all. We were at the Exhibition three times, at two theatres, and out at Riverdale Zoo, besides down town and on several visits so we spent very little time sitting around. Rebecca proved to be a very entertaining person, and very good most of the time. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Harry Harding came back with him to dinner. I went for a walk back to the gully and around the farm and found it still all there. This after noon Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger to the buggy and took Harry Harding for a long drive. Uncle Ward came over and stayed all the after noon. The Barwell family were in for about a minute. Dick slept all morning and went down to take some pictures with my camera this after noon. It was late when we got through to-night. It has been a lovely day, sunny but not hot. Monday September 14th We didn't get out very early this morning. I disked all morning on the alsike stubble and Dad. & Frank hauled rails with Joe & Ginger. Huby and Tiddums cleaned up all the little sticks out of the barnyard with the wheel barrow which Tiddums calls the auto. He is about the most comical looking thing imaginable now as he wears a little pair of blue overalls which Uncle Hall sent him and is never happy unless working at some thing. This after noon we hauled 119 �out eight loads of manure but the field isnt covered yet. Allan Law came over and borrowed the drill and the roller. Another nice cool but sunny day. If things keep on the way they are now it looks as if the war couldn't last much longer. The Germans (what are left of them) seem to be in full flight with the British & French after them and the Russians haven't got started at them yet. Tuesday September 15th We hauled manure all day and got out 16 loads and the field covered. We got through about half past four or five and I disked till six. Huby didn't get over till late this morning a rat stole seven of his little chickens. Quint came over and put in a connection in the two water troughs for us and stayed till after dinner. Frank spent most of the day running messages as we expect to have the threshers here to-morrow morning. It won't take long though to thrash us out. Allan Law brought back our drill and roller. Warmer. Wednesday September 16th We got up early this morning and were getting thing's all prepared to thrash when about seven o'clock Allan Law came over to inform us that they had broken the mud {parte?} (what ever that is) off the engine and unless they could get one in Dover which was very unlikely they would have to go to Simcoe or telephone to Hamilton. They telephoned to Hamilton so won't be over here till to-morrow. The cream separator wouldn't work this morning. It went all right yesterday morning but last night it bucked and again this morning. They took it all apart both times and washed and could find nothing wrong with it but they couldn't get it to go. However to-night it went beautifully although they hadn't done anything to it. Huby came over good & early and chopped wood all morning, and this after noon He and Frank went back to see if they could fix the fence along the woods. They took the shotgun with them. Dad & I worked on the land all day. I disked and Dad. harrowed on the alsike stubble. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Dave. Waddle & a man named Hawkins drove over after dinner and had a little shooting. Sunny quite hot and flies very bad. Thursday September 17th The threshers arrived this morning but didn't get started quite early enough to finish before dinner, but it only took about half an hour after. We only had 145 bushels of oats, of course it was only off one field but we will have to be economical with them to make them last.There were 208 bushels of wheat or about 26 or 7 bushels to the acre, but it was a lovely sample and clean. Sam. Law said it was the best he had thrashed this year. Most of it 120 �around here is shrivelled. This afternoon I took the team and went out and disked on the buckwheat ground. The rest stayed up here to clean up around the barn. Dad. said Jonas came over about five o'clock after he had got dressed up from thrashing and he was crying like a baby. He poured forth an awful tale of woe to Dad. & Huby saying that Myers was robbing him. He had just come and taken his canning factory ticket. I suppose Jonas owes Myers everything as he has been hireing men all summer for Jonas, but Jonas doesn't understand it. The flower show is on to-night and Jonas had taken a lot of vegetables down so Dad. told him to forget his troubles and go and take a prize on his onions, so about teatime he came across the fields in great excitement waving his hat and apparently as happy as a king, and yelled over to them that he had got three first prizes on his onions and a second on his tomatoes. Enah and I drove down to-night to go to the show and Jonas was there to show us his prizewinning stuff. The also had an orchestra consisting of Sany Lawson, Chris Fairchilds and Frank Mar. George Thompson had his Victrola there. I don't know who was the proudest one there, Jonas, Sandy or George Thompson. Another hot day but cold at night Friday September 18th I disked all day to day on the buckwheat ground I got over the part I didn't get done yesterday lengthways this morning and over most of it crossways this afternoon. We want to sow it tomorrow if we can. Dad. went down this morning and got Sam Law's team Ben & Ned. He told Dad. yesterday he could have them if he wanted them, so Dad. has been plowing all day. He had to quit though about five o'clock as the ground was very hard and the shear dull. Frank did chores all morning and put fresh straw in the chicken house. This after noon he & Huby cleaned up enough wheat to sow to-morrow and he harrowed over what Dad plowed when Dad. quit. Huby had to go down and insure Sam Law's furniture & implements & stock this morning. Pretty hot. Saturday September 19th We worked on the land all day and Dad. got the buckwheat stubble drilled and the ditches run out. I finished disking crossways and then hooked on to the harrows. I finished harrowing length ways by noon and after dinner harrowed it over again after the drill. It was after six by the time Dad. got all the ditches run. I disked over what he plowed yesterday on the alsike stubble before I quit. Huby and Frank cleaned up a lot more wheat. Enah and Tiddums went down this after noon to Miss Battersby's sale but didn't buy anything but a 121 �five cent wash tub. She was going to bid on the cook stove but discovered the back was all out of it so didn't get it. It has been very hot again to-day and the flies very bad. Sunday September 20th Frank went to church and Sunday school, and was the sole representative of the family. We got up very late so I spent about half the forenoon doing chores and helping Dad. trim up some of the sheep. Dick and I went down to Quanbury's for a swim just before dinner, we needed one badly enough but the water wasn't as warm as I have felt it. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums went for a drive down the lake shore. Frank went for a ride on his wheel Dick went down town and I fooled around here for awhile and then went down town to Hubys. Tonight I drove Enah down to church. Mr. Johnson was having service in Vittoria so Cousin Willie was in charge of things. He made a much better job of it than Mr. Johnson generally does. There was no service in either of the other churches as the preachers' are all taking their holidays, so we had a few outsiders with us. Lovely day but still pretty warm. Monday September 21st We got a good long day in on the land but the flies have been so bad and it was so hot that we couldn't go very fast. Frank went down and got Sam's team again and Dad. finished plowing. It was so hard that he didn't try to plow the head land along the lane. Frank took the team back to-night. They want to use old Ned to-morrow so we won't be able to get them again. Dad. just wanted them till he finished plowing. I disked all day. Huby didn't get over till a little before noon but put in the after-noon shovelling out ditches in the buckwheat ground. {Harry Barrett (Toby's father) wrote the entry for Tuesday September 22.} Tuesday September 22nd It has been very hot all day and the flies are enough to drive horses and men crazy we worked at the wheat ground and had it in fine shape by 3 P.M. and got the seed and drill out and several rounds by 4 O'Clock. Toby worked with me to help keep the drill from cloging with grass roots and it kept him busy in places we worked as long as we could see and got more than half the field in, but we Just got the drill and wagon put safely in and the horses in the barn when it began to sprinkle it has not rained very much yet, though there have been several sharp showers. I do hope it wont rain much till we get the field finished. Hattie 122 �and Tobe are printing photographs of the baby tonight. We got some great pictures. There were two fires to-night north. Wednesday September 23rd Although it rained pretty hard before we went to bed last night. It didnt rain much more and as a breeze sprang up soon after Dad. thought we might get the rest of the field in after all so we got up pretty early it began to rain again however just about seven and has kept it up off and on all day and shows no signs of letting up to-night. It is also quite a bit cooler. I read all morning and Frank & Dad. worked around the house. This after noon I did a few chores and then started to fix a drawer so as to fit under one of the shelves in the pantry. Huby came over at noon and worked at flooring the old corn crib till about four when Dad. & Frank drove down in the waggon to get some plank to rig up a pig pen in the barn and Huby went down with them. We also put rings in the pig's noses this morning. Three of the British cruisers are sunk Thursday September 24th We didn't get around very early this morning and Dad & Frank worked till noon penning off the bay in the barn with the plankk they got yesterday. Huby helped them after he come. I spent most of the morning in the shop experimenting with the old moulding planes which were in the tool chest. They work far better than I thought. After dinner we took seven of the biggest pigs out of the pen and put them over in the barn in the pen they made this morning. Dad. & I each took a front leg and Huby took the hind legs and we just carried them that way They were just about all we could handle too. We rubbed each one with crude oil before putting them in as the lice were rather thick on them. Frank and Tiddums watched the caught ones while we were after another. Tiddums was a little afraid when they squealed but very much interested. Dick came over post haste after dinner to inform us that Vernon & Rebecca came up to the Woodson's to-day, so Enah went over to see them. Vernon brought the baby up as she hasn't been able to eat or sleep well lately. They are going to be here till after Thanksgiving. Dad. spent the rest of the afternoon in fixing the pig pen so the four left could roost upstairs instead of the other half so as the old sow could use it. Huby & Frank fanned wheat and I cut lawn. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Enah went down to "Pinafore" practice to-night & Frank to confirmation class. It was cloudy most of the day & cold, but we thought clear, but to-night it is very black & sprinkling. Friday September 25th 123 �Huby and Quint came over this morning. Quint went back to the woods with his gun but I guess didn't get anything much Huby and Frank cleaned up more wheat. Dad. & I put the drawer, we got fixed, on the pantry shelf for Enah and then we went to fix the hog pen some way diffrent and I dug a little more out at the side of the house. This after noon Dad. & I finished drilling the alsike stubble, much to our surprise we found it drilled better that it did on Tuesday, and I think it will come on all right. Huby sawed wood nearly all the after noon and Frank & Quint got the vise nearly ready to put on the bench Quint has made a beautiful job of it. There was a great old piece of oak out there which he used for one side and he is going to put a piece of iron on the bench for the other. Old Walker was over this morning to collect a little for his wire - and Mrs. Jack Martin came over to invite Dad. & Enah to go to Simcoe with them to-night to a patriotic concert. They accepted and so Frank & I are left alone to keep house which we have managed to do without waking up Tid. Win was over to tea. It has been pretty cool all day. Saturday September 26th Dad. went out this morning and harrowed over the sand knoll which didnt cover very well. This after noon he ran the furrows and crossditches. Vernon brought Rebecca over this morning but they didn't stay very long. Tiddums tried his best to make friends with Rebecca but she wouldn't have anty thing whatever to do with him. Lila was over and we took Rebecca & Tiddums out to show them the animals. Tid explained every thing too her but she turned a deaf ear to him. Betty came over with Huby and Quint and went back with Vernon, who said if the roads didn't get better she couldn't bring the baby carriage over again. She started twice yesterday but couldnt make it. She didn't know about coming through Martin's. Lila went down to the Ryersies and spent the day. This after noon Huby, Quint, Frank, Billy Barwell and I went back to the woods. They had their guns but didn't shoot any thing much. Quint shot a bittern which Frank brought home to eat and also a crow. Huby and I went over to John Wes's to take a look at his corn horse and he told us to take it home and use it as he has no corn to cut this year. He isn't through seeding yet. He and old Robert John were harrowing on a six acre field which if the weather permits he wants to get in on Monday. When we got back we fixed up the gap from the alsike field into the gully. Dad. was still running out furrows and Harry Harding was with him. He has to go back West on Wednesday although his mother isn't much better. Val. Laney came over this after noon to see Dad about some thing so as there wasn't much for Huby to do, he Quint Lila and Billy all jumped on Val's dray and rode home. I dug a little more before it was time to do chores. Enah took in the sale of Winkey Smith's stuff this after noon, but the stove 124 �was too small for what she wanted, but Cousin Bessy told her that they had one for sale and wants Dad. to take a look at it. She bought a set of bedsprings. Frank and I drove down to-night as I needed a hair cut and Frank had to get some groceries. We went around to Smith's to get the bed springs but they weren't there so Effie told us that some fellow that lives in the brick house way up St. Patrick St. must have them as he had sent word that he had a set delivered to him which he didn't buy so Frank and I went up there and found the springs on the veranda, and as there was no one home left word with the neighbour and carried them down to Huby's and put them in the woodshed. It was pretty late when we got home. Dick got home soon after with "Larned's History of the World" in five volumes & a dandy big war map all of which he got for $1.98 and some cupons out of a newspaper. We got a letter last night from Aunty saying they all hoped to be home here about the end of October. It has been pretty sunny but a cold wind all day. Sunday September 27th Frank went to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. & Enah drove down to church as it was Harvest Home and communion, I stayed home to look after Tiddums and had my hands full too after he got up. It was late when they got home as they went around to Cousin Bessy's to see the stove. They are satisfied with it and are going to bring it over and try it before they set on a price. This after noon Dad. put up the box stove in the hall as we were about frozen. Vernon. Rebecca and Betty were all over again this after noon. Dick went down town and Frank went back to the gully. Winnie came over too and stayed to tea. I walked down with her and went to church to-night. It was Harvest Home and we had saved a lot of nice wheat for their decorations and told Mr. Johnson about it, but he either forgot it or was too lazy to come after it so the pigs will get it. I went in to Huby's for awhile after church. Quint expects to go to Jarvis to-morrow to pick apples. Cold wind all day. It froze the night before las and looks & feels as if it would go again to-night. Monday September 28th We got started as soon as possible down town this morning in the waggon to get the stove at Cousin Bessy's. Frank, Dad. & I went down, we picked Huby up on the way and called around for Harry Harding, but he didn't seem to be home, so we took Dave Waddle who happened along instead. Bert Matthews was up there mixing mortar so we had lots of help. The stove seemed to be pretty badly cracked up but we brought it over. We had to stop in at Joe Howell's and get him to fix a piece of the base. We went around by Huby's and got the springs Enah bought at the sale. By the time we got home & unloaded it was nearly 125 �noon. This after noon after we did a few odd Jobs Frank and I started to cut corn. It was getting on to three when we started and we worked till a little after six but we got 20 shocks cut. It seems to be a little green yet and I had a lot of trouble getting bands that wouldn't break. Huby cleaned out ditches in the alsike stubble & Dad. finished plowing out the ditches and started to plow the headland which was too hard before. There was quite a frost last night but it didnt seem to hurt any thing. Quint left for Jarvis this morning to pick apples. Not so cold to-day. Tuesday September 29th Dad. got out good and early this morning and finished plowing the head land, he also rolled it, harrowed it and drilled it, he says it will need rolling and harrowing again. The wheat on the buckwheat ground is up nicely now Frank and I got out about nine o'clock and finished cutting the row there were 13 more shocks in it. We didn't begin another as we didn't know whether it is quite ripe enough yet or not and thought we would leave it a day or two to see if more of it isn't glazed. We started to pull the two rows of beans then Frank got his row done by noon but I only got about half of mine done, however Frank finished it after dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah & Tiddums lit out for Simcoe. Enah went up to attend the Deanery meeting and she stayed to come down by train to-night. Dad. brought Tid. home had his tea and has driven down again to Pinafore practice where he is to meet Enah. They have left Frank & me in charge again with Tiddums asleep. We have just finished washing the dishes, Huby didn't come over till noon and he Frank and I hauled rails this afternoon, we only got up two loads as we had a few visitors Charlie Shand came in just after Dad left with his old dog who has a lump on its jaw about the size of a baseball. I told him to leave it till Dad came home and come after it to-night but when Dad. came home the old dog wouldn't let him touch him, however Mr Shand came in before tea and between them they managed to tie his mouth so that Dad. could jab his knife into it but I guess it didn't do much good so Mr. Shand took him home. To-night is the first night that Tiddums has waked up under Frank's & my care but to-night he not only woke up and stayed awake but he howled as long & loud as he could for "Daddy & Momma. We tried several ways to pacify him and at last showed him his book and told him we would take him out and show him Tige, but Tige wasn't in the woodshed and it was took cold to take him outside. We then showed him Eaton's catalogue which has a picture of a man in it which Tid. calls Daddy. That pleased him for awhile and then we induced him to go into his carriage. Frank jiggled the carriage and I crouched in front of it to jump at him and keep in a good humor. The trouble with that was he got in such a good humor that he wouldnt go to sleep so I just 126 �jumped up when he showed signs of crying but I had to stay crouched in front on my hands & knees where he couldnt see me, as I was afraid if he saw me go way he would commence; However we were releived before very long by the folks arrival home. Cold to-night sunny all day. Wednesday September 30th Dad. went down to see Harry Harding off this morning and brought Huby back with him. He went around to see if he could get old Maneer to come and fix the shed but the old coon wasn't home and whent Frank went down at noon they told him that "Pa" was going to pick apples in the morning and so I suppose we can't get him. Frank and I milked and I had an awful time trying to milk John as her teats are so short. Heny Odd came over to see if he could borrow our hay rack. I told him he could and after breakfast we had to help him put off the load of oats which was on it. Whit Dixon & Mr. Morgan were in on a little visit and Frank and I didn't get out till about {ink blot hiding writing} o'clock but we got twenty shocks cut before dinner. This afternoon we cut thirty more so got in a pretty fair day. Dad. spent most of the day fixing the well as the weight broke off the chain and he had to fish for it with grappling irons. Huby cut wood and helped him most of the after noon. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Nice day. Thursday October 1st Frank and I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well. Dad. came out for a few minutes and helped us with two or three shocks. Huby didn't get over till late and when he came he and Dad tended to a little dog which Tom Abbot brought here for vetinary treatment. This after noon Dad. Frank and I all went down to the Rural School Fair in the pavillion under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. We thought it was fine. The exhibits consisted of poultry all Plymouth Rocks from eggs given to the school children, apples, corn, grain, potatoes and tomatoes. The boys showed samples of carpentry work which consisted chiefly of milk stools and hammer handles. The first prize milk stool which was made by Willie Nixon and hammer handle were beautifully made while the poorest ones looked as if the only tools employed in their manufacture had been an axe & a jack knife. The girls showed cookery & needlework which looked to me to be just as good as {anybody?} could do. Winnie Wadle got first prize on her sewing. They also had collections of bags & butterflys and also drawings & compositions. I went down partly to see Mr. Wilson the District Representative but there was such a crowd there that I didn't get a chance. I wanted to ask him about his baby beef competition. Huby spent the afternoon 127 �back in the gully putting in barricades for some little trees which we hope to plant next spring. To-night Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting. I guess they didn't do much but annoy old Stringer. There was also a Pinnafore practice, part of which Dad. took in, Frank went down to confirmation class. Weather has been very much the same. The days are sunny and nice but the nighs are very cold and as a rule there is a touch of frost. Friday October 2nd Frank and I cut corn all day but didn't get on quite so fast for some reason. We had to take the {horse?} up at noon and Frank put a new piece in its tail. We cut over as far as the potato patch and cut all the corn south of the potato patch so we are quite a bit more than half done the field. Huby and Dad. hauled manure all day on the oat stubble and to-night they have all the old faile which was under the alsike stack cleaned up. I walked down town to-night to get the mail. I {ink blot but writing can be read under it} hung around up town for awhile and then went down to Hubys for another awhile. When I got home they told me my face was dirty. The above blot was caused by my lapsing into a dormant condition with my fountain pen in my hand and on awaking rubbing agains a big drop of ink which had run from the pen. Saturday October 3rd Frank and I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well. Huby and Dad. hauled manure. This after noon Frank went down to Will Bush's sale to bid on some apple crates but they went too high. Tom Abbot said you could have bought them full of apples for the same price - any where else, eleven cents apiece I think. I didn't like to cut corn without Frank so Dad. Huby and I to say nothing of Tiddums who was least but not last in the game caught all the sheep and marked the ewes at least the old ones and trimmed them and as we had no place to dip them we mixed up a solution of zencoleum and poured it down the middle of their backs from a beer bottle. We parted the wool and the stuff ran pretty well all over their bodies as it didn't soak in to the wool at all. These operations took up all the after noon. I drove Huby down to-night and got some provisions. It has been a very nice day and a lovely night. Sunday October 4th Enah and I drove down to church this morning. Frank went down to church and Sunday school and went down to Huby's for dinner and they all went up creek this after noon after butternuts. Vernon and Rebecca came over to Martin's fence just after we got through 128 �dinner and Vernon wanted Dad. & Enah to go down to the Woodson's this afternoon to see them as Mrs. Woodson got a little sore about them not coming. She also wanted Enah to formally invite her over here on Friday as Mrs. Woodson didn't like the idea of her coming without. Dad. Enah and Tiddums got all ready to go when Mr. & Mrs. W.J. Thompson came in. They didn't stay very long so they went down Woodson's but Enah neglected to invite Vernon as she wanted her to do so I don't know how it will pan out. I sat around and read and wrote to Aunty till it was time to do chores and fooled with the guitar all evening. It has been another lovely day. Quint came home last night and isn't going back right away to pick Monday October 5th Frank and I cut corn again all day and by to-night only had twenty one more shocks to cut. Huby and Dad. hauled manure all the after noon. Huby didn't get over till late and they had to fix the spreader a little this morning. The axle had slipped out of place. Misner the livery stable man was over this morning to get his horses teeth filed, and Tupper came over after dinner to get Dad. to go over and look at his Clyde mare but as Dad. was all booked up he said he would wait till morning. Tupper was telling us a great way to cut short clover seed like ours is this year. He says if we cut it with the mower we can never gather it up with the rake but he says if we take the table canvas off the binder and set the reel low we can just take the heads off and when we get the table full we can rake them off. He was also talkin about tile drains. Bill told us there was no use trying to drain clay land with tile as the water wont go through it, but Tupper says that is only blue clay. This red clay he says is the best land for tile as they don't fill up like they do in the sand but it takes a year or two to get all the little pores and channels in the soil running to the tile established. The longer they are in the better they work. It has been much milder to-day and looks as if it might rain soon. Enah and Tiddums went down town this afternoon. Tuesday October 6th Frank and I finished cutting the corn about eleven o'clock amidst great rejoicings on our part. Quint came over this morning and told us Huby was doing insurance work for Ed Moon. He was to have come at noon but didn't appear. Dad. had to go over and see Tupper's mare so Quint rode over with him. When they got back Quint helped him pitch on three or four loads of manure. This after noon Dad. & I hauled manure and made quite a hole in the pile but neglected to keep track. Between loads I swept off the floor of the loft above the hog pen and moved all the old boxes & coops that I had hens with chickens under up there and to-night Dad. helped me get the brooder up. Tiddums was out with us 129 �and would get right where if the brooder ever slipped it would fall on him and Dad. stepped on a hen that was roosting up there and when it squacked it scared poor Tiddums and he more than howled. The latest addition to his vocabulary is hammer pronounced hamoure and ice, he saw Dad. cracking ice with the hammer the other day and has been commenting on the action ever since. He is also developing the typical and aparently inborn desire of young ones to play with the hammer. Frank found him in the chicken yard with it to-night but luckily he had not attacked the bee hive. Frank and Quint went for a tramp with the gun this after noon and got a lot of chestnuts, I suppose at Charlie McQueens. The Jim Waddle family were in about five o'clock and as we hadn't got the mail yet, it was news when he told of a big snow storm out west two feet of snow in Calgary and McCloud and $35,000 worth of property destroyed in the shape of {garages?}. It has been much cooler and cloudy all day with rain but not much to-night. The wheat needs rain badly as it hasn't come up yet in the hard spots and on the head land which Dad. plowed last. Wednesday October 7th We hauled manure all day and to-night got the yard all cleaned up and the field a little more than covered. It is the first time we have had the yard cleaned right up since we have been here. Huby didnt come over till noon and then he brought Jimmy Rankin with him who proved very entertaining. Lila came over after school to stay all night but changed her mind when Huby went home and went with him. Alfred paid us a short visit this morning and also three dollars. Dad. bought a couple of roosters from him to kill for Thanksgiving as ours are not big enough so Frank went down and got them this after noon. This morning he took a walk down the road to see if he could see Hubys old turkey hen but Mr. Johnson picked him up by Art. Ryersie's and took him for a long ride down mud street and up the lake shore in his automobile. Frank didn't see the turkey hen but Mrs. Law told him it roosted right near their door every night and fed with the chickens in the mornings. Enah and Tiddums went down to the Woodson's this afternoon and Enah invited Vernon over here on Friday. Frank has been making arrangemens with Jonas to get Nellie to-morrow as he and Quint want to go after nuts. Poor old Jonas is having a bad time again with his "gitneys" and can't work very hard. It has been sunny and nice all day flies are bad. Thursday October 8th Frank got started this morning about half past seven with Nellie and the democrat to call for Quint and go after nuts. Lila went with them. Frank expected to get back soon after dinner, but they went all the way to Billington's after hazel nuts and didn't get back till after 130 �six. They got lots of wallnuts, chest nuts and hazel nuts but hardly any butternuts or hickory nuts. About nine or a little after Dad and I got started in the waggon for Vittoria. We took the old ram home to Dunkin's and intended bringing the other one back. We also expected to be back by dinner time but it was noon when we got there. Neither of the Dunkin's were home and the hired Englishman didn't know any more about any thing than a hole in a stump. Mrs. Dunkin told us that Mr. Dunkin expected to be back by one, so Dad. and I hung around the barn for about an hour and a half. Dad. took a walk back the lane and saw the ewes and then I took a walk back and saw the two rams the old one and a lamb which I thought was a little beauty. There were three chest nut trees back there just loaded and the burrs were wide open so we got our pockets full of nuts. When I got up to the house Dad. had put the team in and was in the house having dinner so I went in, while we were eating Percy came home he had driven his sister to Simcoe to the teacher's convention. Dunkin himself was off performing b bailiff's duties. Percy was rather provoked that no apples were picked - as he evidently packs for the association up there and if they didn't get theirs packed to-day he wouldn't be able to do it. A Mr. Sharp came in to borrow their waggon to haul buckwheat but he said he would help pick apples till they got them picked but as he was anxious to get his buckwheat loaded before the dew fell, Dad. told him that we could help pick till Dunkin came home. We just got out when Dunkin came so Dad. didn't pick very long only till Dunkin got his dinner. He didn't like to let us have the old ram unless we bought him as there was another fellow who was thinking of buying him and he would want him right away so of course he didn't want to lose the sale of him but Dunkin said we could have the lamb for twelve dollars - and as he was a beauty way better than the old one, we thought we would take him. I picked apples till they went back the lane - got the ram brought him up and loaded him then about four o'clock Dad. and I got started for home. Dunkin gave me a water melon just as I left. We would have been home about six but as we came past her place Mrs. Harry Moon hailed us and asked us to go down and see Jack Walker. He had been after Dad. all day to see one of his horses. We went down and found it was old Joe who had been sick since last night. Dad. was put out at him for not sending to Simcoe for someone instead of waiting so long but brought him home with us and turned him out and to-night gave him a hall. When we got home we found Enah and Huby beginning to get alarmed that none of the family had showed up. When they saw us coming up the road with old Joe they thought Nellie had run away and we were leading her home. I guess poor old Nellie has forgotten long since how to run away but they thought some thing must have happened. However Frank got home about half an hour later and said every thing was all right and after his little calling dow recounted alll his adventures. He had been in at Dunkin's just after we left, and they gave him a lot of watermelons. Huby and 131 �Jimmy Rankin who has been over here all day - affording endless amusement for Huby spent the day digging post holes in the gully and putting in rails for barricades of little trees. Dad. and I met the little tyke just in front of Martins tugging for all he was worth at Bluch who he had on a rope. Dad. asked him what he was going to do with him - and Jimmy said he was going to bring him back in the morning. Dad thought he said back to the farm so told him to just let him go and he would follow. Jimmy had no difficulty in letting him go as Bluch recognised us and the team was just about pulling Jimmy with him. When we got home they told us that Jimmy had asked Enah if couldn't take Bluch home and bring him back in the morning and she told him he had better ask Huby so he went out and told Huby that Enah said it would be alright and he lit out with him. Eliza McBride was here washing this morning. Enah said about noon a couple of auto mobiles went past here so fast they couldn't count the people in them and Eliza surmised that it was Bessy Perry and Pat who were to have been married to-day. It has been a lovely day but hot looks rainy. Friday October 9th It rained quite a shower last night so we didn't do much to-day. Huby came over and went out and dug a bushel of potatoes for himself - and then he and Dad. hauled up a few cornstalks in the waggon box to husk in the barn for the pigs. I started to make a rough plan of a signboard which we intend to tack on the corner out here stating that we have rams lambs for sale. I then went over and took a look at Jack Martin's big new chicken house which Art. Quanbury and Joe Fields are building. I wanted to see what kind of stuff they were using so that I would know what to get for my shed which I hope to build soon. Art. said Jack got a lot of siding that he didn't kneed and he thought I could get it from him. The rest of the building is all hemlock. This after noon Dad. and I figured out how much stuff I needed and we were going down town to haul it but it began to rain so didn't go. Dad. went down town later in the buggy and got the mail. He then got Vernon and Rebecca and brought them over. To-night we went down to meet Roy. I didn't wait at the station to see him but went up town for awhile to see Marj. Clarke as I heard she was here. She came down to help Bessy get married. I stopped in at the bank on my way home and got my camera which Dick had. I then went down to Huby's and borrowed his boots to walk home in but it as it had rained quite a lot and looked as if it would rain quite a lot more. It proved to be an unnessary precaution however as Allan Law over took me on Marshall's hill and drove me right around to the lane. They were all up when I got home. Cloudy wet and cold all day. Saturday October 10th 132 �As soon as we could get started this morning which was any thing but early, we took the lumber waggon down and got a load of stuff from old Tommy to build the henhouse. It was mostly two by four hemlock for the frame and some cheap pine boards for sheeting. We brought Huby and Win over with us. Cousin Clare walked over so we had quite a dinner party. This after noon I took Joe and the buggy and went down and got Marj. to go for a drive in quest of chest nuts. We got up above Port Ryersie when it commenced to thunder, we thought it was a long way off and didn't pay much attention to it. We got up a little farther and found two or three trees loaded with chestnuts and the burs wide open so I got up one of the trees and although I could see it very black in the west I stayed till I shook off all the nuts. Marj. gathered them as fast as she could and I had got down and picked up a hand full or two when it commenced to rain. We hiked for the buggy but before I had the side curtains half on I was drenched. We drove as fast as possible up the road to the next house but the rain beat right in on us. However we managed to get under a driveway which leaked about as bad as the sky, but there was no wind so Joe was content to stay there and we hiked for the house which belonged to the Mr. {Law?}, who married Miss Dixon We waited there till the worst of the storm died down but as it didn't look as if it was going to stop altogether, we lit out for home which we reached soon after five. We didn't get nearly as many nuts as we might have but we had a very enjoyable experience. I don't know exactly what happened around here but I don't think anything in particular Roy and Vernon started for up the creek but the rain prevented them. Sunday October 11th We didn't do any thing much this morning but sit around the house. Frank went to church and Sunday school. Roy & Enah said they were going to church but it was about eleven before they started to get ready. Mrs. Woodson and Betty came over and took Vernon and Rebecca down to see Miss. Dick spent the morning in bed and Dad. cleaned chickens. I went back to the gully and got Nellie for them to drive to church but when they decided not to go Dick took her and went down and brought Aunty Maude over to dinner. He then went and got Vernon who had been waiting at the Woodson's expecting them to go past to church. Then he and Dad. went down to the Law's after the butter. Lila and Win. came over to dinner. This after noon I took five snapshots of the two babies together but I don't know whether they will be very successful as the sun wasn't very bright. Roy and Vernon went back the lane and then down to Mrs. Woodson's for tea. Dad. wrote to Aunty and then drove Aunty Maude home. I didn't do anything much but went down to church to-night. It has been sunny but windy and cool all day. 133 �Monday October 12th Frank got up this morning about five o'clock as he Quint & Lila figured on making another nutting trip up to Billington's. He had to feed old Nellie and take her down to Jonas' to hook her to the democrat. I thought I might as well get up and ride down town with him. It was just seven o'clock when we got down there and I took a walk around by the station and found that Marj. was leaving so I said goodbye to her. I came up around by town and found Joe and Fatty Turner sitting on Anderson's steps waiting for the complement of their different parties to put in an appearance. They both had hunting coats on but Fatty only was armed with a shot gun. He was waiting for Billy Smith. Art. Smith evidently was expected but Fatty found him in bed when he called for him. Joe was very impatient - as Hazel had promised to meet him at seven o'clock to go after chest nuts but hadn't showed up. He walked over as far as Hussy's corner with me grouching all the way. Huby came over but we didn't do much all day. Huby battoned up one of the doorways leading from the shop into the ice house and we expect to put some shelves in. We also got it figured out about where we want our henhouse lined to. Dick. and Dad. went back this morning and drove the cattle out of the back field and Dick went over to the woods where he says he saw a black squirrel. This being Thanksgiving day, Dick had a holiday but had to go down and put the mail through or something. This banking is a dandy job alright. We had a late dinner and Roy and Vernon had to leave soon after for the station. Enah went down later to see them off and Huby, Tiddums, Dad. and I spent the remainder of the after noon separating the ewe lambs from the old ones. We put them in the field back of the orchard but the orchard fence was so bad we were afraid they might break through so we took one of the rolls of wire which we got from old Walker and strung it along the inside of the orchard fence. Cold and raw day. The boys and Lila got lots of wall nuts but someone had picked most of the chest nuts. Tuesday October 13th It was rainy and cold this morning so we didn't get much done I sat around and read half the forenoon and then made a board to paint "Rams for sale" on. Alex. Jameson was in to look at them but he thought ten dollars too much to pay so Dad. didn't bother trying to sell him one Huby didn't come over till noon. Frank fixed up a lot of the old crates around the place so they would hold apples. Dad. husked corn out in the barn. This after noon we nailed the door on the west end of the big barn which blew off last winter. This was the first day of the Simcoe Fair and has been anything but nice weather. 134 �Wednesday October 14th Dad. went over to Uncle Ward's this morning to see if he could get him to put up a barrell of Spies as Aunty Alice wanted him to send a barrell out to Mr. {Shira?}. Uncle Ward couldn't let him have them but he saw Art Quanbury on his way home and he told him they would put up the apples if he could get a barrell so Frank inquired at Bagley & Miller's and found he could get a sugar barrell & an oatmeal and as we want one to ship Roy's apples in, we are all fixed. I went over to Martin's and borrowed Art Quanbury's spirit level and Chris. asked Jack if he would sell the lumber that he got too much off and he said he would. When I got home I gave my signboard a coat of paint. Huby came over before Dad. came back and when he did we levelled up the two chicken houses and they look much better. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and went out and hauled in five or six more shocks of unhusked corn. Huby stayed out and husked all the after noon. When Frank came home and shelled some hickory nuts he helped him. Dad. and I went over to Jacks Martin's and got our lumber and piled it up over the old house. We then went out and got a load of rails. Tiddums went with us out there but didn't enjoy him self much as he couldn't sit on the seat while we were putting on the load. When we got them unloaded Dad. went out and got Huby with all the corn he had husked which was about four bushels. The five ewe lambs got out of their field to-day and got in with the rest of the bunch then they all got in on the wheat and couldn't be kept off. Mrs. McBride was here all day washing. I went down town after tea and got my films which weren't too bad. I called around by Huby's for a little while. The pesky German's seem to have had a little stroke of luck lately. They now have Antwerp and just about all of Belgium. Much milder to-day. Thursday October 15th Dad. and I had intended going to Simcoe to-day to take in the last day of the fair but it looked so much like rain we didn't start and about nine o'clock it began to drizzle and kept it up all morning and was cloudy all the after noon. This morning I put another roost in the middle hen house so that I will have room enough to accomodate all the cockerels. Dad I think husked corn and Frank shelled nuts and cleaned some fish which Huby sent over last night. He didn't come over all day. This after noon we drove all the sheep in the barn and separated the five ewe lambs and left them in the barn for to-night as they had been in on the wheat and one looked a little bloated. About half past four Dad. hooked up and drove Enah and Tiddums down town to get the mail and some other things. Frank went back to the gully and I dug a little more in the patch at the side of the house. Frank attended confirmation class to-night. Dad. helped me and we got all the cockerels we could pick out. 135 �Friday October 16th It rained quite a lot last night and was rainy looking and muddy this morning so I drove Dick down to work. It drizzled most of the day so we couldn't do much outside. This morning we put ear labels in the nine lambs as we got a bunch yesterday from Hamilton. We had quite a time of it as it was hard to keep the inner & outer skin of the ear opposite after the incision was made but Dad. got the harness punch and his nicking knife and we managed to get them all decorated. After that I spent most of the day making the letters on the signboard. I didn't have any paint but I marked them all out. Dad. & Frank cleaned up the barn floor and Huby came over this after noon and they all cleaned up wheat. About five o'clock I drove Huby down and got the mail. I practiced on the guitar and drew to-night. Tiddums was sick after they went to bed to-night. Saturday October 17th I spent nearly all the morning painting my sign.I did it with just lampblack, boiled oil and turpentine and don't know whether it will prove satisfactory or not. Dad. and Frank took what wheat there was sacked up down to the mill and out of seventeen bags six of which were big ones they had 38 bushels and twenty odd lbs. and got $1.05 for it. Lila came over this morning but Huby didn't get over till noon. He is helping Aunty Maude houseclean. He Dad and I just got nicely started to clean up some more wheat when Bill Donald came in with the information that the gully fence along the road was flat and that all the cattle were out. He had driven them up this way so we just turned them into the barnyard. He said they had been in Sam Law's wheat but Allan didn't know whose they were which seemed rather queer. Bill recognised them. The six calves Harry Dyer's cow and Jonas' heifer weren't with the bunch and I had to go over and head them into the gully from the road. I saw Charlie Quanbury just going out to his farm. He has bought Billy Louis' place this side of Shand's Schoolhouse and is going to raise truck. Dad. and Huby came back the lane with the shovel and some a posts and we got some more which we knew were in the woods and repaired the fence as well as possible by putting posts down about a foot and wiring the old broken off posts to them. Joe Fields came over this morning and borrowed their post auger again so we had to rely on the shovel to perform our operations and it was not very satisfactory. The gate was badly smashed too where they had run through. Somebody I suppose hunters take the wire off the gate and don't bother fixing it again so Dad. fixed it up and wired it solid this time. It was five o'clock when we got up but they fanned wheat for about half an hour. To-night Frank and I printed the pictures I took of the two babies on Sunday some of them were pretty good. Mrs. McBride was here cleaning to-day. Poor old Tid. had a pretty 136 �rough night of it last night. He was sick a lot and feels pretty tough to-day. Frank went down with Jonas this after noon and got a couple of barrels at Bagley & Miller's to pack apples in. It has been a lovely day to-day. Sunday October 18th This being Frank's birthday, he stayed home from Sunday school pricipally though because there wasn't any, this being children's day at church. Frank went to church and to his credit be it said he was the only member of the family who attended all day unless Dick went tonight. I sat around and read most of the morning. This after noon Dad. put the saddle on Joe for me and I had a very enjoyable ride out to see Pud. Smythe. He invited me to go to Simcoe to-morrow night to make inquiries about joining a Captain Simpson's company of the 39th - and I think I will go if I can as he says it is not composed of quite the same class of fellows as the other companys which I guess are pretty tough. If the rules are not too strict and the obligations too great I think I will join, as the Norfolk Rifles belongs to the department of Malitia and defence they wont have to be called out of Canada and if they are ever needed here I would want to be there any way and so I might as well have a little training. Winnie was over for a little while this after noon and Tiddums was much better. It has been cloudy and cool all day inclined to drizzle this morning Monday October 19th First thing after breakfast I put the saddle on Joe and rode her down to be shod. Whit Dixon came in before I left and took the Artful Dodger. Sam Jacques also came over to talk "Pinnafore" to Dad. Their books have come but it seems some English theatre has a royalty on them and won't alow it to be played in public, however I guess they are going on with it just the same. It was getting on to noon when I got home with Joe and I brought the whipple tree off the buggy home with me but when I got here discovered I had lost the little device off it I never dreampt of it coming off as we couldn't take it off when we tried. I had to walk all the way back to look for it. Chris. Quanbury joined me as far as his place and when I got to the bottom of the hill Carl Sovereign plodded up the middle of the road with me. I got all the way to Joe Howell's shop and found it about two feet away from where I started. This afternoon we cleaned up the rest of the wheat Dad. had taken one load down and had on I think 48 bus {bushels} and the last load had on 30 something I went down with him the last load and it was half past five when we got home, so I had to get ready. Dick came home just before six and he went up with me to Simcoe. We called in at Smythe's and left Joe there with and drove the rest of the way with Pud's old skate, it took us about an hour to get to 137 �Simcoe. Pud and I went to the Armories but Dick went over to town and knocked around till we went home. We didn't sign up at all but fell in line with a bunch of beginners and had a little drill and the captain (which is the same fellow who brought his dead dog over here last summer) told us that we could come up as often as we liked and drill and we would be under no obligation till we signed up to go to camp for three years but we didn't have to do that till next June. He said they were going to fix a shooting gallery up in the Armories and also their rifle ranges down by their track and so soon would be having rifle practice. We left Simcoe at ten o'clock but it was twelve when Dick and I got home. Louise came down to-day and is going to stay awhile. Very nice day but a very heavy fog to-night. Tuesday October 20th It was six o'clock before I woke up this morning and then Dad. woke me He wanted to get off to Toronto but thought he wasn't going to make it at that time. But we persuaded him to shave and and I hiked out and hooked Joe up and by not eating any thing he managed to get down in time to catch the train. Huby was down at the train but Dad. got right on to see what damage - a jar of cream had done - as we saw some of it on the robe and the bottom of the buggy so didn't see Huby. I drove around to the house - and got him on there and brought him over. Frank and I spent most of the morning doing chores but Huby husked corn. We went out and helped him when we got through. Alex Jamison came in again to see about a ram and as Dad. wasn't here to beat down he gave us ten dollars and took old Greynose's lamb so we can now rub it into Dad. who seemed to think farm operations would come to a stand still if he left for half an hour but he couldn't sell old Alex a sheep when he was here before. Another fellow was in to-night to inquire about them but he didn't care about them being pure bred and so didn't want to pay so much. Frank told him they could be registered but he said quite solemnly that it wouldn't do him any good if they were red breasted. We didn't know who he was. This after noon Frank hooked up Nellie and Enah Louise and Tiddums went for a drive. Huby and Frank picked apples for Roy while I gave my sign another coat of paint and then I helped them fill the barrel. We got some beautiful Seeks & Spys and a few Canada Reds and what were left of the 20 oz Pippins. It was six o'clock before we we got the barrel filled so we had to leave it out there all night with out any head on it. We didn't know exactly how to pack & head them any way. It was very late when we got through chores. Beautiful day. Sunny and mild. Wednesday October 21st 138 �The total results of our exertions to-day show, our advertisement hung out at the cross roads, a barrel of apples headed and a turnip pulled. After we got the morning chores done which was in pretty good time, Frank and I went out and tacked the signboard on the corner post of the cover field It was pretty well on the slant but I guess people can read it all right. Alfred was plowing in his wheat stubble and we had a short talk with him. We then went over and pulled a good sized turnip for dinner. Huby came over soon after we got in, with old Stringer's apple barrel press which Uncle Ward had lent him, and said Uncle Ward told him just how to head the barrel and that we could do it before dinner. How ever we worked for quite awhile at it and couldn't get the head in, it seemed too big for the barrel, so by dinner time we had come to the conclusion that the best course for us to pursue was to go down and get Uncle Ward and let him do it. Huby said he had to go down after dinner any way so I drove him down got the mail and got Uncle Ward on my way home, After a lot of squeezing he managed to get the head in, but had to enlarge the wooden hoop and put it below the wire as the head was too big and spread the staves. I drove him home - and took Tiddums with me. Frank and I drove down to the station to-night and Louise & Enah stayed home. They all got home safely and Al. Faulkner drove them up to Huby's. I went around and saw them all but didn't stay at all. Dad. and Frank drove home with me as Dad. hadn't had his tea. It has been another lovely day. The quartette that left for the point Monday morning in Faulmsbe's new boat are all back again, poorer than when they left. They got over all right and anchored behind some bluff Monday night and got up early yesterday morning to get started shooting. Cars Rankin and Charlie O'Lair were going down the beach and Bill Oakes & George were going to stay with the boat. Bill had crawled up in the bow which was tightly enclosed and was have a smoke, when George who was near the engine lit a match for his pipe. There had been some gasoline leaking and the fumes immediately ignited and the gasoline which was under the false bottom of the boat caught and the consequence was that although they worked hard to save it George's dandy new launch burned to the waters edge and sank. They managed to save their guns and some of their clothing. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day and Cousin Clare was here to dinner. Thursday October 22nd We got a fairly good start this morning and Dad. started to plow the oat stubble. He thought he was going to have nice easy plowing but it turned over so waxy and stiff that the horse could hardly draw the plow through it. He had to quit once and get the other plow the mould board of which has more shape to it. Frank and I dug potatoes in the cornfield and got about ten rows dug, they were beauties, no small ones and no whoppers. Huby 139 �came over at noon and he and Frank finished digging them out there and piled them up. Dad. & I took the team and waggon and took Roy's apples down and shipped them, we called in at Quanbury's and as they had the barrel all headed that Aunty Alice wanted to send to Mr. Shera, we took it too. We saw all the folks when we were down town. Dad. went out and got what corn we husked the other day. There were 19 1/2 bushels of potatoes of the patch out there. Enah and Louise drove Nellie down town to-day. Allan Law was in tonight inviting two of us over there to thrash to-morrow. It is a little colder to-night but has been a lovely day. Friday October 23rd Dad. and I got over to Sam's to thrash this morning soon after they got started I worked in the mow all day with Art Ryersie but there wasn't any thing for Dad. to do this morning so he went home till after dinner. He then came back and helped some one-eyed guy who is staying at Bill Bush's in the straw which they put in a shed till they got it filled up and then they started to put it in the barn and it was awful, you could hardly see across the barn, and it being alsike dust it was killing. The one eyed man who was in the straw gave out first and had to retire.. I worked till I couldn't breathe - and then I had to quit with the chill. I went and sat by the engine till they quit which was pretty soon although they didn't get it all out. Dad. and I came right home. Aunty was over but went down with Huby. It was all I cared to do to get home and huddle up to the stove. I didn't do a chore. Dad. of course stared off with mentioning what a hot specimen I would be to go to the war if I couldn't stand a little dust but I told him it was just such mugs as me they ought to send, we're no good here and everybody concerned and the country would be much better off if they shipped us all over there and killed us off. Huby and Frank dug six rows of the potatoes in the old garden and got fifteen bushels. They sold another ram this morning to Nixon and Bawyer out at Renton. They took the little fellow. It has been another July day. Saturday October 24th Dad. took the team and rack town to Flemming's this morning as he thought they were going to thrash buckwheat out of the field but it began to rain soon after he left so they just thrashed the oats in the barn and finished about an hour or so after dinner. Frank and I didn't do any thing much this morning on account of the rain. He husked some corn and I dug what potatoes were left in the garden here, and I also drove Louise down to Huby's for dinner. This after noon Frank went and caught Nellie for Enah and then he and I went and dug the rest of the spuds in the old garden we got six more bushels so that altogether we 140 �now have 40 1/2 bushels. Several of the cattle got through the gully fence to-day and so Dad. had to go back and fix it. We got chores done early to-night for a change. A little colder wind to-day. Sunday October 25th Everybody except Dad. & Tiddums went to church this morning even Dick broke into his Sunday timetable and got up to attend Frank went to Sunday school. Aunty came over with us to dinner and stayed all the after noon. After dinner Frank and I went down and joined Huby and Quint and the four of us sailed went up to Wealey's, Quint bought a dandy little strip built skiff with a sail and everything complete. We started to sail up there but found it would take too long tacking so Quint and I rowed up. We got our Ginseng plant and sailed back. It only took about half an hour and there wasn't much wind either. It was nearly six when Frank and I got home so Dad. couldn't get off to church but he and Aunty walked down after tea and he went to see Aunty Alice & Uncle Hal. Uncle Hal. gave me a great black snake skin to-day and Frank his best knife. He gave Quint his shotgun yesterday. It has been colder to-day although sunny and nice but raw breeze. Monday October 26th We didn't do anything much but chores this morning. Frank went over to Flemming's to see what they were going to do but found they wouldn't thrash to-day. We husked a little corn in the barn. This after noon Al. Faulkner drove Aunty Alice & Uncle Hal over in his car. Huby came over with them but didn't stay. Frank went down with them to get the mail. I took the Ginseng root back to the woods and planted it. When Frank got home he and Dad. sawed up one of the old sleepers in the barnyard for the little stove. To-night Louise and I drove up to the Bawlby's where I left Louise as she is going to help them move into their new house. I went on in to Simcoe and to the Armories. We didn't have any drill to-night but the officer gave us musketry instruction. This was Lila's birthday. It has been cold & windy all day and is freezing very hard to-night. Tuesday October 27th It was very late when we got out this morning and after breakfast Dad. & I went out to inspect the oat stubble to see if it was frozen too hard to plow but we saw Allan Law up at the corner with his engine and he said Flemming was going to thrash to-day so Dad. came right home and got the team & rack and went down. It froze very hard last night and seemed harder as it is the first frost this fall. The apples are all frozen on the trees and the 141 �ground is like a board. It hasn't thawed out all day to-day but isn't freezing so hard to-night although there is a cold wind from the west. I sawed wood most of the morning and Frank went out and covered the four piles of potatoes with earth although he said they weren't injured by the frost. The mangels were frozen in the ground but Mr. Flemming says if they are not touched till the frost goes out of them they will be all right. Dad. came home at noon and said they were shorthanded down at Flemming's so I had to go back with him. We finished up early. I pitched on all the after noon so didn't suffer from the dust any. I rode Joe down town after the mail to-night. The big spotted yearling jumped over the bars from the blue grass field to-night, lit on his head and broke one of his horns and mabee worse. Wednesday October 28th John Wess came over this morning to see if we could fix up the line fence a little as he wanted to turn his cattle in on his oat stubble. Dad. told him to turn in and let them break through if they wanted to, there was nothing there they could hurt. He and Frank went back and fixed the gully fence a little to keep our cattle in there. Frank and I husked a little corn this morning for the pigs and then I made a trough for the chickens and spent the morning fixing up the yards to keep the chickens inside and separate. This after noon Frank and I picked the Sprys. I picked and he sorted. I think the frost was all out of most of them so I guess they will be all right. It was too windy to pick but I put the ladder on the inside of the tree and got most of them although there is a lot of nice ones yet around the out side. There were about five bushels of good ones and three of frozen ones & culls. Dad plowed all the after noon and said it went a little better but I guess it was pretty stiff. I went to Simcoe again to-night and had a little drill I drove Aunty home so went around by town. I saw Ed. Turner down there and asked him if he wanted to go up but he didn't to-night. While I was talking to him Andy Moore came along and he wanted to go up so I took him. I told him to be around at the stable about nine and I would drive him home, but when I went down he had been there, paid for the horse and said he wasn't going back. I drove around by town and saw him and he said Tom Law was up there with his car, pickled, and he wanted Andy to drive him home, so I came home alone. Milder to-day but very strong west wind. Very mild to-night and looks like rain. Thursday October 29th It rained during the night and all day, not hard but a steady fine rain. We couldn't do anything much outside but chores. Dad. went back this morning and fixed the gully fence where the cattle got into the west blue grass field and I cleaned out the cellar ready to put 142 �in the apples and roots. This after noon Dad. drove Uncle Hal. and Aunty Alice down to Huby's where they are going to stay for awhile. It was a miserable day to go out but Uncle Hal. was anxious to go. Dad. wanted to bring Huby back with him to help move the stove but he wasn't home so we moved the stove out of the woodshed into the kitchen by ourselves. We put the warming oven on this stove off Cousin Bessy's. When the cattle came up to-night they were all there but the three heifers. Dad. went back to the end of the lane but it was dark and we knew they must be out some where. He didn't milk the others Friday October 30th We didn't get out very early this morning. Josh Varey came over and Dad. had to file his old horse's teeth off for him Huby came up the creek with Quint and then down here and he told me my sign had blown down at the corner so I had to go and fix it up. I cleaned up one of the chicken yards and then we all went out and pulled and topped the mangels and turnips. Dad went back and fixed the place where the heifers got out on the road and the rest of us husked a shock of corn, which we hauled up with us. This after noon Dad. & I hauled in the roots and put them down cellar, there was scarcely a load of mangels but a good load of turnips. We then hauled up a load of rails. Huby & Frank husked corn all the after noon. Jonas helped them for awhile. He is going to work out what he owes for pasture. Win came over after school and I drove Huby and her home and then got the mail. The Turks are now in on this War and have begun hostilities with Russia. They say it may lead to a holy war and all the Mohammedens side in with Turkey. It has been raw and mostly cloudy to-day with a couple of spits of rain. There were some very queer lights in the direct east this after noon. The looked something like the Northern Lights but were not colored. They looked more like rays from some huge light beneath the horizon. Saturday October 31st Dad. got right out after breakfast and plowed, he got in a pretty fair day. Huby came over and he, Frank, Jonas & I husked corn all morning we got about a load husked. There is a lot of nubbins on it which we don't husk. This after noon we picked apples Dad. and Frank went down to Sam Law's with the waggon and borrowed a ladder and then went out and picked up the corn and brought it in and Dad. went on plowing. He gave Jonas a tree of Seeks and told him he could have them if he would help us pick ours, but he picked his own this after noon. We were just picking seeks as there are some beauties and bushels of them. We just picked the biggest ones and when we got a tree done it could hardly be told that we had been it it. We will shake the rest down for cider. To-night Frank went down to the picture 143 �show and I went down with him and got the mail and some provisions. I forgot all about it being Hallowe'en till I heard the school bell ringing when on my way down but the town was full of dressed up girls & noisy boys. It has been a lovely day sunny & bright but rather windy. Sunday November 1st Frank went down to Sunday school and Dad. and I drove down to church. Enah had a headache so didn't go. After church Dad. drove Aunty up to the cemetry and Frank and I went down to Huby's and waited till they got back. We went down and helped Quint pull his new boat out of the creek and turned it over on the bank to see if we could find out where it leaked and we found three or four spots were the strips were punky. Quint was disappointed as he thought she was all sound. This after noon Dad. and Enah drove out to see Mrs. Jim Waddle who is going to the hospital to-morrow. Winnifred had the chicken pox so they didn't stay long with the baby. They came home around by the Shand's but Charlie was the only one home there. Dad. says somebody has been playing Hallowe'en tricks on the side road and have ripped the bars down going into the woods and strung them half way across the road. Ed. came over soon after they left and he, Marion and I took a walk back the lane. We happened to see Snowdrop out on the road so had to go and put her in. Frank spent the afternoon back in the gully and surrounding country. Dick spent the morning in bed and after dinner after we had a little football match and nearly broke all the windows around the place - he went down town where he spent the after noon, evening and part of the night, he likely went to church. It has been a lovely day but looked very rainy to-night. Monday November 2nd Poor Frank started back to school this morning, he didn't say any thing but I don't think the prospect was very cheering. Dad. plowed all day and has the field half done to-night. Huby came over and sawed wood till I got the chores all done and then we went back to the gully to see if we could find any weak spots in the fence but it seemed all right. Snowdrop got out at the edge of the culvert and we blocked a post up there with stone as well as we could. We then went up the road to fix up some Hallowe'en pranks. They had taken the old post by the bars going into the woods and pulled it and the wire half way across the road and had Sam Law's gate and another big one and our bars all scattered around. They had had a fence built right across the road, but some one had taken it down to get past. When we got through there we went up through the woods and were just going up the lane when 144 �we heard turkeys way up Ivey's gully. We thought we had better go up and drive ours home if they were there but we tramped all over the gully & woods and didn't see or hear a thing more of them. Huby had the shot gun - and a chicken hawk flew over us so Huby shot him. He fell on his back and lay there, We thought shurely he was a goner but old Nig went prowling around and he got up and flew away. Huby took another shot and he swerved but kept right on flying and lit on the side hill. We went over to him there and raised again. Huby put a black powder shell in and took a crack at him and this time knocked a bunch of feathers out of his back. He first flew a little farther and dropped. When we got up to him he was sufficiently dead for us to finish the job with a club. After dinner Huby picked apples and I sorted them and carried them down cellar. We now have all the boxes we can find around the place filled with Seeks or Spys and will have to put what few russets we get on the floor. I went down to the corner to see if I could find any trace of my sighn. The Hallowe'en fellows ripped it down and took it away some place. Charlie Quanbury said he saw it down in the bank window but Dick didn't know anything about it. I went up to Simcoe to-night. I called for Ed. Turner but he changed his mind about going to-night but said he would accompany me next Monday. I then Called for Pud. Smythe but he had gone. We had company drill up there to-night. There was a class for any who wanted to stay after wards to study for N.C.O's. but as it meant four nights a week for three or four weeks I didn't stay. The Daughters of the Empire were giving the fellows who are leaving for the front a supper. It was cloudy all day but turned out a beautiful night. DIARY. 1914 T.B.Barrett. Port Dover, Ontario. The Farm........................ {decorative descending triangle of horizontal straight lines} From November 3rd 1914 to December 31st 1914 Tuesday November 3rd 1914. It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much outside. I drove the boys down to the school and the bank and when I got back Tom Abbot had his horse in the drive house and he was in the house getting warm and waiting for the rain to let up. When he left I went out and cleaned out the horse stable and then Dad. & I oiled the buggy and put on the other 145 �whipple tree. Jonas came over and got Nellie with a view to taking the rest of his apples home. We saw Art Quanbury prowling around over by Martin's gully so we went over to see what they were all doing thinking we might get Joe Fields to help me build the new hen house. He said they were all busy but I might get Henry Odd who left Saturday. Art. went to take the old hen home that was sitting under the willow tree and discovered she had just hatched out five chicks so he stuffed them all in his pocket and took them over. Dad. plowed all the after noon. I drove down to town to see Henry. and found him working up at Jim. Caley's new house. I told him what I wanted and he told me he would see me to-night that the job he was at was too hard. I went down to-night and got my hair cut and saw him and he said he would be over Thursday morning. I went down to Huby's for a little while and it was fairly late when I got home. Huby came over this after noon and cleaned up the chicken yard. It has been a lovely after noon and night Wednesday November 4th Dad. got out early this morning to plow and got a good day in. Jonas came over fairly early to help as he is going to try and work out what he owes us for pasture He picked a few more russets first but couldn't get many then he cleaned up the garden. The cabbages all seem to have wilted and have no heads so he just piled them out behind the shop. Huby came over later and he and I sorted the russets and put them down cellar then carried all the apples beets & carrots down. This after noon Jonas didn't come over and we suppose he went to a sale. Huby and I husked corn but didn't get much done. I had to quit early to get off to Simcoe to-night. I drove Win up. She wanted to p a visit to Norah Cunningham. I left her there and when I got through drilling we went down to the moving picture show Norah had sprained her ankle and hadn't been able to get out. Aunty came over to dinner and went down with me to-night. She took Tiddums out to the cornfield where he seemed greatly pleased to find Huby and called him by name for the first time. He is learning to talk quickly. Mrs McBride was here all day washing. Cloudy and showery this after noon but a lovely night. It seems to be a sort of second spring. Several people have found ripe raspberries and Dad is plowing under barley out in head and An old guinea hen hatched out then young ones to-day. Thursday November 5th Henry Auld. came over this morning and I have put in most of the day helping him. We had to quit once or twice for rain and it took us quite awhile to get the sills laid so by to-night we had about half at the front and back studding up. Henry quit early to pick some apples. 146 �He wanted some Tolman Sweets and as we had quite a lot we don't want we told him he could have them. Dad. plowed nearly all day but got the field finished all but running the cross ditches. Jim Bush is plowing up the gull for Jack and I guess is having quite a time of it. This was Aunty Alice's birthday and Aunty has been up visiting her all day. Enah and Tiddums went down to see her this after noon and we were going down after tea but it was so wet we didn't go I went to bed about eight o'clock. Frank went down to confirmation class and to call on Jonas who fell down cellar this morning and hurt himself. I guess he thinks he is about killed. It has been a miserable day. Cloudy and cold and wet. Aunty has sent Tiddums a dandy doll she made out of corn husks. Friday November 6th Right after breakfast this morning Frank and I drove down in the lumber waggon and got some more nails and scantling, we also took what apples Henry had picked down to him. Frank went on to school when he got the stuff for me. Henry and I worked all day at the hen house and have the frame all up and the back siding on. Dad. hauled in the corn that was husked and some rails and ran out the ditches in the field he just plowed. This after noon he plowed the garden. He hauled the waggon in the orchard to fill with apples to take up to Walker Waddles to-morrow. Frank was down at Jonas's for a long time to-night visiting him. He seems greatly stuck on him. Jonas says he has broken a rib and seems to be trying to make himself believe he is killed. It has been a rather decent day not so cold as yesterday. Saturday November 7th Henry was over at half past six this morning and put what he could of the sheeting on but discovered that there was only about half enough so Dad. & I drove down in the rack after breakfast to get some but both Tommy & the Widespread were all out of it but expected some in a day or two. We tried at Jack. Martin's to see if he had any he could let us have but they were waiting for it too. We got some roofing paper and nail and got Huby's two cider kegs and came home rather disgusted as it was a fine day to put on the roofing and we didn't know when there will be another like it. Henry picked a few apples for himself and cut the boards for the front cornice. Dad. & I hauled in some cornstalks before dinner This after noon Dad. & Frank took the load of apples that Frank picked up this morning up to Walker Waddles and got our barrel and Huby's 2 kegs filled. They didn't get back till about five. Henry and I were all the after noon puting siding on the end of the old chicken house and it has improved the appearance of it 100%. Henry left his tools here and said he would come back when the lumber came if he wasn't busy. He only charged me $3.75 for all he 147 �has done and then told me not to pay him now and he has made a fine job so far. Marsh from up the Gravel Road was in this morning to look at the rams but didn't buy on account of the price. It has been another lovely day sunny & mild. Sunday November 8th It rained all morning and part of the after noon but Dad. and Frank drove down to church. Aunty came back with them and she and I walked down to church to-night. I went down to Hubys for about an hour after church. Huby was playing solitare much to Aunty's sorrow, and the worst of it was Aunty Alice would show him a move occasionally. Huby gave me some cider and handed me a large piece of plaster which he told me was Scotch short bread. Before I knew what I was doing I had my mouth full of it. This after noon Dick went down town and Frank back to the gully. I sat around and read and drew. It had cleared off and was a beautiful night to-night but was freezing hard when I came home. Monday November 9th We didn't get started very early this morning and Dad. and I spent most of the day working with the potatoes. We sorted the two pits in the field and got quite a few frozen ones and some which were not frozen but still rotting. We sacked them up and this afternoon we hauled them in and Dad. took 6 bushels down to Huby. Tupper came in and borrowed our waggon box to take his seed to Hagersville. To-night I went to Simcoe. I called for Ed Turner but he was tired and didn't go. After drill Captain Simpson told us we would have to sign up now. He told me I was under no obligations as if I had a good excuse I needn't go to camp and could resign if I wanted to. In case of Canada being invaded I could be turned out for six or eighteen months service but I in that case I would go any way so I swore obedience & fidelity to His Majesty and signed up with C Company. Tuesday November 10th It has been a rotten day to-day cold, windy, cloudy & wet. It snowed a little but rained mostly. Dad. & I put off the load of cornstalks which was on the waggon and then went out and husked a shock and divided three or four unhusked shocks so that we could load them on the waggon. We then took the rack out and with the aid of a sling rope put on nearly a whole row of unhusked shocks. This after noon we did chores and stretched a bit of poultry wire around the old calves' pen in the barn and to-night caught what single comb roosters we could find and an old black hen and confined them in their death cell as we are going to 148 �eat them when we get hungry. Frank says he thinks our lumber has come. Quint & Bill got back from the Point. Wednesday November 11th We didn't do much but chores to-day it has been cloudy and threatening all day. We unloaded the load of cornstalks which was on the waggon and and husked a little corn for the pigs. Dad. killed a couple of chickens and Sid. McBride and an agent came in representing {Gumas?} limited. They were here a long time and went away with a ten dollar order for beef scrap and hog meal. Tupper brought the wagon back. I didn't intend to go to Simcoe to-night it looked so stormy but Dick came home to go with me so we went and although it was dark and sprinkled a little it wasn't a bad night. I got my uniform to-night. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Thursday November 12th Did chores and husked corn all morning. This after noon Dick and I drove to Simcoe. Dick got his photograph taken at Moores and I took a lot of harness up to Church's to be fixed. Dick and hung around town till most of it was done, shot two or three games of pool with Dick, first games I ever played, didn't do so badly considering. I had to leave a bridle up there, we left Simcoe about six so it was fairly late when I had my tea. Cloudy most of the day and inclined to be rainy but not cold. Dad started to plow the plum orchard this after noon, awful job. Young Snider from down {Jaw?} lake bought Dad's ram lamb to-day. Friday November 13th It rained a good part of the morning and I drove the boys down to the bank & school. During the morning a terrific wind came up and lifted the top of the straw stack and flopped it between the stack and barn. Dad. & I discovered that Charlotte's heifer was under it but we could hear her lowing. It took us quite awhile to dig her out but she didn't seem any the worse she was up agains the stack so the big weight wasn't on her. Dad. & I went down town before dinner and got our lumber at Tommy's. This after noon Dad. plowed in the plum orchard and I did chores and husked a little corn. It was cloudy windy and rather cold this after noon with occasional spits of sharp rain. Saturday November 14th 149 �I spent the morning doing chores. Frank helped me husk some corn for the pigs and then went down town after some jars Harry Dyer came after his cow and calf. This after noon Frank & I sorted out another pit of potatoes and found a lot of rotten ones. We husked a little more corn. Frank went back to the gully and found Snowdrop in Sam. Law's wheat so brought her up. The others were all right. Dad. got in a full day and finished the plum orchard. He hauled in the potatoes we sorted to-night. After tea he & Frank killed and dressed a couple of roosters. Aunty, Aunty Alice & Lila were over for a little while this after noon. Sunny but cold east wind. Sunday November 15th It rained steadily all day so none of us went down town but sat around and read. Enah and I had a piano & horn concert this after noon. Dick didn't come home last night so we don't know what happened to him nor any of the news. Very windy night. Monday November 16th Dad. & I took the plow and waggon back over the gully this morning and loaded up a load of rails of John Wess' line. He came over and said he would bring his engine over and buzz them up for us when we got them all hauled. Dad. started to plow the old alsike stubble and took in a band or so of the bluegrass field to plow off the little gully. He plowed all the afternoon and got a good start made. I did chores most of the after noon but went back and put on another load of rails for Dad. to haul up to-night.To-night I went down to a surprise party at Billy Boughner's which Elva and the sewing club got up. Had a great time. Bill Buck came and borrowed the hay rack to haul a load of boxes from Simcoe. It has been very cold and windy all day and is freezing hard to-night. Tuesday November 17 It was frozen up solid this morning and very cold and windy so Dad didn't take the team out although he thought he could have plowed in the sod. He killed and plucked a couple of chickens and I went back to John Wess' to see his cement fence post mould. I was over there quite awhile. Didn't do anything much this after noon. Dad. went down to Sam Law's and got our turkeys and I went over to Jack Martin's to see if he wanted to buy my roosters. He said he would come over soon to look at them. Dad. & Frank went down town as Uncle Hall wasn't so well to-day. Wednesday November 18th 150 �Huby came over this morning and we hauled a load of hay over from the big barn to the other and put it over the bull pen. We then went out and divided all the big shocks of corn in one row and hauled them in this after noon. Quint came over to tea and he and I drove to Simcoe to-night. Quint went over to the armories and but didn't drill. We got home about twelve. Aunty was over here all the after noon and is going to stay awhile. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Cold & windy. Thursday November 19th Dad. & I unloaded the load of corn this morning and Huby came over and he & I went out and divided another lot of big shocks so we could put them on the waggon. We hauled in another row before dinner. I just about froze and felt a little sick at noon so didn't do anything for awhile after dinner till Dad. & Huby husked some corn then we put the load off and got another load in without dividing them. Enah, Aunty and Tiddums all went down town this after noon. It has been thawing all day but a very cold raw wind and before dinner we had a short but fierce snow storm. Friday November 20th We intended to haul in the rest of the cornstalks to-day but Henry Auld came over about nine o'clock so I had to help him. It was pretty cold so we didn't try to put the roofing on but we got the sheeting and front on. Huby came over about noon and he and Dad. husked corn and did chores. About five o'clock Mully rather unexpectedly presented us with a heifer calf althoug we discovered that it was just due instead of being a month early as Dad. supposed. It is a dandy and clear red except for a white tip on its tail which Huby says will be a fine landmark if Bluch doesn't bite it off. That makes six head of cattle that I now own. It has been sunny to-day but didn't thaw at all and there was a cold west wind. Saturday November 21st Henry came over again this morning and made the frames for the front of the henhouse and this after noon we put the roofing on. It was pretty cold and we had to heat the tar so it would run. Dad. Frank and I hauled cornstalks this morning. We got them all in in two loads and got the last load after dinner. We had to leave one shock in the middle of a water hole as it was frozen solid. Henry only charged me seven dollars for all his work Thursday December 3rd 151 �It is nearly two weeks since I last wrote in this but this is first day I have been at all in the mood to write as I have been laid up with the "Yaller Janders" and have felt pretty rotten although spending only one entire day in bed. I am not yet able to do anything outside although I feel ever so much better. Frank and Dad. have had a pretty rough time of it and haven't been able till to-day to get a thing done but chores although the frost went out early last week and all the other farmers are well up with their plowing. Dad. got a good early start this morning and Mr. Flemming came over with this team and plow for a surprise so they will get on famously to-day. A week ago Sunday Uncle Hal. was taken very much worse, and Quint came over after Dad. who was down nearly every night and often during the day so got hardly any sleep at all. Uncle Hal. grew gradually worse through the week and although they didn't think he suffered much actual pain often had a very hard time with his breathing, and on Monday morning about four o'clock he died. He was consious I think right up to the last. Roy came up Sunday Saturday night and went back Monday night. He might have stayed longer but got word from Vernon that Rebecca was sick but I don't think it was any thing serious. The funeral was yester day and Dad. Frank & Enah all went down and took the baby with them I stayed here with Mrs. McBride. It has been pretty nice sunny weather for the most part since the frost went out and has only frozen slightly a couple or so nights. It has rained once or twice one all day rain on Tuesday I think. Friday December 4th Mr. Flemming came over and gave Dad. another day's work to-day so they have got on fine Dad. says he can nearly finish it if he gets a good day in to-morrow I felt ever so much better to-day and cleaned out the chicken house and husked & shelled some corn this morning. This after noon I went down and got the Beef scrap and gut at the station I took Nellie and Jonas' old democrat. Aunty & Aunty Alice came over to-night they are going to stay here for awhile.. Cold, raw wind and cloudy all day. Saturday December 5th Dad. plowed all day to-day and nearly finished the field. He took the waggon back with him at noon and Frank and I went back and filled it with rails and Dad. hauled it up to-night. I spent the whole morning and what time I had this after noon in cleaning up the chicken yard and houses and putting fresh straw in. I got it pretty well fixed up. Frank did most of the chores and Dad. cut his hair to-night. Enah sold one of the young gobblers to-night to Will McNeily. Cloudy and windy to-day but not very cold. 152 �Sunday December 6th Aunty & Frank went down to Sunday School and Dick and I joined them at church. This after noon Frank & I did up most of the chores and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. Enah took Frank's and my picture. To-night Frank is to be confirmed and Dad. Enah & Aunty have all gone down to church and Aunty Alice and I are looking after the house. It froze a little last night but hasn't been cold to-day. Monday December 7th Huby came over to-day and has been ditching in the back field all day. Dad. finished the piece he was at and got a good start on the bluegrass side hill. I did chores all day it takes so long to husk corn enouh for the pigs that I don't get time to do anything else, although I did go over and see Brierly to ask him about feeding beef scrap. He told me to mix it with rolled oats and feed in a hopper. Jack said he was coming over to-day to look at the roosters but he didn't come. Mr. Morgan came over before dinner and stayed most of the after noon. I ordered a pecan tree from him. Quint came over to tea to-night and he and I went to Simcoe. I was very much behind as I missed all the rifle drill last week. We went out on a march way down to Yeager's place Dad is in a great figit to-night as he was summoned to appear as a jury man and he thinks Court sits to-morrow but he lost the notice and neglected to write and ask if he wasn't exempt as he ase US Tuesday December 8th Dad was very wrathy this morning as I found out in Simcoe last night that the best thing for him to do was to turn up at the court house to morrow and Cousin Willie told him this morning the same thing. He telephoned to Kelly and found out that he had to be there by one o'clock so he went up but he managed to get off as he is a Vet. It would have been a great day to plow. Huby ditched all day and I didn't do a pesky thing but chores principally husk corn for the pigs. Mr. Flemming came over and said he was going to thrash to-morrow but said he could get along if it would have to stop Dad. from plowing or if I didn't feel well enough to work in the dust but Dad. went over to-night to Quanbury's to telephone to Billy Lewis as he said he would give us a hand when we wanted him. Cloudy and windy but not very cold. Wednesday December 9th 153 �It snowed during the night and has been snowing & blowing all day but not very cold. Dad. helped me husk corn this morning but plowed all the after noon. Both Tupper & John Wess told him they were going to give him some help if it stays open. They say plowing under an inch or two of snow is as good as a coat of manure and that is what Dad is doing. This after noon I hooked up Nellie to the democrat and drove Aunty Alice down town I went around by the mill to get a couple of bags of oats rolled for the chickens but they were to light so I got them chopped and rolled and bought some rolled oats I also got a bag of flour and took it down to the Belgian Relief house. We got home about five o'clock. Thursday December 10th Dad. plowed all day and Tupper sent his man over this after noon so they got quite a chunk done. I did chores and this morning built a hopper in the chicken shed and filled it with twenty five lbs of rolled oats and three or four lbs of beef scrap and they seemed very greedy for it. Enah drove down town this morning and brought Cousin Clare over. She was here all day. There was an extra drill on to-night for the recruits but it was so late when we got through that I didn't go up. Friday December 11th Dad. got in a full day again to-day. I went back for awhile this morning and this after noon I hooked up Nellie to the democrat and drove Aunty Alice over to Mrs. Cooke's and went around by Tupper's and borrowed Charlie Butler's side hill plow, Dad. says it saves a lot of carrying furrows but is very awkward, and it is impossible to do a nice job with it, what bothers him most is seeing the furrow go to the left. Sunny day. Saturday December 12th Dad. plowed all day again and John Wess came over and helped him all day so they got on fine. I did chores and putterd around. Frank went down with Nellie and the democrat and got the box which Cousin Lizzie Hyde sent to us it contained a lot of old family treasures of Fa's older brother. There was a pair of old hosllers, an old sword, a revolver of ancient pattern an old portable desk with some old papers and photo-graphs in it some old silverware and a few books and papers. Huby & Lila came over with Frank and Huby husked corn all the after noon. I got four eggs yesterday which is the most I have got yet but none at all to day. Not so sunny but not cold. Sunday December 13th 154 �Auntie and Frank went down to Sunday school and Enah drove down to church. This after noon Aunty and I drove out to the Smythe's. To-night I walked down to church and Aunty & Aunty Alice went down to Huby's as Aunty Alice wants to be down there to-morrow to get ready for her trip to Ingersoll to see Uncle Hal's sister. Dad. went down to Alfred's to-night and found Blaikie down there so had quite a long visit. It has been snowing pretty much all day. It was coming down very thickly this after noon and evening and when I came home it was very soft, the water was dripping into the cistern. Monday December 14th When we got up this morning we found it had turned much colder and quite a strong wind had got up. The wind kept up all day and was terrific to-night and it was also very cold but sunny and freezing very hard to-night. Dad. & I went back this morning and chased the horses all up and put them in the barnyard. We put Ginger in but the others stayed out all night. We took Charlie Butler's side hill plow and put it through the fence on to the road and then came up and hooked up the team to the bob sleighs and to it home to Tuppers and on our way back got our own plow and took it up. This after noon we did chores principally. Blaike came in to tea. Quint came over to go to Simcoe with me but it was so windy & cold we didn't go. I went down town with him after tea and we were both glad we decided not to go. We went up to Tip's and I bought myself a pretty nice over coat for $13.00. I hung around town awhile and went down to Huby's for a little while. Tuesday December 15th We did chores principally to-day and I shovelled some snow. We were going to haul a load of rails up this after noon but Huby came over to tell Dad. that the township council was meeting this after noon and Hammond sent word over for Dad. to come down and see about his taxes so Dad. went but found it was the same mistake in the asesement which the town council was going to rectify but he saw the asessor and had the pleasure of telling him what he thought of him. When he came home Jack Martin came over to look at the roosters and said he could pick twenty out of this lot. Froze hard all day but wind not so strong. Wednesday December 16th Dad. and I hooked up to the bob-sleighs before dinner and hauled up a load of rails. After dinner we went down to the mill and got a couple of hundred of oat chop for the pigs. Then I filled up the three days' accumulation of manure in the horse stable into the bob-sleigs 155 �and Dad hauled it over to the potato pit. When he came up we hauled the manure spreader from the shed at the cow stable over to the shed at the big barn. We did chores early and I went to Simcoe to-night Quint didn't come over so I went alone. We had a good drill after which I went over to the rink for a minute or two they have started skating up there. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Not quite as cold or windy to-day. Thursday December 17th Dad. and I went back to John Wess' line and got another load of rails this morning. We didn't do any thing much but chores this after noon. Aunty was over to dinner but went back again. Dick told us that Dave. Waddle would be over in the morning to butcher hogs. Much milder to-day & sunny but still freezing. The German's bombarded two or three towns on the English coast. Friday December 18th Dave Waddle & Powell McIntosh came over this morning about ten o'clock armed with a rifle and numerous pig killing utensils We let the pigs out of the pen two at a time and Dave shot them & stuck them. He only had to shoot one twice. They had the whole four all dressed by twelve o'clock - and wouldn't stay to dinner nor take any pay. Sid. McBride came in as they left and I paid him for the chicken feed. We then measured the fence along the road and Dad. orderd 120 rods of fence from him. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and Dad. Frank and I went down with Huby's pig. It was the biggest and dressed 120 lbs. Very much milder to-day and nice out. Saturday December 19th It was snowing hard when we got up this morning and there was quite a wind It was very soft and hasn't frozen all day but is freezing to-night. We moved the calf this morning from the horse stable over to the barn and put the colts in. We also cleaned out the rooster's pen. Chris told me he was coming over to get some of them this morning. He didn't come till to night and as it was getting dusk he only picked out 16! This after noon we hooked up Joe & Ginger to the bob sleighs and the whole family went down town. We left Tiddum's in Aunty's care at Hubys and Aunty Alice who got back on the noon train went up with us. Dad. went in to Moses' and got measured for a suit which Dick is going to have made for him Aunty supplying the stuff. He then went down and cut up Huby's pig for him while Frank and I brought the team home. 156 �Sunday December 20th Daddy & Frank went down to communion at eight o'clock this morning and Frank stayed down to Sunday school and the later service. I didn't go to church at all to-day. About twelve o'clock Dad. hooked up Joe & Ginger to the bob sleighs and drove down and brought over Cousin Clare, Aunty & Aunty Alice to dinner in honor of Tiddum's second anniversary birthday. Dad. drove Aunty Alice & Cousin Claire home before tea and Aunty stayed here to mind Tiddums while Dad. & Enah went down to the Methodist church to hear Nell. Smith sing a solo. Beautiful day, sunny & mild. Monday December 21st It snowed a lot more during the night and it was very wet and heavy but there was quite a cold wind all day and it dried out. I drove the boys down this morning in the bob sleighs and got a couple of bags of chop at the mill for the pigs. Later Dad & I drove down in the cutter and took Aunty down. Dad. went around to see Niel Elliot to see what he would give for Charlotte who is nearly a new milks cow; but Niel wasn't in town but Joe Long said he would tell him. This after noon Dad. cut up a couple of the pigs and I shaved and got ready to go to Simcoe to-night. Dick & Quint came over to tea and we all three went up but it made things pretty crowed in the cutter and consequently cold and heavy pulling. Dick went over to the rink and skated all evening and I drilled. Quint went on a fruitless trek somewhere in the country in quest of a ferret and Dick and I hung around the barn till nearly twelve o'clock and we didn't get home till after one. Tuesday December 22nd We did chores all morning and Dad. cut up the other pig. This afternoon we hooked up to the bob sleighs and drove down and Dad. brought Aunty & Aunty Alice over but I stayed up town got my hair cut and walked home. Frank got out of school at recess to-day for the holidays. He has gone down to the picture show to-night. There has been a very cold wind all day and is freezing hard to-night. Wednesday December 23rd Dad. & Frank went back this morning and got a load of rails and also cut a lot of green poplar sticks out of the woods I spent the morning tacking cotton in one of my chicken frames. This after noon Dad. & Enah drove out to see Mrs. Jim. Waddle who is very ill and not expected to live long. Mrs McBride was here all day. To-night I drove to to Simcoe alone. 157 �We didn't have a long drill as it was so near Christmas so I got home before the family had retired. Windy all day. Cold & still to-night. Frank spent the after noon getting a little Christmas tree for Tiddums. Thursday December 24th I drove Aunty down town this morning in the bob sleighs and got 6.00 of chop at the mill. This after noon Dad. dressed a turkey for to-morrow's dinner and I did chores principally. Winny & Lila came over this after noon with the mail and stayed to tea. Tonight Dad. walked down to get his hair cut and Frank and I hooked up the team later to the bob sleigh and took Win. & Lila down I waited around in the bobs till the Woodstock train came in and then drove Dick, Ferdy who came to spend the holidays with Dick, Dad & Frank home. Cloudy & rather cold. Friday December 25th This being Christmas Day we didn't try to get any more work than was absolutely necessary done. Aunty Alice looked after Tiddums while all the rest of us went down to church Enah got word last night from Harry Moon that Topsy wouldn't be here so she had to play the organ which was rather strenuous as she hasn't had any practice with the choir. Dick & Ferdy spent the after noon at the Dyer's and didn't show up till five o'clock when we had dinner. After church we went around by Huby's and got all of that family but Quint who was hunting but who showed up before dinner. Aunty Maude didn't feel very well but managed to get over Dad. drove them all back again to-night. In the after noon we had a little tree for Tiddums and Huby was Santa Claus. Nobody got or gave any presents (which was arranged before hand) but Tiddums & Lila. Aunty Alice did get us boys some socks etc. but said they weren't Christmas presents. Quint, Tiddums & I went to sleep to-night in the dining room and the rest of the family played "Pit" in the kitchen. Ferdy & Dick went down town after dinner and didnt get back till late when it was discovered that Ferdy's ear was frozen. Beautiful day. Clear and frosty but sunny. Saturday December 26th I did chores principally to-day and Dad & Frank cut down the old snow apple tree in the orchard. Ferdy got up about noon and he had an ear on him as big as a turnip and a great big blister on it. Dad opened it and found it was so badly frozen that poor Ferdy had to stay in the house all day. I guess it was pretty slow but a half-starved Englisman drifted in here looking for work and entertained him while he was getting warm and eating enough to do 158 �him as he said himself till tomorrow morning. Aunty went down town and told us when she came home that some farmer had telephoned in to say this englishman we are sure left him and stole all there was in the house. Dick came home to tea but had to go back again. Huby & Quint came over after tea to catch the little pigeons for a match but could only get two as they roosted so high up in the barn. They came in and played "Pit" with us for quite awhile. They say it was down to 20° below zero last night but has been a beautiful sunny, still but frosty day. Snowed a little this afternoon. Sunday December 27th We didn't get up till late this morning so Dad. & I didn't get to church at all. Aunty walked down to Sunday School and I drove Enah and Frank down to church. Dad. drove after them at noon. Dick & Ferdy spent the morning in bed and the after noon and evening down town. I fooled around and did chores all the after noon. Not so cold to-day but windy & cloudy. Monday December 28th We got a late start again this morning. Dad. & Frank went back to the woods and got some more poplar poles. I went over to Jack Martin's and settled up with him. He gave me a check for $79.00. Neil Elliott came to look at Charlotte but didn't want to give $60.00 for so Dad. thought he would keep her and veal her calf and make enough out of the cream all winter to pay for keeping her although she isn't a very heavy milker. This after noon Dad. intended to go down to Nomination but Tom told us this morning that Mr. Lemon's funeral was this after noon at two o'clock. Right after dinner I drove Enah and Ferdy down town and when I got back Dad. took Joe to go to the funeral but Tom had been here and said he had been mistaken and it was at one o'clock so Dad met them at the Winding Hill and went to the cemetery with them and brought Enah and Tiddums home with him from town. Tonight Dad. Frank and I went down to town nomination but there was no fun Vyse was the only speaker to amount to any thing and will probably go in again by acclaimation. He brought up one little incident of a private nature to spite L.G. Morgan for the articles appearing in the "Maple Leaf" last summer but Murray got up and took L.G.'s part and explained the case satisfactorily. Milder Tuesday December 29th We did chores this morning and this after noon I drove Aunty & Aunty Alice down town in the bob-sleigh. They are going to stay down for awhile to call. Ferdy & Frank went back to the woods with the shotgun, axe & rifle and chopped down a few trees and shot a few 159 �stumps. To-night I went down town thinking there was a band meeting but nobody showed up. Nice day. Wednesday December 30th I went down town this morning to see if I could get Joe shod but Joe Howell's shop was full till noon but I took her down this after noon and got her in Ferdy & Frank went down with me and Frank got the saws from Chris Fairchilds which I took down yesterday to be sharpened and Ferdy stayed down for awhile. While I was at the shop a wedding {illegible} went past which which turned out to be Jean Davis. Quint came over to tea and we went to Simcoe to-night. Quint went to skate and I to drill. There was no light at the armories so they took us out for a couple of miles march and gave us some formations on the march. After this Quint and I went in to the "Reformer" shop to see Karl. who showed us all about his wonderful Linotype machine. Mrs. Jim. Waddle died this afternoon. Nice day and lovely night. Thursday December 31st I didn't do anything but chores all day and this after noon I shaved. Dad. Ferdy and Frank went back to the woods and got a load of poles. This after noon Ferdy & Frank went down town and Ferdy showed Frank through the mill. Ferdy stayed down to tea some where. Tonight I went down to a dance which the "Everready Sewing Club" got up for the relief of the Belgium's. There was a big crown there and altogether they took in fifty four dollars and fifty cents which was clear as they got every thing free. I had a dandy time and danced every dance I could get. I was dancing when the clock struck twelve and Anno Domini One Thousand nine hundred and fourteen was not more than history. For more information on Theobald (Toby) Barrett, check out the “Meet the Diarists” section under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca 160 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1914 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1914 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript & Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>January 1st 1914. Thursday.</p> <p>I began the New Year very badly by allowing the sun to get up or nearly so before me, but I was utterly unaware of it until too late, of course we didn't pretend to do any thing but chores so it didn't matter much. We got every thing done up and I got dressed ready for dinner at Aunty Maude's which was supposed to be at half past one sharp, but as Tiddums went to sleep and they didn't like to wake him, Dad, Enah, Roy &amp; Frank didn't get down till about half past two, but I went down on time and told Aunty Maude how things stood. However when we did get after the turkey we soon polished him off. Dad, Tiddums and I came home about five and did chores and minded Tiddums by turns. Roy had to go back to-night and Enah and Frank went down to the station to see him off Enah and Aunty Maude also went over to Mrs. Johnson's reception where Winnie was tending door. Mrs. Johnson's sent word over to have Huby go over this morning, as she wanted a man to be the first caller on New Year's day. Dick was skating all the afternoon and I guess it is great on the pond. Enah came home after dark and Frank and Lila a little later. Huby and Aunty Maude went up to Mrs. Belle's to a party, Winnie came over to Aunt Lucy's and Quint is capable of looking after himself so Lila came over here to stay all night. Ed. was over here just before Dad. went down town this morning to talk over the coming election. Ed. says he has gone over the voters' list and given Vyse all the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>doubtful ones and has I think one hundred and fifty something votes to Vyse's one hundred and ten, but still Dad. is shaking in his shoes for fear of Ed. being defeated. Dad. sent a card to Rus. Lampkins to-day saying to come down to morrow if at all possible and put up the windmill. It has been freezing and cloudy all day but nice. The wind is rising to-night.</p> <p>Friday January 2nd</p> <p>Rus. Lampkins came at last this morning, he and his man have been here all day and now have the windmill all put to-gether and all ready to erect. I expected to see them build it up but instead of that they put the whole thing to-gether on the ground and rais it with, ropes, pulleys and a team. Huby and Quint came over at noon, Huby was up at his party till three o'clock so didn't get up this morning. He put in the after noon digging the holes for the foundation of the legs, they are just a little inside of the old legs and as they have been put in with stone and brick piled around them he had a fierce time but got them nearly dug. Frank went over and borrowed Tupper's post hole digger and that helped a lot as it will pick out a good sized stone. Chris Quanbury came over this morning and took 16 of the roosters. Lila has been over all day but went home with them to-night. Old Mrs. Martin and {Mrs. Atkinson?} were over this after noon. Cloudy with raw wind, not very cold.</p> <p>Saturday January 3rd</p> <p>It has been a very disagreeable day, it was just spitting snow when we went out this morning and threatened to clear up several times during the fore noon, but after dinner it settled in to snow and stayed right at it till by to-night there was a blinding snow storm raging, before tea the flakes were big and wet but there is quite a north east wind and the snow is drifting. First thing this morning Jim Waddle drove in canvassing for Aikens but Dad. didn't promise him his vote. When he left Rus. Lampkins and his man came, and soon after them Huby and Lila, although they were very doubtful about the weather permitting them to finish the job. We worked all morning digging the holes and Rus. levelled the little tank up and fitted the overflow pipe into it, after dinner they set two of the legs in cement, they just put a little cement in the bottom of the holes around the plates which are bolted on to the legs, and filled the rest up with clay. He said he didn't like to set the other two feet till he got the mill up and saw just where the wanted to go, and he couldn't raise it to-day on account of the snow, he said he would get his ropes all wet, so they left about three o'clock or a little after. Huby and Lila went at the same time. Rus. sized up the kitchen at noon and said he could put in a sink and all fittings from cistern to sink and all for about $9.00 Dad. thinks he will let him. We put the three heifers in the cow stable to-night but let John go loose in there we had a bad time tying Snowdrop up as she was frightened</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday January 4th</p> <p>When we got up this morning which was late we found ourselves almost snowed in, so we had to get right to work and spend an hour or two shovelling ourselves out, but by breakfast which we had some where in the vicinity of ten o'clock we had the buildings pretty well connected by canals through the drifts, some of the paths are pretty roundabout but we took advantage of all bare spots along the sides of the buildings and made them part of the paths. We put in the rest of the day doing chores Dick couldn't very well get down town this after noon so he slept till noon and this after noon he helped us move the piano from the parlor to the living room and Enah played for us most of the afternoon. Tiddums also tore off a little ragtime for us but spent most of his time on the floor. No one has been off the place to-day and no outsider been on it. It has been cloudy (mostly) cold and windy but as the snow had packed a little it didn't drift much to-day, it is milder to-night.</p> <p>Monday January 5th</p> <p>Dad hooked up Joe to the cutter and drove the boys down this morning as Frank had to start back to school, the drifts were pretty bad but he only had to break the trail to the corner as Ed. Forest had been up to Ivey's. Dad noticed just before he started out that Joe had rubbed the skin all off under her fetlock we supposed on Ginger's rope, she has been pretty sore on it all day. Dad. came right back and we did up all the chores this morning. After dinner we both drove down town. Dad. voted for Ed. and then I don't know where he went as there is a new law or else an old one being enforced that no one except the candidate can drive a voter to the polls, so Dad. lent Ed. the horse to do a little canvassing with, we took Belle because Dad. thought if he was allowed to drive any elderly ladies to vote they would not be at all afraid to ride behind Belle and they might be with Joe and Joe's leg was sore and Belle needed the exercise. I went around and got my hair cut and hung around all the after noon although things were very quiet. Dad. and Frank went home about five but as I had to be down at the band room at seven o'clock I didn't go home to tea but stayed at Huby's and Dad. and Frank drove down again with my horn. Quint and I were up in Jim Low's pool room when they were counting ballots, when we thought they ought to be about through we came down and the first person we saw was Hugh McQueen and my heart dropped when he told us that Vyse had beat Ed. by 40 of course we thought he was lying but on going down street we found Ed. in the Dominion, and it was all too true, although it is rather hard to understand. The councillors are Freeman Henderson, Billy Langs, Ward Sovereign and R.M. Taylor. I was up at the band room soon after seven and all the boys were there except Murphy and Fred Warren although they were both in town. and they say</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Murphy was the one who first proposed that we go out to-night, but they suppose he was a little sore at the way things went, he should have seen Harry Moon who must have been as much disappointed as any of us and yet went out and enjoyed himself as much as any one. We started out soon after seven with Al. Martin and Douglas the Scotchman hauling Harry Dyer and his drum on a hand sleigh in the {car?} and followed by a large number of kids ranging from those about two sizes larger than Tiddums right up to those old enough to know better, and we had Barge Waddles {Jeik?} McDonald, Tisy and Ceicl Schram as torch bearers. Of course we set out for Vyse's first but by the time we got over the hill our horns were frozen solid so we had to go in to Carl Coleman's to thaw them out we got treated there to wine and fruit cake and in return played a measly waltz, which I got hopelessly mixed up in, we then went up to Vyse's and by the time we got there my horn was frozen solid and I had to thaw it out on a torch we got more wine and fruit cake in there to say nothing of the eloquent speeches of Walt. and Vyse, the former extending congratulations on behalf of the band and the latter slobbering smooth {loush} all over us, intimating how grand and fortunate for the band to have had him in the past and to have him again in the future. Dover's chief cook and bottle washer. We then dropped in on Uncle Ward where we got a royal reception, Aunty Maude, Win and Lila were all there and Huby had been over with some cider which was very much enjoyed by all who partook of it, we also had coffee, cake and oranges fixed up, as we were leaving Uncle Ward. remembered he had a box of cigars for us so chased us out into the snow to give them to us. I didn't take one but induced Pud. Slocombe to give me a few puffs on his, he became alarmed for fear I was going to keep it so knocked it out of my mouth into the snow but smoked it all the way down town then volunteered the information that it had been too much for him, our next call was on Mr. Taylor, but we had to thaw our horns out first at Bob. Rankin's before we could make our presence known to R.M. He didn't ask us in but made a donation to the band and passed around more cigars one of which I collared and smoked (foolishly I suppose) and was not bothered by Pud. claiming any puffs or by any feeling that it was too much for me. The next man on our calling list was Henderson and we thawed out at Mr. Thompson's before doing our little stunt for him. He made another donation and speech which contained the information that his house was much too small for us, which we know to be perfectly correct. Walt also gave his recitation which he had pretty well off by heart at this time, the same as we had the piece of music which he had us play and every stop. Billy Langs living farthest away was the last councillor for us, so we beat our steps for his domain. None of our number resided in that vicinity so we called unceremoniously on George Steel to be warmed up. George told us we were a hot bunch to come in on a feller with out being asked and that Bill Langs had just as much gas as he did but he lit another fire for us and we rattled off "We wont go</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>home till morning" for him, he said it was pretty poor playing and sounded to him just like "To hell with Bill Langs. To hell with Bill {Young?}. When we went over to Billys he took us in and fed us up properly. I had got pretty well filled up before though so didn't partake of much We were there quite awhile and on coming out trailed down street in any old order playing "Marching throu Georgia" and such airs as we didn't need music for. I know I was coming down Main street beside Carl who banged the drum, with Harry Moon ahead of me and leads and other parts both ahead and behind. It was getting late but at the door of the Dominion we found George Hammond who we had heard had beaten Aikens by 109 votes so we went inside and kicked up a little row in honor of him Gundry who was last on the list of township councillors was also there. Hammond bought cigars but I {let}bad enough alone. We played The "Campbells are comin" in which the horns drone on one note with out music. Harry struck the note but neither of us remember the name of it, I got Eb which sounded about like Harry's and played it all through finding out after wards that it was the wrong note the right one being Ab. but Enah said that it would not be a discord although I guess it wouldn't have mattered much if it was and mabee would have been better to give the desired bagpipe effect. We then broke up, and went home I picked Dick up or at least he fell in with me as he had been spending the evening at the Dyer's and we got home about twelve. Every body was in bed of course but Dad. was not asleep as he was brooding over the elections, the only bright spot in the whole day for him was a little incident this morning. When he was coming down Main street after leaving Frank at school, old man Stringer hailed him and asked him for a ride down town Dad. pulled up and growled at him to get in and then said he supposed he was going down to kill his (Dads) vote 'Ah!' says old Henry "I dont know". "Well I know" Dad said good and savagely "darned well you are". They hadn't got quite to old Henry's place and hadnt gone half a block when he thought he would like to get out home and change his clothes, but Dad. assured him that his clothes were plenty good enough for the man he was going to vote for, however the old boy disembarked and told Dad. he thought he had used him a little rough, he had always had a great admiration for him Dad. said he had a mighty queer way of showing it. But what tickled Dad. about it was that Jack Martin told him to-night that old Henry has told the tale among the Vysebites. It has been a pretty nice day as far as the weather was concerned, and a beautiful night, clear, frosty and moonlight. It think it froze pretty hard before midnight judging from the looks of things and the way the boards in the side walks scrunched and creaked, I didn't feel a bit cold although I had no overcoat or gloves on I think it turned milder towards morning.</p> <p>Tuesday January 6th</p> <p>Dad. drove the boys down this morning and got a sack of flour. Rus. Lampkins and his man came while he was gone but they</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>met him so he went around and got Huby. It took till noon to get everything ready to raise the wind mill as the snow made things nasty to work with, but right after dinner we raised it with out any trouble Harry and Bell walked it up nicely and by to-night it was all complete and pumping water, it works all right. Mr. Flemming was here to-day to invite us to go thrashing there to-morrow. It has been a raw, damp, miserable day and windy</p> <p>Wednesday January 7th</p> <p>Dad. went down to Sam. Laws this morning and got Jimmy to go over to Flemming's for us as he thought my cold would be pretty was too bad to go thrashing, and as they are coming here next we were too busy to go any way. After breakfast he drove the boys down to school &amp; bank and saw Butler about getting a set of bobsleighs. Butler had sold the set which was there but was getting two more in a day or so. When Dad got home he went down and borrowed Alfred's. We did up the chores this morning as we had neglected a lot of yesterdays we had {lots} to do. After dinner we went down to Penmans to see if we could get a load of soft coal for the thrashers. Harry Moon said that the General Superintendent was there then and Henderson didn't like to sell any coal but we could get it if we came down after five to-night or early to-morrow morning, so we went down and weighed the sleighs and on our way home stopped in at Uncle Ward's to get some wood. He has some good apple wood which he split and piled in the shed last winter hoping to have it for his furnace but he found it smoked there so said we could have it. We got all that he had in the shed in two trips and put it in the wood shed here. He has some more long stuff piled out side but we didn't take it to-day. This was Dick's birthday but he didn't get home till late to-night. Fine and mild.</p> <p>Thursday January 8th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down right after breakfast this morning and got our load of Coal Dick rode down as far as the mill with us. We only got 1850 lbs. and as no one was around the office to pay we don't know how much it cost. It wasn't very good as there were hardly any big lumps, when we brought it home and unloaded it. Frank and I took the sleighs back to Alfred's as he wants to get a load of hard coal and Omar said it was going fast. Dad. did chores. This after noon we cleaned up the floor of the old barn and about five Enah and I drove down town for provisions Frank was sick last night and has not been at school all day. Dad. also feels pretty rotten with a cold so does Enah but Tiddums and mine are getting better I think. It has been cloudy but very soft all day it looked as though our sleighing wouldn't last long. There hasn't been wind enough to drive the wind mill since six o'clock this morning.</p> <p>Friday January 9th</p> <p>Dad. and I put in most of the morning cleaning up the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>big barn floor and Dad. patched the weak spots. Jack McBride and Albert Reid brought over the wire fencing that Dad. ordered from Sid. McBride. He was in yesterday and said he would dump it off the car down there some place for us to get when we had time but as it is we are saved a trip. They finished at Flemming's soon after dinner and moved right over here, it took them quite awhile to get set and they didn't thrash any this afternoon. About four o'clock Frank and I drove down for some more provisions which Enah forgot to get yesterday. While I was waiting for him Johnny and Helen Anderson came along and expressed the desire to see New York so I took them for a swirl around half a dozen blocks or so. Jim Law was in this afternoon and only charged Dad. $3.00 for two days and a half thrashing. It has been very soft again all day. There wasn't enough wind to drive the windmill till late this after noon and then she pumped a trough tank full of water.</p> <p>Saturday January 10th</p> <p>We thrashed all day to-day in the alsike but didn't quite finish as the clover mill broke down some where this after noon and there is still another load or so in the mow, it hasn't turned out very well so far we have only got about seven bushels of seed. We put the straw out doors and I looked after it or at least was supposed to I have kind of a {stede?} &amp; square one but of course it isn't topped out yet. It was rather hard to build owing to a strong nor' west wind. It was pretty rotten up there except just on the north west corner. I kept that corner pretty well tramped. Dad. hired Jim Law again and Tupper sent Jonas over. Mr. Flemming sent old Bill George and Bill sent Teddy. Dad. did all the chores and as Enah had no one to help her, he and Frank I think looked after Tiddums quite a lot. It has been much colder today, froze a little all day and windy with a little snow.</p> <p>Sunday January 11th</p> <p>Dad. and I did chores off and on all day and I read, shelled corn and darned a sock in the intervals. Frank was sick in the night and has felt very miserable all day hardly stirring away from the stove. Dick got up about noon and this after noon took Belle and went for a drive we are not sure who with, conscience tells us it was Dess. Dyer but Dick tells us it was Mr. Hobbes. He didn't stay long ast it was a nasty day but went down to the pond as soon as he got home he said there was a big bunch down there, he intended to go to church and I guess did. Allan Law came over this afternoon and put a little fire in the engine to warm up the water in the boiler. He said his father sprained his ankle last night and was pretty lame on it to-day. I was a beautiful sunny morning with out any wind but this after noon it got cloudy and blustery with a little snow and to-night there is a fierce south west wind with snow. Dad. had to kill one of the pigeons which came here from the shooting match to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday January 12th</p> <p>This has been the worst day we have had this winter. There has been a high north west wind and the snow blowing in clouds so that at times we couldn't see from the house to the barns, it has been very cold, and freezing hard all day. First thing this morning Mrs. McBride came over but of course didn't try to wash. Jonas and Ted. George came over too but there was no possibility of thrashing so they didn't stay long. I drove Dick down to the bank this morning and when I got back took Mrs. McBride home. The roads weren't impassable any where but our lane was drifted full in the road way so I had to go along the top of the bank next the lawn fence. We didn't try to do any thing but tend to the stock, not even clean out the horse stable. Allan Law came over this afternoon to put a fire in the engine to thaw her out. About five o'clock Dad. walked down town and got the mail and some whooping cough medicine from Dr. Cook for Tiddums as we are pretty sure he has it. He left word at Huby's for Dick to stay down all night. Frank was a little better to-day but feels pretty sick yet.</p> <p>Tuesday January 13th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing but chores and shovel snow all day. Mrs. McBride came this morning and was tuckered right out after her walk through the drifts. The road from here to the corner is impassable with a cutter and we shovelled a road out the lane. Ted George came over this morning thinking we would be thrashing but it was too cold so he played in the house with Frank most of the day building a swing bridge with Frank's Meccano. Sam and Allan came over this after noon to thaw out the boiler and fix the mill where it broke the other night. Sam said they never thrashed when it was below zero. They said it was 7° below zero down town this morning and I think it must have stayed about that all day for I had to spend about half the time keeping my hands and ears from freezing although it was a lovely sunny day with just breeze enough to run the windmill. Dick went to Simcoe to-night with a sleigh load which Billy Boughner took up and he said it was 16 below up there. In Toronto it was lower temperature than they had had for 27 years.</p> <p>Wednesday January 14th</p> <p>I didn't feel very well when I got up this morning, and while I was watering the horses a sick &amp; weak feeling came on me and it was all I could manage to get to the house and flop myself on the sofa in the kitchen. I haven't done any thing but sit around the stove and read all day. To-night I went out to have a little tea but while I was at it I felt deathly sick and made for the door. I can just remember standing there for a minute and then tumbling over on the wood shed floor. Dad. and Enah hiked out and got me in on the sofa where I felt quite a lot better.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Ted. George was over again to-day but as they didn't thrash he helped Dad. do chores. Jonas was also over but didn't stay long. Dad. and Ted went down with the team this morning and got the bobsleighs from Butler, this after noon they put the box on them and went down town again for groceries and got a load of apple wood at Uncle Ward's, this is smaller limbs than the last we got and will have to be sawed a couple of times I guess they thought it was too cold to thrash again to day but we would have been short handed anyway with me sick and Jim. Law has gone to Stratford to a cheese makers convention. It has not been quite so cold as yesterday but more windy and with a little snow. Frank put in the day fixing a spring on Tiddum's carriage and fixing locks on various doors in the house</p> <p>Wednesday Thursday January 15th</p> <p>Although not quite O.K. I felt ever so much better to-day and was able to do quite a few little chores and fix a bit of sacking in the chicken house window to keep the snow out. Sam &amp; Allan were in this morning and said they thought if it was fair they would thrash Saturday, but we saw Allan again this after noon and he said they would get at it to-morrow. Ted. and Jonas both came over again. Jonas went on over to Tupper's to work but Ted. stayed here all day and chopped wood. This after noon we hooked up Joe and Ginger to the bob-sleighs and Dad. Ted and I drove down town and got the mail. We saw Dick but as there is a dance on to-night he didn't come home with us for Wiggins is going to press his every day pants for him. Very soft and cloudy all day looks like rain.</p> <p>Friday January 16th</p> <p>Sam Law came over soon after daylight this morning but as it was raining then he didn't know whether to fire up or not, but at last decided to, as it let up a little it took an hour or two to get any steam for some reason or other and it was after ten before they got started to thrash and then a belt broke and it took half an hour to fix it. Ted. George was the only man to show up early Jim Law came over the middle of the fore noon and Jonas in time for dinner he was over at Tupper's. There was only a little alsike left and we just got about a bushel of seed out of it. They finished it up and got all moved over to the other barn by half past twelve as they had to spend half an hour or so getting the engine through a snow drift. By the time we got through dinner it was raining again so we hung around in the drive shed for quite awhile where Jim Law mauled the life pretty near out of Jonas, and then over in the barn where we kept snowballs on the fly but at last Sam decided to quit. and told them to be back by to-morrow noon. Dad. and I did up the chores and then we drove Belle down after the mail and took Ted. with us. Dad. saw Dr. Cook about the baby as he has been very miserable to day, the whooping cough is bad enough but he is cutting another tooth</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 17th</p> <p>I drove Dick down to the bank first thing this morning and when I got back Dad. and I hooked Harry and Belle to the sleigh and went down to Porter's, we didn't get back till about noon. Sam Law came over while we were gone &amp; fired up and they got started up about one o'clock and finished about four, there was about two bags and a half of seed from the four loads. Allan &amp; Jim Law &amp; Bert Munroe were all down at Ern Flemming's to a dance last night and didn't get in till about six o'clock this morning they said they had a fine time but thought it a little strange that they should be invited to a private house with the stipulation that the ladies were to bring refreshments, and that a collection should be taken up to pay the fiddler, and that the host should keep two dollars out and submit the remaining five to the fiddler, who was {Lym Waddle?}. After tea to-night Dad. &amp; I drove down to get the mail and we took Ted. George with us, (the others all went home to tea) we chased all over town to find Dick as he had the key to the post office box and at last found him and he came home with us, he got another fifty dollar raise in his salary to-day dating back to December 1st. That is the secon one since he has been in there which is just a little over a year. Lila has been over all day and is staying all night. Tiddums feels pretty rotten but is a little brighter to-day. It was cloudy and blustery this morning but the sun came out this after noon and it was not so cold high north wind all day.</p> <p>Sunday January 18th</p> <p>I just did a few chores this morning and went down to church alone. Lila went down earlier to be ready for Sunday school. Frank's calf was too bad for him to go, Dick was in bed, Enah had to look after Tiddums and Dad's. time was taken up ministering to the needs of a heifer calf which Charlotte presented us with soon after we went out this morning. Its ear froze a couple of times but Dad. and Frank thawed it out with snow, when I came home it was on the kitchen floor, they had to bring it in to keep it from freezing to death. They took it out after it got good and warm and dry and I had taken a picture of it but Charlotte didn't seem very anxious to own it so Dad is going to try to teach it to drink now but it hasn't drunk any to-day. Allan Law came in this morning with a bottle of stuff which he bought down town for Witch Hazel for Sam's eye. Sam said it wasn't the right color (dark brown) for with Hazel and told him to ask Dad. Dad smelt it and tasted it and said it was clear whisky. Allan said if Sam had known that he would have swallowed it but Dad said he hadn't better as something else might be in it, so he gave him some of his. Allan said his sleighs had come but weren't set up yet, so he said we would go to Jarvis with our seed to-morrow with our sleighs and his team. This after noon I drove Enah down town to see the Doctor about Tiddums, Dick went down with us and I suppose has gone to church to-night. It has been pretty cold all day but fairly sunny and no wind, milder to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday January 19th</p> <p>I was up before six this morning and we had the seed loaded and allready to start for Jarvis at eight o'clock, Allan brought his team up soon after and by the time we got his seed on and on the road it was ten minutes to nine, but the sleighing was fine and we got there in a little more than an hour. We unloaded the seed at Jake Fesses and he just got started on our lot a little before dinner. I had my dinner alone as Allan was down at Roy Misner's. I was over at Fesses all the after noon but Allan was just there a little while. They finished cleaning up the seed about four o'clock in time for me to get my check cashed which I did as I wanted to buy half a dozen bags from Fess and forgot to tell him to take the price of them off the check. The whole thing came $55.26. The alsike cleaned away about half, so I only got 4 bushels and 20 lbs, he docked me a little on it as there was a little white clover in it but I got $8.00 a bushel for it. The red seed he said had a little buckhorn in it and I only got 7.75 for it. I brought home about a bushel of it and sold 2 bushel and 40 lbs. Alan only had about a pailful of alsike which he brought home and he got the same as me for his red seed, it had no buck horn in it but he docked him on brown seed. We got home here just about dark pretty well satisfied with the day's doings Dad. I guess did chores most of the day the new calf got loose this after noon and milked Charlotte for him. Miss Newel was over to see Tiddums and he drove her home. Cloudy, mild and a little breeze looks like snow or rain</p> <p>Tuesday January 20th</p> <p>We didn't get up till about eight o'clock this morning so were late with every thing. Dad. drove Dick down town while I was at breakfast After I cleaned out the stables I sacked some corn and Frank and I bagged up some oats to take down to be chopped. Dad. wanted to go down to a meeting of the cream factory patrons but it was too late when we got through dinner. He and I took our grist to the mill after dinner and came up around by Uncle Ward's and got another load of wood when we got it unloaded Frank and I went down town for the mail and provisions and came up around by the mill and got our chop and some bran, shorts &amp; buckwheat, getting home soon after five. Dad. did chores and cut wood while we were gone. Mrs. Art Ryersie was in this morning with some garlicks which she said mixed with rum made a fine concoction for the whooping cough and she thought Tiddums would benefit by it I don't know whether he is to take it internally or not I think it will be informally which ever way it goes. Alan and Jim Law brought our sleigh home this morning. They drove down in them to get their own which are Bain make and cost $2.00. They are very similar to ours but a little heavier and there is $4.00 difference in the price. Rotten day, very cloudy and foggy, fine rain most of the day freezing light breeze to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 21st</p> <p>First thing this morning Molly had a fine big bull calf, good red one and as big as Charlotte now or bigger. Dad. drove Dick down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to the bank this morning and we didn't do any thing much but chores the rest of the morning. Lloyd Phillips came over and got a load of hay but he had Garf {Porcrit?} and another fellow with him so we didn't have to help him put it on. This after noon Dad. Frank and I wrote to Uncle Hal. for his birthday and I went over to Martin's with the bit Frank borrowed from Art. Quanbury the other day, I saw Mr. Briley and he was telling me that he didn't think a mash was the right thing at all for laying hens, while Chris told me to feed it so it's hard to tell what to do exactly. Dad. and I hooked Joe &amp; Ginger to the bobs and went down to post Uncle Hal's letter but we were too late for to-night's mail. Dick and Wiggins rode over as far as the corner with us and then walked on around the hill we gave {Bruce?} Vice a ride home too. We also brought some lumber over from Tommy Gilles's for John Quanbury as Chris asked us to on our way down. We had great difficulty to-night in trying to catch Dreadnaught and drive him into his stall and at last by running him through the deep snow until he was tired and he went in of his own accord. Snowed an inch or two last night and has been rather cold and blustery all day.</p> <p>Thursday January 22nd</p> <p>I did chores this morning and cleaned the straw out of the chicken house and also sat in the dining room for awhile to catch Tiddums if he woke up coughing and put in the time sorting "Farmer's Advocate" Dad. and Frank sawed down the old Northern Spy in the pig yard as it was dead. This after noon they cut some of it up and got a lot of first class fire wood out of it. After dinner I put a lot of fresh straw in the chicken house and helped Dad fix a pent in the corner of the old barn to put the calves into. Lovely day, fairly sunny and not too cold, looks like snow.</p> <p>Friday January 23rd</p> <p>We spent most of the morning battoning up the calf pen and Dad. put the window in. This after noon he put the surcingle &amp; bridle on Osprey. He didn't like it at all at first but once he got started he walked down to the corner and back alright but sweat up a lot. When we got back I did a few chores and Dad and Frank got some more apple wood. Cousins Loll &amp; Phoebe came over and about four o'clock Frank &amp; I drove them home we also got the mail and a couple of boxes to feed the calves in Charlie Butler was in at noon to see Dad. about some horse. It has been cloudy and very soft all day. Looks very much like a storm.</p> <p>Saturday January 24th</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning, turned to snow about nine o'clock and snowed till noon. Dad. put the harness and bridle on Osprey again but we couldn't take him out so just left him there all morning He must have gone through some violent exercise, probably trying to get loose as when we went in at noon he was wringing wet. Dad. also trimmed his front feet and had to resort to chastisement to make him behave</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We put the old waggon and the plow in the shed out of the rain before dinner. This after noon it stopped storming but got a little colder. Frank went down to the McBain's auction sale but didn't buy anything he said there was a big crowd there. I spent half the after noon looking at a book of house plans and then helped Dad. saw a few pieces of the old apple tree we then did chores. I drew a plan for our new barn to-night.</p> <p>Sunday January 25th</p> <p>Frank was the only one from here who went to church this morning as it was late when we got up and Dad. and I spent most of the fore noon doing chores and we also took Osprey out for a little exercise. Dick was asleep the greater part of the morning. Frank and I went for a skate down on the pond this afternoon. Dick went down but I guess there weren't enough girls on the ice to catch him so he went on up town and lent his skates to Fred. Tuck. I was late getting there so only had an hour or two's skate but I enjoyed that much for the ice was pretty good and as it was my first skate this season maybe it was just as well not to make it too long. I went down to church to-night and came home right after, but didn't see any thing of Dick who was not home to tea. It has been sunny and quite mild all day but is a little colder to-night.</p> <p>Monday January 26th</p> <p>After we did chores this morning, we hooked up Harry and Belle to the waggon and went over to Sam's to get our quarter of beef. We took it down to Alfred's and weighed it and it was just 90 lbs which was pretty good for the front quarter of a calf not quite a year old. It was just about noon when we got home but we went and got a jag of rails before dinner. After dinner we went and got another load of rails and then went down town for the mail and some yeast cakes and got back about five. John Wess was in just before dark as his mare has a little touch of lymphangitis again. Dad. told him what to do for it and said that he would go over and see it in the morning. To-night I went down to the pond for a skate as I saw they had quite a lot shovelled off. I got a ride part way down with Allan Law and he said they were going to start hauling ice to-morrow and that he could haul ours for us if we wanted him to. I told him we couldn't put it in to-morrow but we might the day after. There wasn't a big crowd on the pond and only a very few girls but the ice was good. I put in most of the time chasing Bunyan Beecraft and Tony Bannister to punish them for throwing snowballs all over. I caught Tony early in the game and twisting his hair till he got down on the ice and filling his hat with snow succeeding in persuading him to behave himself but Bunyan was another proposition. In the first place I couldn't begin to catch up with him, being out of practice I suppose - and then he was so nimble getting around the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>corners I would sometimes be nearly on him and he would jump right off the track into the snow and aparently make just as good progress there as on the ice. I jumped in after him once but my feet slid out from under me and I cleaned off quite an area of ice in a very short time and carried most of the snow off on my clothes. At last Alex Spain joined in the chase and we both got Bunyan headed for Ivey's point where we thought we would catch him for sure, we could just see his figure ahead of us and followed him around the point right through the snow and some very poor ice till the first thing we knew he was taking to the land like one of these aligator boats, we hiked back around the point hoping to be where we thought he would get on the ice again by the time he was but there was no sign of him. He told us after wards when we were taking our skates off in Greenbury's woodshed that he was up behind Ivey's ice house and heard us go past. Dick came down before I left and hung around till I got my skates off and went up to Huby's after a loaf of bread I got up town. We got home about ten. Very soft all day not wind enough to turn the windmill till after dark. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day.</p> <p>Tuesday January 27th</p> <p>As soon as we got things done up this morning which was about ten o'clock we hooked up and went over to John Wesses and Dad. gave his mare a {ball?}. Mr. Morgan was looking over there and we got looking at his gasoline engine and he was running it and grinding oats and showing us all around so it was after noon when we got home. Mr. Morgan came home with us and stayed to dinner and half the after noon, consequence being that we didn't get any thing but chores done although we had intended to haul some rails and clear out the ice house Allan Law was in to-night and said if they were hauling ice to-morrow he would haul ours for us but I think it is raining now so not likley they will be doing much with the ice. It has been very soft and spring like to-day. It rained last night and took most of the snow of the roads and left them very slippery.</p> <p>Wednesday January 28th</p> <p>We cleaned out the ice house first thing this morning and got it all ready to fill. It rained last night and was so very mild that we didn't think Alan was coming but just as we got ready for him he came along with a load, he said he went to see Val. about it last night but Val. was at lodge, so this morning he went down after a load of sand for the chickens as he thought they wouldn't be cutting to-day but some body saw him down town and told him that Val. wanted him to haul what was on the stand over here so he did, he got two loads over before dinner and four this after noon. we didn't get the last load chincked or placed to-night and if all is well he is going to haul over two more loads in the morning. We think we are putting this in better</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>than we did last year, we are leaving a good space between the walls and the ice for sawdust, and we put rails and sawdust in the bottom, but the ice isn't as good as last year especially what has been out of the water in the sun all day. Jim Coley was over this morning and got Dad. to give him a two weeks option on his lots, he says he can almost guarantee the sale of them at $600.00. Bob. and Cars. Rankin also drove over and brought the saddle &amp; bridle back. Bluch was very glad to see them and followed them way down the road but came back when we called him. Tupper came in to get his post auger which we borrowed to dig the holes for the windmill feet. Mrs. Tupper and the baby were with him. I guess Mrs. Tupper wanted to see Tiddums but she didn't want to bring her kid in on account of the whooping cough and it was asleep anyway, Enah brought Tiddums to the window to wave at her. It has been very spring like and the sleighing is going fast.</p> <p>Thursday January 29th</p> <p>Just about as we got ready for him this morning Alan came along with a load of ice and hauled one more before dinner, we then saw that we needed eleven more cakes to fill up the ice house evenly so he brought 14 over this after noon, he said he had a hard time getting them as the machine wasn't working. We put the extra three on top. Dad. chincked it while I cleaned out the horse stable which has been neglected for two days, that makes over eight loads of ice that can be put in that ice house. Old Bill George drove over before dinner to get the fork that Ted. left over here. He was driving his yearling colt to the cutter and the seighing is about gone, it is the same age as Queen and not nearly so big so that sort of treatment must be hard on it. Harry Dyer, his brother and Hammy Innes were over for awhile this after noon. Dick came home to tea to-night to change his clothes and attend the dance of the Orchestra's in the town hall. Another April day, water is running over everything and "the buds are within a holy ace of bustin" as Art. Ryersie says. The snow is fast giving place to mud and it looks as if it would rain again. Quite a strong south west breeze all day.</p> <p>Friday January 30th</p> <p>It was freezing when Dick came home at three o'clock this morning and has been freezing in the shade all day but not very hard. We found that the south west wind the early part of last night had melted quite a lot of the ice that it could reach through the west window, so Dad. had to fix it a little and we put in all the sawdust we had, but will need quite a lot more. Dad. thought the roads would be too icy to go to-day. We gave Osprey a little exercise before dinner and I sorted out a lot of the apples down cellar. This afternoon we tore down a lot more of the gully fence but just put the rails in piles. It was a lovely day to do it as the snow is nearly all gone. More like a lat fall day to-day except that there is so much running water.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 31st</p> <p>We didn't do much but chores to-day. Dad. cut a big pile of wood and I Frank carried it and I wheeled most of the sand which Dad. got for Frank Slocomb to mend the cistern with from the house over to the drive shed and put it in to dry up the mud as the water as run in a lot since it thawed. This afternoon Dad. and Frank drove down town to get the mail and some provisions. They got a letter from "The Library of Original Sources" saying that our books would doubtless be here with in the next few days. I spent the evening making entries for the past month in my book keeping book. The hens haven't nearly payed for themselves. I got six eggs to-day which is the most yet. Mr. and Mrs. Walt McCall drove Dally over this morning. She cawked one of her front feet and Walt got Dad. to look at it. It has been a very blizzardy day but not cold. It was hail sleet when we got up this morning then rain and a blow this after noon with strong east wind which shifted right around. To-night it is blowing hard but I think clear.</p> <p>Sunday January February 1st</p> <p>I haven't done much all day. This morning Enah and I drove down to church but got home very early. After dinner Dick and I went down town I went over to Harry Moon's and spent the after noon and stayed to tea. Harry was showing me over the new part of his house which he has fixed up pretty slick but hasn't quite finished the upstairs yet. They went to church to-night so I went down to Huby's. Quint. and Win were at church and Lila was over here but Huby and Aunty Maude were home. Frank came home with Lila while I was there so I went home with him. I don't know where Dick went but I have a sneaking idea that he spent the after noon over at Dyers. Last night when Dad. locked up the stable there wasn't a sign of Bluch so we thought he must have followed them down town when they went down after the mail last night, although they watched him, so to-day after church Frank went down to the Rankin's and sure enough he found Bluch there so brought him home. Bob. Rankin told Huby. that Jimmy cried himself to sleep last night because they wouldn't let Bluch sleep with him and told him they couldn't keep him. Some fellow was in here from Nanticoke to-day to have Dad look at his horse. I got seven eggs to-day. It has not been very cold stormy to-day but there has been a cold strong west wind.</p> <p>Monday February 2nd</p> <p>After we got the chores done we went out and hauled up three loads of rails before dinner, we got nearly all we had torn down. We also cut the tips off Erie's and Spotty's horns as we thought that the comfort or even saftey of the other animals was hazarded by their sharp points, we cut one of Erie's a little lower than we intended and severed a little artery. It soon stopped after we let her out but this after noon she scrubbed it against Snowdrop or the straw stack</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and covered Snowdrop with gore and when we let them in to-night a beautiful little spurt was coming out of it but Dad. soon stopped it but putting a little chop stuff on it. We intended to go prospecting for sawdust this after noon but by the time I got the rails unloaded The Law's came in to take their clover mill and engine down to Bob. Leitch's as the roads are now in grand shape. We were very glad to have the clover mill out of the barn as it was a great nuisance, but we didn't get a chance to go for our saw dust as they were here most of the after noon getting up enough steam to raise hel the engine out of the ground where she was frozen in, when Alan threw her in she would hump and stop "breathing" just like a horse trying to lift a big load, but after a few strains she loosened up and got out. Sam's brother-in-law was with them and he seemed to understand quite a lot about it. When they went Dad. put Joe's harness on Osprey and hooked him up to the bobs with Belle. he did pretty fair but seems to throw or paddle his nigh forefoot. Jonas came over this morning and borrowed a pitch fork and the hay knife as he is going to move the hay from McBains barn to Sam McBrides as they are tearing down the old McBain barn to-day. he brought them back to-night and is now playing checkers with Frank. The bear had ample chance to see his shadow to-day as the sun has been shining nearly the whole time it has been an ideal winter day, not too cold and just enough wind to turn the wind mill. I got seven eggs again to-day. They are getting a lot of milk now and it is beginning to tell on them.</p> <p>Tuesday February 3rd</p> <p>I got up about five this morning and read till daylight When Dad. came out I found that Dick had brought home word last night that Winckey Smith was dead and was to be brought here on the eleven o'clock train to be buried, and as the funeral was to be taken charge of by the mason's, Dad. was wanted at the lodgeroom at ten o'clock. I drove down with Dad. and hung around till the train came in and then drove up to the cemetery with him. After the service was over there we drove over to Evan's woods on the Radical opposite old Stringer's place to see if there was any sawdust. We had quite a time finding any signs of a sawmill but at last Dad. came on it way back in a little ravine. He said there were no men around but quite a few bags and a pile of sawdust. This after noon Dad. went down and got his hair cut and was gone all the after noon. I watered the horses and cleaned out the cow stable and then I took a walk back the lane to look at the little trees. Most of them on the west side are dead while most on the east are alive. To-night Dad. went over to a men's party at Jack Martin's. It has been very soft all day and the sleighing is just about gone. There is snow lying in the fence corners and on the north side of things but it looks very Spring like, water is running every where and the fields are nearly all brown and where ever the sun can reach it looks dry and warm. I got twelve eggs to-day which I thought was pretty good.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 4th</p> <p>Tobe did not write this up last night as he went skating. I did not get up this morning until 7.30. I found Toby up and the kitchen fire on and good and warm. Dick did not get home last night till sometime after I did and then we talked till after 2 O'Clock. After doing up the usual round of chores, we caught the 5 roosters and took them over to Jack Martin. It was dinner time when we got home from there. After noon we put on a small load of hay to take over to the other barn for the cows and calves. Frank went to skate after school. After tea Toby and I went down town he to skate and I to a school board meeting where we had a lively time, it looked at first as if we would not get anything done but it became quite peaceable towards the close. Old Mark Topley is getting along fine in his walking and his cough is much better. Rus Lampkins came in this evening and I paid him for the windmill. Fairly cold all day.</p> <p>Thursday February 5th</p> <p>It was late again this morning when I got up, 7 O'Clock, being out at night does not agree with me. Dick worked late last night Toby and I came home with Jack Martin and got home first. Dick brought home word that the long looked for books had come. After the chores were done we hauled the hay over that we loaded yesterday and put it off, then we hauled ni a load of corn stalks. After dinner we went down town and got the books. That accounts for my writing tonight, Toby is absorbed in them. Dick went to Simcoe this afternoon, Frank went down and had his hair cut after school, Enah and little {Taphy?} went through their usual daily round. It has been pretty cold all day, but for the most part bright. I find it hard to keep awake, I will have to take a look at the new books.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday February 6th</p> <p>We took a load of grist to the mill this morning six bags of oats and four of corn, we got one bag of the oats rolled for the chickens. Tige. Tarr was in for awhile to see if he could rent some of the back of the place for pasture but of course there was nothing doing. Dad. went down town right after dinner to give the deeds of his lots to Jim Caley but as Cousin Willie was sick they couldn't get them fixed up so he &amp; Enah will have to go down some other time to sign off. he got home about four and we then went down to the mill for our chop. We had quite a time getting up the hill as it was very icy and the horses slipped all the way. Old Jonas was over this morning to get a dose of salts for his pig which he says he thinks will die Dad. looked at it and he thinks so too if it does he will only have one left as two have died already. Allan &amp; Jim Law were in to-night Allan's horse got its legs cut in some way he doesn't know how and he wanted Dad. to look at it. I got up at half past four this morning to read the new books and also learn a little Latin out of Dad's old book. It froze pretty hard last night and there was a cold east wind all morning but it turned mild at noon and has been snowing &amp; raining alternately all day afternoon. Poor Tiddums felt very miserable this morning and they thought the poor little cus had the earache but after he had his sleep he felt a lot better - and has been all rigt the rest of the day</p> <p>Saturday February 7th</p> <p>I got up about half past five this morning learned latin till Dad. came out about half past six, then I went out to do chores It has been blowing a hurricane and snowing all day so we didn't do anything but chores and Dad. cut a pile of wood. This after noon Frank went down town this after noon to see if there were any waves on the lake but there weren't although it was a south west wind, but likely there is a lot of ice in the lake. Dad. and I started to make a book case for the new books out of the box they came in. Frank got some cloth down town to line it with. I got thirteen eggs to-day. It has been pretty cold and very blizzardy to-day.</p> <p>Sunday February 8th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church and Dad. and I went down to church this morning we were late for although we came accross the pond we had to stop in at Henderson's as my ear got frozen by the cold wind on the pond and we went in there where Dad. thawed it out with snow I nearly froze my hand holding snow on it from the pond up there. We came around by Huby's on our way home and got the old glue pot to make some glue for our book case and also looked at the old chicken house as we are going to bring it over here for a breeding pen. This after</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>noon we read did chores and listened to Enah play the piano. Dick got up and had a bath before dinner, got Dad. to shave him and went down town about the middle of the after noon as he says he is going to church to-night. Frank spent most of the after noon skating on the ditch out here from the lane fence up to the oak trees and down in Bannister's gully. Very cold and strong west wind, a little snow otherwise not a bad day.</p> <p>Monday February 9th</p> <p>It froze about the hardest yet last night and has been pretty cold and breezy all day, but was bright and sunshiny part of the time, and snowing a little part of the time. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. cut wood. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day and as it was too cold and draughty for Tiddums in the kitchen Frank had to stay home to look after him in the dining room. Dad. and Enah were contemplating a trip down town this after noon to sign the deeds to the lots but Mr. Hawey who is buying them and a Mr. Ross brought them over this after noon and saved them the trouble. The option is up on them to-morrow so they wanted to get things settled. He paid Dad. a check for the six hundred. Jonas was over here most of the afternoon selling seeds. Dad. gave him an order for some of L.P. Gunson's seed oats and we are going to make out and order for him to-night of garden seeds from Simmers No body was down town to-day, so we haven't got the mail.</p> <p>Tuesday February 10th</p> <p>Dad saw a load of ice going into Mrs Battersby's this morning and just remembered that we had not returned John Quanbury's little ice tongs, and as we thought he might be needing them I took them down but he said he never used them as they were too small so told me to take them home again which I did. I stayed there quite awhile helping &amp; watching him. Bob. Leitch was hauling the ice, it is a lot bigger and better looking than ours but John says it doesn't keep at all well in Mrs. Battersby's ice house. It is cement and built right in the side hill. The let the ice slide down the hill and drop about eight feet to the bottom of the ice house and it breaks up badly. Dad. cut wood while I was away and when I got back helped me clean out the chicken house. This after noon I cut a piece off the stack and Dad carried over a lot of straw to the chicken house. Jonas came over this morning and we gave him the Simmer's order although we are sure he is not an authorized agent, but as we don't have to pay for the stuff till we get it I suppose it will be alright. Dad. told him he was crazy to waste his time selling seeds instead of cutting his hedge down for wood over at Myers but Jonas said he had to get a little money some way as he only had fifty cents. Frank said he was working down cutting ice this after noon. It has been much milder though still freezing to-day cloudy and just breeze enough this after noon to turn the wind mill, snowing a little to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 11th</p> <p>We did chores and Dad cut wood most of the day, this afternoon we put some poles across a couple of beams in the big barn and covered them with hay to make a pen for the ewes'. The old ram seems to be getting crosser, he attacked me to-day for the first time, and we think it is because he has some way got the wool all pulled away from his eyes and can see much better all around him. I got fourteen eggs to-day, the cold weather doesn't seem to affect the hens any, I guess it is the feed and care that counts. Enah cut the cloth for the book case of my new books this after noon and to-night Dad and I glued it on the wood, it is going to look pretty nice I think. It froze very hard last night. Frank said it was seven below zero, and although bright and sunny has been frosty all day barely thawing even in the sun. They say there was a slight earthquake felt in different parts of Ontario and in Montreal but I think the ones that felt it here just thought so after they got the paper.</p> <p>Thursday February 12th</p> <p>Dad. and I took a walk down to Porter's and back this morning, we got back about half past one. This after noon we just did chores. To-night after a lot of hesitation I decided to go down to the dance. Dick said he didn't think there would be many there but there was enough to suit me. No-one from Simcoe was down but all the Dover bunch was there and I had a good time. I didn't miss more than half a dozen dances and much to my surprise found that I could dance fairly well. I didn't expect to be able to do any better than the last time I tried especially as I haven't been down for over a month. They say it was fifteen below zero down town this morning and although it has been a lovely sunny day with out breeze enough to blow the wind mill, it has been freezing hard all day, and is just as cold to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 13th</p> <p>After we did the chores up this morning Dad. &amp; I hooked Harry and Belle to the sleighs and went down town, the sleighing was good most of the way in town but was pretty icy in places. I took down 7 1/2 doz. eggs and got at the rate of 35 cts a doz for them but traded them off for groceries. Dad. got some lumber to fix up the sheep pen with and settled up with Tommy. This after noon we just did chores and I had a little snooze as I only had about four hours last night or rather this morning. To-night Dad. dressed up and went down to pay a visit to Alfred. and Lulu. Billy Faulkner came over this morning and took their heifer away. Arnold Peddler came in to-night about five he looked about frozen and piked off towards Sam Law's who he evidently knew as he asked up if he didn't live down by the mill before he moved up here. This is poor weather I should think for his job I wouldn't mind it at all in the summer, pretty frosty all day and a cold north east wind but mostly sunny. It is milder to-night and trying to snow.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday February 14th</p> <p>I did chores all morning and Dad. &amp; Frank cut up the old apple tree in the pigyard. They had some pretty hard sawing in it. This after noon Dad and I took the team and waggon sleigh and hauled it up to the house where Dad. split a lot of it. Frank went down town and got his tooth filled - and sent off a lot of valentines. Bert. Thompson came over this afternoon to see if we had any Black Orpington hens. There was just one left of the ones that Huby hatched out three years ago of the eggs he got from Bert. I knew she wasn't laying and was glad enough to get rid of her, I would have sold her for fifty cents or less but Bert offered me a dollar for her so I let him have her. Dad. had quite a visit down at Alfred's last night, the old peddler, whose name is Foster was there. Lulu was in Toronto but got home before he left, she told them that Art Ryersie who had brought her home heard down town that Blaikie was dead, but as we have heard nothing about it to-day, we feel pretty sure there is a mistake some-where. It has been milder to-day a little though still freezing hard. It snowed a little but was mostly sunny.</p> <p>Sunday February 15th</p> <p>Enah and I walked down to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school and church. This after noon Cousins Clare and Phoebe came over and also Quint, Huby and Lila. Dick was in bed all morning and went down town this after noon and says he is going to church to-night. Huby said Aunty Maude was pretty sick to-day. Dad. and I walked down to church to-night and went around to see Aunty Maude on our way home, she was sitting up on the sofa but looks pretty miserable, we got home about nine o'clock and Dick soon after we did. It is still pretty frosty but getting milder I think. cloudy most of the day and to-night. Huby told us of a great joke they played on old Tom the cook on the Vigilant. It seems he is quite a lady's man and gets a letter occasionally from a young lady he met in St. Thomas. Young Archie McQueen knew this and put Bill Davis, Parks and a few more of the bunch wise to it and they with Mrs. Walt. McCalls assistance composed a letter to Tom, from his girl telling him to meet her at the Fair corner (so as everything could be seen from the Dominion Hotel windows) at noon yesterday and to be sure and bring a bottle of gin along. When Tom. got the letter he never caught on and was in a great state of excitement all morning and kept his eyes on the Fair corner, meanwhile Archie had been getting togged up in a lot of Mrs. McCall's clothes, he is rather small and good looking and about two o'clock slipped out of the side door at the hotel and around the block up to the Fair corner, of course old Tom was right there to meet him and Archie immediately inquired about the gin so Tom told him to go over to the hotel and wait for him at the head of the stairs while he got it. He rushed into the bar to get a fifty cent bottle but Walt. told him that they didn't have any smaller than a dollar and a quarter bottle.Tom was in such a hurry that he said any thing would do so took a big bottle up stairs and rushed the fair one of to his room. Archie told Huby after wards that it would have been rich</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>if he could have played his part a little longer but when Tom began to kiss his hands, he could stand no more, so with a burst of laughter he picked up his skirts and fled down stairs. Tom was so mad he never spoke to any one the rest of the day but got bozy eyed on the bottle of gin.</p> <p>Monday February 16th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down as soon as we could get ready this morning to get the chicken house down home ready to move Huby helped us and we got it raised and up on blocks by noon. While we were at it, who should come along, bare headed, and without an overcoat, but Walter, he had come through the house and Aunty Maude had told him where we were, so that accounted for the absence of hat and overcoat, but as we hadn't the slightest idea that he was within a thousand miles of us, we were quite surprised to see him, but this after noon we got a letter from Roy which we should have got on Saturday, saying that Walter was then in Barrie having come down with the body of Mrs. {illegible} father. He got into Toronto Friday night and came up here this morning but had to go right back again to-night. He stayed at Huby's to dinner for as he said a walk over here before dinner did not sound tempting and right after dinner Dad. hooked up Belle and went down and got him, he was only here an hour or two and then Dad. and I drove him down he had to stop in for a minute or two to see Miss Phipps, Cousins Bessie, Clare and Loll and say goodbye to Aunty Maude. Dick Quint &amp; Huby went to the station to see him off so he had a very hurried visit, but we were all very glad to see him if it was only for a short time. Old Jonas came over to-night to get his orders ready to send away, and to get a little corn but I think principally for a visit. Aunty Maude says she feels better to-day but looks very miserable. I only got twelve eggs to-day. It was a beautiful morning but this after noon the wind got up and it was a rotten after noon very blizzardy and cold. Quieter and colder to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday February 17th</p> <p>We just did chores and cut wood this morning, I read for awhile this afternoon and then Dad. and I drove down town and Dad. saw Johnny Walker about bringing over the hen house, he said he thought he could load it on the sleigh and bring it over to-morrow after noon we went down to see if we could get it any more ready but thought we couldn't do much more to it alone. A couple of the little Ryersie girls came in with Frank after school and young Roy Bannister appeard from somewhere soon after Frank got home and they went sleighriding back in the gully and Roy borrowed a book to take home with him. To-night I blew a little on my horn for the first time since election night. It was a very blizzardy blustery morning, but turned out a nice bright afternoon, snowed quite a little bit, and there wasn't enough wind to turn the windmill.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday February 18th</p> <p>Dad. and I did chores most of the morning besides taking the wire off the posts in the hen yard so we could get through with the other hen house which we intend to put in the north east corner of the yard. We had to pump water for the cattle this morning as there wasn't enough wind to turn the wind mill, it took us over half an hour to pump half a tank full, we took turns at it, it is the first time we have had to pump for them this winter, and if we had a bigger tank which would hold two or three days supply, it wouldn't matter about it being quiet for one day. As soon as we could after dinner Dad and I went down to get the old hen house Jack Walker didn't come for quite a while, but I went up town and got Huby and we got it raised up in front nearly high enough to back the sleighs under, when Johnny came he said he thought it would pay us to raise it up high enough behind to back the sleighs, so we did and without so very much more work got it loaded beautifully, we were afraid the top of the pigeon house which Dad. built on the roof of the hen house would catch on wires and branches but we hated to take it off as it has been there so long but Johnny said he thought it would go alright. The first obstruction occured going out the lane and we had to chop a limb off Mrs. Low's apple tree, but got past. Then going from the lane gate to the road where Dad. had a nice driveway fixed the road-scraper made a nasty ditch and never filled it in. Johnny was afraid the building might tip over on the horses going over the bump so Dad. went over and borrowed some rope from {Yint?} Rankin and tied it to the {rave?} of the Sleigh over the roof of the chicken house, we thought we had her solid but Johnny let his horses go a little fast down hill and rounding the curve with such a big top weight, she just keeled right over sleigh and all at the side of the road on end just nicely between the side walk and the road. I thought the jar would rack her all to pieces but as far as we could see it did hurt a bit, except knocked the pigeon house right off the roof. We decided to leave her there for the night and Johnny said he would get a pair of skids from Val. and take her over on them in the morning. Old Faucet said he would hang a light on to-night for us. We got a ride home with Charlie Quanbury. Tonight Dad. togged up in his dress suit and went down to pay a visit to Cousin Loll as she likes to see him dressed up so much. It was about eight below zero last night they say but has been a lovely day, rather foggy but quite mild and no wind.</p> <p>Thursday February 19th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down about half past nine this morning as that was the time Johnny said he would be on the spot but there was no sign of him so Dad went down to see if Jim Low had any chestnut coal but he hadn't a pound. When he came back from there he went in to see old Mrs. Fausett for awhile Huby and I carried back Mrs. Jim Low's blocks which we borrowed and then went and sat in the house, then as there was no sign of Johnny Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came over. At last about eleven we thought he wasn't coming so thought we would go home. Huby went down to the mill with us as they saw Johnny go in there with a load of shooks, when we found him he said he was just ready to go so we went back with him. It took us quite awhile to get it turned over on to the skids and we had to get a few extra hands to help us. Allan Law came along just as we were about ready to start and as one of Johnny's horses is very poor on the draw and he couldn't start it Allan hooked his team on and the two snaked it along to Allan's corner, then Johnny took his team off as they thought two teams would be too wide going down that narrow road and over the bridge. Allan hauled it to the top of the hill and then Johnny took it alone the rest of the way, he let his team sail right through and as it was too hard work keeping up afoot I rode part of the way so did Huby. Johnny got stuck in our lane here where the snow was deep and he ran into the side of the bank, we had to take the little horse off and put old Harry on with Johnny's big horse and they pulled it easily. Huby stayed to dinner and this after noon we placed the hen house just where we want to lever it and put it up on blocks. Dad. and Huby then drove back to straighten things up down there and to take back some stuff we borrowed from Mrs. Jim Low. I did chores while they were gone. Charlie Butler was in for a few minutes this after noon to see Dad. about his horse which has something like lymphangitis. Dad. brought the pigeon house back with him this after noon. Nice day, snowed a little, mostly sunny with a little breeze.</p> <p>Friday February 20th</p> <p>After we did chores this morning Dad. and I sacked up eleven bags of oats and took them down to get chopped. We went on down town and got some stuff and then down to Huby's where we cut down a little locust tree and sawed it up in lengths to fit the waggon box and brought it over for fire wood we also took a big limb which was broken off the old Newton pippin tree. We didn't get home till nearly one. This after noon we discovered we had left Alfred's cross-cut saw down at Huby's so we hooked up Joe and Ginger (who were delighted to get out after about a month's confinement) and went down and got the saw and came around by the mill and got our grist. It was time to do chores when we got home. Tonight Dad. went down to a school board meeting, he didn't feel much like it especially as he didn't know that it was specially important. Frank went down with him to go to the moving picture show. Pretty cold, sunny but cold breeze. Dick told us that Frances Henry got badly hurt last night on Edmonson's hill where a bunch were sleigh riding. She was walking up hill and fell and a sleigh coming down ran in to her and cut an awful gash in her leg. I practiced my horn a little to-night. Dad. heard down town that Billy Anderson was dead</p> <p>Saturday February 21st</p> <p>Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's this morning and got a couple of roosters, as we want to mate up a breeding pen as soon as possible.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We got what they said over there were a couple of good ones although they were tough looking characters, as owing to their blood stained countenances it appears as though they had been indulging in a passage at arms. When we got home Frank helped Dad. saw up the wood we got yesterday and I cleaned out the new chicken pen. After dinner, Dad and I went down and got a load of coal, as Allan Law was in before dinner and told us there was a car in, we thought it would pay to get in in time and wood saved. I took down eight dozen eggs to-day but the price is down to thirty two cents, when we got home Dad helped me put windows, perches and straw in the new hen house and after tea to-night we caught fifiteen nice looking pullets and mated up a pen in there. Frank went back to the gully to-night this after noon and killed a dandy muskrat. Dick got home to tea to-night as he had a bath to-night. Sunny and nice day but a cold wind. We three boys had a bath to-night and sat on the kitchen table in our night shirts till midnight telling bad stories, while Dad. snored in the big chair.</p> <p>Sunday February 22nd</p> <p>Frank was the only member of the family who went to church to-day and he went to the Roman Catholic (to see what it was like) but he went to our Sunday school. As the wind last night tore the door of the new chicken house off its hinges, Dad. and I were forced to break the Sabbath and put it on. We just did chores and sat around all day I drew a little this after noon I am going to try and draw the picture I took of the mill and Herb. Cooke's house from the old cemetery at the top of the hill, and Frank went back to the gully. Dick slumbered peacefully all morning and went down town this after noon, with the intention of going to church to-night. I got fifteen eggs to-day, eight of them were from the breeding pen of fifteen pullets, we thought that was pretty good for the first day. I drew a little to-night. It snowed to-day and was very windy and blustery, pretty cold.</p> <p>Monday February 23rd</p> <p>I learned this morning that our hard luck with the sheep deal was not over yet for when I went out to feed them I found a fine big pair of ewe lambs lying dead on the barn floor, as last night was one of the coldest nights we have had, I suppose the poor little things had hardly lived at all after they were born, but still I think if we had only been there to bring them in the warm as soon as they came we could have saved them but we never dreamed of any of them lambing before the 25th and this ewe wasn't due till next Saturday. It has been very cold all day (one of the coldest days we have had) so we didn't do any thing but chores and nail up a few boards for a sheep pen. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day, in spite of the weather. I got seventeen eggs to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday February 24th</p> <p>I went to bed with my clothes on last night as I got up about three to have a look at the sheep but they were all right, it is a good thing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>no lambs came last night for it was bitterly cold. We fooled with the ewe which had her lambs quite a lot this morning and shut her up in the stable this after noon away from the others. Dad. went over to see if Brirely had ever had such a case to deal with as he used to be a sheppard in the old country but he didn't get much information. Quint was here for a little while this after noon. He and Big George Hamaker had come back to the gully on the trail of a skunk which Bill Oakes saw tracks of, but they found Wilson McPherson and some Matthews had got ahead of them and were digging it out up in Robert John's gully, George joined them but Quint said they were all covered with mud so he didn't care for the job and came home via this place. He says Ivey's gully is full of men and teams hauling sod but I guess they finished to-night. This afternoon Dad. and I unloaded the load of coal we got and hauled up a load of rails which Frank unloaded when he got home. Sam. Law was in this morning and Dad. paid him for the threshing and beef. To-night Dad. and Enah went down to the Library concert leaving Tiddums in our care. (Frank's &amp; mine) but Dad. says he will not enjoy himself at all for fretting. I also have to keep watch on the sheep for although it is not so cold as last night it would be too much for little lambs. It has been freezing hard all day in the shade but it was very sunny and thawed a lot in the sun. I think it is gradually getting milder.</p> <p>Wednesday February 25th</p> <p>I slept with my clothes on again last night and got up about four to look at the sheep, there were no lambs but I noticed one of the ewes was not well, she has been sick all day and has not eaten anything but snow, we offered her water and she drank a lot which made Dad think she was feverish, she was also quite badly foundered, and is evidently suffering from indigestion. To-night Frank and Dad. tried to dose her with salts but couldn't get much down her. Dad is afraid she won't pull through, it certainly looks doubtful. We don't know what caused it unless she has eaten some of the old chaff that came out of the clover mill and which is mixed up with the hay on the barn floor. Dad. thinks she may have got an overfeed of corn as he found them the other day out by the corn crib where Frank's pig had rooted a slat loose and had got out a pile of corn out on the ground. The ewe that lost her lambs and which we had shut up in the stable, we found to be all right this morning so after trimming her up a little Dad. let her out with the rest in the shed, while we were there we heard a racket in the barn and on entering found the split eared ewe, the one which was due to lamb to-day engaged in a desperate fight with Frank's pig, down in the corner was a wee lamb just arrived and unhurt thanks to the courage of its mother as the pig would have made short work of it, if she had alloud it. I had the satisfaction of landing that pig a swift one and send it squealing out of there. I hadn't been there very long when another lamb came bigger that the first one. It wasn't very cold in the barn but we had to take the little fellows in the house by turns and warm them Enah and Tiddums looked after them, the latter was greatly interested in them. When they both got</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>good and warm and dry, we moved them and the ewe into the horse stable where it is very much warmer than the barn and they all three seem to be all right. Jim Waddle was in this morning to see Dad. as his horses have lymphangitis. Jonas was in at noon with our parcel of seeds from Simmer's, he said he guessed they wanted him to work for nothing, so I suppose he will not get any commission and as he had to pay express on the seeds I don't know just where the profit comes in, but he was going off canvassing again this after noon. He says he is through with "Ivorys" for ever now, he had some rumpus with them about his house rent. Dad. told him he was going to kill a couple of the biggest pigs this after noon soon and wanted his valuable assistance. Jonas is a wonderful pig sticker (as he says). A fellow from Simcoe was in here to see him soon after he had gone. Lorne Brown came in after dinner with the sink and fixtures, he said Rus would be down to put it in as soon as we got the ditch dug for the drain. To-night I went down and got my hair cut and also to the moving picture show principally to go in with young Schrammy who was too young to go alone Dick got home soon after I did and we sat up till after twelve but I went to bed in a more civilized manner to-night. Sunny and soft but cold wind.</p> <p>Thursday February 26th</p> <p>As this is Saturday night and I am dead sleepy I can't remember the details of Thursday's happenings, we hauled two loads of sawdust from Evan's place up on the Radical road we just took the waggon box full this morning but as there were no very bad spots we took side boards with us this after noon and hauled twice as big a load. Dad. saw Evans about getting some wood and he is going to start buzzing up the limbs &amp; tops of trees next week and said we could get 10 loads of it for a dollar a cord sixteen inches long. The sick ewe seems ever so much better to-night, she is not lame and picks at the hay a little. Dick went down to the dance to-night. I fully intended to go but thought as it was Lent I would go over to Quanbury's instead, as they were having a surprise party I think in honor of Charlie &amp; Lottie coming home from the West. I had a good time in spite of the fact that they played Pedro and I tried to learn the game, but couldn't. Thawed hard in the sun, cold wind.</p> <p>Friday February 27th</p> <p>We went up again this morning and got another load of sawdust. We had to go around by town this morning to get some groceries, when we got up there young Stickney from Port Ryersie was there ahead of us but had his load nearly on, the pit was pretty well undermined but we got a good load alright and got home about one, the sleighing is just about gone. This after noon we unloaded the Sawdust we filled up all we wanted inside the ice house and Dad. threw the rest outside to pack in between the outside and inside walls. When we got through there we started to clean out the boxstall which</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>hasn't been cleaned out for over a month. Dad. took two sleigh loads out and put on the old garden and there is still another load, the two days accumulation in the stable made the biggest part of the first load. Frank went over to tell Jonas to come and kill pigs in the morning as he told us he was going to work for "Ivory's" on Monday. He drove Frank home about seven he was bound for some Englishman's place way out past Tupper's some where to sell seeds. The sick ewe is apparently all right to-night. The salts had their effect and we found where she had eaten a whole pile of corn and not digested it at all, very sunny and mild barely froze last night.</p> <p>Saturday February 28th</p> <p>Jonas came over about nine o'clock this morning armed with a formidable looking knife, which he told us was no good all ready to show us how to "boocher" hogs. He did quite a lot of ordering around and knife grinding before he was ready. We killed the two biggest pigs of the lot and they weren't very big, and did it up in the pig-pen. Dad. &amp; I held the pig while Jonas with great display made the fatal thrust. It took him a good big minute to do it which isn't a record breaking speed as Dave Waddle claims to be able to stick a pig and get the knife out with out getting a drop of blood on the knife, however they died alright under Jonas' treatment, we hauled them down to the old house on Frank's sleigh and scalded them both to-gether. Dad. said it was a dandy scald and Jonas says it was due to his method of putting a dipper of woodashes in the barrell and to his accuracy in testing the temperature of the water with his had. Dad. helped scrape them and then had to go out to Jim Waddle's to see his lymphatic horse as he was in after him this morning. Jonas and Frank dressed the pigs and I guess made a pretty fair job of it. I cleaned out the chicken house and fooled around. They finished up before dinner and Jonas stayed to dinner. The same fellow that was here to-day the other day from Simcoe was in again to-day to see Jonas and caught him this time. This after noon I drove Enah down town to do shopping, she took down ten dozen eggs but the price had dropped to twenty eight cents. I got twenty eggs yesterday and to-day. I had to wait quite awhile for Enah so drove around with Fred Tuck. Very soft and mostly sunny but cool wind raining and snowing a little to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March 1st</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church to-day and Dad. drove Enah down to church but didn't stay himself. I didn't go down at all to-day principally because I was too lazy. I didn't get up till way late this morning and haven't done any thing much all day but a few chores. Dick went through his regular Sunday programme, stayed in bed till noon, went down town after dinner and I suppose to church to-night. He took my camera down and was going to get a film for it. Dad. and I intended to go out to the Shand's this after noon but it was so late when we got ready that we didn't go. Mostly sunny but cold North wind, freezing hard to-night and wind getting worse.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This page is a copy of the previous page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 2nd</p> <p>Dad. cut up the pigs this morning we weighed them with the old {steelyard?} which Dad. brought over from home and they just came to 105 lbs apiece. I put in the whole morning writing to Aunty and at the same time watching Tiddums who was asleep. This after noon we did chores and covered over all of the sheep pen instead of a part of it we tried to fasten up the door which blew out of the peak of the barn but it fell out again while we were working at it and as it broke a little we left it for another time. I also helped Dad carry over a couple of loads of hay to the other barn on his {back?} with the {illegible} rope. We couldn't do much out side to-day as there has been a terriffic north wind with a little snow and besides it has been cold. The storm was much worse in other parts of the province than here but has gone down to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday March 3rd</p> <p>After we did chores this morning Dad. fixed some bars up at the south end of the horse stable out of the old wind mill posts to keep the sheep in their own yard. Arthur Preston came over to borrow some of Dad's show clothes to wear at the Methodist concert next week. Colin Ryersie was also over for awhile. About noon Dand. and I drove down town to get some stuff and he wanted to see Harry Moon to see what kind of duds he wanted for the concert. I went over to the barn when we got home and found a lamb just arriving, the ewe was No. 117 and we didn't expect lambs from her till Saturday. This was a good big ram lamb, we left him there till after dinner and when I went out then his sister was just getting off. We brought them both into the house for awhile one at a time and to-night put them in the little box stall in the horse stable. We didn't do any thing much but fool with the lambs this after noon. Much milder to-day and sunny but frosty to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday March 4th</p> <p>Dad. and I didn't take our clothes off all night last night. Dad crawled into bed about half past two and I dozed in the big chair the rest of the night going out to the barn every hour or so to see how the sheep were, we expected lambs all along but they didn't show up nor all day to-day, so I guess we will have another night's vigil. It is the ewe which was sick that we are watching, she is due on Friday. We spent about half an hour this morning trying to get Osprey out of the stable to give him a little exercising. Dad. put the harness on him and went to lead him out the door where there is a drop of about a foot into the drivehouse, and he hung back. Dad. tried to coax him but he was positive and the more determined Dad was to bring him out the more determined he was not to come out. Dad. put a little rope under his chin and we tugged on that for quite awhile but couldn't get him any farther than the door. Then we tried whipping him but that had not the desired effect although it put old Harry into the notion of kicking and scared the other horses. Osprey would rear and paw and throw himself but not go ahead. Then Dad. put</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>a rope on his front foot and we tried pulling him out that way but he would just paw and must have thrown himself a dozen times or more some times right under Belle's or Harry's feet. At last one time when he threw himself I took a hitch around a post with the rope on his leg and by dragging him out and not giving him a chance to fly back we at last got him out. He didn't seem at all mad and I took him down to the corner and back and he went beautifully. We didn't do any thing much the rest of the day but chores and I had a little snooze after dinner. Frank worked at the old house after he got home from school he is boarding it up so as he can fill it in with sawdust around the ice. Thawed all day, some snow &amp; cold wind. Since writing this we have put in quite a night of it. I went over to the barn about eight o'clock and found Dad's ewe with a lamb. I came to the house and got Frank and Dad. who was asleep in the chair the only sleep he had all night to come out, while they were there another one arrived, so we brought the first one to the house to get warm, we noticed the sick one the one we have been watching all day looked very much as if she would lamb in a few minutes, but she didn't till about four o'clock. We all sat up for a long time, till Dick came home and he and Frank went to bed. I sat up till about one or two and then I went to bed. Dad. sat up and out at the barn all night with the two little fellows as they were both very weak at first but got stronger and he held an old coat over them a long time to keep them warm till they went to sleep and stopped trying to crawl out and till the old one lay down beside them and stopped trying to paw the coat off. He also had his eye on the other ewe and about four o'clock came in and woke me up, he said he hated to as I was so sound asleep and I guess he didn't hate to any more than I hated to get up but he thought the sick ewe was not right and something ought to be done so I went out with him and we caught her but didn't bother her much and we hadn't been out very long when her baby came, it was a ram and a bouncer, the biggest one yet I think, but she is the first ewe that didn't have twins. I went to bed again about five o'clock but Dad. stayed up all night.</p> <p>Thursday March 5th</p> <p>I didn't get up till about eleven this morning, so I guess I had my sleep out. Dad put the harness on Osprey and we gave him quite a long exercise, we got him out of the stable easier to-day. I held Belle out in the drive house and when Dad saw Osprey wouldn't lead out he just let him loose and got behind him and touched him a little with the whip till he jumped out with out much fooling. I started to take him down the road and got about as far as the culvert and he didn't want to go any farther. I wouldn't let him go back so we just turned around and around in the road till Dad. came out and he got him to go down to the corner and back alright. I then took him down the other way as far as Preston's barnyard and he got frightened and their cows and would go past so I started the same performance there again and at last started to lead him past but Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came down and said to take him home as it was so late. This after noon I cleaned out the hen house and did chores. Whitesell was in this after noon to see Dad. about a sick horse. Thawed all day in the sun but not in the shade cold east wind.</p> <p>Friday March 6th</p> <p>I camped in the big chair all night last night and Dad. went to bed. I didn't go to sleep till after midnight as I wasn't at all sleepy so had a good read. I went out to the barn at 12, 3 and half past 6 and slept in the mean time, every thing was alright out there. When I woke up at half past six this morning my knee was pretty stiff but it soon limbered up. I find I have a brute of a cold due I think to getting my feet wet. We did chores this morning and Dad. put the harness on Osprey and I took him out and he went fine, he started his little game of trying to turn around and go back this morning but I found out that instead of trying to make him go ahead which to me was impossible, I just let him turn around and then back him up in the direction I want him to go, he soon wants to turn around and when he does goes all right in the right direction. I tried it on him several times and it worked fine every time. I took him down to Flemming's corner on the side road and then back and down to Mrs. Battersby's corner. This after noon I had a sleep and then took what few eggs I had over to Jack Martin and was over there quite awhile. I only got sixteen eggs to-day I don't know what is the matter with the hens. To-night Frank and Enah went down to see "Satan" at the moving picture show I was going down but as I had such a cold thought I would wait till to-morrow night. It snowed all day to-day but didn't put much in the ground. Not very cold.</p> <p>Saturday March 7th</p> <p>Dad. and I sacked up 12 bags of oats this morning while Frank went down town after some salt petre to salt the pork with, then he and Dad. went down to the mill with the load. When they got back they cleaned out the rest of the box-stall and I started to chop a hole out in the chicken yard to put a post in but it was frozen too deep. This afternoon Dad. and Frank went down to the mill and got their grist and I took Osprey out while they were gone he went fine. When they got back Dad. drove Enah down town and left her there and I minded Tiddums all the after noon he slept for awhile. Frank worked at the old house and Dad. did chores when he got back. To-night I went down to the moving picture show and saw "Satan" I thought it was pretty good. Cloudy and snowy but quite soft. Raw breeze.</p> <p>Sunday March 8th</p> <p>Neither Dad nor I have been off the farm all day to-day but have just done chores and sat around. We thought of hooking Osprey and Belle to the buggy and going out to the Shaw's this after</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>noon but we didn't, we have to keep a rather close watch on one of the ewes Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Enah walked down to church alone to-night. We didn't get through in time to go with her. Dick slept till dinner and after dinner went down town, he will likely go to church to-night. Cloudy and rather cold with some snow and raw wind.</p> <p>Monday March 9th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day and watch sheep Dad. was not in bed at all last night and when he went out at four this morning to look at the sheep, found the wide-headed ewe with a lamb, which if it had been left much longer would have perished with the cold; but Dad. wrapped it up in his old pea jacket and brought it around alright. Mrs McBride was here washing all day and it has been very miserable out cold and windy. To-night Enah and I went down to the Methodist Choir concert, and thought it was great especially the costumes which were all old fasioned. The hall was packed full, and they say some were turned away. It lasted till late, we got home about twelve half past eleven o'clock. Dick and Dad. were both up.</p> <p>Tuesday March 10th</p> <p>We did chores all morning. Mr. Fleming was over for a little while this after noon. We hitched Osprey and Belle up to the bob-sleigh and drove them down to Jonas' corner and back a couple of times as that was the only place there was any snow. Tommy Jackson was over for quite awhile late this after noon to see about getting some corn stalks, he was telling us a lot about sheep and a good many other things. Cold, raw wind, sunny.</p> <p>Wednesday March 11th</p> <p>Dad. was up all night last night again and hardly slept at all I stayed up awhile but got so sleepy and chilly that I couldn't stand it so went to bed. The white ewe, which is due to lamb to-morrow was in rather bad shape all night, and there was no sign of lambs so Dad. got us all up early this morning and we had breakfast over by a little after seven and then Dad went out to examine her, and in about half an hour, we had two more buck lambs but one was dead. She was very weak, so we just left her alone for awhile and brought the live lamb in the house to get warm. When we took it out, the ewe wouldn't own it so it has been in the house all day and Dad. takes it out every now and then for refreshments, she was so weak we didn't like to urge her. We were afraid this morning that she wouldn't pull through but she seems much stronger now, she eats and chews her cud so I guess will recover. We haven't done much to day but chores and sit</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>around. Dad is very tired. Tonight Colin Ryersie was here and Bill Duncan's man wanted Dad to go up there but he was too tired to go. There was a grand wedding in town to-day, Leo O'Heron and Inez Schram, Frank saw them go off. Tiddums can walk now all alone but he is a little afraid to unless someone's right beside him to catch him. Very sunny to-day but cold north wind. There was a fine eclipse of the moon to-night, we didn't know about it till we saw it.</p> <p>Thursday March 12th</p> <p>We did up the chores this morning and then hauled the hay rack over to where the sheep are and put on a load of hay, we got it on by noon and hauled it over to the horse stable. Cousins Phoebe &amp; Loll were over to dinner and after Dad. had showed them all around the ranch and talked awhile we put the load off over the horse stable and hauled another load over to the other barn for the cows and left it on the barn floor. The little lamb has been in the pen with its mother all day but still she doesn't recognise it although isn't bad to it. Dad. has to catch her for the little fellow to get refreshments but once he gets started she stands quietly. Tiddums started off of his own accord to walk to-day noon and was greatly pleased with himself to find out he could he has prancing around ever since. Jonas was over for a visit, after tea, and gave us a few selections on the mouth organ. It has been freezing pretty hard in the shade all day, fairly sunny.</p> <p>Friday March 13th</p> <p>This morning we did chores and I cleaned out the chicken house and separator as we want to begin separating again now. Loyd Ryersie came in at noon with a notice for Dad to attend a meeting of the school board at three o'clock on the school grounds. We wanted to go after a load of wood up to Evan's this after noon so went around that way although it made us pretty late. The way they have it surveyed out now, there is just the same width of ground on each side of the building and is fifty feet in from Main St. This they all think is too close to the street but they can't move it back without cutting down or trimming up the old hickory nut tree and as none of them want that done, they think it will have to go where they now have it unless they buy some more lots. When Dad. got through with them we went up to Evan's and got the waggon box full of wood a lot of it was cut too long for our stove but we managed to get on about three quarters of a cord. We just got home a little before six. Not quite so cold to-day although freezing all day in the shade.</p> <p>Saturday March 14th</p> <p>Dad was up at twenty minutes to five this morning and I got up at six so he and Frank were able to get started at half past eight for a load of wood at Evans. They got back at noon with a little over a cord. I did chores all morning. They got another load this after</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>noon and I piled the two loads that were here along the end of the old house, besides doing a few chores and watching the colts. dogs. chickens and Frank's pig that they didn't get into mischief. It was too muddy to take Osprey out on the road so I let him out in the yard and he and Dave ran around and chased the sheep out of the barn once. I also let this pen of hens out all over the place as I wanted to clean their place out and some out of the other pen got out in the hen yard so I couldnt let both pens in there to-gether. Tom Abbot was in here to see Dad about a cow of his but as Dad. wasn't here he came in again just before dark. He is going to start coming here for cream a week from Monday, if he is alive and well. It has thawed all day in the shade to-day and is very muddy and wet</p> <p>Sunday March 15th</p> <p>I didn't get up in time to get ready to go to church to-day and unless Dick goes to-night and I suppose he will Frank was the only one of this family who went to-day. I just did chores and poked around. About noon Dad. and Enah took Tiddums out to see the lambs, it was the first time he had been out side the house since New Year's day. I took a couple of snapshots of him Dick also got up about that time and came out. This afternoon Frank went back to the gully and Dick went down town. The cows all wandered back to the gully and I went back after them we noticed they were all covered with mud and Dad is afraid they have been slipping down the hill, but seem to be allright. It has been very mild sunny and spring like to-day. Water and mud all over.</p> <p>Monday March 16th</p> <p>We did chores most of the morning, this afternoon Huby came over as Frank told him this morning that we could use him now, he was glad to get to work he said and we hauled in two loads of corn stalks, putting two shocks on a load. They are in great shape to haul now as they have all thawed out. Tupper came in for quite a visit on his way home from town. He and Huby were both telling us about Lom Hurley hanging himself. Huby stayed to tea and Frank and I went down town with him. I went to band practice, the first one of the season. Walt had a lot of new music but there were only one or two of us there. Frank went to the moving picture show and then came up to the band room Dick came in too so we all came home to-gether. From the way they all talk there are going to be great doings in Dover this year, with the rail road. big soap factory and harbor improvements. It has been a lovely spring day sunny and mild and very muddy</p> <p>Tuesday March 17th</p> <p>Huby was over at seven o'clock this morning and we started as soon as possible to haul corn stalks. we hauled in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>two more loads and now have all in the barn that we have room for and left the last load on the waggon, there are only three shocks left out there now. Huby and I put in nearly the whole afternoon setting a couple of anchor posts in the chicken yard to put a cross fence in to make a separate yard for the breeding pen, they all got out to-gether to-day. The frost was in the ground about two feet but by a lot of chopping and scaping Huby managed to get down past it. Dad is tickled to-night to think that the old white ewe has at last recognised her lamb. She noses him and lets him get "meals at all hours" and apparently thinks as much of him as the others did when their lambs were first born we blame it to St. Patrick. Froze pretty stiff last night, mild and muddy to-day. There have been a lot of robins seen in town but I haven't seen one yet.</p> <p>Wednesday March 18th</p> <p>I got up about half past four this morning but have been very lazy all day. Just sat around and did as few chores as possible, I had a sleep this after noon, I think the reason I felt so rotten was because my feet were so cold and wet. When Dad. went out to the cow stable this morning he found a black and white calf the property of Snowdrop up and running around with its poor mother tied fast in her stanchions, we got them both around in the barn where the soon were all right. By after breakfast another calf arrived on the scene this one a red and white one and Jim's both were bulls. Dad. just turned all the cows out of stable and let Jim and her calf have it to themselves. Tonight he tied Jim's calf in the alley way in front of her and let Snowdrop's run loose in the barn and tied both of the mothers up and milked them. He thinks they are both going to be good milkers and easy to milk Jim especially. This after noon Dad. and I drove down town in the waggon and got some groceries and also half a bushel of beans from George Yanoble as Huby said he had some very nice ones. Dad. got me a pair of rubber boots which have made my feet ever so much more comfortable. Dad. went to a school board meeting to-night and I thought I would go down and get the films from Dick which he took down the other day to have developed. He said he was going to work to-night so I went up to the bank but no one was there so I went down and saw the moving picture show, they had on "Robinson Crusoe" and it was pretty good. When I got out of there I went again to the bank but there was still no sign of life so I came home and fell in with Dad. Mr. Flemming and Jack Martin. They are having some squabble about the street up there which the council orderd closed but which Vyse never signed (just dirty work). They have also decided to cut down the old hickory nut tree. Dick got home soon after we did and said he was at the bank all the time but he wasn't. It snowed last night and has been pretty cold and wet all day. Freezing hard to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday March 19th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day except set a hen up over the drive house in the loft on 15 eggs, we also wrung Frank's pig which we hope will keep him her from comitting any depredation by rooting. It has been pretty cold all day but fairly sunny. I drew some more to-night at my picture of the mill &amp; Herb Cooke's house.</p> <p>Friday March 20th</p> <p>We just did chores to-day as there wasn't much else we could do except take a grist to the mill and we didn't bother with that. This after noon I practiced on my horn a little and finished my bookcase. Dick {Faulmsbe?} was over this morning to see if Dad. would put any thing in for the canning factory, but Dad. told him he wouldn't although he signed his name to show McPherson that Dick had been here. There is more excitement down town now over the swing bridge, it seems at the council meeting the other night after Henderson had left having been told that no more important business was on that Taylor moved and Uncle Ward seconded that the County council go ahead and build a stationer bridge over the creek which is just what the Board of Trade is fighting against. Billy Laings made a vigorous kick (could be heard a block away) but he couldn't do any thing and Vyse, he just, oh he just smiled I suppose up his sleeve. Cold with raw wind sunny and freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Saturday March 21st</p> <p>I did chores most of the morning and Dad. &amp; Frank sacked up twelve bags of oats. Two Cooper kids and young Hayan came up the lane - and when they saw Dad. asked him if they could cut through here. Dad. told them he thought they had cut through and then Bluch charged them. This afternoon Dad. Frank went down town and took their grist to the mill. They saw a big flock of geese light out in the swail holes just before they left and and in a very short time Jim Law appeared and wanted to see if we had a shot gun as he had seen them too. On their way home from down town, just as they got to the garage the tire broke on one of the wheels of the old waggon, they crawled along to Ray Waddles and left the wheel and as it happened Bob. Law's waggon was at Chris Fairchild's with a broken axle so they just took one of Bob's wheels. I took Osprey out for a little run while they were gone and then came in the house and read. Tiddums feels rather out of sorts these days as he is cutting four big teeth. Sunny and bright but froze all day in the shade.</p> <p>Sunday March 22nd</p> <p>Frank went down to church and Sunday school and Enah and I walked down to church, while Dad watched Tiddums and kept house. This after noon Dick having got up for dinner he and I decided to go for a ride. so Dad. saddled Joe and I was to ride her to the corner and then bring her back for Dick. I got on her</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>alright but as soon as I did she began to perform. I don't know just what she did but I know I was a little uncertain till I got out of the lane whether I could manage to sit on her or not, but did. I rode her down to the corner and back and when I came up Dick had vanished. Dad. said he had had enough before even I got nicely started and had got in to change his clothes and go down town. Dad. cinched Joe up again and I rode her around the block. I was very much surprised to find Tupper, John Wess and all out that way had the rural mail service. I wasn't gone very long and came home and read till it was time to do chores. Quint &amp; Lila came over with Frank who had stayed down there to dinner. Quint had his shotgun with him as Frank had told him about the geese and they went to look for them but didn't get a shot at any thing. They followed a white hawk or owl all over the country but didn't get it either Quint went down before tea as he wanted to get ready for church but Lila stayed and Frank walked down with her after tea. Tiddums feels pretty miserable yet. Much milder to-day sunny and breezy. When Dad. went out to the cow stable he found a lovely red and white heifer calf lying dead behind Erie. It had been born dead and about a month ahead of time. Dad. thinks she must have been hurt when she fell back in the gully last Sunday.</p> <p>Monday March 23rd</p> <p>We did chores most of the morning and spent quite awhile with Erie. Huby came over after dinner and pruned trees all the after noon. I helped him till about four and then went down town with Dad. to get our own wheel for the waggon and take Bob. Law's back. Mrs. McBride was here all day. To-night I lugged my horn down to band practice but there was none. Frank came down with me to go to the moving picture show so I went with him it was pretty fair. I saw the orchestra there so understood why there was no band practice Walt. was there and told me it would be Wednesday. Allan Law overtook us on our way home and gave us a ride to their corner. We got home about half past eleven and Dick arrived before we were asleep. Snowed a lot more last night but has been very mild and sunny all day freezing to-night. We started sending our cream to the factory this morning.</p> <p>Tuesday March 24th</p> <p>I got up at five this morning although I hated to and didn't feel wide awake for an hour or two, but got the chores pretty well done up before breakfast. Huby was over at seven and pruned orchard all day. I helped him most of the day except doing a few chores. We didn't get over many trees but we gave the ones we were at a proper old trimming, especially the russet tree which has an awful brush pile under it now. Dad did chores all day, and late this after noon a new calf arrived via Spotty. It is a big bull calf and nearly all black. This morning Dad and I put some Nitrate of potash on the bulls calves horses</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to see if we could take them out, we can't tell yet whether it is going to work alright or not. Dick came home to tea to-night to try on his clown suit which Enah is making for him for the masquerade dance he had to go back again after tea. It thawed a lot to-day in the sun, but froze all day in the shade. Dad. sent away for a gobbler to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday March 25th</p> <p>Huby came over this morning and pruned the orchard most of the day. I didn't help him any as Dad. and I put up a fence across the chicken yard to separate the two pens. It began to rain about the middle of the after noon so Huby and I put the cornstalks off the waggon and then he and Dad. started to clean out the calf pen. Enah went down town at three to have her tooth fixed and Dad. and I minded Tiddums by turns till Frank got home. We forgot to tell Tom Abbot to bring us any butter although he hasn't brought our can back anyway yet, and as Frank forgot to get any on his way home, he had to traipse back to town and get some when Enah got home. I went down to band practice to-night but as Harry Moon, Walt. and Carl were the only ones there we didn't have any. It was a lovely day till it rained and was very mild all day and to-night.</p> <p>Thursday March 26th</p> <p>Huby trimmed orchard till we got the chores done and then we went over to the big barn and put on a load of hay before dinner. When we took the team over to the trough to water them at noon I let go of old Harry thinking he would go to the stable but the old fool lit out right for the field and Belle after him and they tore around there quite awhile before we caught them but didn't damage their harness any. This after noon we hauled the hay over to the other barn and put it off for the cows and then went over and got another load for the horse stable but didn't get time to haul it over. Huby did Frank's skins up for him and he is going to send them down to Hallam. Dick came home to tea to get all fixed up for the dance, he looked fine. I was kind of sorry I didn't go to a little trouble and fix up myself. It was terribly muddy and dark so I drove him down to the side walk. He didn't come home after it was over. It has been very dark all day and rained nearly all the after noon we heard thunder growl two or three times which Dad. now believes when heard in Spring to be a sure sign of cold weather off and on for six weeks but according to the other reliable forecast that the wind on the twenty first and twenty second will be the prevailing wind for six weeks we are to have it from the south west so Bill Oakes says, but they are having it very cold in the North West -6 below at Edmonton.</p> <p>Friday March 27th</p> <p>It rained nearly all day and got much colder as the wind veered right around to the north. Huby couldnt work in the orchard so</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>put in the whole morning cleaning out the calf pen. I helped him for a couple of hours before dinner and Dad. for quite awhile but we finished soon after dinner. We then cleaned up the barn floor and sacked up what few oats were in the small bin so as we could have the bin to put the seed oats which we cleaned up in, we set the fanning mill but didn't have time to put any through to-night only a few to see if it was all right. Dad &amp; I sat up till after twelve to-night and finished reading Friar Tuck. Dick didn't come home again I suppose he couldn't get through the mud. Frank brought the new gobbler home to-night he weighed 18 lbs. but is young he looks all right.</p> <p>Saturday March 28th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing much but chores to-day. Huby didn't get over till about ten o'clock and he trimmed in the orchard all day. Frank took his furs down town to post and worked a lot at the old house. After dinner he, Huby and I went back to the gully to see if we could see a fish in the creek but failed although we saw a couple of ducks get up out of a swail in the old timothy sod. There were two very interesting letters in the "Maple Leaf" yesterday everlastingly jumping on Vyse for not signing the bylaw which the council passed for closing Alma St for school property and also for representing to the County Council that it is the wish of the people of Port Dover to have a stationary bridge erected over Black Creek where a swing bridge ought to be, a good many other of his misdeeds are mentioned. Sunny &amp; muddy cold north wind</p> <p>Sunday March 29th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church and I drove Enah down to the corner and she walked down to church as she could make better time that way than driving the roads are so bad. I cleaned out the stables while she was gone and then drove down again after her. Lila was with her and came over to spend the after noon. Frank came home through Flemming's gully and found a skunk cabbage. Just before dinner Charlie Shand came over as he had walked down to church and he stayed all the after noon. Sam. and Tom Jacques came over for a little while late this after noon. Tom wanted to see if he could get a gobbler. Dick came home last night, spent the morning in bed and the afternoon down town I suppose he is at church to-night. Mild &amp; muddy.</p> <p>Monday March 30th</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning and rained most of the fore noon but cleared off before dinner and although cloudy it didn't rain at all after dinner, rather a raw wind all day. Huby came over and while we were doing chores he sharpened the spade, shovel, pick and axes, and after breakfast we cleaned up oats for seed we ran through over sixty bushels so think we have enough. This after noon Huby pruned the orchard. I did chores and helped him for a couple of hours, Dad. spent most of the after noon doing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>chores and writing to Aunty. Sam Law came over to borrow the buggy pole. Quint came through the orchard while we were out there. He and George Hamaker had been up creek and Quint came around this way to see if he could get a shot at the ducks but I don't think he saw them. He and George have been out since early this morning through all the rain, just to fish &amp; hunt. Jonas came over to-night and as Frank was very anxious to go back to the gully to see if he could get a fish as the Ryersie's told him they got some in the little creek, and as neither of us were very anxious to go Jonas went with him.</p> <p>Tuesday March 31st</p> <p>Huby didn't come over this morning as he had some insurance to look after. Dad. and I did chores and I cleaned out the hen houses. We also docked all the lambs, we did the trick with a hammer, butcher knife and block. They all seemed to come through pretty well except the little fellow belonging to the white ewe. The shock seemed harder on him than the rest and he suffered more, but I think he will pull through allright. We also trimmed up the ewes. Huby came over after dinner and pruned in the orchard all the after noon I helped him for a little while but spent most of my time pitching the wet straw off the stack and carrying dry over to the chicken house and stables. I got a letter from Rus. Gordon to-day asking if he could come up here to spend his Easter holidays, it was about the first I had heard for three or four years from him. Frank and Jonas got home last night about half past eleven and never saw a fish although the Ryersie's were out and got a dozen I think Frank said. Jonas has been over at Tupper's all day pruning his orchard. It has been sunny and windy and very nice all day the mud is beginning to stiffen in spots.</p> <p>Wednesday April 1st</p> <p>Huby spent most of the morning repairing the long ladder but about ten he and I went out and started to prune we worked away till nearly one. Dad. went down town but didn't get back till after two. He spent most of the after noon doing chores and Huby cleaned up the old house - and put the lead in the cider barrel as Dad. took it out when we scalded the pigs. I took what eggs I had over to Jack Martin and just sat around and watched Huby till it was time to do chores. Jonas came through on his way from Tupper's Frank stuck a wind mill up on a fence post to-night (entered by request). I got a lovely bit of poetry from Louise to-day but not one of her own it is a college song she says. Mr. Morgan was through here this morning canvassing for the canning factory he said Dick {Faulmsby?} being out had helped him any. About noon Dick drove in with the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Rural Mail carrier. He was a Scotchman and Dick was evidently showing him round, but neither of them seemed to know just where to go and Dick and his horse wouldnt keep still long enough to tell him any thing (it wasn't Dick's old horse I didn't know it at all) This was the first day they started on this new route. We didn't know they came past the front of this place but Dad. thinks it is just as handy to have Frank bring it from school. Huby asked Dick if he had quit the Canning factory and he said he was laid off till further notice. It drizzled a good part of the fore noon and rained quite hard most of the after noon, no wind.</p> <p>Thursday April 2nd</p> <p>Huby brought a couple of quarts of harness oil over with him this morning and also a couple of saw benches which he made. While we were doing chores he fixed up the step ladder. We then took a tub of warm water out to the stables slung up a couple of poles and began to clean harness. Dad. had wiped off all the windows which let in considerably more light. It was nearly noon and as we didn't want to get our hands all oily before dinner we just washed one set. About noon we saw Jonas mooching through the orchard headed for Tupper's. Dad told him it was too wet to prune trees so he came over and helped us oil harness all the after noon for half a dollar. Dad. did chores most of the after noon but Huby and I worked at it steadily, we washed it and Jonas oiled and what time Dad. had he put it to-gether after it had been oiled. We got all the heavy double harness done and half the light double set. Bruce Dell brought Rex over for Dad. to look at as he has a little lump on his back. Frank got the money to-day from Hallam for his musk rat skins I think they brought him $2.23. It has been a rotten day. It snowed quite a lot this morning and been either raining or snowing most of the day. Very mudy and raw nor'west wind.</p> <p>Friday April 3rd</p> <p>The ground was covered with snow when we got up this morning and it was quite cold although not freezing very hard but it got colder during the day and is freezing pretty hard to-night. Huby pruned trees for a couple of hours till we got things all fed up and then we started in at the harness again. Jonas came over soon after we got started and helped all the afternoon. We got all the harness including bridles, breaking harness &amp; kicking strap oiled and put to-gether before six. Huby and Jonas worked steadily at and I was there most of the time but Dad did the chores so was not there so much. We had quite a concert at noon Jonas &amp; Tiddums with the mouth organ &amp; Enah with the guitar and all of them singing. Frank set the alarm to get up at half past four in the morning to go fishing with the Ryersies.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday April 4th</p> <p>It froze the ground stiff enough last night for us to haul the load of hay we have had on the waggon for the last two or three weeks over to the horse stable. I was pretty glad to haul it over as it was a great nuisance carring it over from the barn by the forkful. Huby fixed up one of the little ladders we got of the windmill this morning while he was waiting for us to get the hay over thinking we would need him to help mow it away but we found we didn't so he pruned in the orchard the rest of the day. After we hauled the hay over we took the rack back to the big barn and hooked to the waggon and loaded up with the oats which we sacked up the other day. Dad. also hauled the sleighs over to where they will be handy to put in the shed as they have been standing out in the lane ever since winter. This afternoon Dad. &amp; Frank to the oats to the mill for chop, went down town while it was being chopped and got some shingles for the old house, and got home about four. Old Joey at the mill who we have named the marquis owing to his likeness to gentleman of that title in "St. George &amp; St. Michael" got Dad. to haul 600 lbs of flour down town as Herb's horse is rather laid up owing to the mud. The roads are a fright. I cleaned out the stables and helped Huby for about an hour. It was a lovely sunny morning but cloudy &amp; a raw wind this after noon. Last night's snow thawed off to-day but the ground is covered again to-night. Froze all day in the shade.</p> <p>Sunday April 5th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church and Enah and I walked down to church. I went up to see Ed. after church as he told Dad. if I came down any time last week he would give me a couple of grapevines but as I hadn't been able to get down I went up to tell him I would try and get them to-morrow. They are a couple he set out up there and as he is going to move down into Mrs. Allan's house opposite the evaporator and has no place for them down there, he didn't care to leave them especially as they have never done very well along the fence where he had them. I thought of going for a ride this after noon but the roads are in such a condition that I didn't think I would enjoy it much so didn't do any thing much but a few chores and read myself to sleep. Frank went back to the gully and Dick who was up for dinner went down town. It was a lovely sunny morning and the snow which fell during the night nearly all disappeared by noon but this after noon it got cloudy and colder and I think will pretty soon freeze</p> <p>Monday April 6th</p> <p>Dad. and I spent most of the morning doing chores but just before noon I went back and tore down a little of the gully fence. Huby came over late as he had to go up town to get</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>his insurance papers and he spent a good part of the day measuring the buildings and renewing the insurance aplication. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. After dinner I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and then went down town to get my grapevine which Ed. gave me. I stopped in at Uncle Ward's on my way home to ask him about them and he talked to me for about an hour and told me all about his Uncle Loudon Bougner's vineyard over at Flint. I couldnt plant out my grapevines when I got home so just put them down cellar in a bag. To-night I walked down to band practice and had a fairly good one although there were only five of us there. It snowed nearly all day and has been a rotten day,</p> <p>Tuesday April 7th</p> <p>I didn't do much this morning but get dressed up and go down and meet Rus. Gordon. I drove down although the roads were awful. He came alright and we got home about noon. Huby didn't come over this morning as he had to finish up his insurance. He came over this after noon and Russ. helped us put on a load of hay. Huby also put in the two grapevines I got from Ed. he brought over a piece of hard wood and braced the step ladder. It has been a miserable day not at all cold but terribly muddy and cloudy all the fore noon and it rained all the after noon Dick came home early to-night and slept with Russ. I put the alarm clock in their room to-night set for half past three.</p> <p>Wednesday April 8th</p> <p>After we did chores this morning we cleaned up the barn floor where the fanning mill was and hauled over the load of hay which we put on yesterday for the cow stable Russ &amp; I put it off and Dad. bathed Spottys udder, the bad quarter is better and he was able to get the siphon in this morning. Huby came over about ten and pruned apple trees all day he saw the ducks get up out of one of the swail holes this afternoon so went over and built a hide of some corn shocks, he also found two tame duck eggs in the orchard. This after noon Russ and I put on another small load of hay on the rack to take to the horse stable. After we got it on we went back to the gully and fooled around for awhile armed with Frank's rifle but we didn't shoot anything except a fence post we both took a shot at it and Russ hit it. It has been a miserable day, it snowed last night and has been cold and windy all day, freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Thursday April 9th</p> <p>After we did chores this morning Dad. hauled the load of hay we put on yesterday over the horse stable and Russ and I put it off. We then went out and cleaned out some of the big wood in the orchard. This afternoon Russ and I went down town. I got my hair cut and he went to see the Morgan's, then we both went up to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>school and had a talk with Mr. Smith after four and came home around by the mill with Frank. The old setting hen hatched out a few chicks to-day but I don't know how many. Huby came over at seven this morning and pruned nearly all day, it was too windy for awhile this after noon so he put a window in the wood shed which is a great improvement. Sam Law was over for quite awhile to tell us we could get butter over there now. It has been very cold and windy all day. It looked as if it would be a lovely day this morning although it froze very hard last night, but it clouded up and snowed every now and then all day. Freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Friday April 10th Good Friday</p> <p>Huby pruned in the orchard most of the day but this morning he and I took a walk back to the gully and he paced off the length of fence it would take to go along the top of the gully to the road. When we came back I cleaned up some more brush in the orchard, I worked at it a little this afternoon to. This being Good Friday. Enah went down to church. Dick had a holiday so stayed in bed till noon. Frank and Russ spent the after noon back in the gully, they saw some fish but had no way of catching them. Dick was down town all after noon got home at midnight. We three boys went down to the Moving Picture show to see the battle of Waterloo, it was pretty good only all about the same. Lovely day sunny and windy much milder.</p> <p>Saturday April 11th</p> <p>It was cloudy cold and raining at seven o'clock this morning but Huby came over and worked around in the old house till we did chores he then went over with Dad. &amp; me to see Tupper. Dad. wanted to ask him if he could borrow his hay rack and we took the shotgun &amp; fish spear. After we'd seen all around the place Huby and I struck off down Tupper's creek we followed it way down to Black Creek but never saw a thing we then cut across to Art. Ryersies where we saw Wilson &amp; James McPherson &amp; Stewart Reeves with two or three measly looking fish. We got home quite awhile after noon. This afternoon Rus. &amp; I did chores. Huby pruned orchard and late Dad. went over and got Tuppers hay waggon &amp; scales which Tupper. was very anxious he should bring over. Frank went down town this after noon to get some window sash fixed &amp; glazed for his shop. Quint came over this after noon and saw the ducks out in the swail hole and shot at them but was not close enough. Huby and I saw six geese fly over the place this after noon. It didn't turn out to be a bad after noon at all but is freezing a little to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday April 12th Easter.</p> <p>I haven't done a thing in the shape of chores to-day since seven this morning. I got up fed the chickens sheep and horses and then went down with Dick to the early communion service we ran nearly all the way down or rather dog trotted but it just about killed me but Dick didn't seem to mind it, when we got home we had breakfast and then went down to the eleven o'clock service. The church was packed and Geitha Barwell sang a solo. Every member of the Barrett family except Dad. and Tiddums was at church from both houses. After church, Rus. Quint, Frank and I took a walk over to the Thompson's with Joe who is keeping hatch at present. Quint came over with us to dinner which we had rather late Rus. wanted to make a few calls this afternoon so I went with him down town, we went to the Hobbes where we found Geitha. Murry and Ada. Miss Prest is here over Easter we had such a good time that the first thing we knew it was time to come home for tea. I did a few chores after I got home. The old hen I set on fifteen eggs up in the loft hatched out nine chicks but during yesterday the old hen got off the nest which is about a foot off the floor and three little fellows got off and couldn't get back when we went up at night we found them chilled to death and beyond all recovery. One of the turkey hens has disappeared, and we don't know where she is. It has been very windy all day but a nice day. The roads are drying up.</p> <p>Monday April 13th</p> <p>We loaded the hogs up first thing this morning and Dad. and I took them down to Neil. Elliot, we put Frank's pig in with the others and he weighed 172 lbs. We weighed them all on Tuppers scales before we started aand we made the total weight 994 lbs. none of them weighed 200 lbs and the lightest was 153 lbs. On Jim Law's scales they just came to 950 we didn't think they shrank 44 lbs coming down town and don't think we made any mistake, how ever we only got paid $9.00 a cwt for 950 lbs of hogs. We came around by Tommy Gillies to get some lumber for Frank to fix up the old house. Hazen was over for awhile this morning but didn't stay long. Dick didn't get up till the middle of the fore noon and then went down town to get some ham to make sandwiches for the dance to-night. He was down town all the afternoon playing base ball. This after noon we put a scaffold up along the east side of the old house and the boys and Huby got two or three rows of shingles laid while we were doing chores. Huby pruned a little in the orchard and opened a ditch up out in the corn stubble. To-night we three boys went down to a dance in the hall given by the Sewing Club. The boys supplied the "eats" and the girls put up for the hall Dick went down early and went to the picture show first and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Rus. and I got there about half past nine. We had a good though mighty hot time and got home about two o'clock. It has been a nice sunny day but cold raw wind.</p> <p>Tuesday April 14th</p> <p>I didn't do any thing much but chores and sow red clover seed on the wheat east of the orchard. It froze hard last night and by the time I got that piece sowed it was too muddy &amp; wet to sow the other. Rus. Huby &amp; Frank shingled nearly all day at the old house and have it nearly finished. Rus. had to go back to Toronto to-night or they likely would have finished. I drove him down to the train, he said he had a good time while he was here, and felt a lot better than when he came. I drove Dick up town from the station he said he had been very busy all day and would have to work late to-night. I got a bunch of shingles from Tommy and the seed oats we got from Jonas on my way home. There was a school board meeting to-night but Dad. had such a terrible headache he couldn't attend. Frank went down to a nigger show which I suppose he enjoyed. I felt rotten with a cold to-night and nearly coughed my insides out after I went to bed. It has been a lovely day one of the nicest we have had this year, it was fairly hot. The young stock all got back across the gully after dinner and Dad and I had to go back after them we took Bluch on the chain.</p> <p>Wednesday April 15th</p> <p>Huby and Frank finished shingling the old house this morning and Dad. helped them put the ridgeboards on. I just did chores and fooled around. Mr. &amp; Mrs Tupper came in and Tupper wants Dad. to put a team on the road scraper to-morrow if it is a nice day. After dinner Dad. and Enah drove to Simcoe and Lila and I looked after Tiddums with out any trouble. Dad. went up to pay Reid for discharging the mortgage and got all the old papers belonging to the farm. We spent the whole evening exploring them. The deed which gave Colin McNellige the place from the Crown in 1837 is lost but there is a big pile of other deeds and mortgages and the will of old Alexander Clark which {Fa?}. drew up for him, where he leaves the place to his son. Huby finished pruning the orchard this after noon and started to trim up the trees in front of the house Frank worked all the afternoon at the old house. I got twenty four eggs to-day, it is the first time I have got above twenty. It has been very cloudy but not very cold all day. Quint came over this after noon and stayed to tea and fixed the music box.</p> <p>Thursday April 16th</p> <p>I haven't done much to-day but sit around and do chores. I have a pretty bad cold and don't feel up to much Huby and Frank</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>worked at the old house most of the morning and Huby trimmed the trees out in front this after noon. Dad. did chores, went down to Sam. Law's after butter and helped Frank this after noon. Mr. Shand was over for a few minutes to see Dad. about one of his heifers. Art. Quanbury came over to get what eggs I had I only got fifteen to-day and two of my little chickens died. It rained all morning but wasn't a bad after noon, not cold.</p> <p>Friday April 17th</p> <p>Huby and Quint were over before seven this morning to see if the ducks were out in the water hole in the tin alley sod they wern't so they set a lot of musk rat traps for them. Quint was here all morning and he and Huby helped Frank with the old house. Dad. started to dig an anchor post hole at the north west corner of the big barn as he wants to stretch some wire accross the barn yard for the old rail fence will not keep the cattle in this time of year, they are bound to get into the field which they punch all up. I didn't feel much like working so after I got the chores done I started back to the gully. Quint saw me going so got his gun and joined me. He didn't shoot any thing but got a crack at a ground hog but was a little too far away. We found a lot of spring heartys in Robert John's place they were on a sunny side hill. I suppose the mayflower's are out too but we didn't run accross any plants Quint got one blood root. He didn't stay to dinner as he said he wanted to go up the Radical Road after dinner. Huby and Dad continued to dig anchor post holes this after noon and they set a couple of posts with an auger Frank borrowed from Jack Martin. Huby also pruned some more of the pear tree out in front. I started to stretch chicken wire down the fence between the plum orchard and lawn. Allan Law went by at noon with a new horse he sold his little chestnut yesterday, he was going down to work at the school. It has been a beautiful day, sunny and warm. Spring at last.</p> <p>Saturday April 18th</p> <p>Huby and I hung some rails on the bottom of the line fence where Ivy's tile drain runs through there is a depression in the land and the sheep walk right under the fence but we fixed it to hold them I think. This after noon Huby set the rest of the posts accross the barn yard, burned the old brush heap in the pasture field near Ivy's fence which has been there for a couple of years and pruned some more of the trees in front of the house. I stretched the rest of the roll of chicken wire which I started on yesterday, it just reached part way down the plum orchard fence. I also cut a hole in the yard fence and let one pen</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of hens out to-night they were tickled to death and soon explored the whole plum orchard and most of them got out through the fence where there is no poultry netting. They didn't all find the way back to roost and we found one on a fence post way back the lane. John Wess McBride came over to-night about seven before we had had our tea, and got Dad. to go over and look at one of his mares which was sick. I went back with them and we didn't get back to supper till about half past nine. Dad didn't know what was the matter with the mare. She didn't seem very sick but was breathing very hard when we got there and was a little stiff in the nigh fore leg. Before we left her breathing got better and Dad. said he hadn't the slightest idea what ailed her. John Wess was up all night last night with Ray Lampkin's who died about ten o'clock this morning. Beautiful day, hot. windy to-night.</p> <p>Sunday April 19th</p> <p>Frank went to church and Sunday school this morning and Dick got up at noon had dinner and went down town, with the intention of attending church to-night but the rest of the family stayed home. I didn't like the idea of going to church and coughing or blowing my nose all through service so we just did chores and sat around. Ed. came over this after noon with Marion, he brought over a couple of dandy plans for the pig pen, the side elevation and ground floor plan. Frank stayed at Huby's to dinner. Huby said that Charlie McQueen told him he had seen our hen turkey over in Preston's woods Frank went to look for her but didn't see her. It rained most of the morning but not hard. Cloudy most of the day but very mild The wheat and grass has got very green to-day.</p> <p>Monday April 20th</p> <p>Huby &amp; I spent the whole morning clearing the brush of the lawn and we got it all nicely raked and the brush piled in the plum orchard. Dad. put in the forenoon receiving visitors Dick Faulmsbe was the first caller. Billy {Faloun?} then came in for a long time. He has a sick horse and Bruce wanted him to get Dad's advice. He said {Buse?} was just about bushed, he had been practicing night and day and every thing he has been doctoring this spring has died. Charlie Martin then "dropped in on us" for awhile and the purport of his mission was to ascertain whether it would be convenient to smoke his meat in our smoke house. As Dad. has our meat just about ready to smoke, he told Charlie to bring his over any time so he came over with five pieces after dinner This after noon we put the fence up against the posts in the barn yard. We braced one anchor post well by putting wire around it and around the corner post in the barn but we couldn't stretch the wire tight although we had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>all of old Mr. Walker's outfit but the other anchor post was in very soft earth and the brace post was fairly floating. We forgot to get any staples so couldn't fasten it to the posts but we got so that we think it will keep the cattle out in till we can stretch it better. It has been cloudy and rather raw all day and drizzled &amp; rained all the after noon. Mrs McBride was here washing all day. Huby brought over the grape vine that was down at the boat house and planted it along the front fence it has a big root &amp; stalk.</p> <p>Tuesday April 21st</p> <p>Huby brought over another grape vine this morning and set it out down under the old willow. After breakfast he and I set fire to the pile of brush in the plum orchard it didn't burn very fast but it nearly all burned up. Dad. was very busy attending to a new bull calf which arrived this morning and for whose arrival Bobbie is responsible. We hung the meat in the smoke house and he and Huby started to build a stake and rider fence four panels long from the north west corner of the old barn to within a gate's width of the north anchor post of the new fence. We got it up by noon and it is a dandy about seven feet high I went over to Jack Martin's with some eggs and to ask him about getting an incubator as I think I will have to have one or no chickens none of the hens show any symptoms of wanting to sit. I found out he has one he wants to sell it being to small or something for him. It is a "Peerless" and he said he would let me have it and the brooder for half price or seventeen dollars. He told me he was paying me 36 cts a dozen for my eggs, so I have sold him more than enough eggs to pay for the outfit. This after noon we built five more panels of stake &amp; rider fence from the north east corner of the big barn to the north west corner of the horse stable and we fixed up an old gate to put at the gate way between the old barn and new fence at the end of the rail fence we built this morning. We didn't get it quite fixed but set it up so now have the barnyard pretty well fenced. John Wess was in to-night to see if it would be all right to work his mare to-morrow. Dad. said he thought it would be all right for although her leg is swollen she seems all right every other way. Cloudy and raw all day.</p> <p>Wednesday April 22nd</p> <p>Huby didn't get over till late this morning he had gone over to Stickney's to get his rubber boots fixed and then up to Val. Leaney's to see Bill Rankin about fixing an old saw he has and he saw so many people that he couldn't get away but when he did get here we hooked old Harry to the stone boat and started to clean the brush out of the orchard, we hauled it up to the far end of the orchard and piled it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>where we burned it before. This morning we just had the little stone boat but it took such a small load that Dad. nailed a couple of boards to it and we found we could put more than twice as much on but when we started up the brush caught on the ground and the stone boat pulled out from under it, but Dad. got another board and put down the middle so there was no space for the brush to stick in the ground and it went all right. Huby and I went up with every load one on each side with a bar jammed into the brush for a lever to hold it on. We put on big loads and packed them well by taking the long iron bar and putting it accross the top of the load every now and then and one got on each end of the bar and bear down with all our weight and every now and then Huby would walk up the load and tramp on it. By to-night we had nearly all the brush which was separated from the big limbs cleaned up, spare moments Huby painted the places on the trees where he cut big limbs off and has got over most of the trees. Alfred paid us a visit this after noon he had come up the gully with a fish spear on a "wild goose chase" so he said and just stopped in on his way home. By today's paper we see that the Mexican war with the U.S. has started. The Americans have taken the Vera Cruz custom house with only four of their men killed and about 200 Mexicans. Canon Hicks died yesterday with pneumonia so Dick told us. It has been a lovely sunny day with a drying breeze.</p> <p>Thursday April 23rd</p> <p>We finished the orchard up to-day, it looks very nice and neat. We got the brush all hauled up by noon but are going to leave it till Saturday if it is a nice day so Lila can see it. We hauled the big limbs up and piled them between the old house and the woodshed. We also hauled the old stump of the dead tree that we cut down last winter up to the house and to-night before we took old Harry of the stone boat Huby and I hauled the old shoes which have been in the garret over the old house since the days of Titus up to the brush pile and dumped them. There was an awful pile of them. Huby brought over some suckers with him this morning that Quint caught and Frank went fishing after school to-night and caught seven perch down at the pier. They are about the first he has got since he has been here. Enah got a letter from Louise to-day inviting her down next Wednesday night to hear the new organ in St. Pauls cathedral. It is supposed to be the best organ in America and they are having the best payed organist in the world to play it so it ought to be good. Of course she said she couldn't go but there is no reason what ever why she can't as so I guess she will</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>It has been a nice sunny day but a cold raw wind this morning. I got twenty three eggs from the white chickens alone to-day.</p> <p>Friday April 24th</p> <p>After we did up the chores this morning Huby and I went back with some old rags and a bottle of crude oil to make torches to burn of the blue grass field. It was just the day for the job with a little east wind and when we set fire at the east end of the field it swept over the whole area in no time. It burned quite a few of the fence posts and the first thing we knew it was in the wood. It was not burning fast in there but was spreading steadily Huby said we would have a very hard job putting it out and we might better let it go as it would be a good thing to clean the ground up and was not hot enough to hurt the little trees. He didn't think it would burn far any way so we took a walk over to McQueens in quest of the lost turkey hen, we found Charlie at the black smith trade shoeing a team for Phil {Shaver?} and the old man outside. As John Henry Butler is about dead and Ralph Waddle is sick Charlie picks up quite a lot of business. Coming home Huby and I separated and looked both sides of McQueens gully and through Preston's wood. We had Bluch and he put up a rabbit but we saw no sign of the turkey but just as we were about home coming along the top of Ivey's gully Bluch scared her up, we didn't find her nest but left her back there. It was nearly noon when we got to our gully and we thought of coming up to dinner but on second thought we decided to see how the fire in the wood was progressing. The blue grass field was black all over but the wood was full of smoke and after we got in a little way we found Dad. who had seen the fire in the wood and come back and had been fighting to keep it away from Evan's fence. It had got pretty well all through the wood but hadn't got to the fence yet, we all three fought for an hour or so and at last got it about stamped out of course there were stumps on fire. I was by myself most of the time and Huby and Dad had an awful time trying to keep it away from a few panels of rail fence between us and John Wess but about one or after we thought it was safe to leave till after dinner, then Huby and I went back again. We found it all out through the wood except a few stumps but it had started up at the fence again and completely destroyed it for a fence as the rails in two panels were nearly burned up and we had to tear them down and throw them on to the burnt territory. It had also started in the grass on the other side again and if we had been a few minutes later it would have been into Evan's wood and we would have had our morning's fun repeated. We were back there all the after noon trimming</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the trees along the edge of the wood whose branches hang over the field. We looked at the fence again before we came up to-night but it seemed to be out so we left. It looks like rain to-night and if it does that will fix it. Nice day but cloudy. Dad started disking on the corn stubble this morning but found it too wet in spots. Sam Law was harrowing they are the only ones I know of around here who have tried it at all</p> <p>Saturday April 25</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning but cleared of during the fore noon. Huby came over and worked at the old house and sawed wood most of the day. I spent most of the morning making a hopper for my little chickens so the turkeys can't steal their food. This after noon I drove Enah down to doo some shopping and she walked back Lila came over this after noon. Win was coming over but she thought it would be too wet to burn the bonfire in the orchard so didn't come when I got home, we went out to try it, it was a little too wet but Huby got a fire started in one place and it would probably have gone but a big thunder storm came up about six and not only quenched the fire but drove them all in from looking after it. Huby and Lila stayed to tea but as it stopped raining they went down afterwards. Dad. Frank &amp; I had a bath to-night (for a change). There was another editorial in the "Maple Leaf" everlastingly raking Vyse down. Every body seems to think Vyse will try to enter a libel suit against L.G. but I guess its all true about him</p> <p>Sunday April 26th</p> <p>I was up fairly early this morning so was able to get the chores all done, get ready and drive Enah down to church on time. There was a very short service and no sermon as Mr. Johnson felt sick. This after noon I went down town for a little while. I went around by Hubys and found him pruning his apple trees he is getting them in pretty nice shape. Dick went through his Sabbath routine. Frank went back to the gully and the rest of the family stayed home for company's sake. Cloudy and breezy all day not a bad day.</p> <p>Monday April 27th</p> <p>I finished making my little chicken feed hopper this morning all but putting the hinges on the lid. I didn't do any thing else much. Huby didn't get over till late this morning as he waited for Stickney to see if he had the post auger, he hadn't but said Stocker would make it and some of them would bring it down in a day or two. Sam Law came over after Dad. to go down and see his pig. Huby brought down over some stone nest eggs and put them in the various turkey nests. This after noon Dad. spent the after noon getting his hair cut and Huby and I sorted the apples and cleaned out the cellar. Tonight I went down to band practice. Harry Moon wasn't there but we had a good practice Murray was there with his picilo and a new man who is learning the clarinet. Cloudy mostly cool</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday April 28th</p> <p>We didn't get much done this morning. Huby and I cleaned out the wood shed and chored around. This after noon I took some eggs (three dozen) over to Jack Martin's. I am going to save all the eggs from both pens now for myself till I get enough to fill the incubator. I have ninety three now. I got twenty five altogether to-day, the most I have got yet. Sam. Law came after Dad. again to go and see a cow. When we got back we made some alterations in the site of the building in the back yard and to-night the view from the dining room window is considerably improved. Tupper was in to-night to say that he wants Dad. to put a team on the road scraper to-morrow but it is raining to-night so we will probably be relieved from the job. Cousin Clare came over this morning to stay till Enah gets back from Toronto. It has been very hot and muggy all day feels very much like rain.</p> <p>Wednesday April 29th</p> <p>I got up about four this morning and the rest of the family soon after. Dad. drove Enah down to the station, and as Belle was a little nervous of the train shunting around he let her out a little way up the street just as Mr. Barwell came along he was bound for Toronto too so she was alright. Huby came back with Dad. I didn't do much to-day except plant out some little daisy plants in the front border bed and fix it up a little. Cousin Clare brought the plants over. I had to stay with Tiddums a little while after dinner. He has been very good all day especially as he hasn't been able to be out although he is lonesome of course. Huby worked around out side and cleaned out the old house nicely. Jim Waddle came after Dad. just before dinner to go and see a sick colt and he didn't get back till about three o'clock. It has been a miserable day. Cloudy and chilly. Rained a lot during the night and drizzled off and on all day.</p> <p>Thursday April 30th</p> <p>Frank McBride came over before breakfast this morning with some maple syrup which Mrs. Carpenter sent to Frank. He told us just where we Aleta had found the turkey's nest in Ivey's gully over near Preston's fence, so after breakfast Huby and I went back to look for it, we found the place but didn't see any nest so went over to ask Aleta. On our way over we saw the old turkey on the other side of Preston's wood. Aleta told us the nest was just where she we had been looking but as she had taken the eggs out of it, we thought she might have moved so went down to the mill to ask Clarence Ferris as he had found it before and taken two eggs out. He said it was in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the same place, we got the two eggs from him and the five Aleta had taken and went back and found what we supposed to be the empty nest but although we searched for quite awhile we could find no sign of the old turkey. We brought the eggs home and and got Huby's gloves which have been back at the wood ever since the fire. This after noon Huby lined out his ditch at the end of the old garden and got it started the whole length. I did chores and fooled around and Dad. put in most of the day minding Tiddums who is terribly home-sick. Winnie came over after school while he was alone with Cousin Clare and she supposes he thought it was Enah for when he was terribly disappointed when he recognised Win. To-night I went down to a surprise party of Hazel Silverthorne's. The sewing club was meeting at her place and she invited eight or nine boys over, we all rounded up at the bank and went over in a body. We played pedro which I don't know any more about than I do about making toads, but still I would have had a great time only my head ached and I felt rather sick for some unknown reason. We also played a lot of other games to add to the card playing score. One table blew bubbles, another cut out paper dolls, another speared peanuts in a bowl with hat pins, next played crocono, next snipped buttons and the other made some sort of rhymes, we had dandy refreshments but I couldn't take much and felt so rotten before I left that I forgot to say good-night. Dad. went down and met Enah. She said she had a great time "to the city" and enjoyed the organ very much. Tiddums was glad to see her but didn't kick up much fuss over it. Art. Quanbury came over to-night with my incubator and brooder. Nice day but rather raw.</p> <p>Friday May 1st</p> <p>Huby and I put on a small load of hay this morning and this after noon Dad. hauled it over to the barn for the cows we then put on a pretty good sized load and Dad. &amp; Huby unloaded it in the horse stable, while I took little Joe and drove Cousin Clare home. Tupper came over this morning to get Dad. to put a team on the road scraper, but Dad rode down with him to Sam Law's and got him to go on instead. Whit. Dixon came in while he was gone after a pig for Bob. Miller, he brought two of the most horrible looking sheep I ever saw. He said Bob. had had them down in the barn in a crate and nobody fed them much except Mrs. Tate. He said Bob. wanted him to bring them over here and if Dad. didn't want to keep them till they got in shape to kill to leave them for a few days anyway, Whit. said he supposed Bob. thought if he got them unloaded here they would stay. The poor things could hardly stand up when</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>they took them out of the waggon and they have been gorming grass ever since they got loose. Whit. was telling Huby and me all about his western experiences, he is sick of it. We sent down the biggest pig with Whit. Huby worked. Mrs. McBride was here all day housecleaning. Sunny with cool breeze.</p> <p>Saturday May 2nd</p> <p>After I did chores this morning I went over to Martin's and borrowed Art Quanbury's spirit level and leveled up my incubator and started the lamp going, I won't put the eggs in till I see how it is going to go. George Holden and his brother brought the fifty Carolina poplars and the two English wallnuts. I heeled them in the garden and this after noon Huby and I planted them out. We planted the two wallnuts out in front. They were very healthy looking trees and a good size. It was pretty late when we got them planted so we just took ten poplars back to the gully, we put them out in the east end of the gully mostly on the flat. but a couple on the hill, we stuck slips in all over mostly on ant hills. We didn't get back till about seven o'clock. Huby stayed to tea and he and Frank set fire to the bonfire in the orchard but it didn't burn well and they had to leave it after being out there an hour or two, sunny and nice to-day but cool</p> <p>Sunday May 3rd</p> <p>Dad. and I intended going to church to-day but. First of all we didn't get up very early, then Fred's calf got into the pig yard and the old sow got out so Dad. had to fix it. Then I noticed old split ear walking lame over in the pasture and we found the wall of her foot was turned over. While we were trimming her feet up, Mr. Brirely came along and stayed till about noon telling us all about chickens and things. He said he would come over in a night or two to see if the incubator is going all right. I think I will fill it up to-morrow. I have the temperature up to about 103° now. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove out to Jim Waddle's. I just sat around the house while they were gone and read a little, snoozed a little, practiced a little on my horn and a little on the guitar. Frank went back to the gully but I don't think it had changed much since last night, he got some wild flowers. Dick spent the after noon in town, which I have no doubt he also will find in much the same condition as when he last saw it. He will likely go to church to-night. It has been a lovely day quite hot. Dad is afraid it will rain before long if it doesn't we are going to start work on the land to-morrow if all is well.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 4th</p> <p>We got a fairly early start this morning and I had both teams cleaned and ready to slap the harness on and start farming but just about seven it began to rain. It didn't last long but plenty long enough to put an end to starting operations to-day. It came out sunny and a nice breeze after the shower but this after noon it was more cloudy and threatening. It is very hot and lightening to-night. Dad. and Huby fixed the wind mill rod which Dad. broke yesterday and I took Art Quanbury's spirit level back and got a few final instructions about the incubator. I filled it up about noon and by to-night she was up to 97° and blowing off. I didn't know whether to regulate it or not but I happened to overtake Mr. Brirely coming home to-night and he told me I should. This after noon Dad. and Huby went back to the gully and fixed the fence as well as they could as there will soon bee picking enough to let the young stock out I started to grub out the trees between along the fence between the plum orchard. I got a couple of little plum trees out but didn't get any of the cherries {out?} We want to set out a cedar hedge along there if we ever get time. I went down to band practice to-night and we had pretty fair practice. Harry Moon wasn't there but Mid. is back home now and he was there.</p> <p>Tuesday May 5th</p> <p>It was pouring rain when we got up this morning and kept it up till the middle of the after noon and it had been raining most of the night. Dad was pretty well disgusted but that didn't seem to do much good. I got a loaf of bread last night and left it up in the band room so this morning I drove Dick down town and went up and got it. Dick had a bad toothache last night. Huby hadn't come over so I went around and got him, he thought there wouldn't be any thing to do if it rained but he came over so to be there in case it cleared up. We didn't do any thing much all day. He worked at the old house tacking up old window blinds for wall covering. He brought a lot of burlap over the other day and is going to use it to but the wind blows through it more that it does the blinds. He scraped some of the apple trees when it quit raining. Enah broke a tooth to-day so had to go down and get it fixed while Dad. minded Tiddums.</p> <p>Wednesday May 6th</p> <p>I didn't get up till late this morning, and haven't done any thing much but chores all day. I had to turn my eggs in the incubator twice to-day. Huby and Dad. squared up the old block they got from the dead apple</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>tree in the orchard. It make a beauty and is good and solid. Huby dug quite a bit at his ditch and Dad. took the storm windows off. Whit Dixon came in this after noon and got another pig. Two other fellows were in they wanted Dad. to go down to Henderson's to-night and have a look at their big black Percheron stallion. They want to travel him down this way. Dad. got notice of a school board meeting to-night so he went down. I got chores done up early hoping to take Osprey out for a run before dark but it began to rain just before dark. It has been very hot all day and felt like rain. I don't think it rained very hard nor long Winnie &amp; Jonny Miller were over for awhile before tea.</p> <p>Thursday May 7th</p> <p>We put the halter on Pommer's for the first time this morning and tied him in Joes stall for awhile, he was pretty crazy at first but soon quieted down when he found there was no use fighting. We put the harness on Osprey and I took him down to the corner and back. He felt pretty gay and looked fine. Dad. and Huby cleaned up a lot more of the old barn floor. This after noon we hooked up Osprey and Harry to the waggon and the whole three of us went down to Billy Cunningham's to get Dave's cart. We found him and Billy Loan building a house. He said he had brought the cart up to Bobbie McMullins two or three weeks ago so Huby is going to bring it over in the morning We got a couple of nice little silver birch trees in Hammond's back on our way home and Huby set one out on the lawn. He wants to put the other in the gully. We saw Tom Abbot and he gave us our cream check. It wasn't very high this month as butter has gone down. We only got a little over 19 dollars. Tom told us that Wilbur and Orpha Ryersie are the proud parents of a daughter. We met another man with an Iron grey Percheron stallion to-day. Huby said he liked the black one the best, but Dad. liked this one the best in some ways although he had poor legs. T.A. Ivey was in this morning to have his old mare's teeth fixed and also to get Dad to attend a friendly meeting to the farmer's who will be affected by some ditch on the other road that he wants the council to put in. It won't really affect any body much but him. Osprey went fine we had a stay chain on old Harry's double tire. None of the farmers down that way have any oats in and we didn't see any wheat that could beat ours east of the orchard. It has been very nice to-day and clear to-night. Tiddums isn't very well to-night</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday May 8th</p> <p>Huby went around by Bobbie McMullin's this morning to see if he had our cart done but it wasn't quite finished. He took the other birch trees back to the gully and planted it out and set two little ones which were in the earth at the roots of the other one. Dad and I started to measure the distance from the road to the gully along the lane and orchard fence so as to get the fence we are going to put along the top of the gully the same distance from the road (concession) at the east end as at the west where it joins the lane fence at right angles. We got as far as the north orchard fence at right an when it was raining so hard we had to stop. Huby. put some more burlap and paper on the walls of the shop and late this after noon dug some more at his ditch. This after noon Dad. went down to Sam. Law's after the butter and I took a couple of dozen eggs over to Quanbury's as John was over and said Art. wanted to get them I had quite a visit with Charlie who was planting potatoes. He has his garden nearly all in and it looks fine. Enah went down to the Methodist church for choir practice as they want her to sing with the "Mothers day bunch" on Sunday. Frank went down with her intending I think to take in the movie. Tiddums doesn't feel very well yet. I started to cut the lawn to day but it was not long enough for the lawn mower. I couldn't see where I had gone.</p> <p>Saturday May 9th</p> <p>I started after breakfast towards town to head Huby off with the cart he was going to haul over because as we were going down in the waggon we thought it was too bad for him to draw it all the way over here, but when I got to Martin's I saw Art Quanbury and he was showing me how to test eggs and when I got back to the side walk Huby had come and as he had got so far he persisted in taking it all the way. It was a good cart but will need a little patching. We then hooked up Harry and Belle to the waggon and went down town. We got four big anchor posts and four small posts, some siding for the shop, lime for the chicken house and plaster for the kitchen. We saw Harry Ansley and he gave us three nice white fish. This after noon I took some eggs over to Martin's. Art Quanbury wanted another half dozen, he wanted two settings instead of two dozen. Huby planted out a lot more of the poplars along the rail fence. I went out with him when I got back and we got a lot put out on both sides of the corner field. Mr. Lawrie was here when we came up. He Huby and Lila stayed to tea. Lila came over this after noon and rode Frank's bicycle and she and Frank went back to the wood. Frank put a lot of the siding on the shop.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. has felt very miserable all day and his muscles ache all over his body. Up till to-day it has just been in his arms. He is afraid it is rheumatism. It has been a lovely day. Quite hot this morning but nice fresh breeze this after noon.</p> <p>Sunday May 10th</p> <p>We got up rather late this morning and I have had my old clothes on all day. Frank went down to Sunday school but didn't go to church this morning I drove Enah down and on my way home fell in with Jimmy and Billie Rankin who boned me for a ride so I brought them over to see Bluch who was overjoyed to see them. They went back to the gully with Frank and got some flowers and went home with Dick when he drove down after Enah. It rained a little now and then during the day so I think Frank was prevented from making his periodical call on the gully this after noon but Dick went down town. He was pretty tired last night and had some excuse for sleeping all morning. Wiggins offered him a quarter yesterday if he would cut the lawn around the bank so he started in at two o'clock, when he got it done Mr. Hobbes offered him double the price of cutting the two lawns if he would cut his lawn too so Dick kept right at it till eight o'clock and then with out any supper started to work at his balance sheets or whatever it was. This morning his hands were blistered all over and as he didn't get up to breakfast he went twenty four hours without a meal but made $1.30 out of it. He has been ledger seeker for the last week and balanced up very easily the other night. To-night I drove Enah and Frank down to church Enah turned Methodist for to-night as she is going to sing with the mothers this being their "day" I met Hazen on his way over to tak his girl to church so I gave him a ride over. When I let him out at Flemming's, I found Bluch who in spite of all our commands to go home had followed us down was not following me back so I went back and as I expected found him at Rankin's. After quite a lot of coaxing I induced him to get into the buggy and brought him home. It would have been a nice day but for a shower ever now and then. Tiddums feels very rotten to-day - cutting teeth.</p> <p>Monday May 11th</p> <p>It rained a good deal to-day so we didn't do very much, but remark on the inclemencey of the weather. We saw Reeve Vyse go past with his disks just before it began to rain but after going a few rounds it chased him in. We could see old Sam</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>at it for quite awhile but at last he had to give up no doubt in disgust. Dad. and I put on a load of hay this morning and Huby oiled up the little dining room stove and pipes and put it away. This after noon I made a bootjack. I have tugged and pulled and nearly broken the rungs out of the kitchen chairs ever since I have got my rubber boots trying to pull them off at night and now when it is about sollid enough to do with out them I have made a neat little boot jack; however it will be ready for next season and I have hung it handy in the wood shed for us anytime we get mad. Huby covered more of the walls of the shop with some stiff wrapping paper he got from Tip. Varey and tinkered around. Dad. minded Tiddums who is fare from scoocum to-day. Geordie Allan was over for a little while, he is just up to Dover for a visit. To-night Chris Quanbury came over and test my eggs for me, he found 32 infertile out of the 138 which he said was a better test than most of theirs were doing. It is just about 23% bad. Raining hard with thunder and lightening to-nigh.</p> <p>Tuesday May 12th</p> <p>It poured rain nearly all day. It let up for awhile at noon and hasn't rained much since five to-night, but there was a steady downpour the rest of the time. Every thing is covered with water, and it looks as if we'd have to postpone some of the features in the game of farming for another season. I was pretty busy all day. This morning I cleaned all the straw out of the hen houses and this after noon started to white wash them. I couldn't find the white wash brush so I had to use a broom so I don't know whether it will make much improvement in appearance but will smarten the place up. I got the pen this way white washed and part of the one we brought over from Huby's and used a pail of white wash, then I had to quit to do chores. Huby came over this after noon and worked at the old house. Dad did think of taking Joe down to Bobby McMullan to be shod but when he was ready thought better of it. Tom. Abbot came after the cream this morning and request Dad not to mention the weather, he hears enough about it.</p> <p>Wednesday May 13th</p> <p>I finished white washing the other hen house this morning. I did white wash the pen where the colored hens are as I had no place to let them out and they make such a fuss if I try to work with them in there. Huby scraped some of the trees in the orchard this morning but it started to rain so he came in and worked at the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{ Error in page number}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Error in page number}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Wednesday May 13th continued}</p> <p>shop it didn't rain long but he worked in there most of the day. He put some of the white wash I had left over on the trees he scraped. Dad. took Joe down to be shod this morning but Bobby McMillian's shop was full so he came home. He doesn't want to take her to Joe Howel for fear she will make him mad, and he says Ralph Waddle knows too much. Bob. Davis was in this after noon with Bycler's big black horse. He is certainly a nice looking one. I put another broody hen up over the hog pen to-night. I don't know whether she will sit or not as I didn't notice her setting till to-day. It has been cloudy all day with a little rain before dinner and to-night the sun was out.</p> <p>Thursday May 14th</p> <p>We spent quite awhile giving Pommers a lesson on the halter. We took both the colts out and I held Queen while Dad. and Huby worked awhile with Pommers. We then let them run in the front field the rest of the day. We put Joe in the box stall for the day and Dave in Joe's stall but put them all back in to night and Dave out, he was pretty lonesome as we let all the young stock back the lane to-day and left them back. We let the cows back too but didn't let them out after they were milked to-night. This after noon Dad. put the harness on Dave and took him down the road a little way. It was the first time he has had a bit in his mouth so didn't do so badly. When we get him broken Huby is going to take him for his driver. We are very glad we didn't shoot him last fall as we intended. This morning we three boys went back and fixed a good set a bars from the gully into the blue grass field on the west side next John Wess's (the field not the bars). Dad cut new bars in the wood. We took the chain back and measured our share of John Wess's line fence. It was just 10 chains and one foot. We want to put up a new fence there if we can. This after noon Dad. and I put off the load of hay we loaded up for the horse stable the other day and Huby put out the rest of the young poplars. Stan Lowrie was in this morning to have Dad. look at his horse's mouth. He says some of them down there around Nanticoke have oats in but they are afraid after this rain they will rot in the ground. The rain caused a lot of damage up in Western Ontario, The whole country was flooded in places and they say even barns floated off their foundations. Poor Tiddums is pretty sick to-night. Cutting teeth, whooping cough and fever. Lovely day sunny &amp; mild.</p> <p>Friday May 15th</p> <p>I got up about four o'clock this morning to choke off the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>alarm clock. I wanted to get out anyway before the hens did as I discovered yesterday that the old duck was laying in the chicken yard and so I wanted to leave the yard open for her to get in during the night but as I don't let the same pen out two days in succession I had to get up before the hens to shut it up. I didn't think to shut them in the house but I will hereafter I hope. Dick brought home word last night that Mr. Hobbes wanted two settings of eggs so I went over to ask Jack Martin if he wanted them especially but he wasn't home and Chris was down town so I sent them down. Vyse was over for awhile, after breakfast Huby got the brush heap in the orchard burned at last. I threw the brush out of the pig yard and helped him carry it over to the fire. After we burned it we started to clean up the wheat. We got it all cleaned by about half past four this after noon. There was only about forty bushels of it cleaned we put a coarse seive in the bottom so got a lot of stuff in the drip box nearly enough to fill up the chicken feed bin. When we got it done Huby and I tore down and piled up handy to where we could get them with the waggon what few rails were left from the old barn yard fence. Sunny but raw wind all day. Sam Law was on his field to-day but Tom Abbot says it is very mucky. Poor Tiddums is very miserable, the whooping cough is back again.</p> <p>Saturday May 16th</p> <p>Lila came over with Huby first thing this morning and has been over all day. Jim Bannister sent over word with them for Dad. to come over as his mare was just foaling. Dad. has been over two or three times during the day - and is there now with Frank. Burt is there from Simcoe, and Dad. says he is afraid Jim will lose the mare, the colt I think is dead. Dad. and I hauled up a load of rails this morning from the old barn yard fence and then took the wheat to the mill. We made two trips of it and took down three sacks of oats for chop. We had 44 bushels and 14 lbs of wheat and it is just a dollar a bushel so we did gain a little by waiting after all. After dinner Huby and I went back to the wood and were gone nearly all the after noon but we got a beautiful little elm and set it out out here near the drive house and just behind the anchor post for this lane fence, we got it out in the open and it is a perfect shape and as we didnt cut much of the top off it will be pretty from the first. Frank and Lila went back with us but went the other way when we got to the gully and got a lot of flowers and some merels which Huby found the other day and told them about. Our little tree was all out in leaf but Huby took great pains in planting it, and he thinks</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with the attention we will be able to give it being so near the house that it will grow. Dad. was going down town this afternoon but as we didn't get back he didn't go so I helped him milk and then hooked up Joe and took Huby &amp; Lila down, we took Win in at Uncle Ward's and she went up and got the stuff for me. I gave Joe Thompson a lift over the hill and old Mrs. Martin home from about Chris Quanbury's. Lovely day sunny and dry. Messers Flemming &amp; Evans scraped the road again.</p> <p>Sunday May 17th</p> <p>Frank went down alone to church and Sunday School this morning. After breakfast Dad. and I went over to Jim Bannister's for a little while, the mare was dead and buried. Vyse was there and Jack Spain soon came. When we got home, we hooked Joe and Osprey up to the buggy and took them around the block. Joe was the worst colt of the two but they went fine. Dick got up for dinner and he and I played catch for awhile before he went down town. Then Frank and I went back to the gully and went in for a swim in Robert John's big pool. The water was pretty cold at first but after we got out and let the wind blow more it felt warm to get in. I came home about four and unintentionally went to sleep. Dad. Enah and Tiddums were all out for a drive and while things were in this condition Mr. &amp; Mrs. John Shand came, they never woke me up and so thought no one was home, pinned a note on the door and left but Dad. and Enah just came along as they were going out the lane so they came back. I got the chores done as quickly as possible and got ready and went down to church. I overtook Quint. After church I went up with him to see Big George about a fishing excursion to-morrow but he wasn't home so Quint came over as far as Martin's with me. Dick came along while we were talking. He said he felt pretty sick so we came home and he went to bed. It has been a lovely day, Sunny and a little breeze.</p> <p>Monday May 18th</p> <p>I woke up about three o'clock and heard Dad prowling around, he said he had just come back from town. Al Faulkner had come over after him to go and see his colt, which had got tangled up in the halter shank and was in awful shape. I got up at four o'clock and would have been ready to get a good early start on the land but for visitors. First Mr. Porter drove in then a little while afterwards old Mr. Duncan, he had what he thought to be a sick cow and wanted Dad</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to go up so Dad. didn't get out at all this morning and I didn't till about nine. When Dick got up he felt very miserable and was bound to go to work but they persuaded him not to so he lay down and slept most of the day and Dad. on his way to Duncan's stopped in and told Wiggins. Huby and Dad. started for Duncan's but met old Bill who told them the horse cow was alright. I got over the field once lengthwise with the disks and started to go again and Dad. gave it a good harrowing this afternoon. Huby took my team for awhile after dinner while I got a rest ready to set a hen. Sam. Law came over and borrowed the drill at noon, he has his piece about in shape. Mrs McBride was here washing all day. To-night I went down to band practice and didn't get to bed till eleven Lovely day sunny and not too hot</p> <p>Tuesday May 19th</p> <p>I was up at four again this morning, the way I manage it I wind the alarm clock up so it will ring for quite awhile and set it over on the bureau where I can't reach it from the bed. Then in the morning it makes such a clatter that I can't stand the noise so have to get up to smother it and once I'm up I stay up although I felt pretty tough for awhile this morning. Try as we did we weren't able to get in the field before eight, but we got both teams started about the same time and got a pretty good day in I finished the field lengthwise and got more than half over it crosswise. Dad harrowed it both ways and is now following me down crosswise with the harrows. He thinks when we get done that way, it will be in good shape to drill. It was a hard day on the poor little team, they are too tired to eat to-night. I had to make several trips to the ditch to swab my eyes off with cold water and keep them from going to sleep. Old Bluch plodded up and down after the disks all day long. Once I took the little team and harrowed to keep awake when I wasn't near the ditch and poor Bluch was badly puzzled. He didn't know which one of us to follow. Sam Law brought the drill back and left it in the field. Vyse drilled his piece in to-day. I set two hens to-night on thirty eggs. Huby worked around here and helped mind Tiddums all day. Dick felt better to-day but didn't go to work. He went down town this after noon to get his tooth fixed and didn't feel quite so well to-night. Cars. Rankin went by here to-day with an automobile they just bought. They have started to take down the dam bridge. They are going to put up a new stone one. It has been a nice day but pretty hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday May 20th</p> <p>Four o'clock for mine again this morning and I didn't feel so sleepy during the day as I got to bed at ten last night. I did have one little short snooze on the disks while the horses were resting. Water is getting pretty hard to find now, but I located some in the wood to swab my eyes with. I got out soon after eight, and finished cross disking then hooked on the harrows and cross harrowed from where Dad left off till noon. Dad. didn't get out till ten o'clock owing to divers hindrances, so he started right in to drill. He put Jonas' oats in on the north headland they went two drill widths the width of the field and quite a few left over. He took out four big two bushel and a half bags and had the drill set for sowing 2 bushels and a peck and used all the seed and didn't quite finish to-night so there is something wrong as we didn't think there was more than four acres in the field. I finished cross harrowing soon after dinner and then took the disks back to the field accross the gully, and got over quite a chunk of it. Huby sowed clover seed to-day on the piece of wheat north of the orchard he also cleaned up around the shop a lot. Dick went to work to-day although he is far from well. It has been fine and pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Thursday May 21st</p> <p>I didn't get over the gully to work till nearly nine o'clock so didn't get through disking till after dinner I then started over it again lengthways with the disks a notch deeper. Dad. finished drilling in the other field, harrowed it all over and brought the harrows back and got a good chunk done in the back field. Huby didn't come over this morning till noon as he had some insurance to attend to. Dick has been home all day and has a pretty sore throat. Fine and sultry.</p> <p>Friday May 22nd</p> <p>Dad. had to take my team this morning to run the ditches in the field we have in so I hooked up Joe and took my eggs over to Jack Martin and took Dick down to see Dr. Cook. He gave Dick some pills and I think told him he would be alright soon. When we got home I got a little ice out and put it in the refrigerator which we placed in the kitchen this morning. Dad. had gone back over the gully and was disking but about the time we got home it began to rain. It rained hard enough to persuade Dad. to come in and then stopped for the day although it has been cloudy. Dad. helped me take the old bits of sacking from the chicken house windows and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>put in poultry fencing. Dad. and I went back after dinner and he harrowed and I disked but didn't get quite over the piece. I had to stop for awhile to drive a herd of cattle into out of Sam Law's wheat. I took Bluch and he chased them into the wood's so I suppose they were Art Ryersies. Huby had more insurance to look after so didn't get over till after dinner. I got up at four o'cock this morning but went to sleep saying my prayers and slumbered peacefully till nearly five. Tom Abbot told us this morning that Edna Sidway isn't expected to live.</p> <p>Saturday May 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and I got a fairly good day's work in on the land to-day, he harrowed and I disked. I am part way over it crossways and have the disks set in the last hole but one except on the sand knolls. It makes them {lug?}. John Wess was over for a long time this morning talking to Dad. He is working on his buckwheat stubble. Huby and Lila came over this morning early and during the fore noon Quint and Charlie Ferris brought a ferrit over. They were going to put him after the rats under the corn crib but he was so big he couldn't get into their holes. They burned the three corn shocks in the field but didn't get any there either. Huby cleaned the ditches most of the afternoon in the sowed field. He got a toad and put on the front lawn to eat ants. Dick was better to-day and was down town this after noon, but Frank is all in to-day. He took the lawn mower down to be sharpened but feels tough. Quite cold to-day but mostly sunny.</p> <p>Sunday May 24th</p> <p>I haven't been off the place all day. I intended to go to church to-night but went to sleep before tea so couldn't get ready in time. Dad. and Enah &amp; Tiddums drove down with Joe &amp; Ginger this morning. They left Tiddums with Huby while they went to church and Huby took him up to the dam in the scow. There was no organist at church till Enah got there so she had to go down to-night again alone. Elva has quit for sure. I sat around and read nearly all day. This morning when I took the eggs out of the incubator to caul them I could hear the chickens peeping and one or two eggs chipped. To-night one chick is out. Dick got up and went to church this morning stayed at Huby's to dinner, down town all the after noon and came home to tea to-night. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and back to the gully this after noon. Lovely day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday May 25th</p> <p>Dad. and I both got a pretty fair early start this morning and I nearly finished crossdisking by noon. He drilled all morning but after dinner harrowed with the little team till after dinner I finished disking then took my team and hooked on the drill I finished harrowing with his team only went lengthways instead of crossways which made a much better job. When I finished I brought the little team and the disks up but Dad. stayed back till about seven o'clock and finished drilling. Jack Hodge and family just drove in as I came up and startled poor Huby who was running around in his bare feet. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's with some eggs and I wanted to ask Chris about the brooder. There is an awful grist of chickens out. We sprinkled the eggs that weren't hatched again to-night and I put a fire in the brooder. The boys had holidays to-day but Dick was down town all day working part of the time. Frank worked around home and he and Tony Bannister went back to the gully. Jonas came over in high glee this morning he says he has the prettiest little colt he ever saw, he told Dad. that he and the woman had to dance for the joy of it. It has been very sultry all day and looked very like rain this morning, fresh breeze to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday May 26th</p> <p>I didn't get up till half past four this morning, but it rained a little so we couldn't go back first thing any way. Dad. took 38 little chickens out of the incubator and put them in the brooder this morning. I went over and got a little grit and charcoal to feed them from Chris. He says not to give them anything for forty eight hours. Dad. thinks they will all starve to death before that. After dinner we took 23 more out and there are still five or six just hatched. A lot of them have died in the shell after they got it all picked ready to come out. Just before dinner Dad. took the big team and roller back and started roll the back field as we thought that would just break all the lumps nicely. After dinner I went back and hooked on the roller and he came back about an hour later and started to harrow after me. He harrowed till I finished rolling about five o'clock, then he came up with his little team and the roller and I finished harrowing it took me till about seven. Huby. didn't come over this morning but was here this after-noon. He worked at the ditch, sawed wood and minded Tiddums &amp; Frank brought home the news that poor Edna Sidway is dead. It has been way hot and sultry all day but quite a strong breeze.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday May 27th</p> <p>Dad. helped me carry my incubator out this morning we took the seven little chickens that were in it and put them in a basket over the stove. I took the unhatched eggs out and buried them, there were forty thirty eight and twenty four of them had chickens in them. There are 68 chicks altogether and they all seem healthy and sound but one of these seven which has crooked legs. Dad. took the big team back to run the the ditches in the back field and I went over to Martins to get some chick feed and scratch feed. We fed the little fellows in the brooder. to-day. They thought over there that I had a dandy hatch especially as it was the first attempt. It began to rain while I was over there and rained quite hard for awhile so I didn't get back very soon. I didn't do any thing much after that except fool around. Huby came over at noon he had insurance to look after and dug some more at his ditch. Dad. disked the garden all up. It had got so hard he thought he had better disk it before he ploughed it. Bob. Davis was in for about an hour. Quint also came over for a little while, he expects to go to work to-morrow. They are drilling at Blackheath whereever that is, somewhere down towards Canfield Junction. Aleta McBain was here house cleaning all day. About half past four we hooked up to the waggon and Dad and I went down and got a load of tile for Huby's ditch. We got three inch as they didn't have any four. We took Enah down to Miss Buckwells tea party and she walked home. Huby looked after Tiddums. It came out pretty hot after the rain but is cooler to-night. The rain freshened things up a lot and we noticed that the English walnuts which we thought were dead are budding.</p> <p>Thursday May 28th</p> <p>Old Jonas came over long before breakfast this morning and pestered around for Dad to go and look at his colt and while Dad. was at breakfast Jimmy Corbett came in to ask about his colt. Dad. gave him some stuff, he went over with Jonas with for a few minutes. I made a yard for the little chickens in the brooder and let them out. I also fixed it so as the old hens couldn't get in the yard where they are at all. One little fellow died last night but the rest look fine. Huby came over about nine thinking Dad was going down town before dinner. Vyse came over to fix his hammer handle for a while. About ten o'clock I took the disks out and started in the timothy sod. I worked all the after noon but didn't get over half of it. It is very grassy but I think will work up fine and make a fine</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>piece for corn. This after noon Dad. &amp; Huby went down town. They got Joe shod at Joe Howells and put in a big load of shaving to put in the ditch over the tile so Dad. didn't get home till about six. It has been very hot all day but breezy, cool to-night.</p> <p>Friday May 29th</p> <p>I disked all day on the corn ground and got all over it by to-night and started to straddle the furrows Dad brought the harrows out and worked for a couple of hours before dinner. This after noon he went back and borrowed a set of three horse eveners from John Wess McBride. John Wess was just ready to shear sheep so Dad. stayed and watched him for awhile. Huby laid the tile in the ditch as far as the chicken house which is far as it is leveled and covered them with shavings and got most of the earth shovelled in. Cars. Rankin brought a couple of girls over in his automobile to see Bluch this after noon. I didn't get up till five this morning I put the clock under the bed where I could grab it and consequently went to sleep again. Dick tells us that Norm. Brock is the latest purchaser of a car and Mr. Johnsons father gave him one. Very hot to-day but nice breeze.</p> <p>Saturday May 30th</p> <p>I went out this morning and straddled the furrows with the disks as we will put corn on and then started to harrow. I didn't lap the harrows at all so got over quite a piece. Frank and Dad. went down town this morning with the waggon and got some stuff chopped at the mill and the window shash for the shop which have been at the widespread all spring. Huby worked around. This after noon we had to move the stove into the wood shed. We got it out all right but they broke another side of the base or rather the end so we had to set it up on bricks. We then went out hunting. Huby had flooded all the holes with water this morning and ripped some boards off the floor of the corn crib but we found we couldnt get them without taking up nearly the whole floor so we did. We were all armed with clubs and had the three dogs. Dad. stayed inside and scared them out and the dogs would catch them Lila killed one big one with a lath but Bluch killed most of the others. Huby says he is the best rat dog he ever saw he doesn't waste any time about nabbing them and never let one get away. Nig. got one or two. I think we got five great big ones and two half grown ones besides a nest of eleven little fellows. When we got through with them it was too</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>late for Dad. to plow the garden as he had hoped to do but Huby and Frank surveyed all the land east of the lane and this side of the gully and "got stakes up" to set the fence posts by. They figur there is about fifty acres. Lila has been over all day and Win. came over about five They and Huby stayed to tea. Frank and I went down with them after tea and found they had just laid fresh cement on the bridge and no-one could go over. So we went through Uncle Wards and took Ada's boat down from the barn and launched it for her. She went over with us in the boat and as it leaked like a seive Huby had to make two trips of it. I went up to get my hair cut and Frank went to the moving picture show. Ada was going to wait for us at Huby's so we could go back with her but when I got down there she and Huby had just gone. Frank came soon after I did and when we got down to the bridge Huby was just coming back with the boat so we took it back with us and left it below Woodson's. Dick came home afterwards when the watchmen didn't happen to be around and walked over the cement but didn't leave any tracks. The papers are full of the awful wreck of the Empress of Ireland which went down off Father Point yesterday with nearly 1000 people. It was a heavy fog and another a coal boat ran into her. Hot but nice breeze.</p> <p>Sunday May 31st</p> <p>Dad and Enah went to church this morning and left Tiddums with Huby. Dick and I went down and had a swim at the stump the water was fine we then came home and got dinner started Frank went to Sunday school and church. This after noon I had a dandy ride on Joe. We went up to Smythe's but Pud was at Vittoria Frank started for Marburg on his wheel but got held up at Ryersie's and fooled around with them all the after noon. Dick went down town and to church to-night. Enah and I went to church to-night. Mr. Johnson came over with his automobile to take Enah down, so I didn't wait for her after church thinking he would bring her home but walked down as far as the bridge with Quint and then home. I found Dad. looking after Tiddums who was too tired to go to sleep and Dad. having been so beset with visitors that the chores weren't all done. Enah got home about ten I don't what did happen to her except that she went down to Huby's. Cousins' Loll, Bessie, Harry &amp; Willie drove over for a little while this after noon. To-night young Billy Louis came in to get his horse's shoulder lanced and hung around till dark so people wouldn't see the blood. Then Sam. Law came over to see if he could borrow the roller in the morning. Jonas then came for a short visit. It has been hot to-day but a very nice strong breeze.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday June 1st</p> <p>I put in the whole morning writing in this and to Aunty Alice &amp; Aunty, while Dad. ploughed the garden. This after noon I worked down the garden I disked it lengthwise &amp; crosswise a couple of times each and once right around &amp; around. I rolled it and harrowed it so it looks in pretty fair shape. Sam. Law borrowed the roller this morning and he rolled it before he took it away and then again when he brought it back at noon. Dad. spent nearly all the after noon shearing a ewe. He did pretty well and says he thinks if he had a good pair of shears he could do all right. Huby didn't get over this morning as he had to see about Kolbe's insurance. Kolbe was over at Erie so he has to see him about eleven to-night. He goes over to Erie every morning about five o'clock and doesn't get back at night till eleven. Dad. went down to a school board meeting and I went down to band practice. We didn't have any though as there weren't enough there. Walt says we will have to quit for awhile anyway if the council don't come over with the extra money he wants. The town hall was full of meetings. Council meeting, School meeting, band practice and a whole bunch out on the stairs I don't know whether they were all fellows tendering for the heating of the school or the bridge builders waiitng on the council for money. Dad. and I met at Huby's and didn't get home till after twelve. Huby went down to the lake about eleven and found Kolbe &amp; Harry Ansley down there. He got Kolbe's insurance raised and as it has run out will have to make out a new application so won't be over to-morrow fore-noon. Quite cold all day.</p> <p>Tuesday June 2nd</p> <p>We didn't get very much done to-day. Jim's calf was sick this morning, all bloated so Dad. &amp; I gave it a dose of salts. It is much better to-night. I went out about eleven and rolled the corn ground till one. I couldn't hear the whistles. This after noon Dad. and I surveyed the field and fence along the top of the gully and decided to put a notch in the fence where the dividing fence between the two fields go. We then measured off six acres of what is ploughed for corn and the remaining four for buckwheat. I came out about half past four and finished rolling the corn ground. Huby didn't come over to-day, I don't know whether he went up to the nomination in Port. Rowan or not. They wanted him to but he said he wasn't going. There are two bunches of delegates going up from here the bunch cosists of Vyse, Cliff Lees and R.E. Matthews and I don't know who go from the other faction. I saw Tupper to-day and he said he might be able to slip over towards the end of the week to shear sheep for us. Bruce was in for a little while before tea. He wanted to get some instruments. It has been sunny but fairly cool all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 3rd</p> <p>We hauled out manure all day to-day. We didn't get started very early and were bothered this afternoon by Bob. Davis coming, so only got out nine loads. Dad. is spreading it on the corn ground. Frank was home from school to-day as it was a sort of half in half holiday, being the King's birthday. The kids could go if they wanted to but it wouldn't be marked against them if they didn't so Frank stayed. We heard the bell ringing all through the day so there must have been some fools there. Frank worked all day putting in the garden and we helped him between loads. Dad. ploughed six potatos furrows this morning and we got the Dad. Atkinson ones planted but there was only three of them so they didn't go very far. Huby planted two rows of Golden Bantam corn and we got in some cabbage and raddishs lettuce and onion seed. Huby's turkey eggs all came out to-day. The one down the road hasn't been off the nest as far as we know since she started to sit so all her eggs were rotten but as near as they can see the one in the smoke house and Mrs. Bannister's old hen had a fairly good hatch. Dad. and I moved the twelve little chickens that hatched out Monday down in the yard where the brooder is, one of them died. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Huby didnt go up to Nomination yesterday but as near as he can find out Andrew Innes and his gang didn't get a chance to say a word as Mr. Slippery Slick at the last minute got ahead of them. Cloudy, cool, raining to-night.</p> <p>Thursday June 4th</p> <p>It rained steadily all night and rained a lot during the day. Huby came over this morning laden down with tomato plants and cabbage plants which he got from Ed. and some seed corn which he got from John Quanbury and four of the consignment of axes in the back of his hunting coat. He set out a row of Frank's asters the whole length of the garden and we put out some of the tomato plants but it began to rain so hard we had to quit. However he got them out later in the day and a long row of cabbage plants out. Dad. sowed clover seed on the oats this morning till the rain drove him in when he was within five lands of finishing. We won't have enough seed to sow the piece across the gully. I cleaned the incubator all out and started it going this after noon. I had to go over to Martin's to borrow a spirit level this after noon. Carl. Coleman was in for a little while this morning to see if Tupper was here, he was going up to Stocker's to get his horse shod so Huby told him to bring our post auger down if it was done. John told Huby this morning that Mrs. Battersby has sold her place to some fellow in Los. Angeles. Dick didn't get home at all last night and he expects to start for Toledo to-morrow or next day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 5th</p> <p>I failed to get up till five this morning. After I got the chores all done I cleaned out the separator. I then went out and planted another row of Golden Bantam corn and a couple of rows of Country Gentleman. I also helped Huby cut some potatoes, which he planted. He came over this morning with about a dozen tomato plants which Uncle Ward. gave him. We only wanted three and Frank bought them to-night over at Quanbury's on his way home from {blank space}. After dinner I made some drills and got some of the pecans planted. Tommy Jackson was in here soon after dinner to ask Dad. about a colt and he told us our cattle were all in the far end of the gully so Dad. and I went back we found they had broken down the fence where there were some rails. Nine of them were on the road but not far away we got them back with out much trouble but found they had just torn our little white birch tree all to pieces. Dad. spent most of the day ploughing the pig yard, working it down and sowing the thousand headed kale on it. He also finished sowing the clover seed in the oats. He shut the old sow up this morning and she went to work and had sixteen young ones three of which got killed in the squabble for seats at the refreshment booth which will only accomodate twelve. We gave the eight turkeys that Mrs. Bannister's hen hatched out to the old turkey hen which made her family number twenty two as near as we can count. She struck off into the orchard with them but didn't get very far. Huby and I picked about half of them out of the ditch at noon where they had fallen in the attempt to follow her across. Mr. Monteith was in to-night to buy some seed corn. He has gone past with two loads of tomato plants. Sunny cool</p> <p>Saturday June 6th</p> <p>Huby didn't get over till about ten o'clock this morning as he went up town to buy a hoe. He also got some new kind of plants from Arthur Anderson called Holi Rabbi which are a cross between a cabbage and a turnip. Frank went down on his wheel to get some provisions and Mr. Johnson gave him a few plants of stocks. He came over with Huby and Lila rode his wheel over. We started hauling out manure as soon as Huby got here and all day got out 7 loads. The colts broke the wire we had stretched across the gap into the alsike and all got in so Huby, Frank and I had to put them out and fix the fence. I spent most of the day between loads putting in the rest of the peas and Huby dug out some posts which were in the shed covered with manure. He started to paint the window frames of the shop with some paint</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>he found out in the brush heap. Frank fooled around with Lila most of the day and pulled some bindweed out in the oats. Art Quanbury came over this morning to see if he could borrow the roller for Jack Martin's corn ground and Bill Philips came over this after noon to get it. He told us that Jim Bannister has sold his place for $6000. Dick left this after noon for Toledo to visit Ferdie. His holidays last a couple of weeks. Hot &amp; sunny all day.</p> <p>Sunday June 7th</p> <p>I lay "a bed" most of the day not getting up till seven o'clock but I got some chores done and drove Enah down to church. We got home and got through a light lunch early so had a long after noon most of which I spent in sleep although I read and wrote quite a bit too. Dad. and Enah talked of going for a drive till Tiddums went to sleep and then they couldn't. Frank rode his wheel over to the McPherson's and made arrangements to get a skip of bees from Mr. McPherson when they swarm. He is to get a hive from Boyd in Simcoe which will cost four dollars and the bees will cost two dollars I may put something into it if I ever have any money to invest. He and I spoke of going for a swim to-night but it got so rainy looking that we decided not too. It has been sultry and hot all day and to-night is thundering and very cloudy. It sprinkled a few drops.</p> <p>Monday June 8th</p> <p>We did not get a very early start this morning though we were up early and ready to begin but Mr. Monteith came for a bushel of seed corn and he visited some little time we hauled out manure till about 10-30 when I had a breakdown, went through the double tree. I heard some one laugh when I went off the road and there was Bruce and Ashleigh in a buggy on the side road they came in and stayed to dinner so we were late in getting to work in the afternoon. Frank rode his wheel down after dinner and got me some bolts and I fixed the double tree. Tobe and Hubert were busy with the garden and odd jobs while I was out with a load. Tupper came along about 5 O'Clock on his way to the mill. Toby took his load on for him and he stayed to shear sheep so I helped him and we worked till after 7 we then had tea and it was good and late before we had finished every thing</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>It has been a terribly hot day the thunder storm Sunday night did not cool things off. The horses nearly melted this afternoon.</p> <p>Tuesday June 9th</p> <p>I finished the shearing as there was one ewe we did not get done last night. Hubert and Toby went back to fix up the fence in the gully between Ivey and us I had my sheep finished and was putting on a load of manure when the boys got back, we hoped to have finished clearing out the old shed tonight but there are a few loads yet it has been another roasting hot day.</p> <p>Wednesday June 10th</p> <p>We finished hauling out manure at noon and after dinner I went down to Mr. Fleming's and got his diamond tooth harrows, it took some time to rig up a three horse outfit when I got back. Hubert helped me hitch Osprey with Joe and Ginger and I got in an hour and a half or so in the field. Toby was disking, if all is well we hope to get in a good day tomorrow. Toby and Frank went over to the McPhersons tonight with a bea hive so that accounts for my writing this.</p> <p>Thursday June 11th</p> <p>I didn't get up till nearly five this morning and Dad. &amp; I didn't get started in the field till nine o'clock. We worked on the corn ground all day. I disked and he harrowed with the three horses and Flemming's diamond tooth. I had to make a couple of trips to the creek in the gully to keep myself awake. I did go to sleep several times but not for very long. I would see the horses in front of me when I woke up and be frightened for fear of running into them. Huby didn't get over till after we were in the field this morning. He was up town last night and heard some rich news. Charlton has pulled out of the election campaign and Andrew Innes is going to run against Pratt. Independent. Huby spent the day doing odd jobs and filling in his ditch. I cut a little lawn and set out a little castor oil bean plant. Very hot for awhile this morning and this afternoon but about noon it was quite cool and looked very rainy</p> <p>Friday June 12th</p> <p>I was up at four o'clock this morning and wrote in this and hoed</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in the garden till five. I then started to do chores and by leaving the stables for Huby to clean out and not cleaning any horses but Belle &amp; Harry I managed to get into the field a very few minutes after seven. I worked steadily all day although I slept a little at the same time I got it all cross disked by after four o'clock and about half of it rolled. Dad got out about half past eight this morning and finished crossing with the diamond tooth and harrowed it all over with the drags by six to-night. It made quite a long day for his team and Ginger seems pretty tired but Osprey aparently is all right. Huby is going to try and get Bill Oakes to come over and mark it for us in the morning and we hope to get it planted. Quite chilly all morning &amp; windy but sunny and pretty hot after dinner. Frank has gone down to the show to-night.</p> <p>Saturday June 13th</p> <p>Huby and Bill came over this morning at seven o'clock and Bill and I got right out and started to mark the corn ground. We took Harry &amp; Belle and they proved to be a great improvement on Harry and Joe as a corn marking team. Bill made a beautiful job of it, with very little blasphemy. He got through a little before noon and stayed here to dinner. He said no other man but Dad would have got him to-day as he was very busy and has to be back this after noon. He shouldn't have come away this morning but George Gamble relieved him They are putting the canopy top on the new launch that he and George have just finished building for George Faulmsly. Frank scoured the country this morining in search of corn planters, we have one of our own and we wanted two more. He got one from John Wess which proved very satisfactory and one from Tupper which proved very unsatisfactory. It was an ancient and decrepit looking instrument with one handle and a spring and foot at the bottom to open it and release the corn. Huby took John Wesses and after he got his gait had no trouble at all. Dad. took our own and it was all right, but I got Tupper's and had to quit about the fourth hill, the corn came out from all over it, so I left it and went over to Alfred's to borrow his. I went through Sam's place but he didn't have one. He said he borrowed Charlie McQueens two years ago and it was a good one. Alfred gave me one he said was a dandy. I brought it home but couldn't do anything with it so traded with Dad. He worked it awhile but at last decided it was no good. By this time it was about half past four and he decided to go up and do chores so Huby and I stayed there till about eight o'clock when we</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>ran out of seed although Dad. had sent some more out. We only had six more rows to plant, but my back was nearly broken and I was fairly hungry. We left a sand knoll near the south west corner of the field to plant potatoes and roots on. Lila and Dorothy Anderson have been over all day nursing Tiddums, who didn't seem to mind it much. Win came over for a little while this evening and said that Uncle Ward wants to get Huby for all day Monday. She didn't know what for but we supposed it was to set out tomato plants, Dad. told Huby to tell him that he wouldn't see him stuck but if possible to get someone else. Cloudy most of the day and cool.</p> <p>Sunday June 14th</p> <p>I didn't get up this morning till eight o'clock. and haven't done any thing all day but loaf around and do chores. Frank went down to Sunday school this morning but there was no church. They said Mr. Johnson had gone away and a temperance man was supposed to take his place but he never showed up, so Frank came home. I was out in the shop trying to caulk up the cracks in the chicken trough so as they would hold water when we heard some crows. We took the shotgun and started out in pursuit. We saw them flying around in the vicinity of the corn field but they were not within a mile of the place when we got there. We hid in a thick bush for quite awhile but no crows showed up so we took a walk up the gully to Ivey's strawberry patch and made a careful examination of all the plants we could find, but there were very few ripe ones. We got all there were and nearly all the half ripe ones, which seemed to be much more edible than they generally are. It was about half past twelve when we got up to the house and Dad was getting ready to put the harness on Osprey. We got the cart out and it was very rickety. We oiled one wheel but couldn't get the other one off We hooked Osprey to it though and Dad. got on. Osprey didn't know just what was expected of him at first and cut up a little down at the end of the lane but once he got started he went beautifully. Dad took him down to Jonas' corner and then up the other way and down the side road to Flemming's corner and I couldn see but what he trotted pretty straight Dad said he didn't like doing it on Sunday but I think he enjoyed it when he got started. He doesn't feel very well to-day. We had dinner about three much to Enah's disgust and after dinner Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down with Quint's tent and some bedsprings. The gas drillers are going to camp down at Black Heath and they wanted this tent to cook in Charlie Martin came over for a visit a little while</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>before they left but didn't stay long after. Frank spent the afternoon down with the Ryersie's. We just did chores to-night and went to bed soon after tea. Nice day but cool breeze.</p> <p>Monday June 15th</p> <p>Craig Long came over before breakfast this morning to see Dad about Ivey's mare. She was down and in pain and he didn't know what ailed her, so Dad. went over right after breakfast to see her. She had the colic and he told them to send for Bart if she did not show any symptoms of improvement but she was better in a short time. Dad. went from there down to Martin's and I came down with Joe and the cart as soon as I had breakfast and got two bushels of potatoes for seed. They are very small so we will exchange the same ammount of them for the ones of Preston's that are left in the cellar. Frank went over to Preston's before school and found out that he could get a couple of bushels there so I went right down there and got them as soon as I got home from Martin's. I then shelled enough seed corn to finish planting and went out and finished. Dad went out and furrowed out the potato patch. After dinner we did up the chores and hooked Harry and Belle to the waggon and went down town to get some provisions and a pile of sand for Tiddums to play in. Huby has been agitating that move for quite awhile. He wants a pile on each side of the wood shed so Tiddums can always be in the shade. We took Enah and Tiddums and the baby carriage down with us and Enah walked home. Tiddums went to sleep before he got home and never woke up all evening. We saw Huby down at Uncle Wards, having a great time. He had three or four kids which he said were the best in town and they had all their tomatoes set out and waiting for more and a lot of potatoes planted. Chris said that they found Martin's dog but he was dead down at Sovereign's. Charlie Martin had told Mr. Flemming to shoot at it if it came around his place so Mr. Flemming did just to scare it. He didn't know he had killed it till they found it. He felt very badly about but Jack. felt worse. He wouldn't have taken fifty dollars for it. They say poor old Jimmy Larose has been sent down for eighteen months for forging a check, cool breezy.</p> <p>Tuesday June 16th</p> <p>I went over to Martin's first thing this morning and sold my eggs and got some scratch feed for the little fellows. I hadn't been home very long when Billy Louis came in with Tupper's team and fancy buggy and the news that Tupper wanted a couple of men for a couple of hours so as Dad. felt pretty miserable he said for Huby and me to go. Huby jumped at the chance of a ride in such a carriage and would have climbed over the back of the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>seat he said if Billy hadn't have tipped up the front ones and let him into a sort of trap nest. When we got over there Huby didn't know how to get out. We found old Maneer was bossing the job. All they are doing is raising the peak of the roof to square pitch so we simply had to lift on the rafters with shores and when we got them up to the desired height didn't do anything but sit around and talk while some of those who appeared to enjoy it worked like niggers spiking pieces on the ends of the rafters to meet at the peak. We stayed to dinner and hung around a little while after dinner and helped raise a very little. Old Maneer was going to leave at noon to go to Vittoria as Andrew Innes is having a mass meeting there to-day but I guess Tupper induced him to stay. We came home soon after dinner. Huby said he had a lovely time socially but didn't know whether he rendered much valuable assistance. The rest of the gang certainly appeared to enjoy his company. We got home about two o'clock or after and after I did up the chores I went out and planted beans on the two outside rows on each side of the cornfield. I planted them with the planter but couldn't see the marks along the headland. Dad. has felt too rotten to do anything to-day. It has been almost cold all day although sunny but cold wind.</p> <p>Wednesday June 17th</p> <p>Frank's exams started to-day at noon so he didn't have to go to school this morning. Rigt after breakfast he and I went out and planted mangel and turnip seed in the rows we left for them on the knoll in the cornfield. We planted two rows of each and seemed to have about as much seed when we got through as when we started and we watched to see that it was being planted plenty thick enough. We only had the four rows so I don't know what we will do with the rest of the seed. Huby and Dad. cut potatoes while we were out there so when we got through we came and got some and got quite a few rows planted before dinner. Huby and I went out after dinner and planted all there were cut which were Preston's, we had nearly 15 rows of them. We then brought out Jack Martin's, and planted over nine rows of them which was all there was in the field. They were much smaller so we had quite a few left and we think we will planted them in the old garden Dad. harrowed them in. Huby and I went and spread the manure Dad. hauled out on it last winter. Win was over to dinner to-day her exams are over. Mrs. McBride was here all after noon and nearly all evening washing and ironing. Whit Dixon &amp; Bob. Miller drove over after tea to look at Fred's calf. Frank went back to the gully with them. The steer with Spottys last year's calf were through</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the fence into Ivey's but they got them back. Bob. told Dad. he would take him and not due him a dollar on the price which was $75.00. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Lea Marshall were in before they left. Tom. Abbot. had told them we had a horse for sale so he came to look at it. Dad. took Osprey out and paraded him around and I think Lea might have taken him but his wife thought he wasn't big enoug to fit the price $150.00. She said he was worth about $125.00 However we are to hook him up and take him down some night so they can see him in harness. Dad. brought Ginger and Joe out and she was stuck on them especially Ginger but Dad. would not think of selling them. She thought Ginger was bigger than Osprey but Dad. told her she was mistaken. She said she wasn't as heavy but she was taller and in reality Ginger is about a head shorter but heavier than Osprey. She guessed Joe's age (thirteen) first time although Dad. told her Joe was the biggest colt in the stable. It has been pretty cool and dry all day.</p> <p>Thursday June 18th</p> <p>Dad. and I hooked to the waggon this morning and took the buggy down to Joe Howel's to have the tires set and brought back a load of fence posts, we unloaded them out along the top of the gully where we want to put them in. We were talking to Uncle Ward and he said they would be terribly hard digging it was so hard and he said the best way to do was to dig down about a foot and fill the hole with water and leave it for a day and then it would be just in right shape. Huby spent the morning fixing the orchard fence so we can let the calves out. This after noon He. and Dad hung the gate we brought over from his place and let the five calves in the orchard. We didn't let Horace out as Dad. has to wean him from Erie and teach him to drink first. I hoed in the garden while they were at that and Col. McDonald came over. I had never seen him before and Huby didn't recognise him at first but Dad. knew him first thing. He said he and other officers of the insurance company were up taking a motor trip through this country visiting their agents. He didn't know when he started out that Dover was on the list. Dad was very glad to see him and appreciated his visit very much. About four o'clock Dad took the team out and we went to finish planting potatoes, just plow them right under the sod, but we only got two rows planted when a big thunder shower came up and we had to seek shelter at the house. Dad. and Huby got soaked but I got there a little sooner so didn't get the worst of it. Frank was back in the gully with the shotgun so he got a pretty good soaking. We heard the gun go off he shot at a crow, both barrels went off at the same time but he missed the crow. His papers have been pretty easy so far the only one he is much afraid of is the spelling.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>It didn't rain very long but freshened things up considerably. It has been very hot and sultry to-day but is cooler since the rain. Tiddums feels in a very festive humor to-night. The house is all torn up from the ravages of house cleaning and he thinks it's great.</p> <p>Friday June 19th</p> <p>I got up at four this morning and wrote in this till five. I then hurried through chores and cut quite a lot of grass on the front lawn. It rained a little about breakfast and looked so cloudy afterwards that Dad. didn't like to take the team out so he and I hoed in the garden and Huby worked in the shop. About ten Dad. thought it wasn't going to rain so we went out and ploughed in the rest of the potatoes in the patch we were at in the old garden. It began to rain just as Huby and I were through so we dug for the shop and got pretty wet but Dad. had to plough a little more so got properly soaked. We didn't do anything till after dinner. It stopped raining soon after dinner and when we got our chores done Dad. hooked Osprey to the cart again and took him down the road away with satisfactory results. We then hooked up the big team to the waggon and Dad &amp; Huby and I went down town. Huby stayed down and Dad. &amp; I went up and got our buggy from Joe Howell On our way back we got 18 more fence posts from Tommy. Frank is through his exams, he thinks he did fairly well on most of the papers. I saw Lila to-night she said both Huby's goslings were dead, died from exposure. Cold &amp; wet.</p> <p>Saturday June 20th</p> <p>I worked all morning on the front lawn. I got all the long grass cut with the scythe and a good patch cut with the lawnmower, besides weeding out the flower beds. Dad. Huby and Frank went back and staked out the fence along the top of the gully and Huby. dug anchor post holes and bored ordinary post holes all day. Dad. fixed fence and plastered up some holes in our bedroom this morning and this afternoon hooked Osprey up to the cart and took him for a little jaunt and then rolled down most of the buckwheat ground and the potato patches. I went down to meet Dick to-night. He came on the Woodstock train so was home early. He had a great time in Toledo and I guess enjoyed his holidays immensly. Lila was over here all day. Harry Ansley was over this morning electioneering. He told Huby he could get him the job of deputy returning officer but Huby didn't want it. It has been sunny &amp; fair all day but cool wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday June 21st</p> <p>Frank rode his wheel down to Sunday school this morning and I drove Enah down to church. We called around by Huby's on our way home but didn't see any sign of the Lang's. This after noon it looked rather rainy so I read and played duets with Enah. Dad. sat around and slept and did all the chores. About four o'clock he took Osprey out all the way around the block. Frank went back to the gully and brought home some lovely {furs?}. Dick went down town after dinner with the intention of going to church to-night. Elva. &amp; Mr. Brady were over for a few minutes on the latter's motor cycle which was inclined to be balky. They had a side saddle rigged on behind for Elva. Jack Martin and Mr. {Cuper?} were over for a little while before tea looking at the horses. It has been cloudy all day and sprinkled a few times but not much</p> <p>Monday June 22nd</p> <p>Huby dug post holes all day and I helped him set the posts and tramp them in. We had to do a little surveying after dinner to get the two anchor posts in line which go lengthwise with the field. We got all the posts except anchor and brace posts, between the road and the jag in the fence which is just half way. I helped Dad. take the anchor posts out this morning and then he went down to the mill for some feed. This after noon he rolled down the rest of the buckwheat ground and disked the old garden where we planted the potatoes He started to harrow the corn ground, the corn is just coming up but quit at five and took Osprey around the block. They were doing road work over by McQueen's but he never paid any attention to them, He said someone shot a gun off right beside them going down Preston's hill and he never jumped. He has never seen an automobile yet. Tupper and Billy Louis came over this mornin to-night to invite Dad. to Tupper's raising tomorrow. He has the roof off the other half of the barn now and is going to put plates up to run right through. Frank finished putting in the garden to-day he planted carrots beets and beans. Cloudy but not so cool.</p> <p>Tuesday June 23rd</p> <p>Dad went over to Tupper's raising as soon after seven as he could this morning and was over there till after dinner. This afternoon he finished harrowing the corn ground. Huby and I worked at the fence all morning. It took us a good part of the morning to get it lined out on account of two or three little dips where we couldn't see the stakes. We dug two more anchor post holes I dug one and Huby the other. I got mine started all crooked but fixed it so as the post will sit straight. We got the posts set part way across the field. The ground is getting pretty hard. When I came in to-night, the temperature in the incubator had gone up</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to 110°. I don't know whether it cooked all the chickens or not. It couldn't have been that way very long because I looked at it at noon and as they are due to hatch in a day or so I think mabee they will be strong enough to stand it. To-night Dad. and I drove Joe and Osprey down to Lea Marshall's but he had gone to lodge so we told Mrs. Marshall we would be down again in the morning. Old Tom Abbot told us he was pretty sure Lea would take him if we dropped the price a little. It has been very hot &amp; sultry.</p> <p>Wednesday June 24th</p> <p>Dad. and I got started about nine o'clock for Marshall's with Joe and Osprey. He took quite awhile to decide but at last bought him. I came down to $135 and he wouldn't go higher that $130 so we split the difference. He said he would come and get him in a few days. A big thundercloud came up while we were gone and it began to rain just as we got home. Huby was back at the fence and got soaked. It didn't rain very long but came out almost unbearably hot and sultry after it although there was a strong wind but it seemed hot too. We didn't do any thing much before dinner but this after noon worked at the fence. Huby dug the last anchor post hole but the ground was so hard that I only got two holes bored and three or four started, so I got a couple of pails and filled the holes all up with water. Huby is afraid we got a little low in the line going through one of the little dips and I guess we did. He went over to Ivey's and got a hat full of strawberries to refresh us a little. Bob. Davis was in this after noon. Dad. worked around the house till he came and then struck out four or five lands in the buckwheat ground. Mrs. McBride was here to-day and they have ripped the paper all of the kitchen walls. She is coming to paper it on Saturday if all's well. Frank and I went down for a swim at Quanburys to-night and Enah and Dad went down town to get Slocomb to come over and do some plastering in the kitchen. We saw Tupper to-night and he told us that there was a car of crushed stone to haul on the Winding Hill but Dad. told him we wouldn't have time to do it. Very hot.</p> <p>Thursday June 25th</p> <p>Slocomb and his man came over about eight and were all morning patching the kitchen, there was a lot to do. Dad. helped them and I did chores and got some of the chicken wire stretched along the fence between the garden and orchard. Huby dug post holes all day but the ground is very hard and he had to put water in a lot of them. This afternoon Dad and I went and got a load of gravel</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Enah and Tiddums went down with us and we took the baby carriage and they Enah walked home. We couldn't get any gravel on the beach but as Bob. Law was down there Dad. bought a load from him and he charged Dad. a dollar We took it right out to the field when we got home and a couple of bags of cement and left a pile at each anchor place where we are going to put an anchor post. It was time to do chores when we got through with that it was time to After tea Dad. and I went down to hear Pratt. He has got to be quite an orator, and I think turned several who were a little doubtful which to vote for. He pointed out how the Whitney administration had closed so many bars where the two Liberal governments before him although they had made great promises the same as Rowel is doing now had not done a thing. He had a wine list of the Outlaw Club which is the headquarters for the Liberal party in Town and he said it was the most compete and elaborate list of drinks he had ever seen and among the list of {illegible} he read out Mr. Lowel and several other temperance {politicians?}. It was a good speech anyway and we were glad we went. Frank rode his wheel down. Lea Marshall and Jack Richardson were in to-night and Lea wanted to take Osprey wth them but as they were going to town first and would have to stand him in Henderson's barn. The other fellow persuaded him to leave him and we told him we would take him down to-morrow night. Hot all day.</p> <p>Friday June 26th</p> <p>I took some eggs over to Jack Martin's this morning but he has stopped buying them. Old Ivey came over about nine o'clock and wanted Dad. to come over and roll down the field he is getting ready for tomatoes. He said the factory fellows were over this morning. The have rented it and he prepares the ground for them then they plant them and look after them altogether after that. He seemed in such a pinch and offered fifty cents an hour so Dad. sent me over. I was over there about seven hours so didn't do so badly. Huby and Dad. worked all day setting the anchor posts along the line of the new fence. Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting but it wasn't very important. Fairly hot all day.</p> <p>Saturday June 27th</p> <p>Dad. and I cultivated the corn and potatoes in the garden this morning and then I hoed in it all day and got over nearly all of it. Huby and Dad. finished setting their anchor posts to-day. Mrs. McBride was here all day and stayed till twelve o'clock to-night papering the kitchen. She had poor</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank helping her and he put in an awful day of it. Dick came home to tea to-night to inform me that there was a band practice on at eight o'clock as it was then half past six and I hadn't got all the chores done or had my tea it made me bump to get down there by half past eight. They were practising for Decoration day to-morrow. I drove down and got home about ten just before a big thunder storm came up Mrs McBride papered up till twelve and then went home with the lantern and wouldn't listen to anyone going with her and it was too dark to drive. Henry Odd came over this morning and got some more seed corn they soaked the last they planted in {ginoleum?} and it never sprouted. Cloudy &amp; threatening.</p> <p>Sunday June 28th</p> <p>We took the little chickens out of the incubator this morning and gave 16 to each of the four hens, there were sixty five but one was a cripple so we killed it. Dad fixed up some coops for them this morning while I cleaned my horn or tried to. It took me till dinnertime and right after I had to hike down to the bandroom. It was a dandy day for a march as it was much cooler after yesterday's rain but on account of puddles we had to go on the sidewalk. Walt. had two Simcoe fellows on the baritone and alto - and a stranger who is working here for the summer on a cornet - so we had a pretty good band. I couldn't do much as I haven't had any practice either in playing or marching but still managed to escape from making any conspicuous errors. I was down at Huby's for awhile after we got through and when I got home We put the old hens with chickens all out under coops. None were dead yet but Dad. had to change one hen as she was pecking the little fellows and had several with raw spots on their heads. Cloudy and cool all day quite cold to-night.</p> <p>Monday June 29th</p> <p>I ploughed all day to-day around the strike outs which Dad. made the other day. Huby didn't come over till late as he had to vote for Pratt. Walt McCall brought him and Lila over in an automobile and took Dad. out to Wiggin's to vote. They went around by Myer's and called for old Jonas and he went out and cast his ballot for Pratt.The Myer's were very much annoyed at it as Lorne had tried to induce him to go with him and vote for Andrew. The latest news we heard to-night was that Pratt was elected, Andrew got a big majority in Dover and Woodhouse but Houghton &amp; Walsingham sent Pratt's majority way up. There was quite an interesting article in the Globe to-day about a lawsuit which has just</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>been opened by A.C. Pratt, Conservative candidate for South Norfolk against Fred Mossop, proprietor of the Hotel Mossop Toronto for damages in a series of poker games amounting to I think something like $3500.00. It is a sort of counter claim against a suit Mossop entered against Pratt for over $500. owing to him. This is a very nice mix-up for Mr. Pratt. anyway just before election and now people will know that he is more than a crooked skunk but a fool and a poor sport as these games have been going on for a long time and Pratt's been getting skinned right along. This after noon Huby Dad. &amp; Frank set some of the braces and brace posts. Drizzled most of the day and has been cool.</p> <p>Tuesday June 30th</p> <p>When Huby came over this morning he told us that the Whitney Government was returned with an overwhelming majority and Pratt had beaten Andrew by 130 something. Old Tom was in next hurraking for Pratt and he got a little Union Jack here and tacked on the front of his rig. He said he didn't know whether he would ever get back alive sallying forth in that manner into the teeth of the Innes men down east. Huby and I spent the whole day back in the gully barricading the little poplars. Huby bored holes three feet deep with the post auger and I stuck in rails we got four done and the hole started for five. We are going to stretch wire barbed if we can get enough of it around the rails. It was a slow job as the ground was pretty hard in lots of places. Dad. did some patch plastering in the pantry this morning and plowed the rest of the day he finished the land that I was at and struck out the rest of the fields. Enah and Frank papered the pantry all but part of the border. Mr. Johnson went past this morning in his automobile with Winnie, Lila, Norah Cunningham and some other girls on a wild strawberry hunt and they came in and paid Dad. a visit on their way back. Frank has been investigating in the corn and reports a large number of wireworms in places which news causes Dad. much distress as the corn is all up so nicely. The mangels and turnips are also up but there is no sign of the potatoes yet. It has been pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday July 1st</p> <p>The first thing on the programme for to-day's celebration was a little foot raise by Tiddums. He was sitting by Enah at breakfast and while she was pouring the coffee the handle came off the coffee pot and the red hot liquid spilt on Tiddum's foot. He had his stockings pinned on and by the time they were off the skin was off his foot. It gave him a horrible</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Repeat of yesterday's page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>scald but only blistered one foot. He cried himself to sleep after a while and when he woke up felt very much like himself again as long as people would leave his foot alone but there are some beautiful blisters on it. Mrs. McBride came and worked around most of the morning. Dick went down town but didn't have to work much so helped Joe on the merry-go-round. Frank spent the after noon and evening down town but came home to tea. For the first time that I can remember I spent the entire first of July at home. Huby came over and we went back to the gully to finish barricading the little trees but didn't get much done on account of the rain. Dad rolled down what he ploughed this morning and this after noon we hung around till Bob. Davis came and then Dad. undertook to ring the old sow. He fooled around trying to get a rope in her mouth and when he did and made three attemts to ring her with one ring sticking the rope slipped out of her mouth I thought it would take all the after noon unless the old sow got mad and ripped Dad's leg off so I came in the house and wrote in this pesky thing. Huby wasn't any to keen about and Dad. couldn't manage alone so they worked in the garden till five o'clock when we quit to do chores. Mr. Brady came over on his motorcycle with a bottle of mentholatum salve Elva sent over for Tiddums foot. There was an editorial in "The Globe" yesterday relating to A.C. Pratt's gambling and intimating that there were points in common between that episode and the one referred to in Bret Hartes poem entitled the "Heathen Chinese" Cloudy and cool all day and drizzly to rainy off and on all day.</p> <p>Thursday July 2nd</p> <p>I ploughed all day around Dad's strike outs and rolled down what I ploughed to-night. About another day will finish the ploughing but we want to start haying as soon as possible. Huby Dad. &amp; Frank worked at the fence all morning fixing braces and putting in some extra posts. Dad. hauled the wire out and this after noon Dad. &amp; Huby set a lot of it up along the posts as they didn't know whether Sid McBride could come or not right away and Dad is anxious to let the cows in that end of the gully but about five to-night Frank rode his wheel down to Marburg and saw Sid. McBride. He said he would be up tomorrow after noon. Dad. and Huby came up early and ground one of the mower knives so as we can get started to-morrow. Enah and Tiddums went down town this after noon. Lila was over all day. Charlie Martin came over and borrowed the disks for some thing. Mrs. Innes told Enah that Perce Brock was here yesterday and had been to a lawyer to see if he could claim his</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>baby who has been down at old Mrs. Well's for the last two months. The lawyer told him that if he could prove that he was more capable of caring for it that its mother that he should have it. So Perce said it was the only thing he had to live for and meant to have it as he had a good place for it in St. Thomas, it seems his wife and her mother have all gone to the dogs and the baby has been in a home. So this morning when he knew Mrs. Wells was up town he went up to the house and found Mat. Lawrie looking after the kid, so grabbed it and lit out hotfoot up St. Patrick St. and up to his mother's where his sister was waiting with a horse and rig to drive him to Simcoe where he caught the St. Thomas train. Cloudy, hot, cool wind.</p> <p>Friday July 3rd</p> <p>I tried to get an early start this morning but as it took a little time to get the mower into running order I didn't get out till after eight. Dad. went the first round with me and then I mowed pretty steadily all day. I started on the south east corner field and have a good chunk down but it will take a couple of hours to finish. Huby and Dad &amp; Frank hauled out some rocks on the stone boat this morning to put in the dips along the fence to anchor it. This after noon they put wire around a couple of the trees in the gully and waited around for Sid McBride but he never showed up, so that will put us out a little as we hoped to get the fence up to-day. Mrs. Woodson and Betty were over to-night to inquire after Tiddums foot. He doesn't seem to feel it much as he tramps all around the floor in his sock feet. Old Tom Abbot told us that Osprey rolled into a wire fence in pasture last night and will have to be laid up for awhile. He was getting along fine and Marshall was very well pleased with him. Tom. said Roy Hammond was telling around that he supposed we passed off the horse that was so badly poisoned with alsike last fall. He must think Marshall is an awful fool or else doesnt know what alsike poison is like for old Dave's feet show the scars yet and probably always will. Cloudy this morning but sunny and pretty hot this after noon.</p> <p>Saturday July 4th</p> <p>I finished mowing about half past ten this morning and hooked right on to the rake and finished raking about five o'clock. Dad. &amp; Frank went down in the waggon with Joe &amp; Ginger and got a couple of bushels of buckwheat for seed and took the wool down but the mill was closed as usual on Saturday and the watchman put it in the wool house. Huby waited down for them thinking they would take the tank he got for us but it was bolted fast to the trucks and Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>didn't want to take time to get it loose. They got over about eleven and put up a few cocks before dinner. Sid. McBride came after dinner so Huby, Dad &amp; Frank had to help him, they worked till after six but have the fence all stretched in fine shape but it isn't stapled yet. I just did up my chores when I got through raking. Enah went down to Maud Jamieson's sale this after noon but nearly every thing was sold when she got there. Cousin Clare was over for a little while this after noon and Lila most of the day. Sid McBride stayed to tea and it was late when we got through and Dad. had to milk afterwards but Huby, Frank and I went out and cocked up hay. It was moonlight but rather cloudy most of the time so wasn't very light We worked till after eleven and got quite a chunk done. Dad. came out and relieved Frank a little while before we quit. I drove Huby home and got back about one. Enah spent the evening painting the oilcloth in the kitchen and the floor around the edge so I had to go to bed via the window. One of the Scotch mail-men was in to see Dad. to day about his horse which he said was sore inside. J.H. Butler died this morning and Capt. Spain &amp; Mrs. Dave Turner are very low. Fairly hot to-day.</p> <p>Sunday July 5th</p> <p>Enah and I managed to get to church this morning although we didn't get up till very late. Frank didn't go to Sunday school or church but went for a swim and while riding around on his wheel caught his shoe in the chain and got upset and hurt his arm. Dick spent the morning in bed and went down town after dinner. Enah had to play the organ as Topsy who has applied for the job and who has been practising came this morning without her hat and had to go back to the Methodist choir for to-day where they eliminate their roofs. This after noon the family spent in peaceful slumber or literary pursuits. I hit the hay about three and never got up till six. Then chores and a family gathering on the front step to partake of some sandwiches and cake. Old man West was over this after noon to tear off a few fairy tales and disturb all the family but me. Lovely day sunny but not scorching.</p> <p>Monday July 6th</p> <p>We didn't get a very early start this morning and I ploughed till noon and Huby and Dad. cocked up hay. Frank was exempt from strenuous labor owing to his injured wrist which he deems necessary to be exceptionally careful of. He took John Wess' corn planter home and went over to McPherson's to inquire after our bees. They have a skip in the hive for us and we can get them anytime. He</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came home around by Tupper's and borrowed his corn cultivator as it has a special thistle cutter on it but he didn't bring it home with him. This after noon Dad. finished up what I plowed and has got a couple more loads to finish up to have the field all turned under. Huby and I continued to cock up but didn't get through. Frank spent some time picking paper off the kitchen oilcloth which is out on the lawn. Enah painted it Saturday night right here on the kitchen floor and yesterday morning it wasn't dry so she put down a lot of newspapers down but they all stuck to the paint and made an awful mess of it. Frank scraped a lot off and then went down town and got the mail. He also saw the Doctor about his wrist and he put a bandage on it and told him to keep it there for a week Frank has it in a sling and I think is highly satisfied. Lila was over most of the day. The old guinea hatched out to-day but we don't think she had an extra good hatch. It would have been very hot to-day but for a cool nice breeze.</p> <p>Tuesday July 7th</p> <p>This being Dad's birthday and everybody wishing him a happy one and many returns we put in about the most strenuous day this summer. Dad. decided we had better haul in the hay before any rain gets on it although we are very anxious to get the buckwheat in and the thistles are whooping it up in the cornfield. It took us a long time to get started as various preparations had to be made for the slings but we got one load in and off before dinner but not before twelve. This after noon we managed to get in three good sized ones and left the last on the barn floor. Huby helped us put on the last two but bunched up the winrows while we were unloading. This morning he had to throw a lot of old straw out of the hay in the big barn where we are putting the hay. As a little special sensation for Dad. the cows all came up early, the first time they have done it since they were out this year and as the gates were all open got into the garden before Frank noticed them and trimmed the "Country Gentleman" corn completely. We had the colts shut up in the stable and the sheep in the orchard. We had quite a time putting them in this morning as they would get nearly to the gate when one fool would run back and the rest of course all follow. They got in to the garden on {trap?} and trimmed what little they could in half a minute. Frank of course is about useless but does a little with one hand. He helped Enah paint the oilcloth this after noon which they put out between the stable and the barn he also painted his wheel. Winnie was over this</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>morning to dinner and Lila this after noon. It has been pretty warm to-day but a nice breeze</p> <p>Wednesday July 8th</p> <p>We hauled hay all day to-day and got in five loads leaving the last one on the barn floor. I went down town to-night to get my hair cut and got wet owing to the fact that I indulged in two swims. I had one on my way down below Quanbury's but it was a premeditated one, then while I was in the barber shop {Kinden?} came in to invite {Corey?} to go in and I joined them. Charlie Cooper and Booze Waddle also went we went in the pond at the danger sign and had a good one. I saw Dick with a new bank clerk. The other poor fellow is too sick to work and is going back home to-morrow. When I got home we had quite a hunt for some pills which Huby gave Dad for his birthday, and which Huby is very anxious for him to take as he thinks it will cure his arm. Hot and dry.</p> <p>Thursday July 9th</p> <p>Huby didn't come over till noon to-day as he had to attend to Mrs. {Folmshee's?} insurance so we didn't try to haul in any hay. Frank and I took the team and waggon and went over to Tupper's first thing and borrowed his cultivator he had to put the thistle cutter on which were the advantage it had over our own. When we got home we went down to the mill and got a couple of sacks of shorts for the pigs. Dad. had been training Jonas's mare to cultivate in the garden with our own cultivator but when we came took her out to the cornfield and worked with her till noon. She goes pretty well but gets rammy at the ends of the rows and walks fast. When we got back from the mill I hooked the team to the disks and disked on the buckwheat ground till noon. Huby came over at noon and we hauled in hay, we didn't rush at it so it was dark when we hauled the last load in but we had had our tea at six o'clock. We got in three loads and all we are going take off that field. There are a few winrows of couch grass which Tom Abbot is going to take as we don't want the seed to get in the manure. It has been very hot everything is drying up and we need a rain badly.</p> <p>Friday July 10th</p> <p>Huby Frank and I spent the whole day in the gully we put the wire around the four little trees which we had the stakes around. This took us a long time as we</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>put split rails around the stakes to brace them. Dad. &amp; Huby did two the other day. Frank sat around with his pesky arm which everybody is getting heartily tired of. We used him principally as an object to heap abusive language on. We went all around the fence and patched it up as well as possible but it is in awful shape. We didn't do anything to the culvert hoping that the cows will be so delighted with the new pasture that they will not try to escape through the culvert till we can make a good fix of it. We let them all in to-night and the first thing they did was to tramp straight down along the creek and examine all the tree barricades. To-night Frank and I went for a swim down below Quanbury's. Frank couldn't resist the temptation in spite of his poor wrist which he has been unable to wash for a week on account of the bandage but went in and swam around so now will have no excuse for not making a little use of it. Another very hot day but nice breeze. Dad cultivated corn all day.</p> <p>Saturday July 11th</p> <p>Huby and Dad had a little work to attend to with the calves and pigs which took them an hour or so this morning. I took Belle out and cultivated a few rows of corn till Dad came out and relieved me. Then I went to help Huby staple on the wirefence but I didn't feel very well for awhile so didn't do anything. Snowdrop got out at the culvert and stood in the middle of the road for about half an hour so we went down just before dinner to put her in. We met an old man on the road with a good looking setter and he and Huby had quite a conversation about sport. He wouldn't tell Huby his name but said {Hec.?} Henderson would tell him. This after noon I felt better and we stapled on the wire fence and then Huby went up and got a lot of wire and we barricaded the culvert. We stretched three strands of wire from the two posts each side of it and hung rails from the center at the bottom. It took us till after six quite a bit and then we took a look at Ivey's strawberry patch but there were hardly any left. To-night about eleven o'clock Dad. went out to wash his feet and and saw a fire down town. I lit right out for town but didn't know till I got to the top of the hill that it was the brickyard. The big building and the new long shed were beyond all hope when I got that far. I went down and sat on Huby's front step for awhile. Then Frank came down on his wheel and rode over to it he said the machinery was all ruined. I came part way home with old Jonas and induced him</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to go for a swim with me below Quanbury's. It was about midnight then. Frank has been driving his old mare all day. He went down town with her this morning and washed the buggy. This after noon he drove Enah and Tiddums down town. Warm but breezy all day. Dad got over the corn lengthwise going twice in a row and has started going crosswise.</p> <p>Sunday July 12th</p> <p>We didn't get up till very late this morning but I managed to get down to church. Frank also went down to church and Sunday School. Before we finished dinner Mr. and Mrs. Jim Waddle came over and stayed all the after noon. It was very hot this morning but began to rain the middle of the after noon and cooled things off. It didn't rain very long nor extra heavy. Tupper and a bunch of fellows drove in out of the rain and ran their buggy in the shed. Dick was in bed all morning down town this afternoon and at church to-night. Frank went down town on his wheel for a little while to look at the debris over at the brickyard. There was no insurance on the buildings, the rate being to high to carry it. They don't know at all how it started. A cow and calf got in the wheat this after noon &amp; Frank and Bluch had quite a time with them.</p> <p>Monday July 13th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank went down town first thing this morning in the waggon and as it was so muddy they took Dick down with them. They got the tank at the Widespread which Huby has had ready for them for the last week or two. It is just a mate for the one we have and we are going to put it at the end of this one and connect them with a pipe at the top. Huby and Lila came back with them. I did chores and set out cabbage plants all morning. Huby helped me when he came, we got out a lot in the garden. Dad. worked on the buckwheat ground till noon. After dinner I disked the rest of the buckwheat ground and Dad. harrowed. Huby took all the rest of the cabbage plants and set them out in the cornfield where there are hills of corn missed. He didn't get them all out by to-night so I guess we will be well fixed for cabbages next winter. Frank worked all day cleaning up the woodshed and the shop. He got a ticket from the inspector to-day bearing the joyful tidings that he had failed on his examination. He failed on Spelling and Arithmetic and was way down on the total. The failure doesn't appear to sit very heavy on his mind and I don't think he will lose very many meals over it. Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting to-night. Cloudy and not hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 14th</p> <p>We worked on the buckwheat ground most of the day. I disked &amp; rolled and this after noon Dad. sowed with the broadcast seeder. I harrowed after him till he finished and then he took the harrows and finished. He got the four two bushels on the four acres but had to go over some of it twice to cover it. Enah Frank and Tiddums went down to the Sunday school picnic this afternoon. I went down after tea thinking there might be a dance but I saw Joe and he said they were going to have a little dance but some of them left and delayed it so long that {Morley?} closed up the pavillion. I fooled around with Joe, we went for a little drive but it began to rain so we went down to the moving picture show, we saw {Hube?} Long just as we came out and I didn't get home till nearly midnight. I picked Dick up at the bank he was talking to Douglas who is going to leave them soon. Huby worked in the garden all morning and picked all the cherries. Pretty cloudy all day and rain to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday July 15th</p> <p>We didn't get a very early start this morning but I cut hay all day and have quite a chunk of the timothy down I had to leave one corner to cut afterwards as it is bounded on two side by ditches which I couldn't go over. I quit mowing before six and raked up what I cut this morning as it was dry. There is one spot or two where the timothy is not bad but most of it is very short blue grass. Dad cultivated the corn with Joe this after noon. He didn't do too badly. Huby and Frank worked in the garden. Huby got a lot of red cabbages from {Stan?} and set them out. Mrs. McBride was here all day washing and stoning the cherries which Huby picked yesterday. Jonas presented us with a lot of vegetables to-night. Old Maneer was through here on his way to Tupper's to look at the shed. Pretty hot. Lila was over all day. The sheep all got out of the orchard to-day and got in the wheat.</p> <p>Thursday July 16th</p> <p>I finished cutting the hay this morning and raked it up after dinner. Then I helped Huby and Frank cock up we got quite a bit of it up, it will be a light crop. Dad. cultivated corn all morning with Joe but she didn't behave very well so he took Belle as soon as I got through raking. The Simcoe band came down to-night and we all went down to hear them Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down and didn't stay very long but Frank and I walked and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>went in for a swim at Quanbury's on our way down. We went down to Huby's for a minute or so and he was the only one home. After the band quit we went over and watched the dance for awhile getting home about midnight. Hot with nice breeze.</p> <p>Friday Saturday July 17th</p> <p>Dad. cultivated corn all morning with Belle and Huby Frank and I cocked up hay. We got it all up but a few windrows. A big thunderstorm rolled in at noon but although there were some very close flashes of lightning and some beautiful cracks of thunder it didn't last long. It rained very hard for a few minutes but soon dried off. It was too wet to cock hay this after noon so Huby and Frank went back and fixed the fence where the cattle got into Ivey's last night. Dad. took Harry and I took Belle and we cultivated all the after noon. We didn't get a very early start or we would have finished. It has been cooler and breezy this afternoon.</p> <p>Saturday July 18th</p> <p>Dad. finished cultivating the corn this morning and went through the potatoes again. He also went through the potatoes in the old garden which are up enough to see. Huby and I thinned the turnips and Huby thinned the mangels and hoed some of the potatoes. This after noon we got the binder out and cut the wheat east of the orchard. It took quite awhile to get started but Dad. cut it by soon after six but it took the three of us Huby, Dad. &amp; me till dark to shock it all up. It is a good crop with hardly a thistle in it. Frank cleaned the binder up this morning and has been hobnobbing around with old Jonas all the rest of the day. They went to Simcoe this after noon with Nellie &amp; Jonas' old rattletrap of a democrat, and Frank got a hive and various apiary supplies. Lila was over all the after noon and Win most of the morning. It has been a nice day a little cloudy.</p> <p>Sunday July 19th</p> <p>Enah and I went to church this morning and Frank went down to Sunday school and church. Dick didn't get up till noon and then drove down town with me I went around and got Marj. Clarke and we had a very enjoyable drive When I got home Ed. was here and had been here all the after noon. Lovely day with nice breeze.</p> <p>Monday July 20th</p> <p>We put off the load of hay that was on the barn floor and then had to change the car over to the horse stable as that is</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>where we want to put the timothy. It took us quite awhile to get ready so we only got in one load before dinner and didn't get it unloaded. We unloaded it after dinner but as we have to use the fork in the horse stable it took quite awhile. We got one more in and unloaded and then about four o'clock I drove Enah down. We went around to Miss Battersby and got a hanging lamp which Miss Battersby gave us. I went down to the station as Marj. told me she was going to-night but I found she had changed her mind. Dad. cut alsike from about six till I had my tea and then I cut till dark while Dad. did chores. Nice day pretty hot.</p> <p>Tuesday July 21st</p> <p>I set the alarm for half past three this morning and although I heard it go off was too sleepy to get up and stayed in bed till Dad. called me about five and got out to the alsike field as soon as possible and cut till after seven, but there is still quite a bit to cut yet. We got started hauling hay as soon as we could after breakfast and got two in before dinner. It took a long time to put on a load as the cocks are so far apart we have to chase all over the field to get enough to make a load. After dinner we got all the hay there was left which wasn't quite a load and got it unloaded by a little before four. Dad. then went out and started to cut the wheat north of the orchard. Huby and Frank helped him shock up and as there wasn't anything very pressing for me to do Enah Tiddums and I drove down town. They went to see Elva and she went down and got some ice cream with them and I went down to the station to say goodbye to Marj. She &amp; Bessy Perry went to-night. Quite a strong breeze to-day but hot.</p> <p>Wednesday July 22nd</p> <p>Dad. took the alarm clock last night and got me up soon after half past four and I went out and finished the alsike soon after eight. Dad. took Nellie Green &amp; Joe and raked up what was cut yesterday. We didn't have breakfast till after nine so Dad didn't get much of the wheat cut before noon. We noticed this morning that for some reason the windmill although revolving was not pumping. We surmised that some of the rods were uncoupled so Frank took Nellie &amp; the democrat and went down and got old Felix. He was here all the after noon and found the valve in the cylinder had gone out order but he put in a new one</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. finished cutting the wheat this after noon and we put the binder back in the woodshed. Huby and I shocked up for a little while before dinner but helped old Felix all the after noon so most of the wheat has to be shocked up any way. Frank went over to John Wess to-night to see if he would like a little help to-morrow as from here it looks as if he had a lot of hay out and we knew he had no man. He was cutting wheat and expected to be at it to-morrow but said a man would come in hadny the next day, so I guess I will go over. Frank has put in most of the day running errands. He drove Felix home to-night and Huby went down with them. Felix told us that Jack McCarty cut his throat this morning. He has been sick for quite awhile and I suppose it has left him in bad shape. The papers are giving very apalling accounts of the terrible damage being done by the army worms in the counties directly north of us. They say they have struck the O.A.C. at Guelph. Pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Thursday July 23rd</p> <p>Dad. routed me out again this morning before five and I went out and raked up the alsike finishing about seven. Huby got over early and went right out to shock up wheat. Frank went out soon after to help him and Dad. to help them as soon as he could and I to help them as soon as I got through with my chores. It didn't take long to finish it up but we were hindered a little by the horses all getting out on the road, they ran up the lane and as both the stable doors had been left open ran right through on to the road. Luckily they didn't go far either way and we managed to head them off without a great deal of difficulty. Enah ran out to help us and left Tiddums in his bath. When Dad. came in afterwards he found him standing up in the tub filling one of his (Dad's) slippers with water. and pouring it all over himself. When we got the wheat shocked up we hooked up to go after a load off the other piece. Huby &amp; Frank cleaned up the barn floor while Dad. and I were after a load. By the time we got the first load off the waggon it was raining quite a shower so we couldn't haul any more. I hooked Joe up to the buggy and Huby and I drove down to see old Felix as the windmill was working again this morning without pumping and we thought the sucker must be again out of order. Felix said it would kill him to go out in the rain but that we could fix it anyway. He said some of the scales off the inside of the pipe had jerked down and got underneath the valve and all it needed was a pail of water poured down the pipe. We tried it and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>sure enough the old coon was right. Huby had some insurance to do so didn't come back with me. This after noon Dad. took Belle and cultivated the potatoes in the field and garden. I cut the weeds around the wheat field we last cut. About four o'clock Dad. thought it was dry enough to haul wheat so we got started in about an hour after a load. We just got it unloaded by six but went out and got another and left it on the barn floor. Harry Harding was over for awhile to see Dad. but he couldn't stay long as his mother is in very bad shape and he didn't like to be away from her for very long at a time. Allan Law came in for a little while to see if he could borrow the manure spreader to-morrow. Frank rode down town to-night to get the mail and Huby told him that he didn't finish his insurance so wouldn't be able to be over to-morrow morning so I won't be able to go over and help John Wess as we have to get our own wheat in first of all. Cloudy but hot after the rain.</p> <p>Friday July 24th</p> <p>Frank rode over first thing to tell John Wess that I wouldn't be able to be over. He said that Crysler's man helped him yesterday and was going to again to-day, and if he wanted me to-morrow he would come over, but Allan Law was in this morning to get the spreader and he said he was going to take John Wess a man to-night. We unloaded the load on the waggon as soon as we could get started after breakfast but only got in two before dinner. However we cleaned the one field. Tupper came in for awhile to ask us to bring back his cultivator and just as he was leaving he broke the cross bar on his buggy and had to borrow our shafts. Zeitha Barwell came over for a little while to see if she and Mr. Crooker could come over this evening and practice some songs for the concert as they want Enah to play for them. We got in two loads off the other field this after noon. We got a late start and quit at five to have tea but unloaded a load after tea. Frank and I went down to Quanbury's for a swim and Frank went on down and got the mail. When I got home Zeith, Miss Wimmer and Mr. Crooker were here Zeitha and Mr. Crooker were practicing with Enah while Werdi. was looking after Tiddums. He took her all over the place and enjoyed himself immensely. Old Jonas had Nellie to-day and sent her home with young Mertland one of his boarders kids who isn't bigger than a skinned minute and he let her come in the lane on the run and ran smash into the cutter in the drive house. I don't think he broke anything</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 26th</p> <p>I didn't get up till very late this morning and haven't been off the place all day. I just chored around slept &amp; read and to-night wrote a letter to Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice and another to Roy. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and has been riding around on his wheel the rest of the day. He went to the stump for a swim to-night. Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove over to John Wess McBride's this morning before Tid. has his morning sleep and he hasn't slept a wink all day. Dad. tried to have a sleep this after noon but Tiddums wouldn't allow it. Dad. and Enah wanted to go down to the Methodist Church to hear Mr. Crooker sing but Tiddums wouldn't go to sleep and was inclined to be cranky so they didn't go. Dick got home late to-night burned to a crisp. I guess he didn't enjoy his sail as much as he expected. He and Hazen didnt get out of the boat till Sunday Morning and they left here at six o'clock Saturday night but there was no wind. They went over to Ryerson's Island where Joe &amp; Hub. Long joined them and they went in for a swim. They saw Quint &amp; George Hamaker over there. They had a good sail home they left at twelve and got here about two o'clock. Poor old A.M. Todd formerly of the "Maple Leaf" died to-day of heart failure while in bathing in the lake. They didn't find his body till about three hours afterwards when some people happened to run into it. Nobody missed him. Fair day.</p> <p>Monday July 27th</p> <p>We unloade the load of alsike we had on and got in one more and unloaded it before dinner. We got out right after dinner and managed to get in three by half past six. It is very slow stuff to handle it is so heavy &amp; short and loose. Huby and Frank bunched up the first load and then Frank bunched all the rest up this after noon. Frank Odd. came for Dad. while we were at dinner to go and see one of Flemming's horses so Huby and Frank pitched on after dinner till Dad. got back. Enah went down town this after noon to practice in the hall with some of the ones at the concert. Mr. Johnson brought Lila. Tiddums &amp; her home at six. Lila and Tiddums stayed but Enah went back. Huby went down with them. She left word that Mr. Crooker never showed up and that Murray was coming up on the evening train and she wanted to practice with each of them. She got home about eleven and said that Murray didn't come and Mr. Crooker couldn't be found anywhere. She forgot and left today's paper down town but Lila says it reported bloodshed in Ireland. Cool and pretty breezy all day. We thought at noon we would get a rain but it seems to have passed over.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 28th</p> <p>Huby didn't get over this morning as he had some insurance to look after but Dad. &amp; I got in what was left of the alsike alone and Frank helped mowed it away. There was just one full load and a half of one. We left it on the waggon as it was half past twelve when we got in with it. This after noon we ground a mower knife and I got a few rounds cut in the blue grass and weeds this side of the gully while Dad. and Frank hoed some of the potatoes in the old garden. Dad. quit at five and I quit soon after so that he could get ready in plenty of time for the concert. Billy Barwell came over at noon with some music for Enah to practice for the concert and he played around with Frank for quite awhile. Later Tuppy Fick brought Huby, Lila and Aunty Maude over in his car. Huby &amp; Lila stayed and Aunty Maude took the musick back for Murray to practice. Huby went out and piled up the marsh grass we left out in the timothy sod to make duck hides. He thinks there will be lots of ducks next fall with the corn and buckwheat so near. When he got through Tuppy came back and got him. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah went to the church concert and Frank Lila &amp; I stayed home with Tiddums. He went to sleep before they left and didn't wake up at all while they were gone. Dad. said he enjoyed the singing and playing of Zeitha, Miss Prest &amp; Mr. Crooker very much and Pursell for his class, but the rest he didn't care for at all. Cloudy and cool all day and quite cold to-night. Nor'east wind.</p> <p>Wednesday July 29th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I hooked up Belle this morning and drove up to Bickler's. Dad. was never in there before but we found it to be a beautiful farm of 800 acres with the buildings set in a grove of natural timber a half a mile in from the road. It was getting on to noon when we left there but we drove over to Dunkin's. He was down at a picnic at Port Ryersie so the young fellow told us so we went down there and saw him. He has had pretty rough luck again this year. He was sick all spring and nearly died and the young fellow had so much to look after that he lost five of his crop of eight lambs and the ones he has left don't look anything extra. He hasn't ours registered yet but is going to see about it as soon as he can. We heard several reports of the army worms on the radical road but didn't see any. Fred. Warren told us they were thick in all the pea fields but didn't seem to be doing any damage so we came to the conclusion they weren't the genuine army worm as they didn't seem to be anywhere but in the peas.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Innes said they were the real thing and wouldn't take the peas green but will buy them thrashed. We got home about two o'clock. After we had our dinner I went out and cut a little more hay with Joe &amp; Harry and Dad. cultivated corn &amp; potatoes with Belle. Frank picked raspberries for Ivey this morning and helped Huby hoe potatoes this after noon. Mrs. McBride was here all day and looked after Tiddums this after noon while Enah took old Nellie and went to the Methodist Bazaar. Jonas sent a couple of kids after Nellie. He never said anything about wanting her to-day so he had to wait till Enah got back. Cool &amp; windy no sign of rain.</p> <p>Thursday July 30th</p> <p>I cut hay all morning and nearly finished the piece I went out after dinner and only got a few rounds cut when the rivets came out of the pitman rod and it came loose so I had to quit mowing. I hooked on to the rake and raked for the remainder of the after noon but didn't get over it all. Dad cultivated corn all day. Huby didn't get over till noon and he burn a lot of worms nests in the trees. Frank and he hoed some thistles in the corn and potatoes and started to cock up hay but Enah called to them that the old sow was out and she got way down the road with all the little ones and it took them a long time to round her up, so they didn't get much hay cocked. They saw some fellows on the road who told them that the army worms were on Charlie Dixon's &amp; Charlie Clalland's places and were skinning the oats, that is a Charlie Dixon who lives way out Black Creek on the fourth concession. John Wess came over this forenoon to see if he could rent the manure spreader but Dad told him he would lend it to him, so he came over after dinner and got it. Tonight Frank went down to the moving picture show with Roy Bannister. An automobile came in after dark to-night and I think Dad. is holding a post mortem on a dog or something I don't know who the people are except their names are Simpson from Toronto. According to to-days reports nothing short of a miracle can prevent a general war in Europe. Austria has all ready declared war with Servia and Belgrade is taken. Russia is mobilizing an inormous army to support Servia and Germany. Britain and France are all beginning to squirm. Cool, cloudy day.</p> <p>Friday July 31st</p> <p>We spent quite awhile this morning watching Dad. operate on the dead dog. In daylight he found the left side of it full of shot and dug eleven no. 5 shot out of its hind leg. They had gone right through the flesh but didn't come</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>through the skin. He then opened it and found a shot in its lungs and all through it so came to the conclusion that whoever shot it carried it to the lake and threw it in as that is where it was found dead. He thought it must have been fired at from close range but when Huby came he said a full choke gun would make the same pattern at forty yards. Huby didn't get over till quite late this morning as he didn't wake up and we didn't get out in the field till nearly ten o'clock. Frank took the pitman rod down and got Joe Howell to rivet it. The rest of us cocked up till he got back. Then I finished mowing before dinner. This after noon I finished raking about three o'clock and then went out and cocked up with the rest of them. We didn't quite finish. Frank went over to John Wess's after dinner and brought Bluch home. He followed John Wess home with the spreader yesterday and stayed all night. Jonas sent another hoach of kids after his mare again today and they chased her all over the field and then had to get Frank to help them so Dad. gave Jonas beans when he brought her home to-night. John Watts was in for a few minutes to-night to ask Dad. about a cow or something. Cool &amp; breezy with a few clouds Frank went down after the paper to-night and went to tell Mr. Simpson about his dog. He has Aikens on the trail.</p> <p>Saturday August 1st</p> <p>Dad. and I put off the half load of alsike which was on the waggon and changed the car and pulleys from the barn to the horse stable it didn't take us very long as we didnt take any of the pulleys off the ropes Frank and Huby cocked up till we got out in the field and then Huby helped Dad. pitch on a load and Frank finished cocking up this afternoon we got one load in before dinner and three in this after noon but hauled the last one in on the barn floor and left it. We couldn't haul full loads as we had to use the slings and too big a lift wouldn't go in the doors but we got in some pretty good sized ones. I drove down town to-night with Huby to get provisions and the town was so full and the stores so crowded that I didn't get home till late. Frank went down on his wheel to see Professor Atkinson do some stunts in the town hall but I guess the show didnt ammount to much. Huby and I are planning a trip to-morrow to go and see Dr. McInnes about growing ginseng and come home by way of Billington's. It has been breezy and not hot all day. We need a rain very much everything is drying up and if it doesn't come soon it will be too late when it does come.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 2nd</p> <p>I got down to Huby's about nine o'clock and he was already to start but it took us quite awhile to get what we wanted to take loaded in the buggy. We had to take our lunch and several other things. Quint came home last night and he said he would like to accompany us so Huby fixed a seat in front of the dashboard for him so we didn't have to hold him on our knees. We let Joe take it easy as the sun was hot and the flys were bad and we made quite a load. Huby found Dr. Macinnes in his office in Vittoria and he told him quite a lot about Ginseng. He said that there never was a better market price for the roots as there is now and he thought that anybody starting in now would be independent in ten years. He had none of it there to show us as he grows it all on his farm four miles west of Vittoria, but he invited us to go up there - and wrote to his man introducing us. He told us where to find it if the man was not at home and said to put the horse in and feed her. We went up, it seemed like a long drive through about the most barrenest looking country I ever saw although Huby said there was worse in other spots. When we got there we found the man was not at home so did as the doctor told us and put Joe in. The Ginseng gardens were in plain sight and all in lattice work houses or sheds they have to be grown in the shade so he has these sheds built of pickets and clothes which lets in all the air but which keeps out most of the sunlight. It is as near like a forest as could be built. He must have had nearly an acre under cover like this and all the beds were full but the plants were not all the same age some just seedlings and others eighteen inches high. We took a good look around and then went over to the well to eat our lunch. There were fully a million half starved and half grown chickens beseiging us the whole time and we couldnt lay a piece of bread down for a minute but they would seize it and run off with it. It was very annoying and Huby felt very much like catching a couple biting their necks and broiling them. We left right after we had our lunch for Billington's but it was about two o'clock then. We got a little mixed up with the roads and went quite a bit out of our way, but got to Billington's about four or soon after. They were very glad to see Huby. We stayed there to tea and till after nine visiting. Before it got dark I took some pictures of the {illegible} and fooled around the creek. Huby and Quint spent most of the time in its vicinity but didn't have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>extra good luck. We got home about midnight it was moonlight but very chilly. It hasn't been at all hot all day and this after noon it rained a shower but there wasn't enough to do any harm or good.</p> <p>Monday August 3rd</p> <p>We hauled in all the rest of the hay off that field to-day. It took us all day and there were just five loads. We put four of them in the horse stable loft and left one on the old barn floor for the bull. Huby and Dad pitched one, I loaded and Huby and Frank mowed away. Frank spent most of the time between loads fixing the boiler pipe which Rus Lampkins brought down for the sink from the pump to the orchard fence to carry water to the calves and sheep in the orchard. Dad is not at all in favor of the scheme as he says Frank can't make it work and it blocks his path to the pig pen, but Frank is undaunted and has it nearly carrying water. Pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday August 4th</p> <p>Huby didn't come over at all to-day, he had some insurance to look after and spent the rest of the day working around his own garden. Dad. and Frank went back this morning to fix the line fence between John Wes. and us as the cows got it last night and broke it down and tramped through his oats &amp; buckwheat and ate up his beans. John Wes. came back with the spreader while they were gone and when I told him he just laughed and said such things would happen. They didn't get back till noon. I cut weeds while they were gone. This after noon Dad cultivated corn and Frank and I started to hoe the potatoes. Harry Harding came over and I went back to the gully with him to look at the horses and cattle. It was getting on to five when we got back and then I drove him down town and got some provisions. Dad. quit early. He and Enah went out to the Shand's last night and invited them all over here to-night for some music. Mr. Crooker, Zeitha, Verdi, Wimmer all came over and Mr. Johnson brought Aunty Maude. Win &amp; Lila and Nora Cunningham over in his car. Dick also managed to get home, and all the Shands came so we had a very pleasant evening. Not hot to-day. Quite cold to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday August 5th We were up about the usual time after our night of song. I cultivated corn all day and the boys hoed all the weeds and thistles out that the cultivator missed</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday August 12th</p> <p>For a whole week this interesting and valuable record has been missed owing to an accumulation of circumstances, the terrible war being the chief upsetting cause for after reading the paper Toby had no time to make entries in this, he wanted to go down to get his hair cut tonight to I said I would do my best to write the doings of the past week. I think we began hauling out manure on the 4 acres we had sowed with Buckwheat on Thursday 6th and we hauled until Saturday noon. We then got the binder out and cut the oats in the old well field, it was a nice crop but the weather is and has been so dry that the grain was very light. Hubert and Frank cobbled up the fence around the hog yard on Friday and Saturday forenoon, Saturday afternoon they all shocked up oats. Sunday Morning Toby drove down to church, had dinner at Huberts and he and Hubert went up to {illegible} Hooleys in the after noon, Frank was at S.S. and church. Dick did not get up until noon. Hattie intended going to church but did not feel very well in the morning so did not go as she had to go down in the evining to play for Mr Crooker who sang a solo. I went down also in the evening there were very few in church a young student tried to preach. It was a very hot day and looked a little like a thunder storm. On Monday I had to go and load the binder on the truck the first thing Frank went with me, after bringing it in I went and got the roller and put it in, Hubert worked at the Hog fence, and Toby at the fence around the orchard to keep his chickens in. I brought up the old hay {illegible} valves and Frank has been taking it to pieces. Monday afternoon we all worked at the sheep for some time separating them so as to try and mark them for {resist....?} it actually rained quite a shower Monday evening and laid the dust.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>On Tuesday morning we marked the lambs, Hubert worked at his fence. In the afternoon Toby and I hauled out manure. It was quite cool at night. This morning, Wednesday we took the binder back over the gully to cut the oats. We didn't get started very early either in the morning or after dinner so didn't finish to-night. Frank and I shocked up but we didn't get it all up either as we didn't work very hard. The oats are so rusted that they are all bent flat and there is nothing whatever in them. To-night Frank and I drove down town I got my hair cut and Frank got a pair of boots. On our way down we got started on the approach to the bridge before we saw a team on the bridge and we had to back up. Joe got a little impatient and hacked accross the road and got her hind legs down a nasty hole between the bank and the sidewalk but didn't hurt herself. We saw Huby down town and he told us he had more insurance to look after tomorrow so couldn't come over again. He says his leg is bad again even worse as it hurts him now. Chris Quanbury asked us if two of us could come over to Martin's and help them thrash. It looked a little like rain to-day but didn't.</p> <p>Thursday August 13th</p> <p>We went back this morning and finished cutting and shocking up the oats just at noon but by the time we got up to the house and had dinner and put the binder in winter quarters it was pretty late and soon after dinner we saw the thrashing outfit coming around the hill so Dad. and I went over to Martins. They didn't get started thrashing till after four but we finished up about six. Their wheat only turned out about 20 bushels to the acre both Charlie's and Jack's. Neither one of them was there. Chris. was running things. The machine was outside and they put the straw in the barn. Dad. and I carried away. Cousin Clare was here all the after noon and stayed all night. One of us will have to go and help Flemming thrash to-morrow. It has been rather cloudy and threatening all day and to-night it did rain quite a shower and thundered quite a lot. It still looks very black.</p> <p>Friday August 14th</p> <p>There was a very hard thunder shower after we went to bed last night and every thing was pretty wet this morning but it has been windy and sunny all day so the mud is about dried up. We needed the rain very badly and it will likely do a lot of good to the corn roots</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and late sowed potatoes, but we could stand a lot more of it. Dad. had an early breakfast and got down to Flemming's about seven. He only thrashed his wheat and a load of oats so they finished at noon. Dad. said the wheat didn't turn out very well but the oats weren't so bad. I just did chores this morning and wrote in this and made a new milk record card and tacked it up in the cow stable. Frank and I looked at the bees and put in three frames which had full sheets of foundation in, in place of three which they hadn't worked on at all. We just took them from the super and put them in the lower hive. I got stung for the first time. We didn't do anything much right after dinner. Frank went down and got the paper but there wasn't anything startling in it. They don't know where the British Army is at all Kitchener is keeping its whereabouts strictly secret. The first decoration for gallantry was awarded to a French lieutenant of dragoons who had the Cross of the Legion of Honor confered upon him for doing what he would have been guillotined for a month ago. Such incidents do make war look horribly foolish. Dad. and I went out to look at the potatoes in the field to see if the wire worms were in them at all but we couldn't find any. They promise to be a fair crop for this year. When we came in we took the team and went down to Uncle Ward's and got a load of shingles. It was six o'clock when we got home. To-night Cousin Clare and Enah have gone over to see Mrs. Battersby and Frank has gone down town with Roy Bannister Lila is over here for all night. Frank went over to see Mrs. McPherson and her bees this after noon and got stung too. Like every one else's hers have made very little honney this year.</p> <p>Saturday August 15th</p> <p>We chored around about half the morning and then went out and straightened the oat shocks up a little, some of them were pretty wet and one or two heads had sprouted. We then came in and put the load of hay off that was on the rack before dinner Frank mowed it nearly all away in by Dreadnought's stall. He also unloaded our load of shingles while Dad. was examining the refrigerator, it was leaking and we didn't know what caused it but Dad. found the overflow pipe was blocked up. Frank went down and got the paper right after dinner and Dad. went to sleep. He has been saying so long how much he would like to take a sleep so we let him go till Tiddums came in about half past three and woke him up. We then went out and hauled out five loads of manure before tea. Frank hoed the potatoes in the old garden, and I helped him between loads.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We got the buckwheat ground all covered. Bob. Davis &amp; Jonas came in to-night while we were at tea with "Golden Crown". Enah drove Cousin Clare and Lila home after tea. Very windy.</p> <p>Sunday August 16th</p> <p>We didn't get up till late this morning, but Enah and I went to church. Frank went to church and Sunday school. Mr. Leigh preached he is from Courtright and Enah knew him when she was there. This after noon I read "The Lady of the Lake." Dad. Tiddums &amp; Enah slept. Dick went down town and Frank rode out to Teeple's woods to see a lot of bees that some fellow from Simcoe has there. He didn't see the owner and Teeple's told him he had taken a lot away. Sam Law came in this morning to say he was going to thrash his oats out of the field to-morrow if it didn't rain and wanted us and our team and waggon, so I guess we will take a load of our oats over and thrash them. It rained a little this after noon and has been cool &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Monday August 17th</p> <p>It was raining when I got up this morning but didn't last long but it was too wet to thrash oats out of the field so after breakfast I went out and disked up most of the buckwheat ground. I got over the part where the buckwheat is the thickest. The buckwheat won't ammount to anything now as only a little of it came up on the knolls and we are going to work it in and put wheat on it. Dad. spent the forenoon I think writing to Aunty. Tupper was in to see if we wanted to haul stone for road work but I guess Dad will pay it. I went over to Sam's at one o'clock and helped them thrash their wheat out, and Frank and Dad. came over with the team and rack to haul oats. They had three teams, ours and two of their own and three waggons, ours, Art Ryersies and theirs. Dad. and I each hauled in and Art. pitched on to us. Frank helped a little, while Bert Munro &amp; Al. Martin pitched off the load standing. They had poor Skinner Manning and Douglas the Scotchman on the stack. Skinner says it is the last stack he is going to work on. The oats were very light. There were 830 bushels of oats and 66 of wheat. We all three stayed over there to tea. Huby came up creek in the boat and walked up here but Enah said he didn't feel very well he rode back as far as Sam's with Ham Thompson who was coming down to see Dad. His old mare was kicked by Frank Mar's horse and had her leg broken. Dad. told him to shoot her. The Japs have sent an ultimatum to Germany now giving them orders to get their cruisers out of the Far East. Pretty hot to-day and lightening a lot to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 18th</p> <p>Just as we got ready for bed to-night a terrific thunder storm broke on us. Dick just got home in time. There was an almost steady flicker of vivid lightening although there were no ear breaking thunder claps, but the rain came down by the barrell. The wind was so strong that it sounded like hail battering at the west side of the house. It was still raining when I got up this morning but was not so boisterous about it. It rained off and on all morning and has been very hot and sultry all day. It is thundering again to-night and seems to be shaping for another round. I drove Dad. down right after breakfast and got some groceries. I went down to Joe Howell's to have Joe shod, but he had a team to shoe all around so I didn't wait. When I got home Dad. drove down to the mill and got a bag of flour. Frank and I went over to Jack Martin's with his two roosters which I have had over here since last spring. I spent the rest of the day building a trap nest according to instructions I read. Dad. put the cloak shelf up in the kitchen and Frank has been prowling around with his bee book looking for enlightenment on several subjects pertaining to bees. To-night I drove Dad. down to a school board meeting and got the mail. Mr. Flemming was in this after noon to have Dad. look at his horses mouth as she didn't eat right. Dad. found a great big piece of wood wedged in some way.</p> <p>Wednesday August 19th</p> <p>Last night we had a repetition of night before last's storm with more and heavier thunder. Dad. came home in it and got soaked. The school board are in trouble again. The debentures haven't been sold yet and they are afraid there will be difficulty in disposing of them now on account of the war. Secord is going to quit work on the school if they don't pay him. It rained a little more this morning but has been sunny with a fresh breeze all the after noon but very sultry and muggy before noon. This morning Dad. drove over after Mrs. McBride who has been here washing and ironing all day while I cut wood and then we both drove down town. Dad went and saw Mr. Smith to consult with him on the advisability of keeping Frank out of school till the hot weather is over as Aunty suggested. Mr. Smith thought it would be a good idea, so I guess Dad. will let him if he doesn't object. This after noon Enah took</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Nellie and drove down town to visit Cousin Clare and others and Mrs. McBride minded Tiddums. Dad. &amp; I took the plow back to the alsike stubble and plowed all the after noon. I made a couple of strike outs my first ones and they certainly looked like it. Frank came back and joined us after a while Dad. went up about half past five to milk and I plowed till after six.</p> <p>Thursday August 20th</p> <p>It began to rain soon after breakfast this morning and rained steadily and quite heavily till after dinner it then cleared up for the rest of the day but it doesn't act as if it was through with us yet. I read all morning, the last bulletin from the Department of Agriculture on Tightening Rods. Frank studied his bee book and Dad minded Tiddums and slept. A fellow drove in to see if he could sell us oil wholesale but he couldn't so didn't stay long. This after noon Frank and I took Joe down to Joe Howell's and had her shod. Frank stopped in at Uncle Ward's on his way home to see how his vice was attached to his bench and was in there about half an hour. We got home a little before five. I looked over the paper and then carried Tiddums back to where Dad. was plowing and from there to the gully. We got back about six. Dad. plowed all the afternoon.</p> <p>Friday August 21st</p> <p>It rained hard again during the night but has been sunny and windy all day and to-night the sky looks clear and it is cooler. Dad. plowed all morning and Frank and I tidied up a little around the yard in the vicinity of the woodshed and shop. This after noon Frank drove Enah and Tiddums down town to go visiting and brought Uncle Ward. back with him as he had some tools he wanted to sharpen on our grindstone and Frank turned it for him. As Jonas wanted Nellie at three o'clock I had to drive down before tea and get Enah and Tiddums who was getting homesick. Uncle Ward. wouldn't stay to tea so I took him home. Dad. and I spen the after noon turning the oats We turned every shock as far as we went but didn't finish. The ones that stood up weren't very wet but there weren't many that were left standing and the down ones were very wet and some of them sprouted. I had to help Dad. milk to-night and it was very late when we got through. We tried to get John into the stancions and nearly had her in when Tige commenced to bark at the Shand boys coming in and frightened her out. Whit Dixon came over this morning and Dad. let him have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>her calf and she has been bawling for it all the after noon. Dad. says he feels like a traitor as John. went back this morning without her calf thinking it was safe up here and when he, Frank and Whit surrounded it, it was all alone. It was watching Whit thinking (so Dad says) that he (Dad) would protect it when he came up from behind &amp; grabbed it. To-day's paper says that the war is commencing now in earnest and the Germans now occupy Brussels. They, the Canadian Government, have put a war tax on Sugar Coffee Tobacco &amp; liquors. so Dad thinks he will have to quit smoking. Huby left to-night for Toronto.</p> <p>Saturday August 22nd</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got in a good day Frank and I took a look at the bees first thing and then I went out and finished turning the oats which took me till noon. This after noon I put in cutting weeds along the fence bottoms &amp; in the old garden, and to-night feel a great admiration for the pioneers who would swing a scythe all day and carouse all night. I don't wonder a lot of whisky was consumed in those days although I got along without even any water. Frank worked around up at the house all day. Winnie, Lila and Miss Leigh where here to dinner. This was the day of the Great Boughner Picnic which this year assembled in Simcoe, it is the first time they went out of Dover this wouldn't {happen} now only they got every inducement from the Simcoe people to come there while other years Dover has soaked them for all they could get out of them. A lot of cheap sports down town here got up another picnic to-day in opposition and made arrangements with Buck to get the Park free. They got out bills and put them all over the country they say advertising it as being formerly the Boughner Picnic but the Boughners threatened to take action against them and they had to around and collect all their posters. I guess they didn't get much of a crowd. The Toronto regiments got a sudden order to go from Long Branch to Valcartier and they all left to-day. Aunty told us in her letter that Fred. McDonald is with the 48th Highlanders and Elva told Enah that Byron Johnson belongs to the signal corps of the Chatam regiment. Dick is wishing he was old enough to enlist. I don't know but that I would if I were in his place but I think until conditions develop more and the odds are against Britain, the Canadian farmer is of as much importance as the soldier, as they cant fight on empty stomachs, and Canada is where they are looking for their bread &amp; butter, but I'm good &amp; ready to scrap when they do need me. It has been pretty hot to-day, but looks fair.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 23rd</p> <p>Enah &amp; Dad. went to church this morning and Frank went to Sunday school &amp; church. I stayed home to watch Tiddums. He woke up before they got home and I took him back to the gully and woods where appeared to enjoy himself. Dick stayed in bed till noon and went down town after dinner. This afternoon Dad. Enah &amp; Tiddums drove out to the Shand's and got back just before it began to rain. I got two or three mushrooms back in the gully this morning so Frank went back this after noon to see if he could find any. He came back with about a peck of them. I read, slept and cursed flies all the after noon till Frank came home and fixed a fly net over me which was a great protection. Huby got home last night and I guess had a good time and saw everybody he knew either by lucky chance or by a premeditated call. He said Rus. Skey took him into the private office and talked for an hour. He is crazy to go to the war as an assistant army surgeon but they won't take him. Huby told Dad. &amp; Enah that Vernon said we could all go down there anytime and stay as long as we liked and that we could go in a body or by installments and that if Quint was home for him to go too. It has been very hot and a big thunderstorm came up this after noon. It poured rain for a few minutes and hasn't cleared off yet.</p> <p>Monday August 24th</p> <p>It rained hard again during the night but has been cool and windy all day and feels as if it had cleared up. We all got up pretty early and Dad. got a good forenoon's plowing done. I cleaned out the separator and cut a little wood and before dinner went out to see if the oats were ready to be turned again as yesterday's wind knocked a lot of them down but they hadn't dried out quite enough on the outside. Frank spent most of the morning down town with Nellie, he got some groceries and then took Nellie down and let Lila drive Mr. &amp; Mrs. Leigh over to dinner and he waited down and got the mail. Early this morning he went back to the gully and got a nice lot of mushrooms. This after noon we didn't get out so early as Dad. wanted to talk to Mr. &amp; Mrs. Leigh for awhile after dinner. He went back and struck out a couple of lands and then I came back and plowed around them and left three or four furrows on each for him to finish up. He came back about half past five and plowed till six. In the meantime he fixed at the pig yard fence to try &amp; keep the little fellows in as they have been running all over the place and to-day took to roving in to Martin's domain and helping themselves to his chicken food. Dad. didn't finish the job but thinks it efficient as far as he has gone.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 25th</p> <p>We hooked up Belle to the buggy this and I called for Huby about eight o'clock. We drove up to Bickler's again. We stopped in at Andrew Smith's but he was not at home Bickler's weren't home either but the man was and we went over to see Bickler as he was on another farm he has bought just south of Vittoria. We had a fine drive and got home about one. Dad. tried to plow this morning with Joe and Harry but had a terrible time as Joe acted very mean so he was glad enough to have Belle back this afternoon. Frank spent the after noo morning fixing the rest of the pig fence. After dinner Frank and I started to turn out all the oats in this field but got about half done when Mr. Morgan came to see the English Wallnut trees and we didn't get any more done that day, but Frank &amp; I hauled up a load of rails with Harry and Belle as Dad. quit early. To-night Dad. &amp; Enah went down to a musical at Mrs. Hobbes and Frank and I stayed home to watch Tiddums. Quite cold this morning and cool all day.</p> <p>Wednesday August 26th</p> <p>We didn't get up very early this morning and Jim Bannister came over to get Dad. to go over and see a sick cow he has. She wouldn't eat last night or this morning and can't get up. Dad. went over and said he was afraid she was going to die. We got one load of oats in before dinner and three after and there is still a load out there. To-night I went down and joined a surprise party which they had for Verdy Wimmer who is going away next week to train for a nurse. There was quite a bunch and we went up there and played pedro all evening. I have never learned anything about the pesky game yet but I had a rattling good time just the same. I went up to the bandroom and found several practicing up there for to-morrow. Harry Moon told me the other day they were going to have a flag day Thursday but I didn't know they were going to practice for it. Cloudy and cool.</p> <p>Thursday August 27th</p> <p>I helped Dad. &amp; Frank to get the load of oats off which we left on the barn floor and then got ready to go down town at half past ten. Jim Bannister's cow died so Dad. went over to hold a post mortem on her but could find nothing abnormal except an enlarged gall bladder. I went down to Huby's first thing to see if he could come over and help get in the rest of the oats but he didn't seem to feel very well but went over after dinner. Verdy Wimmer nailed me to buy a flag just as I was going</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>into Huby's and I had to buy another from Pansy Fischer before I got up town, however they did me for the day although they were both sold again before the day was over. I was up at the bandroom on time but nobody else was we had to wait about an hour before the float appeared and it was then to late to meet the eleven o'clock train as we intended. Harry Moon had been working hard all morning and he and Jack Ivey had Johnny Walker's dray all rigged up fine with flags and flowers and drawn by four horses. They had Al. Faulkner's spotted team on the lead and Johnny Walker's team on for wheelers but they had to have two drivers. Anyway they toated the band all over town all day and we played all the patriotic tunes we could find. They had all the pretty girls in town pretty nearly riding on the a running board around the dray where it was easy for them to jump on and off selling flags. They sold all their flags early in the day and had to make a lot of little tricolored bows and sell flowers which Ivey gave them. We came over Prosper Hill here where they collected over thirty dollars mostly from Mrs. Battersby and Jack Martin, we also went over Brant hill I stayed to Huby's for dinner and went home for supper and didn't go down to the dance after dinner tea. The girls were going to sell flowers over at the dance but I guess most of them were pretty tired as they were on the go all day. They got a little over two hundred and fifty dollars. It will be sent to the patriotic fund for the releif of the wives of soldiers gone to the front. Dad. &amp; Frank got the rest of the oats of the front field in and Huby came over to help them after dinner but they found the oats over the gully to be soaking wet so they turned a load out and left them. Dad. plowed for about an hour and Huby Frank and Lila hunted mushrooms. Very cloudy and threatening all day &amp; cool.</p> <p>Friday August 28th</p> <p>Dad. went over first thing this morning to see John Quanbury's cow which has been taken sick the same way Jim Bannister's was and has been running in the same pasture Dad. says it is going to die but doesn't know what is the matter with it. I cut a little lawn and Frank and I pitched of the few sheaves while he was gone and then we took the rack back over the gully. We all turned out for awhile and then Frank finished up and Dad &amp; I put on a load. We got one load on before dinner. This afternoon we hauled three in and left a couple out there. We threw them up on top the alsike. To-night Enah had to go down to choir practice as Topsy asked her to play for her while she is in Toronto so I drove her down. We called for Miss Draton who was waiting for us at the gate of Mrs. Battersby. It was drizzling when we went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down and was raining quite hard when we got home It rained very hard during the night.</p> <p>Saturday August 29th</p> <p>It rained a good part of the morning. Dad. went over to Billy Lewis' as he couldnt do anything else and the old man came over after him last night to see a sick heifer. He stopped in at Shand's on his way home and was there till after noon.They were weighing up all their stock. This after noon Charlie Quanbury came over after him to go and take a last look at their cow. She was better last night and this morning but before dinner took a turn for the worse and is on her last legs. Dad. couldn't imagine what was the matter with her. He got some new veterinary down from Simcoe and he happened to have the inspector with him so they both came down, they said it must be Anthrax the germs of which have come in with a lot of chickens Jack Martin has just bought from some fellow on the other side, but Dad. says he doesn't think it is that because the eggs or whatever it comes from wouldn't have had time to develop yet. He says if it is that, that likely all the cattle on this place will be infected through him and no telling where it will end. I didn't do anything much all day except write part of a letter to Uncle Hal. Tom. Abbot brought Mrs. McBride over after dinner and Frank and I took her down as far as Preston's orchard to-night. We intended driving on down town but just as I cramped the buggy off for Mrs. McBride to get out Joe gave a quick switch around and brought the wheel up against the bed of the buggy and the shaft broke at the curve. It held enough to pull me home but I didn't like to go down town so Frank walked down and got Dad's tobacco. Cloudy and cool all day.</p> <p>Sunday August 30th</p> <p>Dad. and Enah drove down to church this morning after we had fixed a good whipple tree to a good pair of shafts in a poor way. I stayed home to watch Tiddums. We stayed out in the barn for about half an hour and then we came in the house and he chased around till he rooted Dick out of bed. Dick got up and he &amp; I took five pictures of Tiddums. This after noon Dick took the camera and took twelve pictures. Dad. and I drove out to the Shands to get a book of Dad's on sick cows but none of them were home. To-night Enah and I drove down to church. Cloudy and cool but looks clearer.</p> <p>Monday August 31st</p> <p>Dad. plowed this fore noon and opened some ditches out of some of the holes in the cornfield. Frank went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>back and turned over the rest of the oats across the gully. Huby came over a little while before dinner and piled up his duckhide hay. This after noon Dad. and I hauled in the last two loads of oats and Huby helped us unload them. Between loads he fixed up a gate post at the north end of the drivehouse and fixed the fence. Cloudy but fair very hot for awhile this after noon but fresh breeze sprang up later Bill Donald was in to-night to have Dad look at a shoe boil on his {toe?}</p> <p>Tuesday September 1st</p> <p>It was sprinkling this morning when Dad. took the team out but he didn't think it would ammount to much so took the roller out as he wanted to roll down what he has plowed before he puts any manure on it with the spreader. He just nicely got started when a nut broke on the roller and he had to quit, he would have had to anyway for just then it began to pour rain. It rained very hard for awhile but apparently cleared up before dinner but after dinner another cloud came up and we had a short session of the hardest downpour this year. Everything was flooded in no time. I spent the morning in putting another roost in the far chicken pen and enlarging the table underneath. This after noon I made another trap nest or at least started another. Dad. went over to Tupper's this morning to pay him for our road work.</p> <p>Wednesday September 2nd</p> <p>Dad. got a fairly good day in plowing to day although he had a couple of visitors. Young Hawn came in to ask him about a sick cow and a map agent went over and sold him a new map of the Dominion. This morning Frank and I took the brooder and chicken coops out of the chicken yard and I dug up where they were. We then went out to the cornfield and I opened some more ditches from some more holes and Frank started to dig the potatoes in the wet place but he said they were all rotten. This afternoon I cut the lawn, I had quite a time with the lawn mower as the bauls have been worn. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day. To-night Enah and I drove down and got the mail. We got a letter from Aunty bearing the astounding news that Walter is on the verge of getting married. Breezy all day very hot after dinner and looked very much like rain for awhile.</p> <p>Thursday September 3rd</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day again to-day and the flies weren't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>quite so bad. I spent the whole day trimming the edges and digging up the rhubarb bed and also digging a piece in the strip where the currant bushes are. I didn't get much done as my back ached quite a lot from the digging. Frank cut wood and this after noon went down town and got the mail. To-night he has gone down to the moving picture show as Johnny Walker has on a twenty cent show "The Mobilization of the British Army." Cool and windy today. A short shower before tea.</p> <p>Friday September 4th</p> <p>We hauled manure all day to-day and got out 16 loads which just covered the unplowed part of the alsike stubble I spent in between loads cutting a little lawn and choring Frank went down town this morning and this afternoon cut wood. He has a big pile cut which he expects to last till he gets back from Toronto. A Mr. Walker was in this morning and bothered Dad. for awhile showing him a Nature Study chart which he said this school ought to have. Dad. told him the Minister of Education was a goat for putting stuff like Nature Study on the school carricalum but gave his name as one of the trustees in favor of buying a chart. It has been very cold all day and tried to rain this morning. Hattie went to choir practice tonight and the boys printed photographs, they had some very good ones.</p> <p>Saturday September 5th</p> <p>First thing after breakfast Toby, Frank and I went out to put the new bolt in the roller to replace the one that broke and we had a time but at last succeeded. I got the team out there and went at the ploughing Hubert and Quint came over for a little while just before noon but would not stay for dinner as Hubert wanted to go to Charley {Tuples?} and get some weed to send down to Roy. Toby and Frank had to do so many odds and ends preparing for their trip to Toronto. They left here about 3.30 and the whole four of them got off on the 5 O'Clock train, taking a basket of things down to Roy and Vernon. I had to quit the plough at 5 O'Clock and then it was late enough when I had every thing done up. It is terribly lonely I will be glad to see them all back safely. It has been cool all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday September 6th</p> <p>I put in a very lazy day. Hattie had to go to church both morning and evening and baby and I stayed home he was very good all day. I had to do the chores up early in the evening so that Hattie could get off in time. It rained a little in the early morning. I read while baby was asleep when I should have been writing letters.</p> <p>Monday September 7th</p> <p>I was up at 5.15 this A.M. and had nearly all the chores done up by 7. I had to go out to the corn field after the disk and it looked so much like rain I hardly knew whether to go to the field or not but I went and it did not rain but was so cold that I nearly froze but I got over a big piece. Hattie went down town in the afternoon and Lila came home with her to stay all night Hubert was over for a few minutes to tell me that he could not come in the morning as he had to see about the insurance on the Town Hall</p> <p>Tuesday September 8th</p> <p>This has been a most unsatisfactory day I got out fairly early considering I had every thing to do and rolled nearly all I had ploughed by noon. I thought I would have a good afternoon at the plough but just as I was going out after dinner John Quanbury came and wanted me to talk to McMahon he had a report on the blood he sent away from John's cow stating an organism had been found in it that looked suspicious when I got back from talking to him Hattie told me that Charlie Shand had been here to say the three colts were out at their fence so I had to saddle Joe and go after them I had quite a time getting them home and it was too late to go to the field when I got back, in fact it took me all my time to get everything done up before dark Hattie and baby went down town again today It has been very cold all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 9th</p> <p>I have had another upset day, a most trying one. In the first place I did not get up very early. Dick came home about midnight and the dogs woke me up barking at him, we talked for a long time after he came to bed, then I remembered that I had not shut the windmill off and I stayed awake a long time wondering if the wind would get up before daylight, finally I got up and went out and shut it off and then could not get to sleep for ever so long after I went back to bed, so the consequence was when I did go to sleep I did it so properly that I never heard the alarm and slept until 6 O'Clock. I was just ready for breakfast when Jack King drove in to have me fix his old grey mare's teeth, and after getting breakfast doing up all the chores, backing the spreader out of the barn oiling it and hitching up it was 10 O'Clock. I had my fourth load just on when Jim Banister came over to beg me to go to Simcoe with him to argue the case of Lead poisoning against that of Anthrax with Dr McMahon. (Jim said) he would get Jack Martin to take us up in his car if he could, so after dinner Jack, Charlie Jim and I went to Simcoe to find our man in Delhi. I telephoned him and he said he would be in Simcoe in an hour and a quarter so we waited and when he showed up I showed him that in all reason and common sense the animals did not have Anthrax while there was every reason and many symptoms to charge the death to Lead poison. Hubert did not come over today and it was a splendid day to work. Jim said he would be over to help me in the morning so maybe we can get a little caught up. I must write to Walter now. It has been cool all day and from the looks of things there was quite a frost about Simcoe last night. I do hope the frost will keep off for a while yet and give the poor corn a chance for it has not had much of a one so far this Summer.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 10th</p> <p>I got up at daylight this morning and had most of the chores done before breakfast. I was putting the harness on the horses after breakfast when Jim Banister came over and he helped me with the manure till noon. Hubert came over just before dinner and he and I worked all the afternoon. Harry Harding came over about 3 O'Clock and he stayed out with us till we quit work. Hattie went down town and Win came home with her they all stayed to tea and after tea I drove Win home and waited at Allan's corner until the boys came along. Then Harry drove up with me and held Joe while I went in and said goodbye to Miss Battersby, she leaves on Saturday for Brantford. It has been cold all day but much warmer than yesterday. Dick went to the dance at night and I don't know what time he got home.</p> <p>Friday September 11th</p> <p>I was up before it was light this morning It looked very like rain, in fact it did sprinkle several times, Hubert came over about 8 O'Clock and we got a fairly good start, we hauled manure all day but I did not keep account of the loads so I suppose Tobe will go for me. We expect them home tonight but it is now 8.20 and there is no sign of them so I think we will have tea It has been a horrible day, such a strong, cold East Wind, but it was a pretty good day to work.</p> <p>Saturday September 12th</p> <p>We got a horrible disappointment last night the boys did not come. Hattie had killed the fatted calf, which consisted of a boiled ham, (the last one) a fruit cake, baked custard, hot biscuit, fried potatoes and several "Entres" as Mrs McBride would say. We waited tea to give them plenty of time to get home after the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>train came in but there were no boys so we had our tea, Lila had come over to be here to see what old "Sunny Jim" would do when he first saw them but she was fooled too. This morning I wanted to get started for town early but I was just putting the bridle on Belle when Whit Dixon came to see if he could buy Erie and Artful, I asked him $130.00 but he beat me down $5.00, he talked for so long "understand" that it was 10 O'Clock before Lila and I got started, and it was after 11 when Hubert and I got back with the plank for the barn floor. We did not get it quite done before dinner and Alan Law got here with the separator before we were ready for him, but we soon had the floor fixed and he then put the machine in the barn and put his team on our roller and took it home with him. Hubert and I then went at the yard manure again and have the place for the stack cleared. It has been a lovely day though quite a cool East Wind, we are expecting the boys any minute now, 8 O'Clock.</p> <p>Sunday September 13th</p> <p>Well we all got back at last safley last night after a very enjoyable week of it. We went over to Niagara Falls on Thursday, which took a day out of our plans. It was the first time Frank and I had ever seen the Falls but Quint had been there before. We thought they were great. It was also the first time we had ever been in the U.S. We weren't so favorably impressed with it. We came over from Toronto by boat to Lewiston and from there to Niagara Falls by the Gorge Route so weren't on the Canadian Side at all. We were at the Exhibition three times, two theatres, and out at {illegible} besides down town and on several visits so we spent very little time sitting around. Rebecca proved to be a very entertaining person, and very good most of the time. Frank went down to church and Sunday school this morning and Harry Harding came back with him to dinner. I went for a walk back to the gully and around the farm and found it still all there. This after noon Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger to the buggy and took Harry Harding for a long drive. Uncle Ward came over and stayed all the after noon. The Barwell family were in for about a minute. Dick slept all morning and went down to take some pictures with my camera this after noon. It was late when we got through to-night. It has been a lovely day, sunny but not hot.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday September 14th</p> <p>We didn't get out very early this morning. I disked all morning on the alsike stubble and Dad. &amp; Frank hauled rails with Joe &amp; Ginger. Huby and Tiddums cleaned up all the little sticks out of the barnyard with the wheelbarrow which Tiddums calls the auto. He is about the most comical looking thing imaginable now as he wears a little pair of blue overalls which Uncle Hall sent him and is never happy unless working at some thing. This after noon we hauled out eight loads of manure but the field isnt covered yet. Allan Law came over and borrowed the drill and the roller. Another nice cool but sunny day. If things keep on the way they are now it looks as if the war couldn't last much longer. The Germans (what are left of them) seem to be in full flight with the British &amp; French after them and the Russians haven't got started at them yet.</p> <p>Tuesday September 15th</p> <p>We hauled manure all day and got out 16 loads and the field covered. We got through about half past four or five and I disked till six. Huby didn't get over till late this morning a rat stole seven of his little chickens. Quint came over and put in a connection in the two water troughs for us and stayed till after dinner. Frank spent most of the day running messages as we expect to have the threshers here to-morrow morning. It won't take long though to thrash us out. Allan Law brought back our drill and roller. Warmer.</p> <p>Wednesday September 16th</p> <p>We got up early this morning and were getting thing's all prepared to thrash when about seven o'clock Allan Law came over to inform us that they had broken the {illegible} (what ever that is) off the engine and unless they could get one in Dover which was very unlikely they would have to go to Simcoe or telephone to Hamilton. They telephoned to Hamilton so won't be over here till to-morrow. The cream separator wouldn't work this morning. It went all right yesterday morning but last night it bucked and again this morning. They took it all apart both times and washed and could find nothing wrong with it but they couldn't get it to go. However to-night it went beautifully although they hadn't done anything to it. Huby came over good &amp; early and chopped wood all morning and this after noon He and Frank went back to see if they could fix the fence along the woods. They took the shotgun with them. Dad &amp; I worked on the land all day. I disked</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Dad. harrowed on the alsike stubble. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Dave Waddle &amp; a man named Hawkins drove over after dinner and had a little shooting. Sunny quite hot and flies very bad.</p> <p>Thursday September 17th</p> <p>The threshers arrived this morning but didn't get started quite early enough to finish before dinner, but it only took about half an hour after. We only had 145 bushels of oats, of course it was only off one field but we will have to be economical with them to make them last.There were 208 bushels of wheat or about 26 or 7 bushels to the acre, but it was a lovely sample and clean. Sam. Law said it was the best he had thrashed this year. Most of it around here is shrivelled. This afternoon I took the team and went out and disked on the buckwheat ground. The rest stayed up here to clean up around the barn. Dad. said Jonas came over about five o'clock after he had got dressed up from thrashing and he was crying like a baby. He poured forth an awful tale of woe to Dad. &amp; Huby saying that Myers was robbing him. He had just come and taken his canning factory ticket. I suppose Jonas owes Myers everything as he has been hiring men all summer for Jonas, but Jonas doesn't understand it. The flower show is on to-night and Jonas had taken a lot of vegetables down so Dad. told him to forget his troubles and go and take a prize on his onions, so about teatime he came across the fields in great excitement waving his hat and aparently as happy as a king and yelled over to them that he had got three first prizes on his onions and a second on his tomatoes. Enah and I drove down to-night to go to the show and Jonas was there to show us his prizewinning stuff. The also had an orchestra consisting of Sany Lawson, Chris Fairchilds and Frank Mar. George Thompson had his Victrola there. I don't know who was the proudest one there, Jonas, Sandy or George Thompson. Another hot day but cold at night</p> <p>Friday September 18th</p> <p>I disked all day to day on the buckwheat ground I got over the part I didn't get done yesterday lengthways this morning and over most of it crossways this afternoon. We want to sow it tomorrow if we can. Dad. went down this morning and got Sam Law's team Ben &amp; Ned. He told Dad. yesterday he could have them if he wanted them, so Dad. has been plowing all day. He had to quit though about five o'clock as the ground</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was very hard and the shear dull. Frank did chores all morning and put fresh straw in the chicken house. This after noon he &amp; Huby cleaned up enough wheat to sow to-morrow and he harrowed over what Dad plowed when Dad. quit. Huby had to go down and insure Sam Law's furniture &amp; implements &amp; stock this morning. Pretty hot.</p> <p>Saturday September 19th</p> <p>We worked on the land all day and Dad. got the buckwheat stubble drilled and the ditches run out. I finished disking crossways and then hooked on to the harrows. I finished harrowing lengthways by noon and after dinner harrowed it over again after the drill. It was after six by the time Dad. got all the ditches run. I disked over what he plowed yesterday on the alsike stubble before I quit. Huby and Frank cleaned up a lot more wheat. Enah and Tiddums went down this after noon to Miss Battersby's sale but didn't buy anything but a five cent wash tub. She was going to bid on the cook stove but discovered the back was all out of it so didn't get it. It has been very hot again to-day and the flies very bad.</p> <p>Sunday September 20th</p> <p>Frank went to church and Sunday school, and was the sole representative of the family. We got up very late so I spent about half the forenoon doing chores and helping Dad. trim up some of the sheep. Dick and I went down to Quanbury's for a swim just before dinner, we needed one badly enough but the water wasn't as warm as I have felt it. This after noon Dad. Enah and Tiddums went for a drive down the lake shore. Frank went for a ride on his wheel Dick went down town and I fooled around here for awhile and then went down town to Hubys. Tonight I drove Enah down to church. Mr. Johnson was having service in Vittoria so Cousin Willie was in charge of things. He made a much better job of it than Mr. Johnson generally does. There was no service in either of the other churches as the preachers' are all taking their holidays, so we had a few outsiders with us. Lovely day but still pretty warm.</p> <p>Monday September 21st</p> <p>We got a good long day in on the land but the flies have been so bad and it was so hot that we couldn't go very fast. Frank went down and got Sam's team again and Dad. finished plowing. It was so hard that he didn't try to plow the headland along the lane. Frank took the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>team back to-night. They want to use old Ned to-morrow so we won't be able to get them again. Dad. just wanted them till he finished plowing. I disked all day. Huby didn't get over till a little before noon but put in the after noon shovelling out ditches in the buckwheat ground.</p> <p>Tuesday September 22nd</p> <p>It has been very hot all day and the flies are enough to drive horses and men crazy we worked at the wheat ground and had it in fine shape by 3 P.M. and got the seed and drill out and several rounds by 4 O'Clock. Toby worked with me to help keep the drill from cloging with grass roots and it kept him busy in places we worked as long as we could see and got more than half the field in, but we Just got the drill and wagon put safely in and the horses in the barn when it began to sprinkle it has not rained very much yet, though there have been several sharp showers. I do hope it wont rain much till we get the field finished. Hattie and Tobe are printing photographs of the baby tonight. We got some great pictures. There were two fires to-night north.</p> <p>Wednesday September 23rd</p> <p>Although it rained pretty hard before we went to bed last night. It didnt rain much more and as a breeze sprang up soon after Dad. thought we might get the rest of the field in after all so we got up pretty early it began to rain again however just about seven and has kept it up off and on all day and shows no signs of letting up to-night. It is also quite a bit cooler. I read all morning and Frank &amp; Dad. worked around the house. This after noon I did a few chores and then started to fix a drawer so as to fit under one of the shelves in the pantry. Huby came over at noon and worked at flooring the old corn crib till about four when Dad. &amp; Frank drove down in the waggon to get some plank to rig up a pig pen in the barn and Huby went down with them. We also put rings in the pig's noses this morning. Three of the British cruisers are sunk</p> <p>Thursday September 24th</p> <p>We didn't get around very early this morning and Dad &amp; Frank worked till noon penning off the bay in the barn with the plankk they got yesterday. Huby helped them after he come. I spent most of the morning in the shop</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>experimenting with the old moulding planes which were in the tool chest. They work far better than I thought. After dinner we took seven of the biggest pigs out of the pen and put them over in the barn in the pen they made this morning. Dad. &amp; I each took a front leg and Huby took the hind legs and we just carried them that way They were just about all we could handle too. We rubbed each one with crude oil before putting them in as the lice were rather thick on them. Frank and Tiddums watched the caught ones while we were after another. Tiddums was a little afraid when they squealed but very much interested. Dick came over post haste after dinner to inform us that Vernon &amp; Rebecca came up to the Woodson's to-day, so Enah went over to see them. Vernon brought the baby up as she hasn't been able to eat or sleep well lately. They are going to be here till after Thanksgiving. Dad. spent the rest of the afternoon in fixing the pig pen so the four left could roost upstairs instead of the other half so as the old sow could use it. Huby &amp; Frank fanned wheat and I cut lawn. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Enah went down to "Pinafore" practice to-night &amp; Frank to confirmation class. It was cloudy most of the day &amp; cold, but we thought clear, but to-night it is very black &amp; sprinkling.</p> <p>Friday September 25th</p> <p>Huby and Quint came over this morning. Quint went back to the woods with his gun but I guess didn't get anything much Huby and Frank cleaned up more wheat. Dad. &amp; I put the drawer, we got fixed, on the pantry shelf for Enah and then we went to fix the hog pen some way diffrent and I dug a little more out at the side of the house. This after noon Dad. &amp; I finished drilling the alsike stubble, much to our surprise we found it drilled better that it did on Tuesday, and I think it will come on all right. Huby sawed wood nearly all the after noon and Frank &amp; Quint got the vise nearly ready to put on the bench Quint has made a beautiful job of it. There was a great old piece of oak out there which he used for one side and he is going to put a piece of iron on the bench for the other. Old Walker was over this morning to collect a little for his {wire?} and Mrs. Jack Martin came over to invite Dad. &amp; Enah to go to Simcoe with them to-night to a patriotic concert. They accepted and so Frank &amp; I are left alone to keep house which we have managed to do without waking up Tid. Win was over to tea. It has been pretty cool all day.</p> <p>Saturday September 26th</p> <p>Dad. went out this morning and harrowed over the sand knoll</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>which didnt cover very well. This after noon he ran the furrows and crossditches. Vernon brought Rebecca over this morning but they didn't stay very long. Tiddums tried his best to make friends with Rebecca but she wouldn't have anything whatever to do with him. Lila was over and we took Rebecca &amp; Tiddums out to show them the animals. Tid explained everything too her but she turned a deaf ear to him. Betty came over with Huby and Quint and went back with Vernon, who said if the roads didn't get better she couldn't bring the baby carriage over again. She started twice yesterday but couldnt make it. She didn't know about coming through Martin's. Lila went down to the Ryersies and spent the day. This after noon Huby, Quint, Frank, Billy Barwell and I went back to the woods. They had their guns but didn't shoot anything much. Quint shot a bittern which Frank brought home to eat and also a crow. Huby and I went over to John Wes's to take a look at his corn horse and he told us to take it home and use it as he has no corn to cut this year. He isn't through seeding yet. He and old Robert John were harrowing on a six acre field which if the weather permits he wants to get in on Monday. When we got back we fixed up the gap from the alsike field into the gully. Dad. was still running out furrows and Harry Harding was with him. He has to go back West on Wednesday although his mother isn't much better. Val. Laney came over this after noon to see Dad about something so as there wasn't much for Huby to do, he Quint Lila and Billy all jumped on Val's dray and rode home. I dug a little more before it was time to do chores. Enah took in the sale of Winkey Smith's stuff this after noon but the stove was too small for what she wanted, but Cousin Bessy told her that they had one for sale and wants Dad. to take a look at it. She bought a set of bedsprings. Frank and I drove down to-night as I needed a haircut and Frank had to get some groceries. We went around to Smith's to get the bedsprings but they weren't there so Effie told us that some fellow that lives in the brick house way up St. Patrick St. must have them as he had sent word that he had a set delivered to him which he didn't buy so Frank and I went up there and found the springs on the veranda and as there was no one home left word with the neighbour and carried them down to Huby's and put them in the woodshed. It was pretty late when we got home. Dick got home soon after with "Larned's History of the World" in five volumes &amp; a dandy big war map all of which he got for $1.98 and some cupons out of a newspaper. We got a letter last night from Aunty saying they all hoped to be home here about the end of October. It has been pretty sunny but a cold wind all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday September 27th</p> <p>Frank went to Sunday school and church this morning and Dad. &amp; Enah drove down to church as it was Harvest Home and communion, I stayed home to look after Tiddums and had my hands full too after he got up. It was late when they got home as they went around to Cousin Bessy's to see the stove. They are satisfied with it and are going to bring it over and try it before they set on a price. This after noon Dad. put up the box stove in the hall as we were about frozen. Vernon. Rebecca and Betty were all over again this after noon. Dick went down town and Frank went back to the gully. Winnie came over too and stayed to tea. I walked down with her and went to church to-night. It was Harvest Home and we had saved a lot of nice wheat for their decorations and told Mr. Johnson about it, but he either forgot it or was too lazy to come after it so the pigs will get it. I went in to Huby's for awhile after church. Quint expects to go to Jarvis to-morrow to pick apples. Cold wind all day. It froze the night before las and looks &amp; feels as if it would go again to-night.</p> <p>Monday September 28th</p> <p>We got started as soon as possible down town this morning in the waggon to get the stove at Cousin Bessy's. Frank, Dad. &amp; I went down, we picked Huby up on the way and called around for Harry Harding, but he didn't seem to be home, so we took Dave Waddle who happened along instead. Bert Matthews was up there mixing mortar so we had lots of help. The stove seemed to be pretty badly cracked up but we brought it over. We had to stop in at Joe Howell's and get him to fix a piece of the base. We went around by Huby's and got the springs Enah bought at the sale. By the time we got home &amp; unloaded it was nearly noon. This after noon after we did a few odd jobs Frank and I started to cut corn. It was getting on to three when we started and we worked till a little after six but we got 20 shocks cut. It seems to be a little green yet and I had a lot of trouble getting bands that wouldn't break. Huby cleaned out ditches in the alsike stubble &amp; Dad. finished plowing out the ditches and started to plow the headland which was too hard before. There was quite a frost last night but it didnt seem to hurt anything. Quint left for Jarvis this morning to pick apples. Not so cold to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday September 29th</p> <p>Dad. got out good and early this morning and finished plowing the headland, he also rolled it, harrowed it and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>drilled it, he says it will need rolling and harrowing again. The wheat on the buckwheat ground is up nicely now Frank and I got out about nine o'clock and finished cutting the row there were 13 more shocks in it. We didn't begin another as we didn't know whether it is quite ripe enough yet or not and thought we would leave it a day or two to see if more of it isn't glazed. We started to pull the two rows of beans then Frank got his row done by noon but I only got about half of mine done, however Frank finished it after dinner. This after noon Dad. Enah &amp; Tiddums lit out for Simcoe. Enah went up to attend the Deanery meeting and she stayed to come down by train to-night. Dad. brought Tid. home had his tea and has driven down again to Pinafore practice where he is to meet Enah. They have left Frank &amp; me in charge again with Tiddums asleep. We have just finished washing the dishes, Huby didn't come over till noon and he Frank and I hauled rails this afternoon, we only got up two loads as we had a few visitors Charlie Shand came in just after Dad left with his old dog who has a lump on its jaw about the size of a baseball. I told him to leave it till Dad came home and come after it to-night but when Dad. came home the old dog wouldn't let him touch him, however Mr Shand came in before tea and between them they managed to tie his mouth so that Dad. could jab his knife into it but I guess it didn't do much good so Mr. Shand took him home. To-night is the first night that Tiddums has waked up under Frank's &amp; my care but to-night he not only woke up and stayed awake but he howled as long &amp; loud as he could for "Daddy &amp; Momma. We tried several ways to pacify him and at last showed him his book and told him we would take him out and show him Tige, but Tige wasn't in the woodshed and it was took cold to take him outside. We then showed him Eaton's catalogue which has a picture of a marmit which Tid. calls Daddy. That pleased him for awhile and then we induced him to go into his carriage. Frank jiggled the carriage and I crouched in front of it to jump at him and keep in a good humor. The trouble with that was he got in such a good humor that he wouldnt go to sleep so I just jumped up when he showed signs of crying but I had to stay crouched in front on my hands &amp; knees where he couldnt see me as I was afraid if he saw me go way he would commence. However we were releived before very long by the folks arrival home. Cold to-night sunny all day.</p> <p>Wednesday September 30th</p> <p>Dad. went down to see Harry Harding off this morning and brought Huby back with him. He went around to see if he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>could get old Maneer to come and fix the shed but the old coon wasn't home and whent Frank went down at noon they told him that "Pa was going to pick apples in the mornng" and so I suppose we can't get him. Frank and I milked and I had an awful time trying to milk John as her teats are so short. Heny Odd came over to see if he could borrow our hay rack. I told him he could and after breakfast we had to help him put off the load of oats which was on it. Whit Dixon &amp; Mr. Morgan were in on a little visit and Frank and I didn't get out till about {ink blot hiding writing} o'clock but we got twenty shocks cut before dinner. This afternoon we cut thirty more so got in a pretty fair day. Dad. spent most of the day fixing the well as the weight broke off the chain and he had to fish for it with grappling irons. Huby cut wood and helped him most of the after noon. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day. Nice day.</p> <p>Thursday October 1st</p> <p>Frank and I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well. Dad. came out for a few minutes and helped us with two or three shocks. Huby didn't get over till late and when he came he and Dad tended to a little dog which Tom Abbot brought here for vetinary treatment. This after noon Dad. Frank and I all went down to the Rural School Fair in the pavillion under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. We thought it was fine. The exhibits consisted of poultry all Plymouth Rocks from eggs given to the schoolchildren, apples, corn, grain, potatoes and tomatoes. The boys showed samples of carpentry work which consisted chiefly of milk stools and hammer handles. The first prize milk stool which was made by Willie Nixon and hammer handle were beautifully made while the poorest ones looked as if the only tools employed in their manufacture had been an axe &amp; a jack knife. The girls showed cookery &amp; needlework which looked to me to be just as good as {ink blot hiding writing} could do. Winnie Wadle got first prize on her sewing. They also had collections of bags &amp; butterflys and also drawings &amp; compositions. I went down partly to see Mr. Wilson the District Representative but there was such a crowd there that I didn't get a chance. I wanted to ask him about his {baby?} beef competition. Huby spent the afternoon back in the gully putting in barricades for some little trees which we hope to plant next spring. To-night Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting. I guess they didn't do much but annoy old Stringer. There was also a Pinnafore practice, part of which Dad. took in, Frank went down to confirmation class. Weather has been very much the same. The days are sunny and nice but the nighs are very cold and as a rule there is a touch of frost.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 2nd</p> <p>Frank and I cut corn all day but didn't get on quite so fast for some reason. We had to take the horse up at noon and Frank put a new piece in its tail. We cut over as far as the potato patch and cut all the corn south of the potato patch so we are quite a bit more than half done the field. Huby and Dad. hauled manure all day on the oat stubble and to-night they have all the old faile which was under the alsike stack cleaned up. I walked down town to-night to get the mail I {ink blot but writing can be read under it} hung around up town for awhile and then went down to Hubys for another awhile. When I got home they told me my face was dirty. The above blot was caused by my lapsing into a dormant condition with my fountain pen in my hand and on awaking rubbing agains a big drop of ink which had run from the pen.</p> <p>Saturday October 3rd</p> <p>Frank and I cut corn all morning and got on fairly well. Huby and Dad. hauled manure. This after noon Frank went down to Will Bush's sale to bid on some apple crates but they went to high. Tom Abbot said you could have bought them full of apples for the same price anywhere else, eleven cents apiece I think. I didn't like to cut corn without Frank so Dad. Huby and I to say nothing of Tiddums who was least but not last in the game caught all the sheep and marked the ewes at least the old ones and trimmed them and as we had no place to dip them we mixed up a solution of genoleum and poured it down the middle of their backs from a beer bottle. We parted the wool and the stuff ran pretty well all over their bodies as it didn't soak in to the wool at all. These operations took up all the after noon. I drove Huby down to-night and got some provisions. It has been a very nice day and a lovely night.</p> <p>Sunday October 4th</p> <p>Enah and I drove down to church this morning. Frank went down to church and Sunday school and went down to Huby's for dinner and they all went up creek this afternoon after butternuts. Vernon and Rebecca came over to Martin's fence just after we got through dinner and Vernon wanted Dad. &amp; Enah to go down to the Woodson's this afternoon to see them as Mrs. Woodson got a little sore about them not coming. She also wanted Enah to formally invite her over here on Friday as Mrs. Woodson didn't like the idea of her coming without. Dad. Enah and Tiddums got all ready to go when Mr. &amp; Mrs. W.J. Thompson came in. They didn't stay very long so they went down Woodson's but Enah neglected</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to invite Vernon as she wanted her to do so I don't know how it will pan out. I sat around and read and wrote to Aunty till it was time to do chores and fooled with the guitar all evening. It has been another lovely day. Quint came home last night and isn't going back right away to pick</p> <p>Monday October 5th</p> <p>Frank and I cut corn again all day and by to-night only had twentyone more shocks to cut. Huby and Dad. hauled manure all the after noon. Huby didn't get over till late and they had to fix the spreader a little this morning. The axle had slipped out of place. Misner the livery stable man was over this morning to get his horses teeth filed and Tupper came over after dinner to get Dad. to go over and look at his Clyde mare but as Dad. was all booked up he said he would wait till morning. Tupper was telling us a great way to cut short clover seed like ours in this year. He says if we cut it with the mower we can never gather it up with the rake but he says if we take the table canvas off the binder and set the reel low we can just take the heads off and when we get the table full we can rake them off. He was also talkin about tile drains. Bill told us there was no use trying to drain clay land with tile as the water wont go through it, but Tupper says that is only blue clay. This red clay he says is the best land for tile as they don't fill up like they do in the sand but it takes a year or two to get all the little pores and channels in the soil running to the tile established. The longer they are in the better they work. It has been much milder to-day and looks as if it might rain soon. Enah and Tiddums went down town this afternoon.</p> <p>Tuesday October 6th</p> <p>Frank and I finished cutting the corn about eleven o'clock amidst great rejoicings on our part. Quint came over this morning and told us Huby was doing insurance work for Ed Moon. He was to have come at noon but didn't appear. Dad. had to go over and see Tupper's mare so Quint rode over with him. When they got back Quint helped him pitch on three or four loads of manure. This afternoon Dad. &amp; I hauled manure and made quite a hole in the pile but neglected to keep track. Between loads I swept off the floor of the loft above the hog pen and moved all the old boxes &amp; coops that I had hens with chickens under up there and to-night Dad. helped me get the brooder up. Tiddums was out with us and would get right where if the brooder ever slipped it would fall on him and Dad. stepped on a hen that was roosting up there and when it squacked it scared poor Tiddums and he more than howled. The latest addition to his vocabulary is hammer pronounced</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>hamoure and ice, he saw Dad. cracking ice with the hammer the other day and has been commenting on the action ever since. He is also developing the typical and aparently inborn desire of young ones to play with the hammer. Frank found him in the chicken yard with it to-night but luckily he had not attacked the bee hive. Frank and Quint went for a tramp with the gun this after noon and got a lot of chestnuts I suppose at Charlie McQueens. The Jim Waddle family were in about five o'clock and as we hadn't got the mail yet, it was news when he told of a big snow storm out west two feet of snow in Calgary and McCloud and $35,000 worth of property destroyed in the shape of {garages?}. It has been much cooler and cloudy all day with rain but not much to-night. The wheat needs rain badly as it hasn't come up yet in the hard spots and on the headland which Dad. plowed last.</p> <p>Wednesday October 7th</p> <p>We hauled manure all day and to-night got the yard all cleaned up and the field a little more than covered. It is the first time we have had the yard cleaned right up since we have been here. Huby didnt come over till noon and then he brought Jimmy Rankin with him who proved very entertaining. Lila came over after school to stay all night but changed her mind when Huby went home and went with him. Alfred paid us a short visit this morning and also three dollars. Dad. bought a couple of roosters from him to kill for Thanksgiving as ours are not big enough so Frank went down and got them this after noon. This morning he took a walk down the road to see if he could see Hubys old turkey hen but Mr. Johnson picked him up by Art. Ryersie's and took him for a long ride down mud street and up the lake shore in his automobile. Frank didn't see the turkey hen but Mrs. Law told him it roosted right near their door every night and fed with the chicken in the mornings. Enah and Tiddums went down to the Woodson's this afternoon and Enah invited Vernon over here on Friday. Frank has been making arrangemens with Jonas to get Nellie to-morrow as he and Quint want to go after nuts. Poor old Jonas is having a bad time again with his "gitneys" and can't work very hard. It has been sunny and nice all day flies are bad.</p> <p>Thursday October 8th</p> <p>Frank got started this morning about half past seven with Nellie and the democrat to call for Quint and go after nuts. Lila went with them. Frank expected to get back soon after dinner, but they went all the way to Billington's after hazelnuts and didn't get back till after six. They got lots</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of wallnuts, chestnuts and hazelnuts but hardly any butternuts or hickory nuts. About nine or a little after Dad and I got started in the waggon for Vittoria. We took the old ram home to Dunkin's and intended bringing the other one back. We also expected to be back by dinnertime but it was noon when we got there. Neither of the Dunkin's were home and the hired Englishman didn't know any more about anything than a hole in a stump. Mrs. Dunkin told us that Mr. Dunkin expected to be back by one, so Dad. and I hung around the barn for about an hour and a half. Dad. took a walk back the lane and saw the ewes and then I took a walk back and saw the two rams the old one and a lamb which I thought was a little beauty. There were three chestnut trees back there just loaded and the burrs were wide open so we got our pockets full of nuts. When I got up to the house Dad. had put the team in and was in the house having dinner so I went in, while we were eating Percy came home he had driven his sister to Simcoe to the teacher's convention. Dunkin himself was off performing bailiff's duties. Percy was rather provoked that no apples were picked as he evidently packs for the association up there and if they didn't get theirs packed to-day he wouldn't be able to do it. A Mr. Sharp came in to borrow their waggon to haul buckwheat but he said he would help pick apples till they got them picked but as he was anxious to get his buckwheat loaded before the dew fell Dad. told him that we could help pick till Dunkin came home. We just got out when Dunkin came so Dad. didn't pick very long only till Dunkin got his dinner. He didn't like to let us have the old ram unless we bought him as there was another fellow who was thinking of buying him and he would want him right away so of course he didn't want to lose the sale of him but Dunkin said we could have the lamb for twelve dollars and as he was a beauty way better than the old one we thought we would take him. I picked apples till they went back the lane got the ram brought him up and loaded him then about four o'clock Dad. and I got started for home. Dunkin gave me a watermelon just as I left. We would have been home about six but as we came past her place Mrs. Harry Moon hailed us and asked us to go down and see Jack Walker. He had been after Dad. all day to see one of his horses. We went down and found it was old Joe who had been sick since last night. Dad. was put out at him for not sending to Simcoe for someone instead of waiting so long but brought him home with us and turned him out and to-night gave him a ball. When we got home we found Enah and Huby beginning to get alarmed that none of the family had showed up. When they saw us coming up the road with</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>old Joe they thought Nellie had run away and we were leading her home. I guess poor old Nellie has forgotten long since how to run away but they thought something must have happened. However Frank got home about half an hour later and said everything was all right and after his little calling {illegible} recounted all his adventures. He had been in at Dunkin's just after we left and they gave him a lot of watermelons. Huby and Jimmy Rankin who has been over here all day affording endless amusement for Huby spent the day digging post holes in the gully and putting in rails for barricades of little trees. Dad. and I met the little tyke just in front of Martins tugging for all he was worth at Bluch who he had on a rope. Dad. asked him what he was going to do with him and Jimmy said he was going to bring him back in the morning. Dad thought he said back to the farm so told him to just let him go and he would follow. Jimmy had no difficulty in letting him go as Bluch recognised us and the team was just about pulling Jimmy with him. When we got home they told us that Jimmy had asked Enah if couldn't take Bluch home and bring him back in the morning and she told him he had better ask Huby so he went out and told Huby that Enah said it would be alright and he lit out with him. Eliza McBride was here washing this morning. Enah said about noon a couple of automobiles went past here so fast they couldn't count the people in them and Eliza surmised that it was Bessy Perry and Pat who were to have been married to-day. It has been a lovely day but hot looks rainy.</p> <p>Friday October 9th</p> <p>It rained quite a shower last night so we didn't do much to-day. Huby came over and went out and dug a bushel of potatoes for himself and then he and Dad. hauled up a few cornstalks in the waggon box to husk in the barn for the pigs. I started to make a rough plan of a signboard which we intend to tack on the corner out here stating that we have rams lambs for sale. I then went over and took a look at Jack Martin's big new chicken house which Art. Quanbury and Joe Fields are building. I wanted to see what kind of stuff they were using so that I would know what to get for my shed which I hope to build soon. Art. said Jack got a lot of siding that he didn't need and he thought I could get it from him. The rest of the building is all hemlock. This after noon Dad. and I figured out how much stuff I needed and we were going down town to haul it but it began to rain so didn't go. Dad. went down town later in the buggy and got the mail. He then got Vernon and Rebecca and brought them over. To-night we went down to meet Roy. I didn't wait at the station to see him but went up town for awhile to see Marj.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Clarke as I heard she was here. She came down to help Bessy get married. I stopped in at the bank on my way home and got my camera which Dick had. I then went down to Huby's and borrowed his boots to walk home in but it as it had rained quite a lot and looked as if it would rain quite a lot more. It proved to be an unnessary precaution however as Allan Law overtook me on Marshall's hill and drove me right around to the lane. They were all up when I got home. Cloudy wet and cold all day.</p> <p>Saturday October 10th</p> <p>As soon as we could get started this morning which was anything but early, we took the lumber waggon down and got a load of stuff from old Tommy to build the henhouse. It was mostly two by four hemlock for the frame and some cheap pine boards for sheeting. We brought Huby and Win over with us. Cousin Clare walked over so we had quite a dinner party. This after noon I took Joe and the buggy and went down and got Marj. to go for a drive in quest of chestnuts. We got up above Port Ryersie when it commenced to thunder, we thought it was a long way off and didn't pay much attention to it. We got up a little farther and found two or three trees loaded with chestnuts and the burs wide open so I got up one of the trees and although I could see it very black in the west I stayed till I shook off all the nuts. Marj. gathered them as fast as she could and I had got down and picked up a handfull or two when it commenced to rain. We hiked for the buggy but before I had the side curtains half on I was drenched. We drove as fast as possible up the road to the next house but the rain beat right in on us. However we managed to get under a driveway which leaked about as bad as the sky but there was no wind so Joe was content to stay there and we hiked for the house which belonged to the Mr. {Taar?}, who married Miss Dixon We waited there till the worst of the storm died down but as it didn't look as if it was going to stop altogether, we lit out for home which we reached soon after five. We didn't get nearly as many nuts as we might have but we had a very enjoyable experience. I don't know exactly what happened around here but I don't think anything in particular Roy and Vernon started for up the creek but the rain prevented them.</p> <p>Sunday October 11th</p> <p>We didn't do anything much this morning but sit around the house. Frank went to church and Sunday school. Roy &amp; Enah said they were going to church but it was about eleven before they started to get ready. Mrs. Woodson and Betty came</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over and took Vernon and Rebecca down to see Miss. Dick spent the morning in bed and Dad. cleaned chickens. I went back to the gully and got Nellie for them to drive to church but when they decided not to go Dick took her and went down and brought Aunty Maude over to dinner. He then went and got Vernon who had been waiting at the Woodson's expecting them to go past to church. Then he and Dad. went down to the Lane's after the butter. Lila and Win. came over to dinner. This after noon I took five snapshots of the two babies together but I don't know whether they will be very successful as the sun wasn't very bright. Roy and Vernon went back the lane and then down to Mrs. Woodson's for tea. Dad. wrote to Aunty and then drove Aunty Maude home. I didn't do anything much but went down to church to-night. It has been sunny but windy and cool all day.</p> <p>Monday October 12th</p> <p>Frank got up this morning about five o'clock as he Quint &amp; Lila figured on making another nutting trip up to Billington's. He had to feed old Nellie and take her down to Jonas' to hook her to the democrat. I thought I might as well get up and ride down town with him. It was just seven o'clock when we got down there and I took a walk around by the station and found that Marj. was leaving so I said goodbye to her. I came up around by town and found Joe and Fatty Turner sitting on Anderson's steps waiting for the complement of their different parties to put in an appearance. They both had hunting coats on but Fatty only was armed with a shotgun. He was waiting for Billy Smith. Art. Smith evidently was expected but Fatty found him in bed when he called for him. Joe was very impatient as Hazel had promised to meet him at seven o'clock to go after chestnuts but hadn't showed up. He walked over as far as Hussy's corner with me grouching all the way. Huby came over but we didn't do much all day. Huby battoned up one of the doorways leading from the shop into the ice house and we expect to put some shelves in. We also got it figured out about where we want our henhouse lined to. Dick. and Dad. went back this morning and drove the cattle out of the back field and Dick went over to the woods where he says he saw a black squirrel. This being Thanksgiving day Dick had a holiday but had to go down and put the mail through or something. This banking is a dandy job alright. We had a late dinner and Roy and Vernon had to leave soon after for the station. Enah went down later to see them off and Huby, Tiddums, Dad. and I spent the remainder of the after noon separating the ewe lambs from the old ones. We put them in the field back of the orchard but the orchard fence was so bad</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we were afraid they might break through so we took one of the rolls of wire which we got from old Walker and strung it along the inside of the orchard fence. Cold and raw day. The boys and Lila got lots of wallnuts but someone had picked most of the chestnuts.</p> <p>Tuesday October 13th</p> <p>It was rainy and cold this morning so we didn't get much done I sat around and read half the forenoon and then made a board to paint "Rams for sale" on. Alex. Jameson was in to look at them but he thought ten dollars too much to pay so Dad. didn't bother trying to sell him one Huby didn't come over till noon. Frank fixed up a lot of the old crates around the place so they would hold apples. Dad. husked corn out in the barn. This after noon we nailed the door on the west end of the big barn which blew off last winter. This was the first day of the Simcoe Fair and has been anything but nice weather.</p> <p>Wednesday October 14th</p> <p>Dad. went over to Uncle Ward's this morning to see if he could get him to put up a barrell of Spies as Aunty Alice wanted him to send a barrell out to Mr. Shera. Uncle Ward couldn't let him have them but he saw Art Quanbury on his way home and he told him they would put up the apples if he could get a barrell so Frank inquired at Bagley &amp; Miller's and found he could get a sugar barrell &amp; an oatmeal and as we want one to ship Roy's apples in, we are all fixed. I went over to Martin's and borrowed Art Quanbury's spirit level and Chris. asked Jack if he would sell the lumber that he got too much off and he said he would. When I got home I gave my signboard a coat of paint. Huby came over before Dad. came back and when he did we levelled up the two chicken houses and they look much better. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and went out and hauled in five or six more shocks of unhusked corn. Huby stayed out and husked all the after noon. When Frank came home and shelled some hickory nuts he helped him. Dad. and I went over to Jack Martin's and got our lumber and piled it up over the old house. We then went out and got a load of rails. Tiddums went with us out there but didn't enjoy himself much as he couldn't sit on the seat while we were putting on the load. When we got them unloaded Dad. went out and got Huby with all the corn he had husked which was about four bushels. The five ewe lambs got out of their field to-day and got in with the rest of the bunch then they all got in on the wheat and couldn't be kept off. Mrs. McBride was here all day washing. I went down town after tea and got my films which weren't too bad. I called around by Huby's for a little while. The pesky German's seem to have had a little stroke of luck lately. They now have Antwerp and just about all of Belgium. Much milder to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday October 15th</p> <p>Dad. and I had intended going to Simcoe to-day to take in the last day of the fair but it looked so much like rain we didn't start and about nine o'clock it began to drizzle and kept it up all morning and was cloudy all the after noon. This morning I put another roost in the middle hen house so that I will have room enough to accomodate all the cockerels. Dad I think husked corn and Frank shelled nuts and cleaned some fish which Huby sent over last night. He didn't come over all day. This after noon we drove all the sheep in the barn and separated the five ewe lambs and left them in the barn for to-night as they had been in on the wheat and one looked a little bloated. About half past four Dad. hooked up and drove Enah and Tiddums down town to get the mail and some other things. Frank went back to the gully and I dug a little more in the patch at the side of the house. Frank attended confirmation class to-night. Dad. helped me and we got all the cockerels we could pick out.</p> <p>Friday October 16th</p> <p>It rained quite a lot last night and was rainy looking and muddy this morning so I drove Dick down to work. It drizzled most of the day so we couldn't do much outside. This morning we put ear labels in the nine lambs as we got a bunch yesterday from Hamilton. We had quite a time of it as it was hard to keep the inner &amp; outer skin of the ear opposite after the incision was made but Dad. got the harness punch and his nicking knife and we managed to get them all decorated. After that I spent most of the day making the letters on the signboard. I didn't have any paint but I marked them all out. Dad. &amp; Frank cleaned up the barn floor and Huby came over this after noon and they all cleaned up wheat. About five o'clock I drove Huby down and got the mail. I practiced on the guitar and drew to-night. Tiddums was sick after they went to bed to-night.</p> <p>Saturday October 17th</p> <p>I spent nearly all the morning painting my sign.I did it with just lampblack, boiled oil and turpentine and don't know whether it will prove satisfactory or not. Dad. and Frank took what wheat there was sacked up down to the mill and out of seventeen bags six of which were big ones they had 38 bushels and twenty odd lbs. and got $1.05 for it. Lila came over this morning but Huby didn't get over till noon. He is helping Aunty Maude houseclean. He Dad and I just got nicely started to clean up some more wheat when Bill Donald came in with the information that the gully fence along the road was flat and that all the cattle were out. He had driven them up this way so we just turned them into the barnyard. He said they had</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>been in Sam Law's wheat but Allan didn't know whose they were which seemed rather queer. Bill recognised them. The six calves Harry Dyer's cow and Jonas' heifer weren't with the bunch and I had to go over and head them into the gully from the road. I saw Charlie Quanbury just going out to his farm. He has bought Billy Louis' place this side of Shand's Schoolhouse and is going to raise truck. Dad. and Huby came back the lane with the shovel and some a posts and we got some more which we knew were in the woods and repaired the fence as well as possible by putting posts down about a foot and wiring the old broken off posts to them. Joe Fields came over this morning and borrowed their post auger again so we had to rely on the shovel to perform our operations and it was not very satisfactory. The gate was badly smashed too where they had run through. Somebody I suppose hunters take the wire off the gate and don't bother fixing it again so Dad. fixed it up and wired it solid this time. It was five o'clock when we got up but they fanned wheat for about half an hour. To-night Frank and I printed the pictures I took of the two babies on Sunday some of them were pretty good. Mrs. McBride was here cleaning to-day. Poor old Tid. had a pretty rough night of it last night. He was sick a lot and feels pretty tough to-day. Frank went down with Jonas this afternoon and got a couple of barrels at Bagley &amp; Miller's to pack apples in. It has been a lovely day to-day.</p> <p>Sunday October 18th</p> <p>This being Frank's birthday, he stayed home from Sunday school pricipally though because there wasn't any, this being children's day at church. Frank went to church and to his credit be it said he was the only member of the family who attended all day unless Dick went to-night. I sat around and read most of the morning. This after noon Dad. put the saddle on Joe for me and I had a very enjoyable ride out to see Pud. Smythe. He invited me to go to Simcoe to-morrow night to make inquiries about joining a Captain Simpson's company of the 39th. and I think I will go if I can as he says it is not composed of quite the same class of fellows as the other companys which I guess are pretty tough. If the rules are not too strict and the obligations too great I think I will join, as the Norfolk Rifles belongs to the department of Malitia and defence they wont have to be called out of Canada and if they are ever needed here I would want to be there anyway and so I might as well have a little training. Winnie was over for a little while this after noon and Tiddums was much better. It has been cloudy and cool all day inclined to drizzle this morning</p> <p>Monday October 19th</p> <p>First thing after breakfast I put the saddle on Joe and rode her down to be shod. Whit Dixon came in before I left and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>took the Artful Dodger. Sam Jacques also came over to talk "Pinnafore" to Dad. Their books have come but it seems some English theatre has a royalty on them and won't alow it to be played in public, however I guess they are going on with it just the same. It was getting on to noon when I got home with Joe and I brought the whipple tree off the buggy home with me but when I got here discovered I had lost the little device off it I never dreampt of it coming off as we couldn't take it off when we tried. I had to walk all the way back to look for it. Chris. Quanbury joined me as far as his place and when I got to the bottom of the hill Carl Sovereign plodded up the middle of the road with me. I got all the way to Joe Howell's shop and found it about two feet away from where I started. This afternoon we cleaned up the rest of the wheat Dad. had taken one load down and had on I think 48 bus {bushels} and the last load had on 30 something I went down with him the last load and it was half past five when we got home, so I had to get ready. Dick came home just before six and he went up with me to Simcoe. We called in at Smythe's and left Joe there with and drove the rest of the way with Pud's old skate it took us about an hour to get to Simcoe. Pud and I went to the Armories but Dick went over to town and knocked around till we went home. We didn't sign up at all but fell in line with a bunch of beginners and had a little drill and the captain (which is the same fellow who brought his dead dog over here last summer) told us that we could come up as often as we liked and drill and we would be under no obligation till we signed up to go to camp for three years but we didn't have to do that till next June. He said they were going to fix a shooting gallery up in the Armories and also their rifle ranges down by their track and so soon would be having rifle practice. We left Simcoe at ten o'clock but it was twelve when Dick and I got home. Louise came down to-day and is going to stay awhile. Very nice day but a very heavy fog to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday October 20th</p> <p>It was six o'clock before I woke up this morning and then Dad. woke me He wanted to get off to Toronto but thought he wasn't going to make it at that time. But we persuaded him to shave and and I hiked out and hooked Joe up and by not eating anything he managed to get down in time to catch the train. Huby was down at the train but Dad. got right on to see what damage - a jar of cream had done - as we saw some of it on the robe and the bottom of the buggy so didn't see Huby. I drove around to the house and got him on there and brought him over. Frank and I spent most of the morning doing chores but Huby husked corn. We went out and helped him when we got through. Alex Jamison came in again to see about a ram and as Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>wasn't here to beat down he gave us ten dollars and took old Greynose's lamb so we can now rub it into Dad. who seemed to think farm operations would come to a standstill if he left for half an hour but he couldn't sell old Alex a sheep when he was here before. Another fellow was in to-night to inquire about them but he didn't care about them being purebred and so didn't want to pay so much. Frank told him they could be registered but he said quite solemnly that it wouldn't do him any good if they were red breasted. We didn't know who he was. This after noon Frank hooked up Nellie and Enah Louise and Tiddums went for a drive. Huby and Frank picked apples for Roy while I gave my sign another coat of paint and then I helped them fill the barrel. We got some beautiful Seeps &amp; Spys and a few Canada Reds and what were left of the 20 oz Pippins. It was six o'clock before we we got the barrel filled so we had to leave it out there all night without any head on it. We didn't know exactly how to pack &amp; head them anyway. It was very late when we got through chores. Beautiful day. Sunny and mild.</p> <p>Wednesday October 21st</p> <p>The total results of our exertions to-day show, our advertisement hung out at the crossroads, a barrel of apples headed and a turnip pulled. After we got the morning chores done which was in pretty good time, Frank and I went out and tacked the signboard on the corner post of the cover field It was pretty well on the slant but I guess people can read it all right. Alfred was plowing in his wheat stubble and we had a short talk with him. We then went over and pulled a good sized turnip for dinner. Huby came over soon after we got in, with old Stringer's apple barrel press which Uncle Ward had lent him, and said Uncle Ward told him just how to head the barrel and that we could do it before dinner. However we worked for quite awhile at it and couldn't get the head in, it seemed too high for the barrel, so by dinner time we had come to the conclusion that the best course for us to pursue was to go down and get Uncle Ward and let him do it. Huby said he had to go down after dinner anyway so I drove him down got the mail and got Uncle Ward on my way home. After a lot of squeezing he managed to get the head in, but had to enlarge the wooden hoop and put it below the wire as the head was too big and spread the staves. I drove him home and took Tiddums with me. Frank and I drove down to the station to-night and Louise &amp; Enah stayed home. They all got home safely and Al. Faulkner drove them up to Huby's. I went around and saw them all but didn't stay at all. Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Frank drove home with me as Dad. hadn't had his tea. It has been another lovely day. The quartette that left for the point Monday morning in {Faulmsbe's} new boat are all back again poorer than when they left. They got over all right and anchored behind some bluff Monday night and got up early yesterday morning to get started shooting. Cars Rankin and Charlie O'Lair were going down the beach and Bill Oakes &amp; George were going to stay with the boat. Bill had crawled up in the bow which was tightly enclosed and was have a smoke, when George who was near the engine lit a match for his pipe. There had been some gasoline leaking and the fumes immediately ignited and the gasoline which was under the false bottom of the boat caught and the consequence was that although they worked hard to save it George's dandy new launch burned to the waters edge and sank. They managed to save their guns and some of their clothing. Mrs. McBride was here washing all day and Cousin Clare was here to dinner.</p> <p>Thursday October 22nd</p> <p>We got a fairly good start this morning and Dad. started to plow the oat stubble. He thought he was going to have nice easy plowing but it turned over so waxy and stiff that the horse could hardly draw the plow through it. He had to quit once and get the other plow the mouldboard of which has more shape to it. Frank and I dug potatoes in the cornfield and got about ten rows dug, they were beauties, no small ones and no whoppers. Huby came over at noon and he and Frank finished digging them out there and piled them up. Dad. &amp; I took the team and waggon and took Roy's apples down and shipped them, we called in at Quanbury's and as they had the barrel all headed that Aunty Alice wanted to send to Mr. Shera, we took it too. We saw all the folks when we were down town. Dad. went out and got what corn we husked the other day. There was 19 1/2 bushels of potatoes of the patch out there. Enah and Louise drove Nellie down town to-day. Allan Law was in to-night inviting two of us over there to thrash to-morrow. It is a little colder to-night but has been a lovely day.</p> <p>Friday October 23rd</p> <p>Dad. and I got over to Sam's to thrash this morning soon after they got started I worked in the mow all day with Art Ryersie but there wasn't anything for Dad. to do this morning so he went home till after dinner. He then came back and helped some one-eyed guy who is staying at Bill Bush's in the straw which they put in a shed till they got it filled up and then they</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>started to put it in the barn and it was awful, you could hardly see across the barn, and it being alsike dust it was killing. The one eyed man who was in the straw gave out first and had to retire. I worked till I couldn't breathe and then I had to quit with the {chill?}. I went and sat by the engine till they quit which was pretty soon although they didn't get it all out. Dad. and I came right home. Aunty was over but went down with Huby. It was all I cared to do to get home and huddle up to the stove. I didn't do a chore. Dad. of course stared off with mentioning what a hot specimen I would be to go to the war if I couldn't stand a little dust but I told him it was just such mugs as me they ought to send, we're no good here and everybody concerned and the country would be much better off if they shipped us all over there and killed us off. Huby and Frank dug six rows of the potatoes in the old garden and got fifteen bushels. They sold another ram this morning to Nixon and Bawyer out at Renton. They took the little fellow. It has been another July day.</p> <p>Saturday October 24th</p> <p>Dad. took the team and rack town to Flemming's this morning as he thought they were going to thrash buckwheat out of the field but it began to rain soon after he left so they just thrashed the oats in the barn and finished about an hour or so after dinner. Frank and I didn't do anything much this morning on account of the rain. He husked some corn and I dug what potatoes were left in the garden here and I also drove Louise down to Huby's for dinner. This after noon Frank went and caught Nellie for Enah and then he and I went and dug the rest of the spuds in the old garden we got six more bushels so that altogether we now have 40 1/2 bushels. Several of the cattle got through the gully fence to-day and so Dad. had to go back and fix it. We got chores done early to-night for a change. A little colder wind to-day.</p> <p>Sunday October 25th</p> <p>Everybody except Dad. &amp; Tiddums went to church this morning even Dick broke into his Sunday timetable and got up to attend Frank went to Sunday school. Aunty came over with us to dinner and stayed all the after noon. After dinner Frank and I went down and joined Huby and Quint and the four of us sailed went up to Wealey's, Quint bought a dandy little strip built skiff with a sail and everything complete. We started to sail up there but found it would take too long tacking so Quint and I rowed up. We got our Ginseng plant and sailed back. It only took about half an hour and there wasn't much</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>wind either. It was nearly six when Frank and I got home so Dad. couldn't get off to church but he and Aunty walked down after tea and he went to see Aunty Alice &amp; Uncle Hal. Uncle Hal. gave me a great black snake skin to-day and Frank his best knife. He gave Quint his shotgun yesterday. It has been colder to-day although sunny and nice but raw breeze.</p> <p>Monday October 26th</p> <p>We didn't do anything much but chores this morning. Frank went over to Flemming's to see what they were going to do but found they wouldn't thrash to-day. We husked a little corn in the barn. This after noon Al. Faulkner drove Aunty Alice &amp; Uncle Hal over in his car. Huby came over with them but didn't stay. Frank went down with them to get the mail. I took the Ginseng root back to the woods and planted it. When Frank got home he and Dad. sawed up one of the old sleepers in the barnyard for the little stove. To-night Louise and I drove up to the Bawlby's where I left Louise as she is going to help them move into their new house. I went on in to Simcoe and to the Armories. We didn't have any drill to-night but the officer gave us musketry instruction. This was Lila's birthday. It has been cold &amp; windy all day and is freezing very hard to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday October 27th</p> <p>It was very late when we got out this morning and after breakfast Dad. &amp; I went out to inspect the oat stubble to see if it was frozen too hard to plow but we saw Allan Law up at the corner with his engine and he said Flemming was going to thrash to-day so Dad. came right home and got the team &amp; rack and went down. It froze very hard last night and seemed harder as it is the first frost this fall. The apples are all frozen on the trees and the ground is like a board. It hasn't thawed out all day to-day but isn't freezing so hard to-night although there is a cold wind from the west. I sawed wood most of the morning and Frank went out and covered the four piles of potatoes with earth although he said they weren't injured by the frost. The mangels were frozen in the ground but Mr. Flemming says if they are not touched till the frost goes out of them they will be all right. Dad. came home at noon and said they were shorthanded down at Flemming's so I had to go back with him. We finished up early. I pitched on all the after noon so didn't suffer from the dust any. I rode Joe down town after the mail to-night. The big spotted yearling jumped over the bars from the blue grass field to-night lit on his head and broke one of his horns and mabee worse.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday October 28th</p> <p>John Wess came over this morning to see if we could fix up the line fence a little as he wanted to turn his cattle in on his oat stubble. Dad. told him to turn in and let them break through if they wanted to, there was nothing there they could hurt. He and Frank went back and fixed the gully fence a little to keep our cattle in there. Frank and I husked a little corn this morning for the pigs and then I made a trough for the chickens and spent the morning fixing up the yards to keep the chickens inside and separate. This after noon Frank and I picked the Sprys. I picked and he sorted. I think the frost was all out of most of them so I guess they will be allright. It was too windy to pick but I put the ladder on the inside of the tree and got most of them although there is a lot of nice ones yet around the outside. There were about five bushels of good ones and three of frozen ones &amp; culls. Dad plowed all the after noon and said it went a little better but I guess it was pretty stiff. I went to Simcoe again to-night and had a little drill I drove Aunty home so went around by town. I saw Ed. Turner down there and asked him if he wanted to go up but he didn't to-night. While I was talking to him Andy Moore came along and he wanted to go up so I took him. I told him to be around at the stable about nine and I would drive him home but when I went down he had been there, paid for the horse and said he wasn't going back. I drove around by town and saw him and he said Tom Law was up there with his car, pickled, and he wanted Andy to drive him home so I came home alone. Milder to-day but very strong west wind. Very mild to-night and looks like rain.</p> <p>Thursday October 29th</p> <p>It rained during the night and all day, not hard but a steady fine rain. We couldn't do anything much outside but chores. Dad. went back this morning and fixed the gully fence where the cattle got into the west blue grass field and I cleaned out the cellar ready to put in the apples and roots. This after noon Dad. drove Uncle Hal. and Aunty Alice down to Huby's where they are going to stay for awhile. It was a miserable day to go out but Uncle Hal. was anxious to go. Dad. wanted to bring Huby back with him to help move the stove but he wasn't home so we moved the stove out of the woodshed into the kitchen by ourselves. We put the warming oven on this stove off Cousin Bessy's. When the cattle came up to-night they were all there but the three heifers. Dad. went back to the end of the lane but it was dark and we knew they must be out somewhere. He didn't milk the others</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 30th</p> <p>We didn't get out very early this morning Josh Varey came over and Dad. had to file his old horse's teeth off for him Huby came up the creek with Quint and then down here and he told me my sign had blown down at the corner so I had to go and fix it up. I cleaned up one of the chicken yards and then we all went out and pulled and topped the mangels and turnips. Dad went back and fixed the place where the heifers got out on the road and the rest of us husked a shock of corn, which we hauled up with us. This after noon Dad. &amp; I hauled in the roots and put them down cellar, there was scarcely a load of mangels but a good load of turnips. We then hauled up a load of rails. Huby &amp; Frank husked corn all the after noon. Jonas helped them for awhile. He is going to work out what he owes for pasture. Win came over after school and I drove Huby and her home and then got the mail. The Turks are now in on this War and have begun hostilities with Russia. They say it may lead to a holy war and all the Mohammedens side in with Turkey. It has been raw and mostly cloudy to-day with a couple of spits of rain. There were some very queer lights in the direct east this after noon. The looked something like the northern lights but were not colored. They looked more like rays from some huge light beneath the horizon.</p> <p>Saturday October 31st</p> <p>Dad. got right out after breakfast and plowed, he got in a pretty fair day. Huby came over and he, Frank, Jonas &amp; I husked corn all morning we got about a load husked. There is a lot of nubbins on it which we don't husk. This after noon we picked apples Dad. and Frank went down to Sam Law's with the waggon and borrowed a ladder and then went out and picked up the corn and brought it in and Dad. went on plowing. He gave Jonas a tree of {Sleks?} and told him he could have them if he would help us pick ours, but he picked his own this after noon. We were just picking {sleks?} as there are some beauties and bushels of them. We just picked the biggest ones and when we got a tree done it could hardly be told that we had been it it. We will shake the rest down for cider. To-night Frank went down to the picture show and I went down with him and got the mail and some provisions. I forgot all about it being Hallowe'en till I heard the school bell ringing when on my way down but the town was full of dressed up girls &amp; noisy boys. It has been a lovely day sunny &amp; bright but rather windy.</p> <p>Sunday November 1st</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and Dad. and I drove down to church. Enah had a headache so didn't go. After</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Repeat of previous page}.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>church Dad. drove Aunty up to the cemetry and Frank and I went down to Huby's and waited till they got back. We went down and helped Quint pull his new boat out of the creek and turned it over on the bank to see if we could find out here it leaked and we found three or four spots were the strips were punky. Quint was disappointed as he thought she was all sound. This after noon Dad. and Enah drove out to see Mrs. Jim Waddle who is going to the hopspital to-morrow. Winnifred had the chickenpox so they didn't stay long with the baby. They came home around by the Shand's but Charlie was the only one home there. Dad. says somebody has been playing Hallowe'en tricks on the side road and have ripped the bars down going into the woods and strung them halfway across the road. Ed. came over soon after they left and he. Marion and I took a walk back the lane. We happened to see Snowdrop out on the road so had to go and put her in. Frank spent the afternoon back in the gully and surrounding country. Dick spent the morning in bed and after dinner after we had a little football match and nearly broke all the windows around the place, he went down town where he spent the after noon, evening and part of the night, he likely went to church. It has been a lovely day but looked very rainy to-night.</p> <p>Monday November 2nd</p> <p>Poor Frank started back to school this morning, he didn't say anything but I don't think the prospect was very cheering. Dad. plowed all day and has the field half done to-night. Huby came over and sawed wood till I got the chores all done and then we went back to the gully to see if we could find any weak spots in the fence but it seemed all right. Snowdrop got out at the edge of the culvert and we blocked a post up there with stone as well as we could. We then went up the road to fix up some Hallowe'en pranks. They had taken the old post by the bars going into the woods and pulled it and the wire halfway across the road and had Sam Law's gate and another big one and our bars all scattered around. They had had a fence built right across the road but someone had taken it down to get past. When we got through there we went up through the woods and were just going up the lane when we heard turkeys way up Ivey's gully. We thought we had better go up and drive ours home if they were there but we tramped all over the gully &amp; woods and didn't see or hear a thing more of them. Huby had the shotgun and a chicken hawk flew over us so Huby shot him. He fell on his back and lay there. We thought shurely he was a goner but old Nig went prowling around and he got up and flew away. Huby took another shot and he swerved but kept right on flying and lit on the side hill. We went over to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>him there and raised again. Huby put a black powder shell in and took a crack at him and this time knocked a bunch of feathers out of his back. He first flew a little farther and dropped. When we got up to him he was sufficiently dead for us to finish the job with a club. After dinner Huby picked apples and I sorted them and carried them down cellar. We now have all the boxes we can find around the place filled with Seeks or Spys and will have to put what few russets we get on the floor. I went down to the corner to see if I could find any trace of my sighn. The Hallowe'en fellows ripped it down and took it away some place. Charlie Quanbury said he saw it down in the bank window but Dick didn't know anything about it. I went up to Simcoe to-night. I called for Ed. Turner but he changed his mind about going to-night but said he would accompany me next Monday. I then Called for Pud. Smythe but he had gone. We had company drill up there to-night. There was a class for any who wanted to stay afterwards to study for N.C.O's. but as it meant four nights a week for three or four weeks I didn't stay. The Daughters of the Empire were giving the fellows who are leaving for the front a supper. It was cloudy all day but turned out a beautiful night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>DIARY. 1914</p> <p>T.B. Barrett.</p> <p>Port Dover, Ontario.</p> <p>The Farmer</p> <pre> {descending triangle of straight lines} </pre> <p>From November 31st 1914 to December 31st 1914</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday November 3rd 1914.</p> <p>It rained most of the morning so we didn't do much outside. I drove the boys down to the school and the bank and when I got back Tom Abbot had his horse in the drivehouse and he was in the house getting warm and waiting for the rain to let up. When he left I went out and cleaned out the horse stable and then Dad. &amp; I oiled the buggy and put on the other whipple tree. Jonas came over and got Nellie with a view to taking the rest of his apples home. We saw Art Quanbury prowling around over by Martin's gully so we went over to see what they were all doing thinking we might get Joe Fields to help me build the new hen house. He said they were all busy but I might get Henry Odd who left Saturday. Art. went to take the old hen home that was sitting under the willow tree and discovered she had just hatched out five chicks so he stuffed them all in his pocket and took them over. Dad. plowed all the after noon. I drove down to town to see Henry. and found him working up at Jim. Caley's new house. I told him what I wanted and he told me he would see me to-night that the job he was at was too hard. I went down to-night and got my hair cut and saw him and he said he would be over Thursday morning. I went down to Huby's for a little while and it was fairly late when I got home. Huby came over this after noon and cleaned up the chicken yard. It has been a lovely after noon and night</p> <p>Wednesday November 4th</p> <p>Dad. got out early this morning to plow and got a good day in. Jonas came over fairly early to help as he is going to try and work out what he owes us for pasture He picked a few more russets first but couldn't get many then he cleaned up the garden. The cabbages all seem to have wilted and have no heads so he just piled them out behind the shop. Huby came over later and he and I sorted the russets and put them down cellar then carried all the apples beets &amp; carrots down. This after noon Jonas didn't come over and we suppose he went to a sale. Huby and I husked corn but didn't get much done. I had to quit early to get off to Simcoe to-night. I drove Win up. She wanted to p a visit to Norah Cunningham. I left her there and when I got through drilling we went down to the moving picture show Norah had sprained her ankle and hadn't been able to get out. Aunty came over to dinner and went down with me to-night. She took Tiddums out to the cornfield where he seemed greatly pleased to find Huby and called him by name for the first time. He is learning to talk quickly. Mrs McBride was here all day washing. Cloudy and showery this after noon but a lovely night. It seems to be a sort of second spring. Several people have found ripe raspberries and Dad is plowing under barley {illegible} in head and An old guinea hen hatched out then young ones to-day.</p> <p>Thursday November 5th</p> <p>Henry Auld. came over this morning and I have put in most of the day helping him. We had to quit once or twice for rain and it took us quite awhile to get the sills laid so by to-night we had about half at the front</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and back studding up. Henry quit early to pick some apples. He wanted some Tolman Sweets and as we had quite a lot we don't want we told him he could have them. Dad. plowed nearly all day but got the field finished all but runnng the cross ditches. Jim Bush is plowing up the gull for Jack and I guess is having quite a time of it. This was Aunty Alice's birthday and Aunty has been up visiting her all day. Enah and Tiddums went down to see her this after noon and we were going down after tea but it was so wet we didn't go I went to bed about eight o'clock. Frank went down to confirmation class and to call on Jonas who fell down cellar this morning and hurt himself. I guess he thinks he is about killed. It has been a miserable day. Cloudy and cold and wet. Aunty has sent Tiddums a dandy doll she made out of corn husks.</p> <p>Friday November 6th</p> <p>Right after breakfast this morning Frank and I drove down in the lumber waggon and got some more nails and scantling, we also took what apples Henry had picked down to him. Frank went on to school when he got the stuff for me. Henry and I worked all day at the henhouse and have the frame all up and the back siding on. Dad. hauled in the corn that was husked and some rails and ran out the ditches in the field he just plowed. This after noon he plowed the garden. He hauled the waggon in the orchard to fill with apples to take up to Walker Waddles to-morrow. Frank was down at Jonas's for a long time to-night visiting him. He seems greatly stuck on him. Jonas says he has broken a rib and seems to be trying to make himself believe he is killed. It has been a rather decent day not so cold as yesterday.</p> <p>Saturday November 7th</p> <p>Henry was over at half past six this morning and put what he could of the sheeting on but discovered that there was only about half enough so Dad. &amp; I drove down in the rack after breakfast to get some but both Tommy &amp; the Widespread were all out of it but expected some in a day or two. We tried at Jack. Martin's to see if he had any he could let us have but they were waiting for it too. We got some roofing paper and nail and got Huby's two cider kegs and came home rather disgusted as it was a fine day to put on the roofing and we didn't know when there will be another like it. Henry picked a few apples for himself and cut the boards for the front cornice. Dad. &amp; I hauled in some cornstalks before dinner This after noon Dad. &amp; Frank took the load of apples that Frank picked up this morning up to Walker Waddles and got our barrel and Huby's 2 kegs filled. They didn't get back till about five. Henry and I were all the after noon puting siding on the end of the old chicken house and it has improved the appearance of it 100%. Henry left his tools here and said he would come back when the lumber came if he wasn't busy. He only charged me $3.75 for all he has done and then told me not to pay him now and he has made a fine job so far. Marsh from up the Gravel Road was in this morning to look at the rams but didn't buy on account of the price. It has been another lovely day sunny &amp; mild.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday November 8th</p> <p>It rained all morning and part of the after noon but Dad. and Frank drove down to church. Aunty came back with them and she and I walked down to church to-night. I went down to Hubys for about an hour after church. Huby was playing solitare much to Aunty's sorrow and the worst of it was Aunty Alice would show him a move occasionally. Huby gave me some cider and handed me a large piece of plaster which he told me was Scotch shortbread. Before I knew what I was doing I had my mouth full of it. This after noon Dick went down town and Frank back to the gully. I sat around and read and drew. It had cleared off and was a beautiful night to-night but was freezing hard when I came home.</p> <p>Monday November 9th</p> <p>We didn't get started very early this morning and Dad. and I spent most of the day working with the potatoes. We sorted the two pits in the field and got quite a few frozen ones and some which were not frozen but still rotting. We sacked them up and this after noon we hauled them in and Dad. took 6 bushels down to Huby. Tupper came in and borrowed our waggon box to take his seed to Hagersville. To-night I went to Simcoe. I called for Ed Turner but he was tired and didn't go. After drill Captain Simpson told us we would have to sign up now. He told me I was under no obligations as if I had a good excuse I needn't go to camp and could resign if I wanted to. In case of Canada being invaded I could be turned out for six or eighteen months service but I in that case I would go anyway so I swore obedience &amp; fidelity to His Majesty and signed up with C Company.</p> <p>Tuesday November 10th It has been a rotten day to-day cold, windy, cloudy &amp; wet. It snowed a little but rained mostly. Dad. &amp; I put off the load of cornstalks which was on the waggon and then went out and husked a shock and divided three or four unhusked shocks so that we could load them on the waggon. We then took the rack out and with the aid of a sling rope put on nearly a whole row of unhusked shocks. This after noon we did chores and stretched a bit of poultry wire around the old calves' pen in the barn and to-night caught what single comb roosters we could find and an old black hen and confined them in their death cell as we are going to eat them when we get hungry. Frank says he thinks our lumber has come. Quint &amp; Bill got back from the Point.</p> <p>Wednesday November 11th</p> <p>We didn't do much but chores to-day it has been cloudy and threatening all day. We unloaded the load of cornstalks which was on the waggon and and husked a little corn for the pigs. Dad. killed a couple of chickens and Sid. McBride and an agent came in representing {Gumas?} limited. They were here a long time and went away with a ten dollar order for beef scrap and hog meal. Tupper brought the wagon back. I didn't intend to go to Simcoe to-night it looked so stormy but Dick came home to go with me so we went and although it was dark and sprinkled a little it wasn't a bad night. I got my uniform to-night. Mrs. McBride was here all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday November 12th</p> <p>Did chores and husked corn all morning. This after noon Dick and I drove to Simcoe. Dick got his photograph taken at Moores and I took a lot of harness up to Church's to be fixed. Dick and hung around town till most of it was done, shot two or three games of pool with Dick, first games I ever played, didn't do so badly considering. I had to leave a bridle up there, we left Simcoe about six so it was fairly late when I had my tea. Cloudy most of the day and inclined to be rainy but not cold. Dad started to plow the plum orchard this after noon, awful job. Young Snider from down Jaw lake bought Dad's ram lamb to-day.</p> <p>Friday November 13th</p> <p>It rained a good part of the morning and I drove the boys down to the bank &amp; school. During the morning a terrific wind came up and lifted the top of the straw stack and flopped it between the stack and barn. Dad. &amp; I discovered that Charlotte's heifer was under it but we could hear her lowing. It took us quite awhile to dig her out but she didn't seem any the worse she was up agains the stack so the big weight wasn't on her. Dad. &amp; I went down town before dinner and got our lumber at Tommy's. This after noon Dad. plowed in the plum orchard and I did chores and husked a little corn. It was cloudy windy and rather cold this after noon with occasional spits of sharp rain.</p> <p>Saturday November 14th</p> <p>I spent the morning doing chores. Frank helped me husk some corn for the pigs and then went down town after some jars Harry Dyer came after his cow and calf. This after noon Frank &amp; I sorted out another pit of potatoes and found a lot of rotten ones. We husked a little more corn. Frank went back to the gully and found Snowdrop in Sam. Law's wheat so brought her up. The others were all right. Dad. got in a full day and finished the plum orchard. He hauled in the potatoes we sorted to-night. After tea he &amp; Frank killed and dressed a couple of roosters. Aunty, Aunty Alice &amp; Lila were over for a little while this after noon. Sunny but cold east wind.</p> <p>Sunday November 15th</p> <p>It rained steadily all day so none of us went down town but sat around and read. Enah and I had a piano &amp; horn concert this after noon. Dick didn't come home last night so we don't know what happened to him nor any of the news. Very windy night.</p> <p>Monday November 16th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I took the plow and waggon back over the gully this morning and loaded up a load of rails of John Wess' line. He came over and said he would bring his engine over and buzz them up for us when we got them all hauled. Dad. started to plow the old alsike stubble and took in a land or so of the bluegrass field to plow off the little gully. He plowed all the afternoon and got a good start made. I did chores most of the after noon but went back and put on another load of rails for Dad. to haul up to-night.To-night I went down to a surprise party at Billy Boughner's which Elva and the sewing club got up. Had a great time. Bill Buck came and borrowed the hay rack to haul a load of boxes from Simcoe. It has been very cold and windy all day and is freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday November 17th</p> <p>It was frozen up solid this morning and very cold and windy so Dad didn't take the team out although he thought he could have plowed in the sod. He killed and plucked a couple of chickens and I went back to John Wess' to see his cement fence post mould. I was over there quite awhile. Didn't do anything much this after noon. Dad. went down to Sam Law's and got our turkeys and I went over to Jack Martin's to see if he wanted to buy my roosters. He said he would come over soon to look at them. Dad. &amp; Frank wemt down town as Uncle Hall wasn't so well to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 18th</p> <p>Huby came over this morning and we hauled a load of hay over from the big barn to the other and put it over the bull pen. We then went out and divided all the big shocks of corn in one row and hauled them in this after noon. Quint came over to tea and he and I drove to Simcoe to-night. Quint went over to the armories and but didn't drill. We got home about twelve. Aunty was over here all the after noon and is going to stay awhile. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Cold &amp; windy.</p> <p>Thursday November 19th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I unloaded the load of corn this morning and Huby came over and he &amp; I went out and divided another lot of big shocks</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so we could put them on the waggon. We hauled in another row before dinner. I just about froze and felt a little sick at noon so didn't do anything for awhile after dinner till Dad. &amp; Huby husked some corn then we put the load off and got another load in without dividing them. Enah, Aunty and Tiddums all went down town this after noon. It has been thawing all day but a very cold raw wind and before dinner we had a short but fierce snow storm.</p> <p>Friday November 20th</p> <p>We intended to haul in the rest of the cornstalks to-day but Henry Auld came over about nine o'clock so I had to help him. It was pretty cold so we didn't try to put the roofing on but we got the sheeting and front on. Huby came over about noon and he and Dad. husked corn and did chores. About five o'clock Mully rather unexpectedly presented us with a heifer calf althoug we discovered that it was just due instead of being a month early as Dad. supposed. It is a dandy and clear red except for a white tip on its tail which Huby says will be a fine landmark if Bluch doesn't bite it off. That makes six head of cattle that I now own. It has been sunny to-day but didn't thaw at all and there was a cold west wind.</p> <p>Saturday November 21st</p> <p>Henry came over again this morning and made the rfames for the front of the henhouse and this after noon we put the roofing on. It was pretty cold and we had to heat the tar so it would run. Dad. Frank and I hauled cornstalks this morning. We got them all in in two loads and got the last load after dinner. We had to leave one shock in the middle of a water hole as it was frozen solid. Henry only charged me seven dollars for all his work</p> <p>Thursday December 3rd</p> <p>It is nearly two weeks since I last wrote in this but this is first day I have been at all in the mood to write as I have been laid up with the "Yaller Janders" and have felt pretty rotten although spending only one entire day in bed. I am not yet able to do anything outside although I feel ever so much better. Frank and Dad. have had a pretty rough time of it and haven't been able till to-day to get a thing done but chores although the frost went out early last week and all the other farmers</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>field. He took the waggon back with him at noon and Frank and I went back and filled it with rails and Dad. hauled it up to-night. I spent the whole morning and what time I had this after noon in cleaning up the chicken yard and houses and putting fresh straw in. I got it pretty well fixed up. Frank did most of the chores and Dad. cut his hair to-night. Enah sold one of the young gobblers to-night to Will McNeily. Cloudy and windy to-day but not very cold.</p> <p>Sunday December 6th</p> <p>Aunty &amp; Frank went down to Sunday School and Dick and I joined them at church. This after noon Frank &amp; I did up most of the chores and Dad. drove Aunty Alice up to the cemetry. Enah took Frank's and my picture. To-night Frank is to be confirmed and Dad. Enah &amp; Aunty have all gone down to church and Aunty Alice and I are looking after the house. It froze a little last night but hasn't been cold to-day.</p> <p>Monday December 7th</p> <p>Huby came over to-day and has been ditching in the back field all day. Dad. finished the piece he was at and got a good start on the bluegrass side hill. I did chores all day it takes so long to husk corn enough for the pigs that I don't get time to do anything else, although I did go over and see Brierly to ask him about feeding beef scrap. He told me to mix it with rolled oats and feed in a hopper. Jack said he was coming over to-day to look at the roosters but he didn't come. Mr. Morgan came over before dinner and stayed most of the after noon. I ordered a pecan tree from him. Quint came over to tea to-night and he and I went to Simcoe. I was very much behind as I missed all the rifle drill last week. We went out on a march way down to Yager's place Dad is in a great figit to-night as he was summoned to appear as a jury man and he thinks Court sits to-morrow but he lost the notice and neglected to write and ask if he wasn't exempt as he is {US?}</p> <p>Tuesday December 8th</p> <p>Dad was very wrathy this morning as I found out in Simcoe last night that the best thing for him to do was to turn up at the court house to-morrow and Cousin Willie told him this morning the same thing. He telephoned to Kelly and found out that he had to be there by one o'clock so he went up but he managed to get off as he is a Vet. It would have been a great day to plow. Huby ditched all day and I didn't do a pesky thing but chores principally husk corn for the pigs. Mr. Flemming came over and said he was going to thrash to-morrow but said he could get along if it would have to stop Dad. from plowing or if I didn't feel well enough to work in the dust but Dad. went over to-night to Quanbury's to telephone to Billy Lewis as he said he would give us a hand when we wanted him. Cloudy and windy but not very cold.</p> <p>Wednesday December 9th</p> <p>It snowed during the night and has been snowing &amp; blowing all day but not very cold. Dad. helped me husk corn this morning but plowed all the after noon. Both Tupper &amp; John Wess told him they were going to give him some help if it stays open. They say plowing under an inch or two of snow is as good as a coat of manure and that is what Dad is doing. This after noon I hooked up Nellie to the democrat and drove Aunty Alice down town I went around by the mill to get a couple of bags of oats rolled fror the chickens but they were to light so I got them chopped and rolled and bought some rolled oats. I also got a bag of flour and took it down to the Belgian Relief house. We got home about five o'clock.</p> <p>Thursday December 10th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and Tupper sent his man over this after noon so they got quite a chunk done.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I did chores and this morning built a hopper in the chicken shed and filled it with twenty five lbs of rolled oats and three or four lbs of beef scrap and they seemed very greedy for it. Enah drove down town this morning and brought Cousin Clare over. She was here all day. There was an extra drill on to-night for the recruits but it was so late when we got through that I didn't go up.</p> <p>Friday December 11th</p> <p>Dad. got in a full day again to-day. I went back for awhile this morning and this after noon I hooked up Nellie to the democrat and drove Aunty Alice over to Mrs. Cooke's and went around by Tupper's and borrowed Charlie Butler's side hill plow, Dad. says it saves a lot of carrying furrows but is very awkward and it is impossible to do a nice job with it, what bothers him most is seeing the furrow go to the left. Sunny day.</p> <p>Saturday December 12th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day again and John Wess came over and helped him all day so they got on fine. I did chores and putterd around. Frank went down with Nellie and the democrat and got the box which Cousin Lizzie Hyde sent to us it contained a lot of old family treasures of Fa's older brother. There was a pair of old hosllers, an old sword, a revolver of ancient patteen an old portable desk with some old papers and photographs in it some old silverware and a few books and papers. Huby &amp; Lila came over with Frank and Huby husked corn all the after noon. I got four eggs yesterday which is the most I have got yet but none at all to day. Not so sunny but not cold.</p> <p>Sunday December 13th</p> <p>Auntie and Frank went down to Sunday school and Enah drove down to church. This after noon Aunty and I drove out to the Smythe's. To-night I walked down to church and Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice went down to Huby's as Aunty Alice wants to be down there to-morrow to get ready for her trip to Ingersoll to see Uncle Hal's sister. Dad. went down to Alfred's to-night and found Blaikie down there so had quite a long visit. It has been snowing pretty much all day. It was coming down very thickly this after noon and evening and when I came home it was very soft, the water was dripping into the cistern.</p> <p>Monday December 14th</p> <p>When we got up this morning we found it had turned much colder and quite strong wind had got up. The wind kept up all day and was terrific to-night and it was also very cold but sunny and freezing very hard to-night. Dad. &amp; I went back this morning and chased the horses all up and put them in the barnyard. We put Ginger in but the others stayed out all night. We took Charlie Butler's side hill plow and put it through the fence on to the road and then came up and hooked up the team to the bob sleighs and to it home to Tuppers and on our way back got our own plow and took it up. This after noon we did chores principally. Blaike came in to tea. Quint came over to go to Simcoe with me but it was so windy &amp; cold we didn't go. I went down town with him after tea and we were both glad we decided not to go. We went up to Tip's and I bought myself a pretty nice overcoat for $13.00. I hung around town awhile and went down to Huby's for a little while.</p> <p>Tuesday December 15th</p> <p>We did chores principally to-day and I shovelled</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>some snow. We were going to haul a load of rails up this after noon but Huby came over to tell Dad. that the township council was meeting this after noon and Hammond sent word over for Dad. to come down and see about his taxes so Dad. went but found it was the same mistake in the assement which the town council was going to rectify but he saw the asessor and had the pleasure of telling him what he thought of him. When he came home Jack Martin came over to look at the roosters and said he could pick twenty out of this lot. Froze hard all day but wind not so strong.</p> <p>Wednesday December 16th</p> <p>Dad. and I hooked up to the bob-sleighs before dinner and hauled up a load of rails. After dinner we went down to the mill and got a couple of hundred of oat chop for the pigs. Then I filled up the three days' accumulation of manure in the horse stable into the bob-sleigs and Dad hauled it over to the potato pit. When he came up we hauled the manure spreader from the shed at the cow stable over to the shed at the big barn. We did chores early and I went to Simcoe to-night Quint didn't come over so I went alone. We had a good drill after which I went over to the rink for a minute or two they have started skating up there. Mrs. McBride was here all day. Not quite as cold or windy to-day.</p> <p>Thursday December 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I went back to John Wess' line and got another load of rails this morning. We didn't do anything much but chores this after noon. Aunty was over to dinner but went back again. Dick told us that Dave. Waddle would be over in the morning to butcher hogs. Much milder to-day &amp; sunny but still freezing. The German's bombarded two or three towns on the English coast.</p> <p>Friday December 18th</p> <p>Dave Waddle &amp; Powell McIntosh came over this morning about ten o'clock armed with a rifle and numerous pig killing utensils We let the pigs out of the pen two at a time and Dave shot them &amp; stuck them. He only had to shoot one twice. They had the whole four all dressed by twelve o'clock and wouldn't stay to dinner nor take any pay. Sid. McBride came in as they left and I paid him for the chicken feed. We then measured the fence along the road and Dad. orderd 120 rods of fence from him. This after noon we hooked up to the waggon and Dad. Frank and I went down with Huby's pig. It was the biggest and dressed 120 lbs. Very much milder to-day and nice out.</p> <p>Saturday December 19th</p> <p>It was snowing hard when we got up this morning and there was quite a wind. It was very soft and hasn't frozen all day but is freezing to-night. We moved the calf this morning from the horse stable over to the barn and put the colts in. We also cleaned out the rooster's pen. Chris told me he was coming over to get some of them this morning. He didn't come till to-night and as it was getting dusk he only picked out 16! This after noon we hooked up Joe &amp; Ginger to the bob sleighs and the whole family went down town. We left Tiddum's in Aunty's care at Hubys and Aunty Alice who got back on the noon train went up with us. Dad. went in to Moses' and got measured for a suit which Dick is going to have made for him Aunty supplying the stuff. He then went down and cut up Huby's pig for him while Frank and I brought the team home.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday December 20th</p> <p>Daddy &amp; Frank went down to communion at eight o'clock this morning and Frank stayed down to Sunday school and the later service. I didn't go to church at all to-day. About twelve o'clock Dad. hooked up Joe &amp; Ginger to the bob sleighs and drove down and brought over Cousin Clare, Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice to dinner in honor of Tiddum's second anniversary birthday. Dad. drove Aunty Alice &amp; Cousin Claire home before tea and Aunty stayed here to mind Tiddums while Dad. &amp; Enah went down to the Methodist church to hear Nell. Smith sing a solo. Beautiful day, sunny &amp; mild.</p> <p>Monday December 21st</p> <p>It snowed a lot more during the night and it was very wet and heavy but there was quite a cold wind all day and it dried out. I drove the boys down this morning in the bob sleighs and got a couple of bags of chop at the mill for the pigs. Later Dad &amp; I drove down in the cutter and took Aunty down. Dad. went around to see Niel Elliot to see what he would give for Charlotte who is nearly a new milk cow; but Niel wasn't in town but Joe Long said he would tell him. This after noon Dad. cut up a couple of the pigs and I shaved and got ready to go to Simcoe to-night. Dick &amp; Quint came over to tea and we all three went up but it made things pretty crowed in the cutter and consequently cold and heavy pulling. Dick went over to the rink and skated all evening and I drilled. Quint went on a fruitless task somewhere in the country in quest of a ferret and Dick and I hung around the barn till nearlyy twelve o'clock and we didn't get home till after one.</p> <p>Tuesday December 22nd</p> <p>We did chores all morning and Dad. cut up the other pig. This afternoon we hooked up to the bob sleighs and drove down and Dad. brought Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice over but I stayed up town got my hair cut and walked home. Frank got out of school at recess to-day for the holidays. He has gone down to the picture show to-night. There has been a very cold wind all day and is freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday December 23rd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank went back this morning and got a load of rails and also cut a lot of green poplar sticks out of the woods I spent the morning tacking cotton in one of my chicken frames. This after noon Dad. &amp; Enah drove out to see Mrs. Jim. Waddle who is very ill and not expected to live long. Mrs McBride was here all day. To-night I drove to to Simcoe alone. We didn't have a long drill as it was so near Christmas so I got home before the family had retired. Windy all day. Cold &amp; still to-night. Frank spent the after noon getting a little Christmas tree for Tiddums.</p> <p>Thursday December 24th</p> <p>I drove Aunty down town this morning in the bob sleighs and got 6.00 of chop at the mill. This after noon Dad. dressed a turkey for to-morrow's dinner and I did chores principally. Winny &amp; Lila came over this after noon with the mail and stayed to tea. To-night Dad. walked down to get his hair cut and Frank and I hooked up the team later to the bob sleigh and took Win. &amp; Lila down I waited around in the bobs till the Woodstock train came in and then drove Dick, Ferdy who came to spend the holidays with Dick, Dad &amp; Frank home. Cloudy &amp; rather cold.</p> <p>Friday December 25th</p> <p>This being Christmas Day we didn't try to get any more work than was absolutely necessary done. Aunty Alice looked after Tiddums while all the rest of us went down to church Enah got word last night from Harry Moon that Topsy wouldn't be here so she had to play the organ which was rather strenuous as she hasn't had any practice with the choir. Dick &amp; Ferdy spent the after noon at the Dyer's and didn't show up till five o'clock when we had dinner. After church we went around by Huby's and got all of that family but Quint who was hunting but who showed up before dinner. Aunty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Maude didn't feel very well but managed to get over Dad. drove them all back again to-night. In the after noon we had a little tree for Tiddums and Huby was Santa Claus. Nobody got or gave any presents (which was arranged beforehand) but Tiddums &amp; Lila. Aunty Alice did get us boys some socks etc. but said they weren't Christmas presents. Quint, Tiddums &amp; I went to sleep to-night in the dining room and the rest of the family played "Pit" in the kitchen. Ferdy &amp; Dick went down town after dinner and didnt get back till late when it was discovered that Ferdy's ear was frozen. Beautiful day. Clear and frosty but sunny.</p> <p>Saturday December 26th</p> <p>I did chores principally to-day and Dad &amp; Frank cut down the old snow apple tree in the orchard. Ferdy got up about noon and he had an ear on him as big as a turnip and a great big blister on it. Dad opened it and found it was so badly frozen that poor Ferdy had to stay in the house all day. I guess it was pretty slow but a half-starved Englishman drifted in here looking for work and entertained him while he was getting warm and eating enough to do him as he said himself till tomorrow morning. Aunty went down town and told us when she came home that some farmer had telephoned in to say this englishman we are sure left him and stole all there was in the house. Dick came home to tea but had to go back again. Huby &amp; Quint came over after tea to catch the little pigeons for a match but could only get two as they roosted so high up in the barn. They came in and played "Pit" with us for quite awhile. They say it was down to 20° below zero last night but has been a beautiful sunny, still but frosty day. Snowed a little this afternoon.</p> <p>Sunday December 27th</p> <p>We didn't get up till late this morning so Dad. &amp; I didn't get to church at all. Aunty walked down to Sunday School and I drove Enah and Frank down to church. Dad. drove after them at noon. Dick &amp; Ferdy spent the morning in bed and the after noon and evening down town. I fooled around and did chores all the afternoon. Not so cold to-day but windy &amp; cloudy.</p> <p>Monday December 28th</p> <p>We got a late start again this morning. Dad. &amp; Frank went back to the woods and got some more poplar poles. I went over to Jack Martin's and settled up with him. He gave me a check for $79.00. Neil Elliott came to look at Charlotte but didn't want to give $60.00 for so Dad. thought he would keep her and veal her calf and make enough out of the cream all winter to pay for keeping her although she isn't a very heavy milker. This after noon Dad. intended to go down to Nomination but Tom told us this morning that Mr. Lemon's funeral was this after noon at two o'clock. Right after dinner I drove Enah and Ferdy down town and when I got back Dad. took Joe to go to the funeral but Tom had been here and said he had been mistaken and it was at one o'clock so Dad met them at the Winding Hill and went to the cemetery with them and brought Enah and Tiddums home with him from town. To-night Dad. Frank and I went down to town nomination but there was no fun Vyse was the only speaker to amount to anything and will probably go in again by acclaimation. He brought up one little incident of a private nature to spite L.G. Morgan for the articles appearing in the "Maple Leaf" last summer but Murray got up and took {Leny's?} part and explained the case satisfactorily. Milder</p> <p>Tuesday December 29th</p> <p>We did chores this morning and this after noon I drove Aunty &amp; Aunty Alice down town in the bob-sleigh. They are going to stay down for awhile to call. Ferdy &amp; Frank went back to the woods</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with the shotgun, axe &amp; rifle and chopped down a few trees and shot a few stumps. To-night I went down town thinking there was a band meeting but nobody showed up. Nice day.</p> <p>Wednesday December 30th</p> <p>I went down town this morning to see if I could get Joe shod but Joe Howell's shop was full till noon but I took her down this after noon and got her in Ferdy &amp; Frank went down with me and Frank got the saws from Chris Fairchilds which I took down yesterday to be sharpened and Ferdy stayed down for awhile. While I was at the shop a wedding {illegible} went past which which turned out to be Jean Davis. Quint came over to tea and we went to Simcoe to-night. Quint went to skate and I to drill. There was no light at the armories so they took us out for a couple of miles march and gave us some formations on the march. After this Quint and I went in to the "Reformer" shop to see Karl. who showed us all about his wonderful Linotype machine. Mrs. Jim. Waddle died this afternoon. Nice day and lovely night.</p> <p>Thursday December 31st</p> <p>I didn't do anything but chores all day and this after noon I shaved. Dad. Ferdy and Frank went back to the woods and got a load of poles. This after noon Ferdy &amp; Frank went down town and Ferdy showed Frank through the mill Ferdy stayed down to tea somewhere. Tonight I went down to a dance which the "Everready Sewing Club" got up for the relief of the Belgium's. There was a big crowd there and altogether they took in fifty four dollars and fifty cents which was clear as they got everything free. I had a dandy time and danced every dance I could get. I was dancing when the clock struck twelve and Anno Domini One Thousand nine hundred and fourteen was not more than history.</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/867d8e04e328f432c119b69bc6a524a9.pdf ce47009a6e36b256996d5fd85d35c980 PDF Text Text ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/56d3887e0d543549bea92b13aa00cd5b.pdf 308b47246775ad50ccd511a3e7b843f1 PDF Text Text ������������������������������������������������������������������������ https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/01722ba109230043801c10eb1bef0672.pdf 6f85bc50347fdff539aff36184729748 PDF Text Text Theobald (Toby) Barrett (1895-1969) 1913 Transcribed by Rural Diary Archive volunteers DISCLAIMER: This diary depicts some discriminatory content which some may find offensive. During the diary’s time period, such racial terms and prejudices were commonplace in Canadian society. They are considered wrong today. DIARY.1913 T.B.Barrett. Port Dover,Ontario. The Farm........ From January 1st 1913 to November 18th 1913. Wednesday January 1st 1913 We began to think that 13 at the end of the New Year was beginning right away to bring calamities upon us, for Dick who did not come home to tea last night did not put in an appearance all night, and it is the first time since he went into the bank that he did not come home to bed. I woke up at half past four and found Dad & Aunty up and in an awful state as neither one had slept all night and had been thinking Dick had tried to cross the pond about mid night when every body would be asleep and never got to the other side. Dad. & I went down about five and went to Huby’s first to see if he had stayed there. We went to Quint’s window and tapped and immediately saw old Quint - gliding around in the room; as soon as he lighted the light Dad. saw Dick in bed. We couldn't get him more than half awake and he mumbled something about Wiggins being sick - and he & Hazen worked so late, then went down to watch the dance for awhile and he never thought we'd miss him. Later on in the morning I drove Aunty and Lila down town with two mince pies and the turkey we killed for Christmas & which Aunty took down to Huby's to cook. Dad. did chore and we had a cold lunch after which Dad. & I went down to Alfred's followed by Nig. Tige & the white kitten to take him Hubys wooden cross puzzle which he seemed very pleased to get. We went down his lane & home by way of the gully. When we got home we sat around awhile before doing the night chores Quint & Dick came over about six as Dick wanted to 1 �get on a clean shirt or something and we went down with them to tea, or rather turkey dinner I took my skates down but it was too dark to go. Dick went up to a surprise party at Fatty Turner's, and told us he would not be home to-night. Aunty stayed down too. Dad, Frank & I came home about eleven. It has been very mild & sunny Thursday January 2nd I got up very late this morning. Dad. & I did chores and Glen & Wilbur Ryersie came along for a half morning's visit. Wilbur wanted Dad. to buy a pure bred Durham bull-calf for fifty dollars, but Dad told him he would go over & look at it before investing. At eleven Dad. went down to Huby’s and brought Aunty home. This after noon he went down again and saw Vyse up town who solicited his vote for his re election but Dad. told him that though he had nothing against him as a neighbor, he was out of place as reeve for he thought he had acted very unfairly in everything last year. I cleared up some of the old rubbish heap in the barnyard while Dad. was gone. Frank put in the afternoon building a dandy jib crane with his “Meccano” outfit. It has been very soft to-day & looks like a storm. Friday January 3rd This was Aunty's birthday and although we did our best we could not think of anything to give her so she vows that she doesn't know of any thing either, but Win sent her over a couple of aprons. Aunty remembers they are just what she wants. Dad. Aunty and I drove down town in the lumber waggon this afternoon morning. Aunty went in to see Enah who was up walking around and then down to Huby's to get Dads old medicine cupboard and the contents those of ready for removal to the farm. Dad & and I went down to the beach and got all the sand we thought we had better haul the roads down there were great as the sand was frozen enough to hold the wheels up and yet not too much to shovel. The ice banks are very high down there. We came up around by Huby’s and got Aunty and the old cupboard which we are going to use as a store house for Frank’s & my belongings. We are preparing in time against young Huberts development. Dad & I did chores this after noon and then sorted Dad's medicine. It started to rain this morning which turned to an all day snow storm. Colder to-night but not freezing. Saturday January 4th Charlie Martin was over for an hours visit this morning and told Dad. as he was leaving that he had a lame horse over there which he wanted Dad. to look at. He said his mother fell off the back steps before Christmas and nearly broke her leg. He also told us his sister Mrs. 2 �Maglaughlin had a baby girl about two days after Enah's boy came. Dad thought they ought to trade as Mrs. Maglaughlin was all prepared for & had a boy named and it was the other way round with Enah. This after noon we did chores and Dad. went down to see Enah. I went over as far as Martin's with him and saw the chickens which were all washed, fanned, powdered and the dark feathers pulled out of them and ready to start on the five train for the Boston show. We also saw Charlie's lam horse which has an awfully sore looking leg on it. I cut wood and practiced on my horn when I got home. Lila came over soon after I got back with her steam engine. Dad has to go down again to-night to sit with Enah. She is blue because the boy exercises his lungs now & then Froze last night. Cold raw wind all day but sunny and thawing. Sunday January 5th Frank, Dick & Lila went down to Sunday school and Aunty and I went down to church and were a little late. We went into Mrs Lawson's to see how Enah was on our way down and Aunty Maude was with her which surprised us very much but she said she didn't think it would hurt her a bit. Mrs. Roy Silverthorne was there in a very low condition, her little baby which was born last night, died and she didn't know it yet when we were there. Dick and I went down and had a good skate this afternoon though the ice was rather rough. Dad. went down and got Faulkner to bring Enah & the boy home in the covered in bus and it didn't hurt either one in the least. Al. drove at a snail's pace. He was telling Dad his opinion of Vyse. He spoke in the grieved monotone which he assumes for such occasions and said "I told Vyse, when we elected you reeve you promised to build good roads. You haven't done 15 cents worth of road work but spent all the money in sticking up that coup by me. Now what you had better do is to put the man in you built it for, which is Aikens, then you & Bill Graham lock yourselves in with him take a stick of dynamite and blow youse all to hell to save funeral expences"! "yes" said Al. I told him that two weeks ago and he hasn't spoken to me since." Beautiful day. Froze hard last night, but thawed all day. Colder & looks stormy tonight. Monday January 6th We did up all the chores this morning. Frank carried over the chaff & corn from the cows manger to the chicken house which he cleaned out. This after noon Dad.went down and cast his vote for J.R. Davis. Frank Taylor came over after him with Faulkner's bus just he was starting out. I broke the brace in the buck saw and fixed it this after noon Dick came home to night and told us that Vyse was elected reeve with John Walker, Henderson, Carl 3 �Coleman & Billy Laings as councilmen. He and I went down to A.Y.P.A to-night where we spent a pretty slow time. I went over to the band room for awhile where they preparing to start out for a serenade of the succesful candidates in the election. They were greatly proveket at Harry Graham & Art. Lawson because they wouldn't play as they were sore at the way things went. It wasn't right of them for as Harry. Moon said and he was probably as disappointed as any, but was playing, "The band is an organization independant of politics. All we're after is the coin and we don't care whether it is American money or not." It rained all night and drizzled all day, wasn't any colder when Dick & I got home about eleven to night. Tuesday January 7th We just did chores this morning. Aunty went down town to get some things for Dick's birthday which we celebrated to-night. I stayed in the house and read all the afternoon. Quint came over to tea to-night but Dick felt pretty miserable all evening. Quint stayed all night. Stormed all day half rain turning to sleet & ice so that everything is ice coated. Wednesday January 8th Dad. and Enah spent the greater part of last night I guess in the baby's company, who takes great pleasure in making them try to put him to sleep at midnight. He is just one red lump of wickedness & noise at night, sleeps all day. Frank started back to school this morning. Dick felt very miserable but said he must go to work and felt much better to-night when he got home. We did up the chores this morning and I took a picture of the ice mantled trees around Martin's place. I didn't do a thing but read - "Lords of the North" all the after noon. Win. came home with Frank to-night but could only stay a little while. Clear cold and sunny to day, snow crust very hard & slippery. Thursday January 9th Dad & I did chores & cut wood this forenoon. Bill Donald was in for awhile to have Dad. look at his horse. He told Dad. that he heard Jim. Dunbar had some wood for sale at $2.00 a cord, so Dad. drove Joe down to see if he could get her shod and drive down this after noon but he couldn't get in the shop and was afraid to risk driving on these icy roads, smooth shod. This after noon we started to fix up a place between the granary & cow stable for a calf pen but couldn't do much as we had no nails. Dick & I went down town after tea I took my horn down thinking there would be band practice but found when I get down 4 �that the council were treating the band to an oyster supper. I suppose I could have partaken of the feast if I chose but I came home & get my skates. I put them on at the house and skated down to the pond. There were quite a few there but it was so dark I couldn't see any of their faces and I didn't think Dick was there so I skated up to the bank Hazen was there and said Dick had just gone out with his skates on. I stayed there about half an hour and Hazen & I wrote & {talked?} to Baldy Denton. I then went back to the pond but it was nearly deserted so I came home and found Dick had just got here before me, he had been over at Dyer's or someplace and hadn't been skating at all. Win. came over with Frank to stay all night. Nice day very much milder. Friday January 10th Dad. & I drove down as soon as we could get started this morning which wasn't very early to get Joe shod but the shop was full again so we had to get a few things up town including a straw knife and come home. Dad. didn't know what to do as we want wood badly but he was afraid to drive Joe on the icy roads, especially after Vyse told us this morning that Sam. Law lost a cow by slipping on the ice. I supposed it was his old lame one. At last I decided to try and skate down. I left here after eleven and skated down on the road all the way and was back here by before one. Jim Dunbar was in Jarvis but his daughter said she thought he had wood for $2.50 a cord and would tell him to try and bring us a load to-morrow. I tripped several times going but only fell once. There were only a few places where the skating wasn't fairly good, the worst place was going up & down Art Ryersie's hill. We didn't do any thing in particular this after noon Bill Donald came after Dad. to go and see his horse about five o'clock. Some fellow drove in while he was here and wanted to know where Anson Collver lived. Bill knew, he said he supposed that was some body after him for money. Neil Elliot & Charlie McKenzie where in to look at Fred's calf although they had just met Dad. on the road and he told them the calf was not for sale. I went down to Mrs Jarley's wax work practice to-night, but there was "nothing doing". Mrs. Luck, Miss Harding & Booze Waddle were the only ones there. We went up to Mr. Johnson's and he gave me a little idea of what I had to do. I think it will be a pretty poor show. It is advertised for next Thursday and half the ones in it haven't been to practice yet. Mr. Johnson never looked through the book till to-night and he picked out several new caracters that he is going to try & ring in. Not sunny but thawing all day. Almost raining to-night. Saturday January 11th 5 �We got a very lig late start this morning - and so did not do any thing but chores. Art. Ryersie came after Dad. a little before noon to go and see one of his cows which slipped on the ice, and Dad. is afraid it has broken her leg. It was the best cow he had. This after noon we fixed a place in the barn to put Ringworm but could do nothing out side owing to the inclemency of the weather. To-night Dick & I went down town I went to Mrs. Jarley practice & Dick waited for me. Frank spent the morning down town getting his tooth filled and helped up this after noon Raine last night, very soft & cloudy this morning Rained hard all after noon, drizzling to-night. Sunday January 12th Dad. & I drove down to Jim. Dunbar's this morning and Dad. got him to say he'd bring us a load of wood to-morrow. When we got home we were about frozen. I felt kind of sick till I got thawed out. After dinner I helped Dad. do did chores and then started to go down to Harry Moons. I met Hazen who was driving out in front and he drove me down and went up to Harry's with me where we spent quite a time. Dick was down at Dyer's all the after noon and to tea. Bill Donald come and got Dad. this after noon. Very cold and windy early part of the day but milder and fair to-night. Monday January 13th We let Queen out this morning for quite an exercise Dad. was scared to 'death' she'd slip and hurt her self, but I guess she didn't. Mr. Bowlby. drove Louise down this morning. She had to back this after noon so Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger to the cutter and drove her up. The sleighing was very poor & one of the shoes on the cutter runner broke and ripped a big chunk out of the runner. Tom. Dunbar brought us our cord of wood to-day. He made two trips of it and charged us three dollars. The baby has been awake all day - and to-night is raining "Hail Columbia." Dick went back to-night. Froze hard last night but much milder to-night. Nice day Tuesday January 14th Dad. loaded the cutter in the waggon first thing and we took it down to Butler who said he didn't think the runner was {illegible} much. Dad. found he could get Joe shod so stayed down and I walked home. I started to throw the top off the straw stack. Th Mrs. McBride came to wash at noon and was here till after tea. Dad. cut some wood and we put a door on the barn and cut a bigger doorway. Dick came home to-night and forgot to bring the butter Aunty told him to get and we had a butterless tea, after which Dick went down town to get 6 �a pound I went with him to the Mrs. Jarley Waxwork practice in the town hall and am still convinced that the show will fall far short of what it is advertised to be. Beautiful day and perfect night. Sunny and much milder to-night. Wednesday January 15th Our attention was attracted this morning by a great deal of racket being kicked up by Dave Turner's engine, and learned to-night when Dick got home it was in honor of Gladys Coleman who was married sometime during the night to get off on the early train. We were greatly surprised at the news although Aunty suspected it. We did chores this morning and about eleven o'clock Dad. & I drove up to Ham Tompson's. Ham wasn't home but Dad. had a look at his bull calf. He says his stock is in a very bad condition. When we got home Dad. took Enah out for a short drive. The first time she has been out since she came home. This after noon we husked a little corn and Dad. moved some of the corn stalks from one end of the hay to the other and then cut some wood. I didn't do anything much. I went down again to-night to a Mrs. Jarley practice and had a pretty slow time. It will be over to-morrow night. Dick went down with me and worked awhile then we came home to-gether. Very soft and cloudy to-day. Rained a little this after noon and is raining quite hard to-night. Very slippery Thursday January 16th Mr. Lamb came over this morning before we had breakfast and got Dad. to go down and see a horse that got kicked. He was gone quite awhile and came back with a lovely bunch of flowers. This after noon he and Aunty went down town to get some things for the house. I didn't do any thing much but chores and read To-night Dick, Dad., Frank and I went down to Mrs. Jarley's Waxwork show. It came off a lot better than I expected and there was a full house. Perce Brock who was Mrs. Jarley couldn't have done better and Hazen Waddle was perfect. He was Simple Simon and sat through the whole show with his mouth wide open and the vacantest kind of a look on his face. If any body jarred against him he would fall over in his chair till they set him up straight. They said all the figures were good except poor Captain Robinson who with Lidney McQueen acted as Babes in the Wood. He couldn't keep a straight face, but Lidney kept the same sweet smile all through. They each had an enormous doughnut and when wound up would feed each other. It certainly did look great for two of the biggest men in town. Lila impersonated Little Jack Horner and except when she was exhibited & wound up evidently forgot she was wax work, for she laughed and moved around all she pleased and likley was more amusing than if she had been quiet I, the 7 �deceased Mr. Jarley nearly bit a hole in my cheek to keep from laughing and then didn't succeed very well. I was in agony for awhile when my nose began to tickle and I couldn't scratch it. The girls were all very pretty and I think every body got their money's worth. They had a dance after the performance and Mrs. Moon gave me another lesson. I belive I could learn if I could keep at it but not likely I will get another chance now till next summer. Rained a little this morning, dark & very soft all day. Raining hard to night when Dick & I got home at half past twelve, and had been raining all evening, so Aunty said. Friday January 17th We got rather a late start this morning and did nothing but chores except throw some more off the top of the straw stack Mr. Peace. came in to see Dad about a colt which has some thing on its leg - which oughtn't to be there. Tige resented his visit strongly and bit at him twice, much to his indignation & terror This after noon Dad. cut wood and we straightened up the fence in front of the hay barn two pannels of which have been down all winter. We were rather surprised this afternoon at Ringworm adding a bull calf to our stock collection. It rained all night and to-day Barrett's farm is a quagmire. Still very mild I woke up about half past eleven to-night by Tige barking furiously then I heard Dad who was just going to bed go to the door and a stranger's voice ask for permission to hunt sparrows in the barn, around the stack. Dad. told them they could hunt around the stack but couldn't go in the barn with their lantern. They told him they weren't out for "na fun" (which Dad readily believed) but were trying to rid the country of sparrows & rats. Dad. supposed they were after some prize as they came all the way from Selkirk. Saturday January 18th I read most of the morning and part of the afternoon in Dicks B.O.P. but finished the story and am not going to begin another for awhile. Frank helped us do chores and after dinner went down to Alfred's to buy some butter. Alfred had the puzzle done the right way, and after putting it to-gether to show Frank, sent it home. Frank is working at it now evidently with out much success. I husked corn this after noon and Dad sawed wood. Frank went back to the gully for awhile to watch the creek or something. To-night Dad & I worked at my horn trying to loosen one of the valves with the big monkey wrench. Mild & cloudy this morning. It turned colder with a high north west wind and snow. Quieter & not freezing tonight Sunday January 19th 8 �Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School. I helped Dad. do a few chores amd went to church. Bill Donald came in just as I left and stayed about a hour & a half. Aunty & I went down to Miss Battersby's after church and found her looking about as well as ever. Winnie came over to dinner with Dick, & Frank stayed down at Huby's. This after noon Dick & I went down town. I guess Dick spent the after noon at the drug store with Bob. while I went over to Waddle's for awhile then up to Harry Moon's, and looked at photographs. I drew to-night. It froze last night. Has been a very nice day and thawing. Monday January 20th I went out this morning to help Dad. do chores but got so dizzy I had to come in and go to bed, where I put in the rest of the day. I didn't have anything to eat all day except half a breakfast and about half a pint of pills with which they dosed me and which I think made me much worse. Enah gave me half a cup of cocoa which did me good as it floated. This evening I came out into the kitchen while Aunty fixed my bed. I was sitting there talking to Dad. when the first thing I knew Frank began to look like a very poor moving picture and the next I seemed to be waking up lying on the floor with Dad. & Aunty asking me how I felt. I then began to realize I had fainted, a thing which I never did before and only twice before ever felt like it - funny feeling -. Charlie Martin came over again this morning for awhile. Aunty went down town this after noon and came home half drowned and mud to her eyes. Dick sent the mail home by Frank but he did come home till after A.Y.P.A. - as he went to hear Cousin Willie's lecture on literature which he liked. It rained again last night but was a lovely sunny day tl till this after noon when it began to pour and kept up till after tea when it turned colder and to snow. Tuesday January 21st I didn't do any thing in the shape of work all day although I felt much better that yesterday. I read nearly all morning. This after noon Louise came over. She had come down on the one o'clock train, and is staying here all night Mr. & Mrs. Art. Ryersie came over and spent the evening Art. took the wooden puzzle home with him. It Froze last night and has been a lovely sunny day, though cold Wednesday January 22nd I went out this morning and tried to do a few chores, but couldn't do much. Louise came out for awhile to see the live stock and Dad. took Queen out in the halter for her entertainment but Tige proved to be the chief attraction in that show. This after noon Mrs. 9 �Bowlby came down & Louise went back with her. Mrs. Bannister, Mrs Vyse & her three kids came over this after noon. I was {scairt?} to come in the house so nearly froze out in the drive shed where Dad. was putting a new head on the scraper which old Harry broke this morning. Dick got home early but went back again to watch the dance. Dad & Frank went down to Alfred's to-night to show him Franks Mecanno Outfit. Lovely sunny day. Freezing slightly to-night. Thursday January 23rd I didn't do any thing today but sit around and feel rotten. Dad. couldn't do anything out side but chores. Enah was feeling miserable this morning having fainted in the night without telling any body. This afternoon Aunty went down to Bible Class. It was raining when we got up this morning and has kept it up steadily all day Friday January 24th About the only thing of much interest that happened to-day on the premises was the birth of a bull calf to Mully and no-body is much exercised over that, Mully included. Ah! Yes, another thing is, we got five eggs and didn't find a nest either. We think that is "going some" for only about forty hens. I am a lot better to-day though my knee is pretty sore yet. The baby isn't very well to-day either. I went out a little to day but drew & read most of the time. Dick had to go back to work at the bank to-night. Froze a little last night. Lovely mild day but not very sunny. Freezing to-night. Saturday January 25th We saw Allan Law & Art Ryersie driving past this morning with the separator and upon inquiry found they were hauling it to Fleming's while the roads are frozen as they are going there after they get though at Arts, there is no telling when they will get here. Dad. and Frank loaded up the rack with blue grass hay this morning from what was on top of the alsike as we have decided not to thresh it on account of the price being so low. This after noon they hauled it over to the other barn where it will be handy to feed to the cows, and then went & hauled up a load of rails. They did all the chores. I didn't do any thing all day owing to my sore knee though I felt better in other ways. The two Mrs. Shands & Miss Shand came in to see the baby to-night and although he was awake he never whimpered so they went off with a very good impression of his conduct. Dick went down to the pond to skate after tea to-night. Perfect day sunny and lovely out 10 �Sunday January 26th The boys were the only members of the family who attended church or Sunday School today. I hung around out side with Dad. for awhile this morning as my knee felt better. Quint. came home to dinner with Dick and stayed all night. This after noon he, Frank & I went out and played marbles for awhile. Tonight. Aunty read to us about an African cannibal & the missionarys. Very, mild, cloudy & muddy. Monday January 27th My knee was much better and I helped Dad. do chores this morning. Arpha Fleming came over and invited Dad to go there threshing this afternoon. Mrs. McBride came to wash and was here nearly all day. Rus. Lambkins was in to see about a wind mill but Dad. told him we didn't need one now on account of Ivey's tile drain at which we have watered the stock all winter so far. and it looks as if it would run for quite awhile yet. Earl. Brown was in also to see Dad. about a cow. Aunty went down town this after noon to see if she could get some lady to stay with Aunt Ida but was unsuccessful. Dad. & I went with her as far as Vyses. We found they had moved the threshing out fit in there instead of Fleming's as Vyse has to go to County Council soon. Cousin Loll & Cousin Phoebe came over to see the baby this afternoon. Mr. Lamb. came over to-night to see about his horse. Froze pretty hard last night and been freezing all day. Tuesday January 28th Dad. left early this morning to thresh at Vyse's. I did the chores as my knee was ever so much better. About ten o'clock Dad. came home. He said they were stopped then but did need him much anyway, so he came home to saw wood which he did till noon Mr. Flemming told him that if they didn't get moved to his place till the middle of the afternoon it wouldn't be worth Dad's while to come over so he didn't. This after noon he gave Queen quite an exercise & I took a picture of her also one of the baby which finished my film. Dad. & I hooked up Harry & Belle & got a couple of loads of rails, one load from the remainder of the fence on the east west side of the wheat field and one from on the north fence. Aunty went down town this after noon to get some birthday presents for Huby. Beautiful day, froze in the night, sunny & milder Wednesday January 29th 11 �Dad left first thing this morning for to thresh at Mr. Flemings and was gone all day. He got home in time to milk before dark and felt pretty well "plugged up". It kept me nearly all morning doing chores. This after noon I practiced my horn a little and read. Mrs. Alfred Ryersie came in to see the baby. Enah took a walk over to Martin's. Allan Law came in at noon and got the waggon to get wood. He didn't know where he was going, but intimated that he was going to "lift" rails from fences along the road. This was Huby's birthday. It has been cloudy & spitting snow all day. Not cold but freezing Thursday January 30th Dad threshed over at Fleming's all day and they finished to night. They finished the alsike about 3 o'clock and got 17 Lays and 1/2 bushel from the 98 loads, and they thrashed 316 bus. of oats in two hours after that. It kept me all morning doing chores and this after noon I cut a little wood. I intended to husk some corn but it was such a nice day I thought I would get a load of rails instead so I went & hooked up Harry & Belle to the waggon and went out and got the rails from the north side of the wheat field where Dad. & I got the last load. The horses were feeling good especially old Harry who hasn't any more sense that a seventeen year old bird's nest. Going out I had to get out to open the gate off the road and as soon as they saw it open in front of them, started through it. I caught Belle's rain but Harry kept on going. so I had to let them go into the field where they immediately started to speed up. and it just kept me humping to run and scramble in the back of the waggon but I was fortunate enough to get the lines and steady them down before they did any damage, but I was thankful to get back safe with my load. Mr. Johnson & Mrs. Quanbury were over this afternoon to see the baby. Aunty went down town this after noon. To-night. Dick & I went down to band practice. I found out from Carl Coleman that we could have their cattle rack on Saturday to go after the {illegible}. Lovely day. sunny & very mild. Friday January 31st It begant to rain this morning which about noon turned to snow and that cleared off & it begant to freeze pretty hard to night. Dad. and I spent the day doing chores, "settin' round the stove" in the meantime, Dad. cut some wood & I unloaded the load of rails this after noon. About four o'clock I went down town & got my hair cut. I also took down 3 doz. eggs & traded them off for meat. Dick did not come home to tea tonight as he had to work this being the end of the month. Saturday February 1st 12 �We intended to go and get the sheep to-day but the weather prevented us. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. cut wood. I read a little and this after noon fooled with my horn Dad. managed to get the valve loosened which has been stuck for so long, and I poured a couple of quarts of water down the bell to clean it out and spilt it all over the Floor. Frank also polised up the mouthpiece with his sample of silver polish Aunty succeeded at last in persuading Frank to remove the fourteen wish-bones which have been accumulating on the kitchen hanging lamp for over a year, and she boiled them and polished them up for him. It has been freezing hard all day with a very high cold wind but sunny. Sunday January February 2nd Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School and I got fixed up and went to church. I got there about twenty minutes too early so waited at "The Dominion". Win. came home with us after church and stayed all night. Dick stayed down all the after noon and stayed at Huby's to dinner. Dad. did all the chores. Aunty had us all going guessing Bible Carachters to-night. It froze like Billy-be-da--ylights, last night and has been very cold and a high wind all day. Bear saw hi shaddow. Monday February 3rd We did up the chores this morning. This afternoon we hooked Joe & Ginger to the waggon and went down town. We found out from Carl Coleman that we could have their stock waggon to get our sheep to morrow. We also got the cutter from Butler. When we got home we found an old pedlar who told Aunty he had walked all the way from Hagersville, he was selling post cards. Archie Long had been here to sell fence. To-night Dick and I went down to the Orchestra dance where we had a dandy time. I think I am getting on to the hang of it now. We got home a little before half past three to-morrow morning. It was a nice day today and quite mild. It snowed a little this morning. Tuesday February 4th I got up about half past seven this morning. We didn't do any chores but got started as early as we could which was about ten for the sheep. We drove Joe & Ginger and took our waggon down to Coleman's and left it there then hooked on to theirs, we got up there in about an hour. Dunkin said he thought we were never coming. He had had bad luck with his imported sheep. Owing to carelessness in the Quarantine Station two of his sheep died and he can't get a cent for them. They charged him forty five dollars for their keep down there 13 �for thirty days. Mine were alright though and we got them home safely. He only charged us two dollars for their keep, but hasn't had them registered yet. We had to walk the horses nearly all the way home on account of bumpy roads. When we unloaded the sheep we went right back with the waggon and got our own, we also went up to Chris. Fairchild's and got the saw blade. Dick took to him this morning & {following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page}{it was?} just half past three when we got in the house after {putting?} the horses in. it was just twelve when we left Dunkins {after?} we had a little dinner we went out and did up the chores. The poor horses were pretty hungry & thirsty especially Joe & Ginger who were tired also. Dick & Frank went down to A.Y.P.A. tonight. It has been cloudy & blustery all day and pretty cold. Thursday Wednesday February 5th We hooked up Joe & Ginger to the waggon first thing this morning and went down town and got a load of coal, as Dick found out last night that Jim. Low had some in at last. We lost quite a little bit of it coming home as the roads were rough and it jiggled out the back when going up hills although we scraped it forwards a couple of times. This being Ash Wednesday they had service in the church but none of us attended it. Lent begins earlier this year that it has for 138 years, it can only start one day earlier, at least that's what the "Maple Leaf" states but it is not likely right. Last night was about the coldest night this winter. It must have been down to zero during the night, and has been very cold all day, with a high wind and snow Thursday February 6th We did not do any thing to-day but chores This after noon Aunty went down town to Auxillary or something and Dad. & Enah had an awful time with the baby as he was sick and they couldn't do any thing to ease him or keep him quiet. I practised my horn all after noon. About five o'clock Sam. Law pulled in here with the clover mill. They got through at Ham Thompson's sooner than they expected so moved right down here to night. Allan & Bert Monroe came soon after wards with the engine, which had something wrong with the injector & they worked at it till long after dark. They said they would thrash in the morning if we weren't ready but we bade them come. Sam. was about half drank & the other half frozen when he came in and borrowed our waggon to go home & buck wood but we noticed he hit the trail for town at a pretty good lick. To-night I went down to band practice and got home about eleven. It has been cold with a very high wind 14 �Friday February 7th The men did not get here till after breakfast, they got steam up and moved the machine into the barn and then began to talk of not threshing, "Bert was the only one of the thes that wanted to Allan I guess thought it would be too cold out on the engine {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {and?} it certainly wouldn't be very warm. Their only excuse was {that?} the belt wouldn't stay on in the wind. Mr. Odd was here {to?}day for Mr. Fleming. Allan & Bert went down town and {g?}ot their horses shod. and Sam went home. about noon he came back again and said he guessed they could thrash this after noon. We did the chores all up there was a little more work for Dad. as this morning when he went out to the cow stable he found a red & white bull calf of Spotty's on the floor. We got it & her in as warm quarters as we could but the poor little fellow has been pretty cold all day. The thrashers did come back this afternoon and we thrashed out the four loads of cloverseed and got three bags & about 1/4 bushel I get 1 1/4 bags. Young Billy Louis came over for Tupper but we didn't need him so he went back. They got the machine moved over to the other barn but didn't try to thrash any they said if it was very windy to-morrow they wouldn't come over. This aft. To-night. Dick & I went up to the hockey match in Simcoe - Simcoe vs Hamilton I was going to drive up with Bert Monroe but it turned out such a rotten night that both Bert & I decided to take the train There was quite a big crowd went up from Dover on the Port Rowan train, we came back on the Hamilton special that brought the team up. We got there a little after out eight, and had to sit and freeze by inches for about four hours. They could not have begun to play before half past twelve and it got pretty tedious waiting, but it was a good game when they did start, We rooted for Simcoe and they trimmed Hamilton 8 to 3. The Hamilton boys seemed rather tired the last half. We didn't get to bed till after three to-morrow morning. Dad got a blank form to-night which he had to fill & tell about Tiddums. They named him Hubert James Harold. (poor kid) more name than boy. It was very cold and windy this morning and has been growing worse all day. To-night when we came home it was a holy fright. Saturday February 8th I got up about the same time as usual. This morning it was windy & snowing so we didn't look for the thrashers. Frank. Dad. & I moved some of the poles from over the driveway to above where Ring worm (by the way her name has changed now from Ring worm to Erie, Aunty objected to the former so we called her after Mrs. Fred. Warren as that is who we got her from.) and her calf are. We started to put some clover chaff on them but it was so short it fell through a lot, so Dad. said we would wait till the wind went down and then put some 15 �straw on first to hold the other. but we never got it done all day. Dad felt pretty miserable all day and stayed in the house all the after noon I cut a little {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {wood?} and fooled around the rest of the time. Aunty went down town, she lost her muff the other day and thought {she?} knew where she left it but when she inquired this after {noon?}, she could find it nowhere. Lila came over while she {was?} gone and told her to-night that she saw George Spain {on?} Thursday kicking a muff through the square and he said it was somebody's old worn out muff they had {thrown?} away. Aunty is sure it was her's as it was near there {she?} missed it. It was such a bad night. Lila spent it here Frank went down and visited with Mr. Alfred for awhile this after noon and got some butter. Dick felt pretty rotten when he got home to-night and his ear ached. Allan Law came over to-day to put a fire in the engine to keep the water from freezing It was not very cold to-day but very windy & snowdrifty. Sunday February 9th Dad. has felt very sick all day and didn't to any thing much but milk, feed the calves and let the cows out & in again. I sent the most of the day doing the rest of the chores. I felt kind of tired myself. Aunty, Frank & Lila all went down to Sunday School & church, but none of the rest of us. Dick didn't get up till about noon. This afternoon Mrs. Johnson & Mrs. McPherson with Cecil & Leon came over to see Enah and she walked down to Quanbury's with them. Ada was also over to see H.J.H. Barrett. Allan Law came over again to put a fire in the engine. King Pepper was in this morning with a little dog, which Dad. told him had a broken leg. It was up to far to bandage it so Dad said just to keep him quiet and it would likely get all right. Frank found Aunty's muff this morning right near the bandstand in the snow. George Spain told him in Sunday School that he had taken it home and after keeping it two days and not finding an owner he had brought it back and left it where he found it. It was not at all hurt Aunty said. Not cold to-day but windy. Monday February 10th We got up pretty early this morning on account of threshers They got started about half past nine. The only extra ones we had were Mr. Odd & Billy Louis. We thrashed nearly all morning and never saw a head of alsike, and the blue grass neatly all blew over, so we stopped thrashing the blue grass in the back part of the mow and confined our labor to the front bint. We only got about two bags of seed all day, and there is about two hours more to go through yet. For awhile Dad. thought it wouldn't be worth thrashing but we got nearly 16 �to the floor at one end and it is much thicker so I guess we will finish the job. Dad has the shed, the driveway and over the sheep pen filled up with thrashed hay, and it {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {was} way out in front of the drive way. He had a very {---ty?} place and feels pretty tired to-night. Charlotte {had?} a calf to-night another boy. Aunty says "It may {be?} cold in the house but they are having a "bully" time in {the?} barn" It was very cold & frosty this morning but the sun got up and it was quite a nice day. There was a slight easterly breeze which was just what we wanted as it blew the smoke away from the barn. It is about the first time this winter we have had an east breeze. Dick & I sent away to-night for a work of 10 volumes which we saw advertised called "The Wonders of Science in Modern Life". Tuesday January February 11th We finished up our threshing about noon - the seed came a little faster than yesterday and I guess we have about five or six bushels, they didn't need me much to help them so I didn't hang around looking for a chance to help. I did a few chores but nothing to speak of. This afternoon I went over and helped thrash at Sam Law's we got all the red clover thrashed and he got just the same as we did - three bags and a little more. It turned out pretty well. I have to go back in the morning to help thrash out three loads of alsike. Dad. did up all the chores here this after noon & I did not get home till after tea. Dick had to go back to help Hazen find a mistake to-night. Mr Wiggins was going to a dance in Jarvis. Allan Law was going down too. It has been much milder to-day this morning it looked stormy but was sunny after dinner and it seems colder to-night. Wednesday February 12th I didn't get up very early this morning and went over to Sam Law's as soon as I had my breakfast. They started to thrash soon after nine - and got though just about noon. They got just three bags of alsike so it turned out much better than ours as they said they only had three loads. I stayed over there to dinner. This afternoon Dad. & Frank fixed up three pens in front of the cow for the calves, they had to be separated as they suck each other's ears & Spot's calf had it's ears frozen last night. I battoned up the door of the horse stable with tar paper and it took me nearly all the after noon. We started separating again this morning Frank stayed home from school to-day to help Dad. get some of the thrashed blue grass over to the other barn but the wind was too strong. Dick had to go back to work tonight. There was a very cold north wind all day and quite a snowstorm to-night for a while 17 �Thursday February 13th We didnt get any thing done to-day but chores. I sawed a little wood this after noon & hung around. Aunty went down town to Bible Class. To-night I went down to band practice and got home about half past ten. It has been cold and very windy all day. The wind got up with the sun and made Dad. feel very cross all day as he wanted to get some to the thrashed blue grass moved to the other barn, and we couldnt with the wind & rough road. Friday February 14th We spent our spare time this morning in fixing a door in the east side of the horse stable loft where we can pitch hay off by hand instead of using the hay fork This afternoon after we had the chores done up we went over and put a load of timothy hay in the rack ready to haul to the horse stable at the first opportunity as the supply over there is getting low. Harry. Varey drove Mrs. Johnston over to spend the after noon with Enah & he & {Elan?} {called?} for her again after tea. Tiddums had colic to-day - very wicked. Miss Harding was out this afternoon to see him. Sunny & mild with not much wind to-day, very nice day. Saturday February 15th As soon as we got the chores done this morning we {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {moved?} the load of timothy which we loaded yester day over to the stable and Frank helped us unload it. Then we {al...?} and put on a load of the thrashed blue grass and {hauled it} over to the other barn. This after noon we unloaded it. {We?} loaded two more, we unloaded one and left the other on the barn floor, so we think we have got in a pretty day's work. Nigel came over quite early this morning & Lila followed him up this after noon, both are staying over night. Aunty went down town this after noon to get some things. Something has gone wrong with the dining room stove chimney and we can hardly see accross the room in there for smoke. Nice day, much milder, slight wind and raining to-night. Sunday February 16th I intended to go to church this morning with Aunty, Dick & Frank but I had to go up on the roof to see what was the matter with the dining room chimney, and as I had to wait till the fire went out it was twenty minutes to eleven when I got down, I found the cause of the trouble was that a brick had blown down the chimney and nearly filled up the flue. I hadn't much trouble in disloging it Quint came over with the boys to dinner, and this afternoon we 18 �went skating. I thought I ought to go as I didn't get to church this morning. We were the only ones on the creek, and the skating was good. We were out to the end of the pier and up as far as Tommy Jackson's, Frank & I came home at half past five & Quint & Dick came over later. Nice day, rather cold and cloudy. It turned cold and froze during the night. We saw a flock of geese flying north to-day. Monday February 17th Dad. and I hooked Joe & Ginger to the buggy this morning and took them down to be shod but we found every shop in town full, so after getting a buggy load of groceries came home, I dropped a dollar's worth of sugar on the floor at Bagley & Miller's and spilt it all over, I was mad enough to cuss. We found out that to-morrow would be the last day they would cut ice, so as we couldn't get the team shod, Dad. spoke to Allan Law and he said he would hold it for us. We intended to get the ice house all ready this after noon but didn't get much done to it. Alfred came over for a visit & Felix Perkins came in to sell a wind mill. I was going to print pictures to-night but we were a little late with tea and as I wanted to do quite a lot, I thought I had better wait till I had more time. Dick didn't come home to tea to night. We don't know where he is but suppose he has gone to A.Y.P.A. There was quite a snow storm tonight this morning but cleared off and was very sunny & mild this after noon. Clear & freezing to night. Tuesday February 18th Allan Law came with the first load of ice this morning soon after breakfast before we had our chores done and we have been on the hump all day. We just put in six loads, and think that will be enough till we see if it keeps and we can easily put in more another time. It kept us busy to keep it well chinked with snow and icechips and we have yet to get some sawdust and pack it. Dick had to work last night till midnight and to-night came home, he has to work every other night for awhile. It has been very mild and sunny all day, freezing to-night. Wednesday February 19th Dad. & I did the chores all up this forenoon. Vyse was over for quite awhile and also a pedlar who waited around about ten minutes for Enah to make her appearance to sell something and then received hardly any attention so departed with haste. Aunty went down to the dentists but had to go again to-morrow. We took Joe & Ginger down right after dinner to be shod. I came home soon after we got there but Dad. did not get back till dark. Butler is 19 �so slow. I didn't do much except put some more snow in the chinks of ice and cut a little wood. Dad. had to milk after tea to-night. Dick didn't come home to tea as he has to work to night. Mrs. Jack & Mrs. Charlie Martin were over this after noon while Enah was visiting at Quanbury's. It has been a lovely day but terribly muddy. Thursday February 20th Dad. & I left as soon after breakfast as possible this morning for Brad. Bowlby's to get a load of sawdust, we got back about noon and after putting it in the ice-house found we would need more, so left right after dinner and got a bigger load, getting home at four o'clock. Dick got home early and unloaded it for us, we could use a little more but we have enough for the present. To-night Dick got a ticket for Dad. to go to the Library Concert so I went with them, they had a farce called "That Rascal Pat" which wasn't much in itself, but the actors, Bill Davis, Perce Brock & Art. Lawson were great. It was very short and we were home at half past ten. It barely froze last night, and has thawed very much all day. If we had waited any longer to go for our sawdust we wouldn't have been able to get in after it, the road was so bad. Mrs. Crosby Morgan died last night. Friday February 21st Just as we were getting ready to sack up some oats this morning, Jack came along and bought our veal calf (Erie's) for eight dollars, he was big but very thin. Dad. took some oats & barley down to the mill to be chopped just before dinner. Aunty went down town to get some flowers for Mrs. Morgan's funeral. Frank came home at noon and is to have a half holiday, as Mr. Smith had to go to Captain McFell's funeral this afternoon. Allan Law came in after dinner and said he was going to take his seed to Jarvis in the morning so I am going with him and take ours. Dad. settled up with him for threshing and he didn't charge anything for hauling the ice, so we got it pretty cheap, as Val. didn't charge for cutting it. Dad. and I went down town after some coal oil and came around by the mill and got our chop and then loaded on our seed. We started to have a musical evening but Tiddums opposed uss and had to have refreshments. Colder to-day with cold easterly wind, getting stormier tonight. Saturday February 22nd We got up before day light this morning as I expected to go to Jarvis with Allan Law, but he never turned up, we supposed on account of the weather. Dad. informed us this morning that the old sow had a big litter of piglets. We have counted them several times during the 20 �day and have come to the conclusion there are thirteen, all healthy and of uniform size. Soon after breakfast young Billy Louis came after Dad to go and see a sick cow so Frank and I were left with all the undone chores on our hands, but we got them off in good shape by noon, besides throwing off what was left of the load of threshed blue grass standing on the barn floor. Dad. got home about noon and had to hurry to get down town by one as he had to be bearer at Mrs. Morgan's funeral. Aunty went down with him. I didn't do much all the afternoon except cut a little wood. The Ryersies came up and Frank went with them back to the gully as Frank discovered a rabbit hole in the mound. One of our white cats has been sick for the last couple of days and to-night has disappeared we are afraid for good. I read "Oour Mutual Friend" all evening and wound up with a bath which nearly killed me. It rained last night and then froze and has been raining most of the day with several heavy down pours. Sunday February 23rd The two boys went to Sunday school Aunty didn't go as she has a cold and didn't like to go out in the wind. I went down to church. Winny came over to dinner with Dick, who spent the after noon down town. Dad. did chores. I read most of the time. We had some music. Frank went back in the gully to look at his empty snares. It has been much colder to day with a raw wind, freezing hard to night Dad is very anxious about his little pigs and to day battoned up the cracks in the pig pen, he says they feel as warm as toast. There are thirteen live ones and one dead one. Monday February 24th Allan Law came over this morning before I was through break fast all ready to start for Jarvis I got ready as quickly as I could, with Dad's big coon skin over coat and stalked over to Law's as Allan had to load up their seeds, we got started about nine o'clock. When we got down about to the fourth concession Allan got out to walk and then got in with Bellack who was leading a team to Jarvis to sell to Dave. Ward who is shipping to-day, so I drove on to Jarvis's alone, I pulled into the association store as I saw the name of Fess above the door but Allan saw me and told me to come on down farther to a brother of this fellow, so we went down and left our load at the other place till after dinner. I came away in such a hurry this morning that I forgot to take any money so had to look to Allan for dinner, and so got a dandy. It took the fellow all the after noon to clean up our alsike & blue grass red clover and we had to leave our blue grass for another time. We got $11 1/2 for the alsike & $9 for the red clover, which is as good as any body is getting now I guess. I got $18 for mine. Allan only 21 �got $10 for his alsike as it was part white clover. The fellow said it would have been worth a lot more than ours if it had been brought in two months sooner but now the market was closed for it. Allan got the same for his red seed as we did. I think he expected more than he got. We left there I guess about half past five, and got home about seven, we came a lot faster than we went as we had a big load on this morning. Dad has been over to Louises' this after noon, their cow is getting better he had a very enjoyable visit with John Wess on his way - one of our little pigs got killed some way this morning thirteen was an unlucky number anyway. Emery McPherson and Mrs. Johnson were over this after noon. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day. Dick did not get home to-night, had to work I suppose. Pretty cold to day but sunny and nice. Roads are awfully rough down east Tuesday February 25th We were very late this morning getting started, owing to my staying in bed later than I should have, so it took us till noon doing chores. Allan Law came in with our seed and took the waggon away with him again. This after noon Dad. & I drove down town on sundry errands Dick came home to tea but went back down town again to see Huby. he said he might skate or work. Aunty has been feeling very miserable all day, with grip or neuralgia or both. Pretty cold, but sunny and no wind. I finished reading "Our Mutual Freind" to night, sorry to leave it. Wednesday February 26th We didn't do any thing but chores to day. We went down to Alfred's with the sacks we borrowed from him and found him feeling pretty sick with a cold, we were there quite awhile and got back about noon Ern. Fleming was in for awhile this after noon to have Dad. look at his horse who has scratches. I drew a little this after noon and spen the evening practising on my horn. Frank went down town to-night to the moving picture show. Dick was going too so we stayed down to tea It snowed all day, no wind and not very cold Thursday February 27th It snew & blew nearly all day. We did up all the chores this morning. Allan Law brought back our waggon and borrowed the hay rack to haul a couple of loads of hay down town, he brought it back to-night. This after noon Dad. drove Enah down town and when they got back he & I drove down to the mill got some corn cobs and took them down to Huby's as he wanted some to smoke his pork. I printed pictures tonight and met with fairly good success. Dick did not work to-night 22 �Friday February 28th Dad. & I went down first thing this morning and got a load of coal with Joe & Ginger. We let Belle & Harry out separately for a ran in the barn yard and they evidently enjoyed them selves immensly, especially Harry. who was enraptured, this after noon we did chores and unloaded our coal. Aunty has felt very miserable all day and feels as if she was getting the grip. Dick did not come home to-night, this being the end of the month he had to work late. It snowed the biggest part of the day but was quite mild. We are getting enough snow now to make up for the rest of the winter. Saturday March 1st We did the chores all up this morning, this after noon we sat down to read, and stayed a good deal longer than we should have - and then drove Joe & Ginger down town for exercise, the sleighing is pretty good now. When we were letting the team into the stable to-night Joe who goes in first stopped in the alleyway to nose for hay and Ginger came up behind and turned in beside Belle and she kicked Ginger just below the knee and raised quite a lump, but we don't think it will be serious. Frank has spent the day looking at his empty trap and snares and scouring the farm in search of material to make a sleigh. Our other white cat is at the point of death to-night, they must have got poisoned. Isaac Johnson & Jack Lawrie were over this morning with a new horse bought by the farmer. March has put in a very lamblike appearance. It snowed quietly most of the morning, and has been sunny & mild the rest of the day. Sunday March 2nd The boys went to Sunday school and I went down to church. Aunty didn't go on account of her cold and the bad weather Quint. came over to dinner and this after noon we went over to the Shand's as Charlie had asked Frank at school. It was a rough day for a drive and we werent sure wheter we could get through the cuts or not. This one out here was nearly full and we just had room for Joe to go down one side of it. The four of us in the cutter made quile a load but she got through the drifts nobly and where there were no drifts the sleighing was pretty good. We were there all the after noon and they wanted us to stay to tea but the wind was getting worse all the time so we thought it was better to leave before dark. We drove around the other way coming home past McQueen's and the Mill as we weren't shure about getting through the other way. It was getting very much colder and in some places I couldn't see any farther than Joe's head for the drifting snow. we got home 23 �just about dark, the lane out here was full and we all had to get out for to let Joe get through Dad walked down to Alfred's this after noon and to Art's as Mrs Tuck asked Frank in Sunday school to let them know that old Mrs. Sindon. had another stroke. Dad got very cold, and says Alfred isn't feeling much better yet. Quint stayed here all night. Aunty read to us all the evening, but I went to sleep before she finished. Monday March 3rd Dad didn't feel very well to-day so we did not do anything out side but chores and cut a little wood. We also started to make out a list of seeds to send for to Simmer's It snowed pretty much all day, was cold and windy this morning but the wind went down a little and it was a great deal milder this after noon. Dick did not come home to tea to-nigh but went to A.Y.P.A. I had quite a piano practice to-night. Tuesday March 4th I drove Dick down town this morning as the walking was so bad, we were to late in starting to take Frank. When I got back Enah was ready to go down with 10 lbs of butter so after cleaning out the stables I drove her down, she got 30 cts a lb. for the butter, we didn't get back much before noon. Allan Law came over to get one of us to help him shovel out the cut on the side road out here but as neither could go he said he wasn't going to do it alone and so departed after breaking the handle of our snow shovel while talking. Dad felt very miserable to-day so we didn't do any thing much this after noon but finish making out our list of seeds. Aunty got a letter from Miss Scott this afternoon saying that a little daughter arrived yesterday after noon to Ray & Vernon. Aunty couldn't make out from the letter whether they were extra anxious about Vernon or not, but we didnt get any more word tonight so Dad. thinks every thing must be all right. We are afraid that all our cats except Fits and her mother have gone where they don't play billiards as neither the grey or black cat has showed up for the last two or three milking times. I had a good practice on horn & piano to-night. It snowed a little to-day but was pretty sunny & not cold. Wednesday March 5th I drove Aunty & Dick down town, this morning. Aunty got Cousin Willie to telephone Ray and find out how things were, he said they were doing better and said there would be a letter from him on the noon train. I drove around town while waiting for Aunty as I didn't want to keep Joe waiting. Bob. Miller asked me if we could keep a ewe for awhile for him as didn't want to kill it yet. Aunty found out from Aunty Maude that Mrs. Baugner's friend Mr. Hamer 24 �the great Shropshire man was coming to Mr Scofield's this afternoon so Dad. & I went down and met him and thought he was a very nice fellow. We have been troubled lately by a very disagreeable odour in the dining room and until this morning have been unable to discover the cause, but upon investigation Dad found our two cats the black one and the white one which disappeared from the horse stable so mysteriously lying dead in the garret directly over the dining room stove, where it was warm. Frank found the remains of the grey cat underneath the cultivator in the barn to-night, our once great supply of cats has now dwindled down to two head. Dick had to work to-night so did not get home to tea. Mrs. McBain. died very suddenly this morning about ten o'clock. I had a pretty good practice tonight. Rather cold, but sunny, windy to-night. Thursday March 6th Helen Agusta Wind was here to-day, so in honor of her visit we didn't do any thing but chores, and not all of them as we didn't clean out the horse stable at all, for the first time this winter. This afternoon I walked down town to get the mail as Dick wasn't coming home to tea to-night. The lane was full of snow-drift so we couldn't drive. To night I went down to the Orchestra dance, I didn't decide to go till just in time to get ready but the wind had died down, so it wasnt so bad going. Dick was there and we had a good time, the only boots I could find to wear, were a pair of thin soled paten leathers of Dad's, they were about a foot too long for me but worked pretty well, we got home about three in the morning; it was freezing hard and I guess was the coldest night this winter. Frank didn't go to school to-day on account of a bad cold. Friday March 7th Dad. and I started to dig out the lane this morning but Sam Law came over - about ten o'clock - and got Dad. to go and help dig out the one cut on the side road and at the winding hills, so I didn't get finished here. This afternoon we did chores, and I walked down and got the mail and my hair cut. Frank was in the house all day to-day again and feels pretty sick. Dick brought home a book to-night which he persisted in reading out loud and so I could not get this written. Had a practice on my horn. It has been freezing hard all day but sunny and no wind. Saturday March 8th Dad. and I did up the chores this morning, we also finished shovelling out the lane. I drove Enah down town this after noon to sell her butter and do shopping I didn't wait for her 25 �standing as I was afraid Joe would get cold so drove around town I picked up Roy Dell and afterwards Quint & Jim Muth piled in too but they didn't stay long. When we got home Mr. & Mrs. Morley Buck and kids were over just leaving. Mrs. Buck had been comparing babies but thought Tiddums would be not much account as he didn't sleep out doors. Jack Martin came over this after noon while we were gone and took all his roosters. Dick didn't come home to tea to-night we supposed he had to work. We started to have a practice to-night but Tiddums had to wake up and be fed just as we got started and it looks now as if I was in for a bath. It has been much milder to-day snowed this morning and is almost thawing this evening before sundown. Sunday March 9th The boys went to Sunday school this morning, Aunty stayed home to mind Tiddums so as to let Dad. & Enah go to church, we started rather late and it was beginning to rain before we got to the corner it was pouring so hard we came back. Frank did not go to church. This after noon we didn't do anything much Dad. did all the chores and Enah & I practiced Dick read, he was very disappointed as he has been counting on a sleigh ride this afternoon but the sleighing is nearly all gone, although a cutter & bob sleigh did go past in the mud. It has been very mild & sunny this after noon but every thing is flooded. Monday March 10th Dad. and I loaded up some wheat oats this morning and took it down to be chopped. This after noon Dad drove Aunty down to the McBains and on down town to get the mail and then drove around by the mill for the chop Just after dinner Allan Law drove in with his new buggy and harness and wanted to go to Jarvis after the blue grass money, so I went with him. the roads were a little muddy but not bad we went down and back in three hours, and were there half an hour or more. We got eight dollars for our seed with 17 lbs of alsike in it and Allan got a little over five for his. we didn't expect any more. He gave usl 2 1/2 cts for the blue gras & 17 cts per lb for the alsike. Allan bought me a cigar and I was fool enough to smoke it on the way home. It was my first whole one and although I didn't suffer any ill effects from it I think it will be my last because I don't see any sense in it. Mrs. McBride has been here washing to-day. Cliff Mc{Baind?} was in before break fast this morning to see if Dad would take their old mare but we couldn't so Dad told him to shoot her which he did this afternoon. Although they hated to do it, they couldn't manage any other was as they are all leaving for Toronto to-night. Dick did not get home to tea to-night. Very mild and sunny. snow going fast. 26 �Tuesday March 11th Teddy George was in before breakfast this morning to get Dad. to go over to Monteith's to see a sick cow Dad. fed the calves and had a cup of coffee but when he got over there the cow was dead. After doing up the chores Dad hooked up Joe & Ginger and we hauled up a load of rails. This afternoon we put a load of timothy on the rack to haul to the horse stable in the fmorning when the ground is frozen. Dad had been carrying blue grass over lately. Frank went down to see a health-car to-night so was late getting home. Just before ten Hazen & Murray drove in to tell Dick that he needn't go to work to night but Dick didn't come home anyway. Murray says he is home on sick leave but not very sick. Miss Monteith & Mrs Welch were in this after noon. Mild. muddy and springlike Wednesday March 12th Lorne Myers and his father came in first thing this morning to get a load of the threshed blue grass which Dad. told him he could have for five dollars a load, while they were putting it on we took Joe & Ginger and hauled our load of timothy over to the horse stable. Bill Donald came in just as the Myers were going - and it was nearly noon when he left. Dad. discovered Queen had cut a nasty gash in her {right?} fore leg just above the fetlock, he thought at first the tendon was cut but when he bathed it after dinner found it wasn't; he feels very badly about it and is afraid it will always be rough there. This afternoon we weighed and took Alfred's bushel of clover seed to him. He his pretty sick yet. When we got back we went out and cleaned out the road ditch running on the south side of the wheat field - as it was full of snow - and was backing a big pond on to the wheat. The seeds we sent to Simmer's for came to-day. Froze last night but sunny & thawing to-day looks like a big storm. Thursday March 13th We bathed Queen's leg and did chores this morning Aunty went down town to the dentist and stayed down to go to Bible class this after noon Dad. drove down after her about half past four. This after noon Dad & I moved quite a lot of the threshed blue grass out of the drive way into the barn. To night Dick and I went down to band practice but there wasn't any thing much going on as a lot of them were practicing at the Presbyterian concert. Dick couldn't get his cornet as Bill Graham has taken it. Murray was playing a lot of the new song hits over on the town hall piano for Walt Perce Brock was dancing to them. Vyse was over 27 �most of the morning. It rained a little but has been sunny & warm Frank and Dad each saw a robin to-day and Dick said he saw two or three, they are the first I have heard of. Friday March 14th I didn't get up early this morning and had the blues for most of the forenoon. We fixed up the ice house a little more and put some tar paper and siding on the front of it so that it looks ever so much better. This after noon we trimmed apple trees we got two pretty well browsed in two hours and a half. The cows all went back to the gully this after noon, when I went back for them they were nosing around half way to the culvert but they came when I called them. Lila came over with Frank to stay all night. Dick came home to tea. After we sat down to tea Roy Bannister came after Dad. to go and see their old horse which he said was choking. Dad. had his tea and then went over to see it. Tiddums allowed Enah to play the whole evening for Dick and me. and I didn't go to bed till about eleven. It has been a beautiful day quite hot but to-night a very heavy thunder storm came up and it rained & hailed nearly all evening, that in the spring means cold weather. Saturday March 15th We got up pretty fairly early this morning and Dad discovered that the calves were in the sheep pen and upon investigation found that they had come through the barn and had let the sheep all out. we supposed the wind last night had blown the barn doors open. Another little bit of excitement we had was Dick discovering that Lila had come in to his room before he was awake and taken his Romany Club pin of his coat. and she wouldn't give it back. She said he had no right to it as he didn't belong to their club. but he said he was going to keep it as they had sold it to him. We found out later when Winnie came over that Lila had lost hers, and there wasn't another one so she had taken Dick's but Win persuaded to give it back as they had found the lost one. I think Dick bought it so as there wouldn't be enough to go round and led them to under stand he was buying it for another member of the club. We got the chores done up pretty early but didn't get any thing else much done. Dad. went over to Bannister's to see their horse and says he thinks it will die. Roy came back with him and fooled around with Frank nearly all morning and at last went home with an Horatio Alger book after Frank had showed about half a dozen {"tame" illegible} Win and Lila went home soon after dinner. This afternoon Dad drove Enah and Frank down town, Enah sold her butter and Frank got a new suit which he is highly delighted with. Dad arranged with Marshall to send our cream to the butter factory in April.The roads were a fright, frost nearly out in some places. I cut wood and cleaned out enough threshed 28 �bluegrass to shut the barn doors. It rained this morning this after noon very high wind and colder not quite freezing to-night. Dick had to work tonight. Tiddums on the mend slept most of the day. Sunday March 16th Aunty and the boys went down to sunday school & church I helped Dad do up some of the chores and then left here about eleven for church. I was a little late of course so sat in the back with Dick & Fred Tuck. Quint came over to dinner with us and this afternoon he Dick & I went down town and sat around down at the Vigilant with Jim Muth till six. Dick stayed down to tea at Huby's but I came home. Dad did up the chores. It froze last night and has been much colder to-day with a sharp wind. Freezing pretty hard to night. Snow flurries to day. Monday March 17th Dad. and I caught the two young gobblers this morning and put them up over the pig pen, where we hope to get them in a corpulent state, one for home consumption and the other to convert into cash, we started before dinner to move more alsike & bluegrass threshing and this after noon got it all out of the drive way and piled in one corner of the empty bent in the barn as high as was convenient to pich, there is still quite a pile in the shed. Enah went down town to church this afternoon, there is church every afternoon this week now. Dick came home with her. Tom. Abbot was in this morning to see Dad. about his mare who has distemper. It froze pretty stiff last night and there has been a rather sharp breeze to- day but sunny. Tuesday March 18th I went down town this morning took some saws down for Emery to sharpen and got him to come over to morrow to help us build a smoke house. I also saw Huby and asked him to come over as Dad. wanted to speak to him about tendering for a mail route. He came over this afternoon and said he would think about it. I got a pair of low shoes and came home. This after noon we tore down most of the old chicken house - as that is were we expect to get the material for the smoke house. Skinny Ryersie came over this after noon with the ewe Bol. Miller wanted to keep her for awhile. He said it was one of my old ones, but I dont beleive I would have recognised it. Aunty went down to church this after noon. Art Quanbury was in soon after dinner and got all the white wyandotte pullets (14). It has been very much milder but windy. 29 �Wednesday March 19th Emery did not show up this morning as we expected and we found out after wards that he stayed at home to help Mrs. McPherson get ready to go to Courtright in the morning. Dad. and I finished taking the nails out of the old chicken house boards and I just hung around this after noon and went back to the gully where I heard a frog. Enah went down to church this afternoon. To-night Dick and Frank went to the show the Presbyterian church had in the town hall called "The Old District School" which they enjoyed very much. I had a good practice. Lovely day very mild the frost nearly all out. Thursday March 20th Emery came over this morning and built the smoke house getting it all finished by to-night. Dad. & I helped him and I cleaned out the separator this after noon Aunty went down to church to-day. Emery stayed here to tea and Cecil came over here to find him. After tea Dick. Emery Cecil and I went down town & I went to band practice Dick got his first long pants to-night but I don't think he likes them much. It rained a little and was threatening this morning but turned out fine and was a beautiful night. Friday March 21st It poured rain most of the morning. Frank and Enah went down to church as this is Good Friday. Cecil McPherson came over and said he thought he would stay here awhile on his way to his Grandpa's, but owing to the weather he stayed till after dinner when his father came and called for him. A terrific wind got up about noon and blew things "galley west." It flatene our barnyard fence, tore some of the roof of our cow stable rooted up the old half dead mountain ash tree at the corner of the spare bedroom and blew over our new smoke house. We three boys went down town and found the water very high down at the pier. We noticed Woodson's tank has blown off its tower and their fence is lying all over the sidewalk. Aunty and I intended to go to church to-night but as the wind was so bad we decided to stay home and I had a pretty fair practice. Dick went down town to a party at {Bessie?} Graham's. Saturday March 22nd Dad and I & Frank fixed up the fence around the barnyard which blew down yesterday. Roy Bannister came over to spend the morning with Frank. This after noon Dad and I went down town to get some groceries. We have to take beef for Easter as the wind yesterday blew 30 �apart the pig pen door and both the turkeys got loose and we haven't caught them yet. We heard of quite a lot of damage being done around here several wind mills put out of business and the roof blew off Chart. Wooleys barn. but by the paper we see there is much more damage done in other parts of the province. Dad. got his hair cut and I waited around till he got through Mrs. Lawrie was here when we got back. I had a good practice to-night. Sunny with cold wind. Sunday March 23rd As this was Easter Sunday, Dad. and Enah managed to get down to church while Aunty looked after Tiddums. This after noon I wasted in sleeping and reading Dad & Frank did all the chores. It was cloudy this morning and rained all the afternoon Aunty wanted to go to church to-night but couldn't on account of the weather. Franks got 12 eggs to-day which is more than he has got since Christmas but for that it has seemed very un-Eastery. Monday March 24th I didn't do any thing much to-day but chores Dad & Frank cleaned up the old barn, and I read a lot of "Tom Dick & Harry". Jimmy Lawse came over quite early this morning and got Fred. Dad. was disappointed Bob. didn't see her before she got all wet and muddy but I saw Bob to-night and he said she was in better shape than he expected. The fellow that lives down at the corner where Andre used to live was over this morning to see if he could buy some little pigs as he had a lot of milk going to waste, he seemed disappointed when he couldn't get them but Dad. didn't want to sell any and had had a lot speak before. It poured rain all last night and most of the morning but was clear all the afternoon. About dark it began again and kept it up all night to-night. Dick and I went down to the Orchestra dance to-night, it was raining so hard when we left about 3 am that we went down to Huby's. I just took off my coat and boots and lay on the sofa. Dick I guess turned in with Quint. About six I came home. Dick spent about half of his holiday yesterday in bed and the other half in town. {The entries for Mar. 25 & 26 were written by Toby's father, Harry Barrett.} Tuesday March 25th It poured rain all last night and this forenoon, the mud is terrible Tobe and Dick stayed at Hubert's after the ball. Tobe got home Just as Frank and I were getting the fires going. We did very little but chores all day, the papers are full of the awful loss of life and property 31 �caused by the storm on Good Friday. It was fair for a little while this afternoon but is raining and freezing a little tonight. Wednesday March 26th A very heavy fog this morning, but mild the ice was dropping from the trees, we took Joe and Ginger on the lumber wagon and moved the big bin from the drive house over to the old barn there we put on three sacks of oats to go to the mill, we got there and then on down town. Aunty went with us, (Frank & me) she stayed down town. Frank and I got home about noon with our chop and our flour. After dinner we cleaned up some wheat. Aunty got home about six. Dick did not get home to tea. Toby went down to have a practice. It is a dark dismal night and not knowing whether to snow or rain. Thursday March 27th It blew & snew all day so we didn't do any thing out side but chores. I drew a little this morning while Dad. paid a visit to Alfred and Frank worked at his "Mecanno" We weren't sure whether Dick would be home to night with the mail. I walked down after it, I saw Dick and we went down and got our Science books and I brought them home. I took my horn down this afternoon and went down to band practice to night. Dick did get home to tea after all. The papers are full of account of the awful floods in Ohio.There has been a blizzard most of the day and to-night is freezing quite stiff. Snow all over again Friday March 28th We put in most of the day to-day hauling hay. We had two motives for so doing, first because we were out of hay both in horse stable and cow barn, and secondly because we wanted to get at the clover which was under what we hauled for the sheep, we just cut a square out of one corner of the blue grass mow and took out all the blue grass till we struck clover. We could only haule half loads as the mud under the frozen crust was to hard to pull through but Joe & Ginger did it. We hauled one half load to the other barn and half a one to the horse stable and put half a one on the rack Frank pitched out of the mow Dad pitched on and I loaded. Enah went down town this morning and Aunty went calling at Brileys & Martin's this afternoon. It has been very sunny all day but a cold wind, freezing to night. Saturday March 29th 32 �Frank, Dad and I cleaned up more wheat this morning but have quite a lot left yet. Nig. came over this morning and he and Frank went back hunting this after noon around the gully. I went back too with my camera. I intended to follow the south creek to its source but as I couldn't get across it and there were several branches to it I had to keep on the south of every branch. I was led at last nearly to Colin McNellige's barn - and then I went down to Cedar swamp in quest of skunk cabbage but as I was on the wrong side of that creek and the log was gone I didn't find any, I think it is a little early any way. I heard a dog barking down the stream and upon investigation, discovered Billy Louis & Balby Wright with their dog's. I talked to them awhile and then came part way home with Billy the same way I came went. Dad. and Aunty went down town this after noon Dad. settled up with Bob Miller for Fred. he got $60.00 for her, just what he asked and Bob said she was worth it. Bob offered him $48.00 for the twelve little pigs now but Dad. doesn't want to sell them till he has spoken to the othe people who have asked for them, he saw Carl Coleman coming over here on his way home with his cow who had another piece of turnip in her throat. Dick did not get home to tea to night It has been much milder to-day and very sunny. Sunday March 30th I went down to church this morning. Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School and church. Dick stayed down at Huby's to tea dinner. This after noon I decided to take a walk up to Wooley's to make sure whether the roof was off his barn or not as we have heard conflicting reports concerning it. I fell in with Jacks Spain & Winn, Lewie Larose & Geordie Spain. and they came to the conclusion that they would go with me, but Lewie didn't go very far. The rest of went up to Wooley's point with out much adventure, then I left them there to go and ascertain the facts of the barn case, and found it in perfectly good condition and I didn't think it was likely they would have it all fixed up so soon. I came back to the lake just by Hay Creek and saw the other fellows down the beach, and saw by their foot prints that they had kept on the beach so I thought if they could go that way I could too but soon found out that I was very much mistaken. I got into quicksand above my boot tops and just covered myself with mud (I was fool enough to have worn my good clothes) I lost one rubber and fished around with my fingers for about five minutes before I found it. I struck for the bank at the first opportunity and stayed there till I got to where I knew I wouldn't have to cross any more mud. I washed my rubbers off as well as I could. When I got down to McCoy's bush I found Skinny & Perce Ryersie with Fred Tuck Bangers & {Smock?} making maple syrup they had quite a quantity of sap gathered and were boiing it down right there. I took a picture of them and then homeward plodded my weary way, via 33 �the back streets of Dover thus escaping the notice of most of the good people who might scoff at my appearance. I stopped at Huby's to try and brush off some of the mud but did not succeed he gave me a piece of Sassafras root which Mr Henderson had got. Lovely sunny day but muddy in spots Monday March 31st Dad. went off this morning to settle up about the sale of his little pigs, he saw. John Quanbury & Vyse and they didn't want to block the sale of the bunch so he sold the eleven of them to Bob. Miller for forty five dollars he had given the runt to Frank so couldn't sell it with the rest. I did the chores up and Tupper came through on his way down town. This afternoon the old man that lives down at the corner came up here with his cream to churn as Dad. told him he might this morning. Part of the barn yard fence blew down again this morning and some of the cattle got into the field. About four o'clock Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompsons and Dad bought his registered short horn bull calf for fifty five dollars although he wanted sixty as he says their price has gone up very much lately. We didn't get home till six so were late with the chores. Dick did not get home to tea to-night I suppose as it is the last of the month It rained alittle this morning, cloud, windy and colder to-night. Tuesday April 1st There was a very strong wind blowing all day to-day and as wind makes Dad. sick & mad. we didn't do anything but chores, but did them thoroughly, we also went out and I held the ladder while Dad nailed a board on the eve of the cow stable roof, as the wind was getting under our roofing paper and tearing it. This after noon I slept most of the time and Dad made some meat hooks out of the rod he got from Butler the other day. Aunty went down town this morning and stayed down till after the auxillary this after noon. Dick did not get home to tea. I had a good practice to-night. Ed. Aikens was in this after noon to see Dad. about a dog which he left here to be looked after. Cold but sunny to-day. Froze pretty stiffly last night but the wind dried up a lot of mud. Wednesday April 2nd Dad. and I put up the barnyard fence again this morning which the wind blew down the day before yesterday While we were at it the old man at the corner, (whose name he told us was Mr. Green, but who is commonly known as Jonas by the surrounding neighbourhood.) came in and bargained for a load of hay. Dad. said he would let him have a load of thashed alsike for five dollars but would not deliver it with the roads in the shape they are, so this 34 �after noon he got Allan Law to come and get it for him, his wife came last night so he is a little more cheerful, Charlie Martin was over this morning for awhile to see about getting some meat smoked and he helped us raise the smoke house. We chopped up the old mountain ash tree that blew down and got a small pile of firewood from it. This after noon we didn't do much as Allan Law and his friend Jonas came after the latter's hay and we stayed out at the barn watching them work. Tupper came in soon after their exodus and entertained us for about an hour relating the history of Jonas, & Sairy his wife as he had known them in the days of his youth when they lived near Waterford. It appears that Jonas has a few shingles of his roof and that some of "Saiway's" as Jonas evidently calls her are loose. It was rather late in the life of each of them when they entered upon their matrimonial career and all has not been perfectly clear sailing since as they now and then strike a rock in the shape of a pugilistic bout, in which the old lady generally comes off with the laurels. Many were the anecdotes he told of pranks & tricks enjoyed by the juvenile portion of the comunnity at Mr. Green's expence and one case where that gentleman's claw's did him a good service in peeling a youth's face with whom he was engaged in battle. Aunty went down town this after noon and brough back a note from Mrs. Lawson containing news of the arrival of a new member to the house of Tupper, and it was to be delivered to the head of that house. Mrs. Tupper is down at Mrs. Lawson's and the stork called yesterday morning but Mrs. Lawson hadn't seen anybody to carry the tidings home. Tupper said this after noon he in tended to call down there the end of this week or the beginning of next to see if there was any thing doing, he supposed they would let him know if a boy came but if it was a girl he didn't care a cent. Poor Tupper it was a girl and he was going fishing to-night. Just before ten to-night Billy Barlow drove in he had been down in this country after beef and dropped in to see us and Dad sold him his two gobblers. Dick did not come home to tea to night but I went down to private band practice and we came home to gether. Pud. Slocomb Roy Dell & Walt were at band practice and we had a fairly good one. Very nice day to-day Sunny and quite mild, Roads are drying up fast. Blacker than a stack of black cats to-night. Found 4 duck eggs in mudpuddle Thursday April 3rd Mr. Green came in this morning for a little visit before breakfast and sat by the door with his hat on all the time we were eating. We couldn't do very much out side to day on account of the weather but this morning we finished cleaning up the wheat and this after noon started to clean up oats but didn't get much done Emery came over with the pieces he is going to put on the bed piece of the rack to rest on the holster instead of the cross 35 �pieces on the holster but he couldnt finish the job as the bolts he brought over didn't have a long enough thread cut on them. Tonight I went down to band practice with Emery. I wore my steel boots and gaiters to keep off the mud and I left my horn at Hubys. It has rained nearly all day to-day with thunder and lightening but seems to have cleared off to night. It seems there is a new fellow now negotiating with the town concerning a canning factory they have formed a joint stock company and yesterday sold $8000 worth of shares they want to sell $15000 worth. Friday April 4th Dad. & I drove Joe & Ginger up to Simcoe to-day. Dad went to Frank Reid's and paid the intrest on the mortgage and $1000 of the principal which Aunty got and wanted to pay last fall but couldn't as they wouldn't take it till the right date. We got there just a little after twelve and Dad. just caught Mr. Reid as he was leaving for dinner we also called around to see Billy Barlow but his shop door was locked so we dropped in at Church's and got our old harnessed fixed and came home getting here about half past three. The roads were very bad in some places especially in the streets of Simcoe, we didn't go by the half way house but turned at the cemetry corner and came out on the gravel at St. John's as Carl Coleman told me the other night there was a bad place near Brad. Bowlby's but we found the back road in very good condition. We had our dinner and did up a few chores after we got home Charlie Martin came over just before tea and tuned the piano Dick came home to tea. It has been cloudy and threatening all day but quite mild. It rained before and after we went to Simcoe but was fair all the time we were gone. Quint was over a couple of times after some ducks, Frank saw in the timothy field. But Saturday April 5th Frank and Dad. went up to Ham. Thompson's about the first thing this morning and got our bull, they were gone quite a while as he gave them considerable trouble and got away once and ran way down the track. We have to think of name for him as is to be registered. While they were gone Quint and George Haymaker came along, they had come up the creek and came over here to see if the ducks were here, but they weren't. George wanted to know if I knew any body around here by the name of Mull or some name sounding like that, who kept brown leg horn chickens and lived a long way in from the road; by this last hint I suppose I mentioned Tupper which proved to be the correct answer; they didn't know the way over there so I showed them part way as George wanted to get some eggs. This after noon Frank & Enah went down town for supplies. I cut wood and Dad carried hay and then we hung the 36 �hams all up in the smoke house Dick didn't come home to tea to-night. It has been colder and windy to-day with quite a snow storm to-night. Sunday March April 6th Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday school and I went to church this morning. This after noon I drew a pattern to carve and Dick went down town. Dad. did nearly all the chores. {The remainder of this paragraph was written by Toby's father, Harry Barrett.} Toby and Hattie have gone in to have some music so I told him I would finish this, there is little more to say. It has been a cold miserable day, quite a wind with occasional snow flurries, it is freezing hard tonight. Monday April 7th I didn't do anything much to-day, helped Dad. a little clean out the place where we had the calves as he wants to build a stall for the bull (who by the way we have decided to call Dreadnought after Aunty's suggestion) in one corner of it. Dad. lit a fire in the smoke house this morning and about noon Art Quanbury came over with Charlie Martin's hams and some side meat of his fathers which Dad promised to smoke. Bob. Miller came over and got the little pigs to-day. He paid $44.00 for the eleven but left Runty for Frank, we left him in with the old sow but soon had to remove him as we heard a terrible racket in the pig pen and when Dad went to investigate found the old sow with the little pig down and treating it in a very savage manner and if she had been left to continue would soon have killed it but as it was she didn't hurt it much Aunty went down town this after noon, and something or other struck Enah to go down to A.Y.P.A. to-night so Dad. went with her I guess it was because Aunty Maude was going to recite. Dick did not get home to tea to-night we don't know whether he had to work or not. We think of getting up early in the morning and going fishing back in the gully. Ray Dell told Frank to-night that Ern. Fleming caught 6 pike above the culvert at our place yesterday or the day before. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. It was cloudy and inclined to snow this morning but turned sunny & muddy & mild this after noon. Lovely night. {indistinct marks on page} Tuesday April 8th Dad finished building his bull stall to-day. I didn't do much in the morning but this after noon I pruned another apple tree. We got up about half past five this morning and started to the gully armed with a rifle and two pitch forks. We went down to the culvert and walked up but didn't see a sign of aquatic life except a mud turtle who was too cold to resist my 37 �picking him out of the water on my fork and some sort of a fish about a foot long which I speared at but missed. I also saw two minnows. Aunty went down town to the dentists this morning and was successful in finding the door unlocked and Bill in working order. Dick had to work to-night and said when he got home that got nearly through he only made a mistake of $1800.00. Froze hard last night, sunny & breezy to-day. Wednesday April 9th This morning I started to clean up the lawn in front of the house and I raked the grass across the ditch. Then Dad. & I went back to the gully and burned some of the old grass on the flat. After dinner went back again. we burned quite a lot of it but it is a little too wet to run. When we got back we bolted the pieces on the bed pieces of the rack. To-night I went down with my horn to practice but found there was a public meeting on in the hall and consequently no practice so I went to the meeting, it was about the new school by law. Mr. Ivey was speaking when I went in, and he was against it. Then Dr. Hicks & Mr. Robertson who were for it had a little say, then Old Maneer & Dr. Jolly the former for & the latter against it. Old Maneer told us that as he had lived in the back woods all his life he had no education so would like to see a good school and that if nobody else would build it for less than $28000.00 he would take the contract himself. They spent a good part of the time arguing who was going to have the last word but Mr. Ivey left before it was over I think. Dick & I did any way and got home after eleven. Aunty went down town this morning and stayed down all night as Aunty Maude has not been at all well all day. It has been a nice day but with quite a cold wind. Thursday April 10th It rained nearly all day so we didn't do much but chores. As I was cleaning out the stable this morning I got a sharp stitch in my side and had to go in the house and lie down till after dinner, and it was quite a while after dinner before it entirely left me. Aunty came over this morning. This afternoon Dad fixed up the boxstall door and cleaned & admired Queen. Tonight I went down to band practice to-night. There weren't many there as all the orchestra went to Port Rowan to a dance. Bob. Rankin was down and we had a pretty fair practice. Dick had to work all evening hunting for a mistake of 40 something dollars and we came home to-gether through the pouring rain. Quint got word by telephone to-day from Geordie Allen saying he had a job for him and he is to go to Port Coulborne to morrow night. He doesn't know yet what the job is but thinks it is on a boat. 38 �Friday April 11th Quint came over this morning to say goodbye to us and I went out with him to get his traps which he set for the ducks and we scared up six but were too far away to get a shot at them. Aunty went down with Quint and is going to stay down all night I went over as far as Martin's with them and Aunty got Mrs. Charlie Martin to telephone down to see if Bagley & Miller's car of potatoes had come yet but they hadn't so I went over again after the train should have come in but they weren't here. This after noon Jonas came over to prune apple trees. We hardly knew him as he has had his beard shaved off. he got over quite a lot of trees but didn't cut out any thing much but the suckers. He says he will be over to-morrow if it is fine but has to go to work for Ivey on Monday. I went down to-night to see Quint off. Dick was down and said he would have to look for his mistake again to-night. Cloudy & very mild, windy Saturday April 12th Jonas came over at seven this morning and pruned in the orchard all day. He got pretty well over all the trees but I think they would stand a lot more being cut out of them. Dad & I went down to Porter's in the lumber waggon and got back about two o'clock. The roads were awful in places. Art. Ryersie just scraped his hill before the rain so it was like a mortar bed, so to miss it we came home but the Plank road and it was just about as hard pulling down the hill above the brick yard as it would have been pulling up Art. Ryersie's. Dad. & Enah walked down town after dinner and did not get back till after six. Dad. voted for the School by-law and before he came home found out that it had carried by a majority of 10 in town but they hadn't heard from the town-ship yet, most likely the moss backs will be against it. I started to dig up the plum trees out on the front lawn this after noon but the ground was too wet. Frank and I found the turkey nests right out here along the side of the road. Aunty came over this morning after she had voted. Dick is still in quest of his mistake. Jim Law was in here this morning trying to sell Enah some tea & coffee but didn't. Dark & threatening all day but quite mild. Sunday April 13th Dad. caught a whole family of rats in the horse stable last night in the cage trap, there was a mother and five ratlets. He had to drown them although he hated to. He also discovered that Bob's ewe had a lamb last night. Aunty & the boys went down to Sunday school and I went down late to church. This afternoon Dick and I took some duck eggs down to Mrs. 39 �Tuck and Dick bought a film for Frank's camera with the money. We hung around the lake till about five o'clock with Roy Dell and then came home. We found Pud. Smythe & his father had been here all the afternoon and were just going We went in on our way down to see Jona's colt which came this morning. It is a nice colt only one hind leg is crookeder than a snake fence. Enah went to church to-night and Dick went down with her but said he was not going to church. Lovely day, roads drying up fast. Monday April 14th Dad managed to poke a hole through the blocade in the center of the culvert this morning with a scantling and as there was such a head of water on it washed it out clear and in a few minutes it drained the lake that has been in the field on the west side of the road all spring & winter. Then we grubbed out the six plum trees that were planted all in a heap along the lane in the lawn as they were full of black knot and haven't borne fruit since we came here so we want to plant a grape vine in their place. While we were out there Billy Louis drove along breaking his colt then Art. Ryersie, then Mr. Monteith came and each stopped to talk Charlie Martin came over and talked till nearly noon. This after noon I fixed the place up where we dug out the trees and Dad brushed them out. When we went out to the {Courslake?} we had to spend some time with Bobby who had a big bull calf just come.We were rather late getting through to-night but Dad & I went down to Mrs. {Halles?} as soon as we could get ready after tea. Dick came all the home after he had had his tea to tell Dad. to take his songs down but he didn't. We had a nice evening and enjoyed Miss Prest's playing on the violin very much. We got home about twelve and came with Dick who had just got through work as we came out. Aunty Maude went to London to-day as delegate to the W.A. Meetings and Aunty has gone down to keep house for Huby & the girls Charlie Martin got his meat this after noon. and Dad is going to take ours out as it is smoked enough. It has been very nice & sunny but with rather raw east wind. Tuesday April 15th Sam. Law came after Dad. this morning to put a team on the road scraper so he took Joe & Ginger and has had them at it all day. They used the old three cornered {drag?} that has been leaning up against our barn since the reign of Titus and just had the two teams on. Law's & ours. Sam drove their team this morning and Allan drove this after noon. Dad got home about five to-night and said he would have been home half an hour earlier but they hauled the scraper to Law's and Sam was bound he should see their bull calf - and then Allan insisted on him going in to hear a record or two on his new graphaphone. I didn't do 40 �much but chores this morning but chores and this after noon took a walk over the estate. I found the wheat in some places to be pretty badly killed but where we ploughed the manure under it is pretty good and where it was top dressed is better than where there is none at all. On the fall ploughing I noticed that parts of the fields are dry as a bone but in other places it is a little too soggy to work yet. I went back to the gully & burnt a lot more grass but didn't have anything to carry the fire. I went back to the woods and saw quite a lot of May flowers and two garter snakes Dick came home to tea with the mail but had to go back to work. Mild, sunny & breezy. Wednesday April 16th Dad. & I went down first thing this morning with Joe & Ginger & the lumber waggon to get the team shod. we didn't get back till noon. I got some things up town and then went down to Huby's where Aunty showed me where to get some raspberriesroots. I also got a white rose root, one of the old bushes This afternoon I set them out but didn't get all the raspberries put out. Dad got a load of rails, we intended if we had had time to have gone back and harrowed a little this after noon, Vyse has started disking. Frank & Dick had tea at Huby's to-night as they are going to a show in the town hall. Jonas came over to night to pay Dad for what he owed him on the hay and got some apples. One of the hen turkeys died during the night. When Dad went out to feed the calves to-night he gave Frank's runt a big feed of milk - and when he returned he found the poor pig dead at the back of its pen. Lovely sunny day quite hot. Thursday April 17th Dad. started to work on the field this side of the gully on the east side of the lane with Joe & Ginger. He harrowed all morning. I went back with him but just as we got back I noticed the colts out. I went back to put them in. Tig under took to help me but as she chased them way over to the side road I shut her up in the stable I managed to get them back into the barn yard through the lane. While I was after them Taurus & all the calves got out and I chased them for about an hour but a last had to shut them up just where they were. some of them in the clover field, John in the plum orchard and left Jim out on the road. I then planted out the raspberries and Dad put the calves in when he came up. This after noon Aunty came over for a few minutes Dad. took the disks back and disked what he harrowed this morning, some of the land is a little too wet to work yet. I did chores. and cleaned up my horn with some stuff of Quint's which Aunty brought over. its what they used down on the "Vigilant" and is great stuff. To-night I went down to band practice. Roy. Dell. Walt & 41 �John Smith were the only ones there. Dad. went down with me and got the baby carriage which Mrs. Johnston sent to Enah. He came home with Dick who hasn't been working all the after noon. We went down to Huby's for awhile after practice Aunty Maude came home tonight. None of us expected her It has been a lovely day, sunny & hot. Friday April 18th Dad and I worked on the land all day. I disked with Belle & Harry and Dad harrowed wth the little team. We are just working up half the field and are going to try to get it in to morrow after noon. Enah took Tiddums down town this after noon in his fancy carriage. Aunty & Win came over to-night. but Win had to go back after tea. Dick went home with her. Very warm, thunder & lightening after tea but no rain to speak of Saturday April 19th I went out and disked all morning. Dad. and Frank got out the drill and cleaned up some oats, then Dad. came out and harrowed for a couple of hours before noon We didn't get out very early after dinner owing to chores and things but Dad. got sowed nearly all we have worked up and I harrowed after him Frank & Roy Bannister have been hob nobbing together this after noon. Frank went down to Law's after the butter and stayed quite awhile listening to the phonograph We didn't get in till late to-night and didn't get through tea till about nine I had a bath and went to bed Aunty was down town all the after noon. The old sow got out at noon and our efforts to recapture her were unsuccessful. Frank put some apples in her pen but she waited till we were all away before she ate them and then came out again. It froze last night and there has been a cold north wind all day very strong this after noon quite sunny. Sunday April 20th Aunty & the boys went down to Sunday school and I came to church. Lila came over to dinner with us and is staying all night. This after noon, Lila Aunty and I went back to the woods and got some wild flowers. Frank rode his bicycle out to the Shand's and he & Charlie rode out to Renton. Dick spent the after noon with the girls down town. Dicky Smith came over to see Dad. about pasturing a calf this summer, and Dad. said he would. Uncle Ward & Aunt Lucy also came over. Enah went down alone to church to-night. It froze quite hard last night and there has been a cold wind to-day. Monday April 21st 42 �We have been working on the land all day. I went out to disk this morning but the ground was so frozen for an hour or two that it did very little good. Dad. took Joe & Ginger and went down town this morning and got the potatoes which came at last. When he got back he came out and harrowed the rest of the morning and all the after noon. We are now cross disking & cross harrowing it. and we think we will be able to sow to-morrow after noon. Sam. Law came over at noon to borrow the drill and Vyse came and got his roller. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. Aunty went down to Huby's to-night & I went with her she expects to leave for Toronto to-morrow night. Cold, but sunny Tuesday April 22nd Dad. kept Frank home this morning and they cleaned up enough seed oats to finish this field. I I disked all morning and finished crossing the field. Dad came out a little before noon and started to drill and drilled all the afternoon just finishing up to-night. I followed him with the harrows and it was after six when I got through but the field is now put in, in good shape and running out the ditches is all that remains to be done. Dick did not come home to-night as he said if he didn't have to work he was going to an old time social in the Methodist church. Frank went to school this after noon & he & Dick went down to the station to see Aunty off. The cows knocked the fence down around the barn-yard and some of them got out so I had to come up to try & put them in but I only got one in so I shut them up in the stable and fixed the fence as well as I could - as we both had to stop in the field for Dad to watch my team. It has been cloudy & cool all the morning it looked threatening and did rain a little but this after noon it came out sunny & hot. {The entries for April 23-24 were written by Toby's father, Harry Barrett.} Wednesday April 23rd We had a terrific Thunder storm last night and as it was pouring rain when I woke at 5 this morning I had another little sleep. The rain cleared off and it came out very hot before noon I opened up a lot of ditches in the old corn ground and Toby and I trimmed up all the sheep. Dick did not come home to tea and Toby went to band practice after tea. Thursday April 24th We were up early this A.M. Frank went to Vyse's after the grass seeder, before breakfast. I had to go down to Art Ryerses first thing had a dickens of a job. Toby and I got the wheat ground all seeded and a lot of the ditches opened up on the Timothy sod, the had to go 43 �down to Joe Longs to see a cow, and after tea tonight I had to go down to old Jonas Greens, The boys, Frank and Dick were at {Win's?} tea party. Tobe is down at band practice It has been very hot all day, every thing has grown since the rain {The entry for April 25 was written by Toby's step-mother, Hattie James ("Enah").} Friday April 25th Toby, having finished a game of hide and seek with Dick and Frank is too tired to write so is exchanging work with me and is darning stockings. This morning was bright and very warm Toby & Harry dug ditches in the old Timothy sod preparatory to sowing oats. They also burnt off the grass around the fences and set fire to a post. Sam Law extinguished the blaze before any damage was done. In the afternoon Toby disked the oat field. Harry did all the chores, brought up the harrows on the stone boat ready to take out in the morning, went out for a load of rails, came in and did up the chores for the night. At noon we had a visitation from our friend Jonas who has a sick cow and came for advice. This has been an exceedingly hot day, unseasonably hot. {The entry for April 26 was very faint and had to be guessed at.} Saturday April 26th As our supply of ink has run out I foun that to {?} of ink: {name?} pencil. I disked all day. Dad. {?} in the early morning up the north part of the field as the other is too wet {?} our {?} waiting under the upper part of the field. It began to rain about half past four this after noon some bad so we had to quit. Frank put in the day building a duck pen in the plum orchard down under the {oak?} tree. Dick got home early to night Great change in the temperatures yesterday I peeled off every thing but my {?} clothes and to-day I was wearing a sweater & mitts. Sunday April 27th It rained all night nearly, not very hard but a steady cool rain, which will the wheat a lot of good and which is bursting the buds on all the trees. Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and I went down to church. This after noon I read my self to sleep (although I tried not to) and so wasted half a day. Dad. & Frank did chores. Dick went down town for awhile. It didn't rain much this afternoon. Mr. Lawrie was in church this morning & Mr. Herbert prot. the sermon. 44 �{The entry for April 28 was written by Toby's brother, Richard (Dick) Barrett.} Monday April 28th This morning Dad and Toby packed the sawdust in around the edge of the ice-house and put some some blue-grass on top. Then we went out and cleaned up about 20 bushels of oats. Frank was sick all day and did not go to school. I think he feels better now as he is talking a blue streak. After dinner Dad went out and cleaned out ditches in the north-west field this side of the gulch. Toby did the chores in the afternoon and then went out and dug up two maple trees in the woods besides fooling around picking flowers. Between 4 and 6 o'clock while Frank was sleeping on the kitchen sofa and Enah was in the dining-room some unknown person came in and left a silver spoon on the kitchen table for Tiddums with his initials carved on it and then went away before anyone saw her or him. It was cloudy and windy all day with about ten minutes sunshine.. Tuesday April 29th Dad. has been opening up ditches all day out in the field next Ivey's where we sowed the oats and is now pretty well finished. I cut some wood this morning and then went back to the woods and dug up a couple of maple trees one of which I brought up at noon with me & we planted in place of one of the dead ones along the lane. This after noon I dug up two more and Dad. & I put out one of them to-night. The other two I left down in the creek so as the roots wouldn't dry out. Frank has been home all day although he feels a lot better today. This after noon Wyatt Waddle came in with the general agent for the Massey Harris Company and he proved himself to be a good man for the company not only by persuading Dad. to order a manure spreader, but Dad. seemed to like him & showed him Queen who he thought like everyone else was perfect. We got the manure spreader on easy terms as we don't have to make a payment on it till a year from next fall when we pay 28 dollars & 50 dollars a year for the next two years. Dick told us to-night that Huby had got a job at the canning factory which they started work on to-day. He went down to the dance to-night. I only have five cents to my name so stayed home although I guess I could have got enough tin to take me sunny & mild but a cool wind. Wednesday April 30th This morning we planted out the four little trees which I had dug up, then we went over to see what the field looked like, it is getting pretty dry, from there we went over to see if Sam Law's wheat was any better than ours, but it wasn't. We found him over trimming up the 45 �limbs he had cut out of his orchard. As he was just contemplating a visit to Alfred who was disking the other side of the hedge we made a joint attack and sat around over there for about an hour. so by the time we had wandered back home it was noon. This after noon instead of working on the field as we had thought of doing, we took our wheat down to the mill. I went down and borrowed some sacks from Blight and we had to make two trips of it as the ground was a little soft. We had eighteen bags and it went over two bus {bushels}. to the bag, that job took up all the afternoon. Tonight I went down to band practice and came home with Dick. The school board were having a meeting, we heard after wards that Mr. Ivey called it but as none but kickers attended it soon adjourned with out any thing being done except Old Stringer falling down stairs coming out so Pud. Slocomb says. Nice day Mild & sunny cool breeze. Thursday May 1st We worked on the land all day to-day. I disked & Dad. harrowed, we have it in pretty nice shape now I went down to band practice to-night. Dick went down with me although he didn't have to work. Jonas came over to pay Dad for some hay he got this morning and he stayed half the night telling them stories of his experiences in the United States with, snakes bears and such like. Cars. Rankin told us to-night that his Dad is laid up with blood poisoning and is in pretty bad shape, they just moved back to town the other day It has been sunny and fair with a cool breeze. Friday May 2nd We worked on the land all day. I cross disked & Dad. harrowed. We could have drilled it to day I suppose but thought we would have it in extra good shape. Enah took Tiddums down to Mrs. Battersby's this afternoon. I nearly went to sleep on the disk this afternoon It has been fair & sunny. Sun set clear to-night. Saturday May 3rd Bill Oaks came over this morning with his grey horse which had hurt his head in the manger. Later in the morning he came over and borrowed the clover seeder, which he brought back at noon and had a short visit. All Ivey's men except the teamsters quit at noon on Saturdays now. and the factory closes at twelve instead of one. Dad. dritled what we have worked up to-day. Itook him till a little after noon and then he harrowed I hitched to the waggon this morning & took the seed out and left the waggon for Frank to fill with rails and then disked nearly all of this end of the field the rest of the day. Frank did chores & odd jobs. Charlie 46 �Batter{sby?} was in here to-night to see Dad about a colt which came this morning. I started to cut the lawn to night. Dick went for a swim & the stump to-night, but I guess I will have to hit the tub. Very hot to-day. Dick went down town to-night to hear the result of the election recount, which they were having in Simcoe over the school by law but he couldn't hear. Sunday May 4th The boys went down to Sunday school and I went to church. This afternoon Dad. Enah & Tiddums started to drive out to Jim. Waddles. but before they had gone far Tiddums objected so strongly to continuing the journey that they were forced to return. Lila had come over so Dad. took Frank & her to Jim. Waddle's. Dick & I went down town Dick went off with some girls but I went up the beach and hung around alone, till I was about cooked and then came home. We let Artful Dodger out to-night and he was so weak on account of always being shut up that he could hardly walk. Frank McBride came over to-night with a note from his mother saying to send the washing over there as she would be unable to come here so Frank went back with it to-night with Frank Mc. Lila stayed to tea, and Dick went down home with her after. It has been exceptionally hot to-day but is cooler to-night and feels as if it had rained some where near. Monday May 5th We got a fairly good early start. I cross disked all day and Dad. harrowed. This after noon Dad was afraid it was going to rain so went & got the drill and some seed & put in all we had worked up about 2 acres. If it doesn't rain we will be through on that field to-morrow. Cars. Rankine was in here to-night to have Dad. look at his horse's teeth as {Schooley?} had told him that if a horse got wolfe teeth it would go blind. After tea Mrs. McBride brought the washing back. It has been very hot to-day and looks rainy. Fred's calf got out two or three times to-day and tried our patience sorely at it's own cost. Mully also got out but went in easier. Tuesday May 6th We finished up the field to-day. Dad. has to sow a little by had around the water holes and he may harrow the whole field over. I disked all day & Dad. harrowed and drilled. I took seed out in the waggon this morning but we had to clean up another sack at noon to finish with. I brought back rails in the waggon both at noon & to-night. I cut lawn before tea till Dick 47 �came & inticed me to play catch with him. Very much cooler to-day with quite a breeze this after noon Wednesday May 7th Dad. went out this morning and sowed by hand around the water holes and then harrowed all day on that field. It is now finished all but running & cleaning the ditches. I brought the disks up and disked on the old corn ground all day and got nearly over it. It is pretty hard but we think we will be able to get about 3 inches on top worked up for barley. Tonight at tea time Jonas came over with a guinea hen which he presented us with as a reward for our neighborly conduct towards him. He got a setting each of duck & turkey eggs. I was going down to band practice so went down with him as he was going down town. He confided to me after we had got a short distance from the house in an almost inaudible whisper that they had an "awful funny feller as a boarder." His peculiarity evidently lay in the fact that he went down town before & after tea. As I was coming home an English man passed me and I thought likely he was Jona's funny boarder & upon inquiry I found I was correct. Went we got to the top of Prospect hill we found Jonas & Allan Law so I enjoyed the pleasure of the company of them nearly home. I heard Redface - the funny feller. tell his lanlord. that he would have to drive Bill's team to-morrow as he was going away with a gentleman from Toronto, as I saw Jack Paine up town to-night, I surmised that old Bill had a dose of Long Point fever. I guess he is insurable. I went up to the bank to-night to see why Dick hadn't turned up. When I knocked Dick came to the door & I was just going to step in and swear at them when I caught a glimpse of a stranger Then Dick who looked very care worn motioned me back and informed me that the inspector was paying them a visit, and they would likely have to work every night for a week, he had his wheel anyway so I didn't wait for him It has been rather cool to-day and looks frosty to-night. Thursday May 8th We went out this morning and ran the ditches in the oat field. Then Dad ploughed a ridge along the west side of the old corn field, it couldn't be ploughed before on account of the old rails lying there. This after noon we turned the cattle & two colts back the lane. We let the two fillys out in the pasture field and they & the colts have been hanging around on opposite sides of the lane fence ever since, we managed to get the colts in the box stall tonight. We went back to the gully to fix fence, but didn't have very good luck. We barricade the gap into the other pasture and then Dad started to dig out a post that was broken off and while he was prying on the shovel handle he broke it so we had to cobble the rest up 48 �by hand as well as we could. Dicky Smith came over to-night to see if we had turned our cattle out yet and I went down town with him to band practice, got home about eleven. It froze last night but has been sunny & nice to-day. Friday May 9th I went out and finished disking the old corn field this morning and Dad brought out the old cultivator but after going a few rounds he decided that it was going to be lumpy and hard to put barley on so we thought we would leave it, manure it and summer fallow it which would be better farming anyway. We brought up the disks and the plow & harrows and Dad ploughed the garden over again, this after noon he disked & harrowed it, so that it looks pretty nice only it is inclined to be lumpy. I got my currant bushes and grapevines from Simmer's yesterday and spent the in putting them out and staking them to protect them from the curse'd hens. I also cut a little lawn Dick Smith brought his heifer, Joe, over tonight. It has been cold & raw all day. I wore my over coat while disking and then was cold. Robert John Watson was in here to-night to inquire about a colt "Mable". Dad enjoyed his elevating conversation for he has a most extraordinary vocabulary which is all his own. Saturday May 10th Frank got us all up early this morning as he had to get down to the Canning factory by seven where he has been all day setting out tomato plants in baskets. He told us the other night that hands (his size) were wanted and hasen't talked of much else since, he was to get 8 cts & hour but has got his envelope yet, as they are not through. Vyse came over this morning and Dad broke the news of our spreader deal and he took it calmly although he thinks we made a big mistake in not putting in with him & Mr Fleming on his John Deere as he "conscientiously believes it to be the best in Americy". I went down this morning for the purpose of obtaining some particulars concerning a load of hay which Mrs. Battersby is purchasing from us through the agency of John but as that gentleman was in bed with a cold. I failed to recieve any valuable data. so I came home and mowed lawn till noon. Dad took back Alfred's bags this morning and borrowed his shovel with the intention of cleaning out the ditches in the oat field but as he found in Alfred an opponent to the building of a new school, he stayed and argued till noon. I read most of the after noon and then went out and assisted Dad to rearrange the implements in the old shed so as to create a space for the old waggon we then repaired a little fence to enable us to turn out the old sow, but it didn't take her a great while to discover the weak spots in the {rockery?} which we call a 49 �fence and now she is at liberty. I think Dick came home to tea and says our manure spreader has arrived It froze ice last night and has been very cold to-day Sunday May 11th Frank & Dick went down to sunday school & Frank & I went to our church but Dick attended the Presbyterian as he saw no-one to associate with in the back pews of the Episcopal. This after noon Dad & I drove up to Dunkin's to see how many lambs he had; but he has had no better luck than we, for his flock has only increased by one ewe lamb. He is really worse off than we are because two of his ewes now won't have lambs till they are three years old wile ours are all yearlings and if any thing will be better off. Dunkin him self was at church but his son was home, he gave Dad. guinea fowl to mate with the one Jonas gave us but when we got it home we learned they were both of the feminine gender from the fact that the new comer requests imaginary foes to retrace their steps by the imperitave sentence "Go back" and it seems the gentlemanbird of the species is not addicted to that habit. It was nearly six when we got home. Enah was down at Art Ryersie's with Tiddums the Wicked. Dick has been gone all the after noon and has patronized the church again to-night as he said he would be home to tea if he didn't. Frank has been knocking around the woods all the afternoon. He tried to bargain with Tupper for a guinea cock but he had no success. It has been sunny to-day but a cold wind. Walt McCall & his retinue came over in his automobile this morning and was agreeably surprised in Dolly. He says he is going to take her up and train her now. He wants Dad to keep his mare for him this summer. Frank Faulkner was over this morning too to see about bringing over his heifer calf to pasture. He brought her over to-night. It froze ice last night and I wrote to Aunty Alice & Uncle Hal tonight. Monday May 12th We didn't do any thing much the first part of the morning but Dad. went and cleaned out the ditch in the oat field. I barricaded two of the four little trees which are in the pasture field to protect them from the ravages of Queen. Dad. took Alfred's shovel back and I barricaded the other two trees. Frank started off about nine o'clock this morning on his wheel for Dunkin's to return the guinea hen which he had tied in an old sack on his back. Just as we were thinking of starting out to look for him to night about four o'clock he came home with a rooster guinea which sings properly in a bass voice. He had stayed up there to dinner and explored the country. When he got home we planted a few rows of spuds in the garden. Jonas came over to-night to ask us if we could deliver him his hay in the morning, 50 �he also got some apples. To-night we played hide & go seek and then came in and kicked up such a rumpus that Tiddums couldn't go to sleep, and Enah got mad and said she wouldn't press Dick's pants in time for the dance, but she is pressing them now - and we weren't making much noise and Tiddums didn't want to go to sleep anyway much. Tupper told Dad. to-day that he killed his pup yesterday and intended to keep Fanny but she followed him down town to-day and he ran over her with the waggon and killed her, he said he thought he would send Blakie a funeral notice. A week or two ago the Dover council advertised for a cop. They got fifty something applicants some all the way from Calgary. They engaged a man from Hamilton who has been on duty before. Good man for the job. big, Scotch & total abstainer. He came to this morning. Now he is in bed at the Dominion sleeping off a drunk - fired. We're still Dover. It froze a little again last night and there has been a raw breeze to-day but it is much milder and looks rainy Monday Tuesday May 13th Dad went over to Martin's this morning to try to telephone to Krompart and find out why he hasn't come down but Charlie wasn't home so he didn't go in, he then went over to Quanbury's and as John was in better health than when I went to interview him Dad found out that he wanted about half a ton of any kind of hay. We pitched on a load for Jonas, (he bought all that was left of the thrashed bluegrass) before dinner. Dick rode home at noon as he had got about half an hour's leave of absence to tell us that the station agent wanted our manure spreader unloaded as it was holding the car so Dad. & I had to go down after dinner. Dad understood the agent to say that we were to let Krompart in Simcoe know as soon as the spreader arrived and he would come down and set it up at the station and we could haul it home from there, so he was naturally pretty hot at them for not coming. The men at the station were also getting into a state of rightful indignation - as their car had to be sent back tomorrow. As we were in our farm uniform we didn't want to go up town so Dad. went up to the Norfolk House and telephoned Kompart. Wyatt Waddle was there and he told Dad that they understood Dad was going to take the thing off the car and they were to come to the farm to set it up, and that they would be down in a day or two. Dad. went for him over the 'phone but of course that wasn't much satisfaction. We went home and took Jona's hay down and put it off and then went down to the station with the rack to get the spreader as it was too wide for the waggon, with the aid of Truman Roadhouse and a couple of fishermen we got it loaded all right and were home soon after six To-night Dick and I went down to the dance but I got a headache from some uncertain cause and had to 51 �come home at twelve. Nice day but with rather a cold wind looks as if it might possibly rain to-night or sooner. Wednesday May 14th We took a small jag. of hay down to John Quanbury this morning on an improvised rack which Dad rigged by laying boards across the waggon box, as we didn't want to unload the manure spreader off our rack. When we got back from there we took some posts back around by the side road and left them in places where the fence was down with the intention of coming back at a future date to repair the damage done by the Good Friday wind. We also took some material and fixed the old gate going into the gully off the road. We found the cattle all out of the far end of the gully and in the blue grass field so I took them back while Dad. went up with the waggon, they were all there but the Artful Dodger and he was nowhere to be found, so this after noon Dad. and I went back to look for him. We went into the wood and saw there had been a lot of cows in there and after a little search found our missing calf in John Wess McBride's place in the corner of the fence where he had walked and finding he could go no further stayed there we chased him into the gully to be left till called for while we went over to Tupper's to borrow his post auger, the consequence was of course that we didn't do a thing all the afternoon and didn't get home till about five or after We saw everything on the place from his oat field down to the baby. We saw some things off his farm too such as Charlie Butlers colt which got an awful kick in the dots from its mother and Dave Lamkins white heifer which was on the road and which was worth fifty dollars but he sold it for forty five, also Art Walker who was rolling on his cornground. We had a very entertaining after noon and enjoyed it much better than digging post holes. To-night I went down to band practice Dick with me. Theodore Brown came up and entreated Walt to play "Way down upon the Swanee River" promising him some beer but Walt said he couldn't. Theodore tried to impress up on us - as a bit of good advice that "We could borrow from a thief but not from a liar." Weather about the same Thursday May 15th Dad and I went back and fixed up most of the fence this morning. Mr. Evans' came along the side road and wanted to Dad. to look at his horses teeth so Dad. told him to come in at noon on his way back. He did and Dad. floated them as the poor old horse's tongue was just about cut in two. We also found when we got here at noon that Wyatt Waddle and his man Mr. Hillis were in the barn setting up the spreader. They got it all up and we took out a load before they left so they could show Dad how to run it. Joe & Ginger pulled it alone and a 52 �couple of times Ginger's whipple tree caught and she pulled it all alone. I went down to band practice. I came very nearly staying there for awhile - for we all got locked in. The door fastens on the out side with a hasp and staple, the padlock is broken. The door was open and some one who was getting cold ordered it shut. Jack Smith kicked it to and the hasp sprung over the staple and stayed there. Perce Brock tried desparatly to open it but failing turned to John. and told him frantically that he would be the first to satiate our appetites when we got ravenous, he then mounted the table under the window and proceeded to let the {word heavily scored out} anybody who happened to be around (it was pouring rain) let us know of our fate. Perce remarked sorrowfully that it was the first time he had ever been behind the bars trying to get out. (The bandroom is in the old lockup). Dick {Faulmshy?} was the first to be alarmed by the pitiful cries but the hard hearted jay refused to come saying he didn't know the combination on the door. How ever Walt McCall was soon aroused and he and some other fellows came up and released us. They say Long Geordie Long nearly committed suicide last night, it seems his wife put him on the Indian List, but Geordie got full and he & his wife were having a quarrel down by the dam when Geordie told her he was going to drown him self. She told him to give her his coat to hold for him, but I guess Geordie & water don't go well to-gether for as far as he got on his desperate deed was to twist his legs well around the post and let go the railing with his hand, then go home. After he got there he was again seized with a mad desire to leave this unhappy world - and left the house with a razor asserting that he was about to sever his carotid artery Mrs. Geordie gave him about an hour to perform the opperation but upon investigation found him out side in a dormant condition but was disappointed to hearm him snoring heavily and in perfect health. Cold all day. very cold before dark and poured rain all night with terrific thunder & vivid lightening. Dick & I stayed at Huby's all night. I planted some onion seed to night. Friday May 16th We didn't do anything much to-day. Dick & I got home before they had break fast here but it was late when we went out and then Bill Donald came in to talk about the spreader and before he left Allan Law rode in to have the wolfe teeth pulled out of his sorrel for fear they would affect his eyesight. It was noon when he left us. After dinner Bob. Miller came in to get his ewe and lamb and of course the sheep were nearly to the gully Dad. wrote a letter to Aunty Alice while Bob & I were after the sheep and then saddled Joe and I rode down town to post it. I was only gone about fifteen minutes, but when I got back we read the 53 �"Maple Leaf." after which we did chores. I went to bed soon after tea. We let Harry & Belle out this after noon. Fine but cool. Saturday May 17th I started first thing this morning and raked over about half the garden, it raked fine because the rain the other night had softened the lums. Dad. fixed fence around the orchard to keep the sheep & calves in. Frank went down town to sell some duck eggs to the {ear tapper?}. This after noon we all worked in the garden and have about all the small seeds in, onion, carrot, beet, cabbage & peas, a few beans. Allan Law was over to borow the disks also John Wess came to get some stuff for his horse which has colic. We turned the four calves in the orchard at noon. Lila came over to spend the day. Huby ran a nail in his foot yester day and was unable to work to-day. Enah took Tiddums down to Mrs. Laws to get the butter this afternoon, there was another baby about Tiddum's age there which he was greatly interested in until it began to "talk?" when Tiddums got badly frightened. Lovely warm day rain to-night. Sunday May 18th The boy's went to sunday scholl. I to church - late, different preacher. Dad. rode Joe down to see Huby while we were at church, he went in to see the John Deere spreader on his way back. This after noon Dick & I went for a drive with Joe, not far. Winnie & Lila came over this after noon & stayed to tea. We let Belle, Ginger & Harry out to-day and had a hard time catching the latter. Lovely day with a little shower at noon and rather cloudy Monday May 19th We hauled out manure to-day as we didn't get a very early start we only got out eleven loads, & most of it was dry clover chaff. The spreader works fine in spite of the fact that there are one or two nuts & keys missing from various parts of the gearing machine. Dad found one large key on the road was unable to locate the place where it was missing. Sam Law was over this morning to see about keeping the disks a little longer. Mrs. McBride was here to-day. This after noon we were agreeably surprised to have a visit from Ed. & Marion. Ed. came home on Saturday as he has left his job in Brantford he is going back to the Falls for the summer. To night Dick and I printed pictures and had fairly good luck. Huby sent word over by Ed. that Dad's steel boot had saved his life on account of easing his injured foot. Dick says he only has one on - one steel & one leather one. It froze last night again but 54 �has been a nice day with cold breeze. Dick bought me a saddle & bridle to-day for six dollar he got them from Bobbie Leany and says they are nearly new. Tuesday May 20th We got one less load out to-day than yesterday but I think we have good ground for excuse in the fact that it was so hard to load. A lot of it was dry clover chaff burnt to powder and there was a layer of it just like a board which had to be chopped up with an axe, we didn't get any earlier start either. Erie cut her eyeball to-day someway, likely on barbed wire. Jonas came over to-night to see if he could get some turkey or duck eggs or get Dad. to plow his garden, he couldn't get any of the three so took the rhubarb roots out in the lawn. He was relating to us some of the heroic deeds performed by him in the past & United States, of how he headed a torch light procession and was so disguised by his uniform & medal that he was not recognised by his father, he also saved a young man's life from drowning and was rewarded by his boss the young man's father by a ten dollar bill & three weeks board free. Another time he stopped a train wreck by his presence of mind and drew another ten dollars and a pass to go where everd he wanted to on the rail road or a chance to learn braking, he stayed at the job a week and one day when he was in a reckless mood (good mood for a train man) he boarded a train which was headed he didn't know where and was landed in Niagara Falls where he got acquainted with his wife, and in course of time drifted to the condition in which we now see him. Frank & I drove down town to night and took Jonas & his rhubarb roots home, and got the saddle & bridle from Bobbie Leany, they are roughly made, the saddle being half covered and riveted but they are nearly new & I think are worth six dollars. When we got back we found Dad. & Dick had gone down to the Scotch man who works for Harry Ansley to minister to a cow which is not enjoying the best of health. Nice day may rain soon. Wednesday May 21st It rained a little this morning and looked cloudy so we just did odd jobs. Dad. took up some of the rotten apples out of the cellar and drew off what cider was left in the barrel. I didn't do anything much but took a walk around by the wheat & oat fields which are doing fine. This after noon we got the spreader into commission again and hauled out seven loads. The shed is nearly empty now. I fixed Dad's saddle rack up on the wall in the drive house and started to make one for mine between loads, while Dad was out spreading. {A?} big thunder storm blew up about tea time to-night but it stopped raining long enough for me to go down to band practice, but it more than pelted when Dick & I came home. Dick had to work 55 �to-night. He got a telephone from who he thought was Roy referring to his 24th of May visit but it after wards transpired to be Wiggins down at the drug store enjoying himself at Dick's expense. Thursday May 22nd It rained hard during the night so we couldn't do much, we made an evestrough for the west side of the old house and made the rest of the saddle rack I started yesterday. Dad. also opened some ditches out in the oat field. This after noon Dad would have liked to have started plowing the corn ground but as there were several errands to do in town, we we thought this would be a good time to go. We got some groceries, and Dad got a chain for Dreadnought and a ring for his nose. We took the waggon wheel down for Butler to put the bands on as they were both broken. Dad. was very pleased that Vyse saw him going down with the wheel and inquired after it as it was off "the best waggon made" which he got from Vyse We bought a Little Giant Sprayer from Huby for ten dollars, they are no use as sprayers but have a good tank which was what Dad wanted to put out at the pump for watering stock, a good pair of wheels & a tongue besides a lot of old iron, - Huby is selling them for Jack Paine Jack told him to sell the ten for for $100. and, Huby has been selling them at $10 apiece and he says Paine called him up, and gave him a gereat calling down, he wanted him to sell them all to one man. Huby told him he was a fool and asked him what one man would want to buy 10 no-account sprayers. I went down to band practice tonight, and got back after eleven. Nice day, but cloudy. Friday May 23rd I planted out some lettuce plants this morning and Dad & I got some rails and took them back in the waggon to the gully to repair the fence there, we also hauled up some for the house. About noon I drove down town with Dick's valise as he went going to Toronto tonight to stay till Monday night. Frank went down to see him off. After dinner Mr. Krompart drove in with a Gould. Shapley & Muir agent who talked a little about a windmill but didn't bother many. Mr. Krompart went over the spreader ajusted several mistakes in the setting up which the other fellows made the principal one being changing the double trees on the evener. The way they had it, the single horse had the short end and so was pulling twice as much as the team. When they went Dad. & I went and cobbled up the gully fence and opened the gap so as to let the cows in the far end as the grass in there is getting rank. Frank says the old black & white cat has a large family on her hands now, but her hands are equipped with six or seven fingers each. Poor Fits had part of her tail nearly cut off in the 56 �door to-night. Dad was going to finish the job but forgot. It has been cloudy all day but quite cool. Old Ivey has succeeded in overthrowing the election on the school by-law. He got ten illegal votes, his own son's among them and it seems every illegal vote no matter on which side it was polled counts against the majority. Saturday May 24th Dad. started to plow the corn ground to day he plowed a head land all around the field this morning so as he wouldn't have to tramp on the clover at the north end of the field. This after noon he got quite a strip plowed and harrowed over. I put in the day cutting lawn and it was awful. It hadn't been cut for over a week and all this rain to-gether with a dull lawn mower wasn't a very good combination to make a satisfactory job. Frank worked around this morning and this afternoon went down to the creek to fish with the rest of the inhabitants of this part of the country, but I guess only drowned worms as he wasn't hardened with luck on his return. Winnie came over after dinner and I drove her home tonight. Enah to Tiddums down town and I shunted the buggy down to the side walk for her Win went down & came back with her. To day at noon we placed a ring just below the septum nasi of poor Dreadnought. It has rained once or twice to-day and been cloudy & sunny & hot by turns. Sunday May 25th Frank went to Sunday school and church this morning but was the only member of the family who attended Dad & I went up to Ham Thompson's to tell him we named Dreadnought. and he will soon get the registration papers. We were up there quite awhile and it was after noon when we got back. This after noon we put the saddle on Ginger - and gave her a lesson, I didn't get on her because Dad. says it is no use "breaking" her, she has to be "trained." Dad, & Enah & Tiddums drove out to Shand's but there was no body home. Lila & Frank went out after merells but didn't get any. Nice day rather inclined to be cloudy, quite cool to-night. Monday May 26th I spent the day cleaning up back of the wood shed and the east side of the old house and have it looking pretty decent now. I also cleaned out the gear case of the separator. Dad. plowed all day and got a nice chunk done. Enah went down town about noon to buy wall paper and stayed for the afternoon. The stores were all closed to-day instead of Saturday so the drug store was only open for a couple of hours. Dad & I had dinner alone. To-night 57 �Frank and I drove down and met Dick. The old turkey that was sitting in the old house hatched out to-day {Toby's brother, Richard (Dick) Barrett, wrote the next two lines and most of the entry for Tuesday May 27. Toby wrote the last three words of May 27, thanking his brother for writing in the diary.} Dick got home safely and had a good time. Everyone was well in Toronto. Cloudy and cool all day. Tuesday May 27th Right after breakfast Dad went down to Sam Laws and got a roller and rolled down all he had plowed. The calves got out of the orchard and Dad and Tobe had a devil of a time getting them back in again. We hauled out one load of manure. In the afternoon it drizzled rain most of the time and we helped Mrs McBride put down the carpet and paper Auntys room. They are working there yet. (9.15pm). Cold miserable day. To Richard, - thanks. Wednesday May 28th We hauled out eleven loads to-day one of them was pitched on yester day. We are only going to haul a little more and then work up the corn ground. The old turkey which was sitting in the old house got out with her family to-day, there are nine of them and they all look lively. I went down to band practice to-night they had the regular one as there is a dance on to-morrow night. Harry Moon was present for the first time in many weeks, I had began to think he had been wiped off the map, but it looks more as if the map had been wiped of him or at least buried with whiskers. He has some thing the matter with his face and can't shave. They have the Ivey gang about cinched now on the school board as Blight who was on Ivey's side has dropped out and that gives the other side the majority and they can elect any man they like to take Blight's place, before there was a deadlock. Gus Smith fell off a scaffold somewhere to-day and broke his shoulder or some thing I couldn't hear any details from any one but over heard Harry Moon saying some thing about it up in the band room which was so chuck full of noise you couldn't drive a nail in it.. Johnny Walker's mother & old Mrs. O'Harra of Norkway died yesterday & to-day. It was quite mild this morning but there is a cold wind to-night. Thursday May 29th 58 �We hauled out enough manure to-day to go over to the hickory nut tree which is as far as we are going to put corn in. We got along very slowly the first part of the day as we were getting it out of the old shed where the implements are and it took us about an hour to put on a load, but we have it just about cleared out of there now and this after noon hauled five loads out of the barn yard, that is enough for awhile now. Vyse was over for awhile this morning. Fred & Carl Coleman were over this after noon. I rode Ginger for the first time to night. Dad. - got on her first - and rode her to the end of the lane, then I took her down to Sam Law's corner. We have had the little saddle on her every night but one since Sunday, and she has behaved a little better each time. To-night Dad. put his heavy saddle on her There was another dance on to-night but owing to "pecuniary liabilitys" I spent a quiet evening at home. Dick worked till after midnight so did not feel in much humor to attend either. Warmer to-day. Friday May 30th Dad. plowed all day with Harry & Belle, and I disked with Joe & Ginger as neither they nor I are much account on either end of a plow. Dad. will finish plowing to-morrow if all's well and it won't take us long to work it up. Mr. Henderson & Ronald were down this morning for Dad to have a look at their horse. To-night Mr. & Mrs. Jim Waddle & the little girls came in and Jim & Dad talked till about nine o'clock, before we had tea. Dick had work late again tonight. I had another little ride on Ginger to-night she turned in at the open gate into the corn field and also onto Sam Law's lane, but other wise was pretty good. It has been cloudy most of the day and sprinkled a few drops now & then, a lot warmer to-day. Saturday May 31st Dad. plowed all day but is not quite done yet. I disked with the little team all morning but as Dad. saw he couldn't finish plowing to-day said I might as well not work them this after noon but cut lawn which I did. He disked and harrowed over all he had plowed to-day, before he turned out. Peg. Long & Bill Dunbar came over to day after Bob. Miller's hay which was to be part payment for {Roy?}. I helped them put it on and they took a good one. Jimmy Corbett was in at noon to get Dad. to go down to see his sick colt but Dad declined the invitation on the grounds that he was too busy but told him what to do Lila spent the after noon and night over here. Tiddums is growing a tooth now and is pretty cranky. Tige appeared to show an interest in Tiddums to-night whent he was out in his buggy but when Tiddums endeavored to gett a strangle hold on her eye she ceased her attentions. Dick did not get home to-night, as this is the last day of the month I suppose he had to work. Cloudy 59 �this morning, clearing and developing into about the hottest day this month. We didn't put the saddle on Ginger to-night. I have been barefooted most of the afternoon. Sunday June 1st The boys went to sunday school & church & I went down to church. It began to rain soon after we got out so we went down to Huby's after for dinner. Huby was in his bare feet and had just finished hoeing his garden. Frank & I came home soon after dinner but Dick went up town. Dad. & I went for a little ride to night. I rode Joe & Dad. Ginger. Mr. Fleming, Vyse, Roy Bannister & Allan Law were over here to night day. I saw Jim Blaike down town this morning. It has been very hot to-day with two heavy showers the last of which was tonight. Monday June 2nd Dad. was greatly surprised this morning as he was going to the cow stable, to hear a strange {whinny?} in the horse stable and upon investigation to find Belle the grand possessor of a colt full brother to Queen. He is a lively & strong little fellow and has been on his feet nearly all day. He is about the same color as Davy & has the same triangular spot on his fore head he has two white feet both on the same side and his legs are as crooked as rams' horns. We heard yester day that Johnnie Walker had been made take his horse off the dray on accout of a sore neck which it had. and as we were very anxious to get the corn field finishe up and as the advent of Belle's colt has knocked the use of her, we drove down to see what arrangements we could make for getting Johnnie's horse. We met him just coming out, and he said he wanted to get the horse out to pasture and that we could take him, but would have to be careful about working him or that "thingh" by which he meant Aikens I suppose would be jumping on him again. Aikens was the one who raised the row and it was nothing but a dirty piece of spite work. He didn't go to Johnnie him self but to Ellis Ryersie who was driving for Johnnie as it was while Mrs. Walker was dead in the house, and told him to tell Johnnie to take the horse off. Ellis evidently thought there was enough trouble in the house so refrained from mentioning it, whereupon Aikens tried to get out a summons against Jack, but Bond wouldn't issue one. Most people seem to think it was a low down trick of Aikens to bother Jack at such a time especially when it is none of his business anyway. Dad. went up and saw the old horse whose name is Joe. and found he has a sore shoulder as well as a sore neck but decided to bring him home and try to fix him up. We got a collar at the barn there for him and Dad put a short pad under it, and as the draught comes above the lump on his shoulder there is no weight on the raw part at all. As 60 �long as we plow harrow and disk with him there will be no weight on his neck so he promises to be just what we want. Dad plowed a couple of rounds with him & Harry before dinner and he says they make a dandy plow team and Joe never felt his shoulder in the least. He finished plowing that piece quite early in the after noon and says he wouldn't have finished with Belle but this team doesn't feel the plow any more than a waggon. I spent about half the after noon printing Dads. name on the cream can and there is room for improvement on the job at that. the other half I spent mowing the rest of the lawn. Mrs. McBride was washing here all day. Dick had to work late tonight but he and Frank both get a holiday tomorrow as it is the anniverssity anniversary of the King's birthday. They say the Polocks got on a tear last night and broke all the lamp in the park. It has been quite cold this after noon. It looked this morning as if it would be hot but a wind got up at noon. Tuesday June 3rd Dad. went down with Joe & Ginger this morning and borrowed Vyse's roller while I went out and disked with Joe Walker & Harry. Dad rolled the field and then harrowed After dinner he went out with Joe Walker & Harry - and disked. I played catch with Dick and hoed.. for about an hour and a half - and then brought the little team out and Dad harrowed with them while disked. He started to roll crosswise to-night but didn't get half over it and Vyse told him to bring the roller home to-night - although when he got as far as Martin's Odd. told him Vyse had said they could have it in the morning. Dick spent the morning in bed & the after noon down town playing ball. Frank cut weeds in the fore noon and went fishing up in the upper pond this after noon but I guess his visit will soon be forgotten by the finny inhabitants of that spot as what few did happen to run into his hook, he did not deem worth of transportation home so kindly returned them to their natural element. He has been hearing great tales of the angler's luck out at the celp and built on-going out to-day but could find no one to accompany him. Jack Ivey came over this after noon to buy hay. Dad told him he could have the hay but unless it rained we wouldn't be able to haul it, but they sent their team over and got a few forkfulls for to-night.. We found one of the little turkeys nearly dead, this is hard weather on them, we were hoping it wouldn't rain but he said they had six thousand little asters wich needed rain badly. Jack Martin told Dad to night that the latest piece of devilment of Old Ivey is to have Cousin Willie & Bob Miller disqualified as school trustees as Cousin Willie drew up the papers for trans ferring Mrs. Gordon's property over to the school and the school have bought brooms from Bagley & Miller some time. Both men I think have gone to Simcoe to see Kelly about it, and Dad. went over to Martin's tonight to remind Jack that Old Stringer has done carpenter work for the school 61 �and so should be put off too if it is legal. Mrs. Charlie Martin was the only one home so he left the message with her. They found out to-day that it wasn't the Polocks that committed the depradation in the park the other night but a couple of pesky Yankees who are working at the fish shanties. Hugh McQueen & Aikens went down to arrest them to-night. Hugh got one but Aikens chased the other one down the plank road and I don't know whether he caught him or not, they ought to run Aikens in with them. It was pretty hot all day. A big thunder storm blew up late this after noon and for awhile it looked as if we were in for a "souser" but it only rained enough to chase us in off the field and then stopped {Toby's father, Harry Barrett, wrote the entries for June 4,5, and half of 6.} Wednesday June 4th As Toby went to band practice tonight or at least Wednesday and Thursday nights he is behind in writing this up as this is Friday night We finished working the corn ground Toby disced all day and I rolled it twice and harrowed it and we have it in first rate shape. Cold wind nearly all day. Thursday June 5th First thing after breakfast I went over where Bill was working at Iveys and drove his team while he came over here and marked our corn ground, he finished at noon. After dinner Toby went down and borrowed a planter from Mr Fleming and we got more than half the field planted There was quite a frost last night. Friday June 5 6th We did not get out very early this morning, several interruptions before we got in the field and Just as I was going to begin to plant Will Donald drove along and well, "Talk about talking". Toby went down to Alfreds to see if he could get a corn planter that would do better work than Mr. Flemings, he got one but it was worse. We did not finish at noon there were still 13 rows to plant. I had to go to a raising at Frank Ryerses, there were lots of men there and they had every thing done before seven O'Clock, We had a grand lay out at tea and I came home with Mr. Fleming. Toby had finished the corn, and he & Frank had {Toby resumes writing the entry for June 6 at this point.} (the pens all ran out of ink so I am finishing this to-morrow night myself) the chores all done when Dad. got home. Jonnie came over tonight and & got a little field corn and an ear of 62 �Golden Bantam to plant in his garden, he stayed a little while but as no body made any effort at carrying on a conversation he soon left. Jack Walker came after Dad to night as he was nicely in his first sleep about twelve o'clock to go down and see his new horse which had colic or some thing and which was quite recovered when Dad arrived. Al. Faulkner & Charlie Long were both in attendance. Dick did not get home till late owing to surplus of labor. The Woodsons all came yesterday after noon. It was hot all day and almost suffocating to-night, looks like a big thunder storm. Saturday June 7 6th Dad. & I went down to Bruce's this morning but found that he & Mr. Ashbow V.S of Caledonia were up Mud. Street on a "professional visit, so we drove up the town line till we met them and brought them up here to have a look at Dave & Osprey who have not been acting as we would like to see them lately. They were here to dinner and Mr. Ashbow proved to be a very entertaining talker. This after noon Dad. went down town and got his hair cut, while Frank went over and worked in John Quanbury's garden for him. I hoed a little in the garden here but spent most of the time hunting crows with Frank's rifle, although I had several good shots I failed to inflict any visible injury on the villains they have been preying upon the little turkeys and now will be at the corn field when an opportunity offers. I scared them off with a bullet every time I saw them light this after noon. Dick did not get home to tea again to-night. It rained hard last night and this morning but cleared off and has been quite cool & windy to-day. Sunday June 8 7th The boys went down to Sunday school and church Dad (after a good deal of squirming) also attended the morning service, he tried to induce me to go but when I uselfishly offerd to stay at home to take his place he couldn't very well get out of it. I cut a little wood watered the horses & fooled around. I went out once with the rifle in quest of crows but as none were in evidence in the vicinity of the cornfield I in my wrath sought to drive a bullet to the heart of the hickory nut tree, but owing to my unpracticed marksmanship it escaped unscathed. Lila came over this afternoon and she and Frank went back to the gully armed with the rifle and returned this evening with a quantity of wild strawberries, which we were not aware of being developed into an edible condition, Dad, Enah & Tiddums went down to the Woodson's till the latter grew into such a state of excitement which was unequaled in magnitude & noise to any of his former vocal exercises, so much so that Dad. grew anxious about him and brought him home. I started to read Hamlet while they were gone. Dick 63 �spent this post meridian in town. Enah & I took in church to-night and we all had tea after we came home It has been cold & raw wind all day again to-day. Monday June 9 8th We were late this morning anyway and before Dad got the team out Walt. & Tom McCall with Dick {Faulmsby?} came in and their visit culminated in Dad. going back with them to see a colt of Walt's which just came this morning, they weren't gone very long, When Dad. refused to take five dollars from Walt. for just taking him down town & back in his automobile, Walt said he was glad to see him in such affluent circumstances financially but Dad told him that if he had a little pile the fiver would have added to it and persuade him to accept it but as he was penniless that amount would only be tantalizing, this was before he knew that Tom Abbott had been in while he was away and left a cream check for twenty five dollars for the month of May, which we don't consider bad for three cows & two heifers one of which (Erie) doesn't produce much more than a quart of milk. Dad started to plow the old garden before dinner we are going to put in potatoes, mangels & turnips there if all's well as it is such a loamy spot, he only got a few rounds done before dinner. At noon he got thinking about the little colt down town and as he knew that it wouldn't be properly looked after down there where there were so many around he thought he would like to have it over here as he hated to think of it dying, so he went over to the Martin's and telephoned Walt. and told him if the colt wasn't any better and he liked to bring it over here to do so, which he did about four o'clock. He, Bob. Rankin & I suppose Jack Davis Yeagers man & the colt came over in the automobile - and Billy Loan led the mare over, she is the gentlest thing to handle & work around ever lived. They were here for quite awhile and gave the colt some refreshments they have to hold it up it is so weak but it is well aparently every other way and is willing enough get up but can only flounder around. Dad got up at midnight and fed it. He gave it some whisky & milk but it didn't like it much This colt to-gether with old Joe begins to make Barrett's farm look like an infirmary for afflicted members of the equine race. This afternoon I wed a few carrots till Dad. yelled at me to tell me the cattle were in the clover on the north side of the gully. I went over with some wire & pinchers and found the miscreants were John & Fred's calf, but one wasn't enough to put them back through the hole they got through so I left them & Dad & I put them back to-night. Bob. Rankin & Mrs. Rankin drove over to night to have Dad. look at their horses feet which I guess are all right. Vyse was over to say that our roller has come but is the wrong kind owing to a mistake of his in the order, and I suppose will have to be shipped back. We didn't get 64 �through till very late to night. It froze last night and there has been a cold wind all day & it is cold to night. Tuesday June 10th As soon as it got warm enough we got the mare & colt out of the boxstall and put them in front of the drive house in the lane so she doesn't move more than ten feet away from it. This after noon it got a little cold there so we put it around between the drive house & barn. It sows great improvement to day. It can now stand up a little while by itself and has got up by itself a couple of times when we saw it and I don't know how many times besides. Walt. Mrs McCall, Tom & a couple of his pals were over this morning to see it. Dad finished plowing the old garden at noon & this afternoon I disked it while Dad. harrowed over the corn ground. This morning I went back and fixed the hole in the fence where the calves got through, I also cleaned up the lawn mower. We didn't get any word from Aunty to-day - and as she said in her last letter she would like to come home with Miss Battersby to-night we didn't know whether to expect her or not. Frank went down to the station and met her as she did come. to-night. She went to Huby's for to night she had written Aunty Maude a card yester day but she had failed to let us know about it. It froze again last night but has been a little warmer to-day but raw wind Dick went down to a surprise party at the Culp's to-night given for Ray who is leaving town in the near future Wednesday June 11th Dad harrowed the old garden this morning but says it will have to be left till the sods dry out before we can work anymore on it. Bob. Miller & Bill Dunbar were over talking to him for about an hour and bought Taurus for sixty two & a half dollars. Bob. offered sixty & Dad. asked sixty five, they wont take him till the first of July when he will likely be worth seventy. I cut some wood and a little lawn. This after noon I went over to Tupper's to get him to come over and shear our sheep. I found him just finishing up his own He came over about half past three or four and sheared three. Dad. started on one and Tupper finished it for him He makes a very nice job of it and doesn't mind leaving a few nicks in the hide, we worked rather late but he said he would be back in the morning. The poor little colt died to-night. We noticed when we brought her out this morning she wasn't nearly as lively as yesterday and she has just been getting weaker all day, and to to-night she just "goin out". I went down to band practice to-night and told George {Faulmsby?} about it. Walt was in Delhi and had not got home yet. The poor old mare feels pretty badly. It has been quite summery today. 65 �Thursday June 12th Tupper came over before we had breakfast this morning and "proceeded" to shear the rest of the sheep, we chased them around into the barn so as we could catch them easily. He got through about eleven and as he had his wool with him to take to market I went down in his rig with ours. We had 45 1/2lbs and at 18 cts - got $8.19. Dad get 1/7 of that. Frank gets 1/4 of what is left & I get the balance. Tupper beat us by a dollar and he only had six fleeces to our seven but his were bigger sheep, he had fifty something pounds & got the same price. We took it down here to Penman's. Vyse was working on Uncle Ward's side hill so I went to see him about the roller that is here for us but he says it isn't the right one. This after noon Dad. buried the little colt and I worked a little in the garden Mrs. Brad Bowlby came in to see Tiddums I guess and Aunty & Enah went down town Aunty stayed all night. Ada. & Hubert Lawrie were over for awhile. Hubert is just here for a day or so. About five o'clock Dad. & I drove Belle out to Jim Waddle's. I went down to band practice to-night and didn't get to bed till twelve. Dick came home with me his new suit came to-day. Pretty hot, breezy. Tom Law's auto mobile up set last night the other side of Simcoe and nearly killed Harry Dyer and injured Tom. They though at first that Dyer's back was broken but that report was contradicted later, but he is in pretty bad shape in Simcoe Friday June 13th Dad. went down town this morning with the waggon and got Joe & Ginger shod, he also got Aunty Maude's refrigerator. I cut a little lawn and chored around till noon. About twelve Enah heard the fire bell, and I lit out hot foot for the town but when I got over behind Vyse's I noticed the smoke over by Mrs. Munroe's. I got there just as Alh Faulkner arrived on the hump with the bus & fire pails. It was the house I think that Bill Philips used to live in, but is now occupied by a fellown by the name of Smith - and is owned by Person. They soon had the fire checked but not before it had burned down the kitchen and part of the roof. It was late when we got through dinner. Dad. and I went down to the mill to get some flour & chop. Dad took some grist down this morning. When we got home, he went out and harrowed over the old garden, I didn't do any thing much as I felt lazier than a yellow dog. Mrs. Skey & Mrs. Battersby came over this after noon. Aunty came over after noon she got a ride with old Fawset. Lila also came over to spend the night. Frank & I went down to the stump tonight, the water was fine it was the first time in for me this year. It was very hot to-day. Saturday June 14th 66 �We caught all the calves but Bobbie's when we fed them this morning, they have not been feeling very lively to-day. Bill Oaks came over for a drink and visited for about half an hour. He is going to leave Ivey to-day. We cut potatoes most of the morning. This after noon we got some ice out to put in the refrigerator, it is meling a lot but seems all right in side. Frank went to a picnic this after noon that Mrs. Tuck was having for her Sunday School class. We did not get out in the field till about three and then Dad ploughed some furrows to plant potatoes in the old garden and we planted four rows. We planted Huby's early ones which he has been telling us ought to be planted for the last month, two rows from the west side of the east section. Alfred came over while we were out there and paid a short visit. Dad. & I had to go down town to-night for some stuff. Lila went down with us. Tupper went past today and told Dad he was going to begin road work on Tuesday. Sunday June 15th Frank went to Sunday school but Dick didn't get up in time; he, Dad. & I drove down to church. Dad. & I went in the choir. The Rev. Larry Shey prought about the Dominion Alliance and its efforts in trying to "Abolish the bar". I walked home with Paul Lee Woodson. Dick stayed down and is not home yet (9.10 P.M.) This afternoon I read till I went to sleep, and then read again. Mr. & Mrs. Frank Faulkner were over, and Walt McCall, Dave. Waddle, Powell McKintosh & Bill Davis came over. Walt. said he would send over his mare in the morning. Dad. & Tiddums went down to Alfreds so missed all visitors. Enah intended to go to church to-night but Tiddums woke up about that time so she stayed home. It has rained quite a few times to-day and has been sunny & hot in between. Monday June 16th Dad. & I planted the rest of the potatoes this morning and went over to Sam Law's before dinner. This afternoon we moved the kitchen stove from the inside kitchen to the woodshed, we didn't have enough hands and the consequence was the base got broken and now the stove is supported by columns of brick, we then went out and planted three rows of mangels. We had a garden line which was to short and had to be stretched twice in the same line. Dad had to make the drill with a stick and I shook the seed in with a can with a hole in the bottom, which worked all right. Tonight I went down to band practice and got home just at twelve Aunty went down and spent the evening with Mrs. Bumpas at Mrs. Skey's. It was too late to wait for me so she came back alone. This has been about the hottest day we have had 90° in the shade I think We are hearing a lot of talk now about the enormous almmount of money the government & the railway are going to spend on 67 �harbour improvements. I found our poor black & white cat killed this morning in Joe's stall I suppose she has run up after a mouse and frightened Joe when she stepped on her. Frank has undertaken to raise her family for her but has a hard job making them drink. We heard yesterday that Harry Dyer was dead but I heard to-day that he was better yester day. Tuesday June 17th Dad. & I worked on the road all day, we took Harry & little Joe and the plow. Tupper, Mr Flemming, Mr. Walker & Ben were all there with teams. They plowed a ditch from the corner to the top of the gully on our side of the road and took the dirt and filled up the holes around the culvert and covered the stones that have been the source of many a cuss word coming from travellers mounting the hill. Of course there are a lot of kickers that feel called upon to tell us that a worse mess couldn't be made than the job we are doing but they cant suggest a remedy. One mug told us we might better be home in bed. Dad. told him we would much rather be. Roy telephoned Dick to-day that Aunty Louisa died this morning so Aunty went down on the five train. Tonight I went down with Dick intending to go to Aunty Maude's & Ada's party at Mrs Scofield's but when I found out that it was to be mostly {illegible} I thought I had better be in bed. The Woodson boys went down with us, and Dick his best to persuade us to go up but they didn't want to go so we came home and Dick stayed and says he had a good time and any ammount of dancing. Lewis treated the four of us to a dish of ice cream. Pretty warm but not so bad as yesterday. Wednesday June 18th We worked on the road all morning. As our time was finished at noon by Dad. & the team alone, Tupper rewarded me with a dollar for my services, he said he knew I wasn't worth it but as it was a government job, he would let it go. at that. This after noon we planted a few more mangles and have another row to plant yet. To-night I went down to band concert, it was the first night we have been out this year and the first night I ever played in public, I guess I did as well as ever, but just about froze on the stand and was so stiff I could hardly walk home. Very much cooler and cloudier to-day. Thursday June 19th I went out this morning and planted the rest of the mangels (one row). Dad disked up the unsowed part to the garden and then started to plow the other half of the corn field for wheat, This after noon I raked the garden and got a place ready to plant corn but only got one row of Golden Bantam in on account of the rain. Dad. plowed all the after noon Our 68 �corn is coming up very nicely except in a few hard spots which are as dry as a bone. Dick came home tonight and we had some music to-night. We had quite a thunder shower about noon and another about tea time We needed them badly but they weren't enough Friday June 20th Vyse came over this morning and told us our roller was at the station, so Dad told him that we would go right down and get it and for him to wait for us to set it up. When we got there it proved to be a nine foot instead of an eight foot one which was ordered so Dad. did not accept it. We went up by town to get some cream jars at the hardware store and around by the Spaints for Vyse to inquire after Alex, who was taken sick last Monday night, and they have been afraid he would have to be operated upon. He is better this morning. I planted the rest of the corn when we got home and Dad. went back to fix the gully fence where Fred's calf got into the field. I went over to the Quanbury's at noon and got some tomato and cauliflower plants, but just as I got home it began to rain and poured all the afternoon. There were a few very close claps of thunder but I don't think anything around here was struck. The ground was just about flooded but it didn't take it long to run off & in. I read myself to sleep and slumbered till about five when I went out and we planted out the tomato & cauliflower. It is raining quietly again to night. Very hot this morning. Mr Lamb brought us over a lovely bunch of peonys this morning. Saturday June 21st As it was too muddy for Dick to walk or ride his wheel (which was down town any way), I drove him down town as far as Mrs. Lawson's, I didn't care to go any farther on account of my appearance. Frank & I wed out a few onions. Frank got quite a lot done, he is getting skilled at the job from his practice at the Quanbury's. Dad. started to clean out the wood shed and we helped him a little. We also steadied & levelled the separator. It took nearly all the after noon to the the wood shed cleaned but it looks a lot better now. Frank went over to Mrs. Martin's with the cream and got eight more tomato plants from John to fill out the row. I put them out and helped him put out some Cabbage plants, he has sixty out now. He got another hatch of chickens over at Jack Martin's these are single combed ones to keep for ourselves, he also went over to Law's and got the butter. To night he and Dad. have driven down town after the mail & some groceries, as Dick did not come home to tea. Dad. wants to see Emery about a corn cultivator which I saw he had for sale this morning. It has been cool and cloudy all day. 69 �Sunday June 22nd The boys went down to church and Sunday School this morning but I went back to the gully for an hour or two instead and I guess was just as much benefited as if I had gone to church. I found a breach in the fence where I suppose John gets through into the alsike and patched it up as well as I could. I took a walk way up around by Robert John's and fell in with Edmond England coming from Ivey's where he has three heifer's pastured. While I was gone Dad. went down town and got Huby and Lila to come over for dinner and see the farm. Win came over after dinner. This after noon Harry & Mrs. Moon and Jack & Mrs. Walker came over. Harry spent about half an hour trying to take a picture of Queen & the colt, but Queen was too tame and wanted to examine the camera while the colt was a little shy and would get behind Belle. Then Old Harry seemed to think that it was his likeness which was wanted or else Ginger would take a run across the field and the rest would all be after her. At last however Johnny got Mrs. Walker's parasol and attracted their attention enough for Harry to get a couple. Dad. drove Huby home soon after dinner and I drove Enah, Win & Lila down and Enah. Win & I went to church. We over took all the Woodson's but Lewis coming over here after church. When they left we had some sanwiches is place of tea which we missed. Lovely day sunny but not hot cool to-night. Monday June 23rd Sam & Allan Law came over this morning to borrow our waggon, Lewis Woodson also came over with a scythe blade to be sharpened. I spent the day in clearing the blue grass field of daisys and strawberries there were some fat ones back there. When I went out this morning I had designs on a patch of daisys which we could see from here and which I thought I could corner in an hour or two but when I over there I found a lot more on the side hill, and they took me the most of the day. I pulled them, which took a good deal longer than to cut them as I had first intended, so I am not through yet with the patch I set out after. Dad plowed all day. and at noon drove down to see Emery about his cultivator but Emery couldn't find the teeth for it then. but I went down to-night to band practice and he told me he had gone out to his fathers and found them out there so I guess we will buy it. It was half past eleven when Dick and I got home. pretty fairly hot. Tuesday June 24th I went back and harvested the remainder of my flower garden and got through a little before noon with out feeling any regret at leaving. At noon Dad went down to Emery's and 70 �brought the cultivator home. I cut a little lawn while he was gone. As the trip down town delayed dinner we were late getting out and by the time we got Belle in and harnessed to put on the cultivator it was about three o'clock, but it was just as well for she was inclined to be pretty balky and mad at six. Dad drove her up and down the field once when she balked and soon got her to behave fairly well, and got a nice start on the cornfield To-night I worked in the garden till dark and then Frank and I went for a swim and got back about ten. Frank had just started his exams today and appears to be very interested in them, he thinks he passed in the subjects he had to-day. Arithmetic, Spelling & Writing. Hot & sultry I have felt about half asleep all day. Dad's head ached and he felt pretty rotten about noon Wednesday June 25th As it showed symtoms this morning of being an extra hot day and as Belle's colt didn't seem very well this morning on account of being away from her while she was working yester day, and because she cut up rather rustily yesterday, Dad. went over to Sam Law's before break fast and borrowed old Ben. to cultivate our corn. Dad. plowed all day with Harry & Joe Walker so I was sentenced to keep Bent and the cultivator in the straight and narrow way lying between the corn rows. He went pretty well all morning and for awhile after dinner till I started to go crosswise; but then I couldn't do anything with him, he did his best to step on every hill and wouldn't mind at all. Dad. took him a couple of rounds or so while I plowed and said he went pretty well but I couldn't see any improvement. When Frank got home from school he rode him for awhile and things went better. Tonight Frank took him home and we decided not to cultivate any more till he got through with school, he is just having his exams now and tomorrow & Friday is his last day. Frank's guinea hen started setting today. Drat {ink blotch on page} Thursday June 26th I worked in the garden all day, and got most of the weeds out but nothing else done. Dad. plowed all day and finished the rest of the corn field for summer fallow. Wyatt Waddle came in this after noon with a duplicate of the broken casting on the manure spreader. Aunty came home to night. Dick met her and she stayed at Huby's all night. Dick started the other day to take music lessons from Miss Wimmer. Allan Law brought our waggon back this morning. Very hot and sultry to-day. Friday June 27th 71 �It rained last night and the thunder which accompanied it was deafening. There was one clap that fairly shook Dad out of bed, and he went around shutting all the windows. When he got to ours I partly woke up but if it hadn't been for him I would never have known there was any thunder. It has been a very stifling day. It was about 90° in the shade and so muggy and wet we could hardly breathe. Dad. plowed all day on the old corn stubble and nearly croaked with the heat and his uncomfortable foot wear. I planted out a few tomato plants which Frank found coming up from seed among the potatoes. I was to lazy to do any thing else much. Aunty came over about noon. This after noon I put on a bathing suit and hooked up Joe and took the buggy down here to the grist mill and gave it a good washing. Lila came over just as I was starting so got on a bathing suit and went down with me and I think enjoyed herself immensely, going right up under the dam and all over. I got well washed off by by getting under the stream that overflows from the flume but there was awful force to it. I went down at seven to-night and attended the Methodist strawberry fistival with the rest of the band. Dad. Dick, Frank & Enah were all there. Aunty & Lila took care of Tiddums. We got home pretty fairly early and had a good time. Saturday Saturday June 28th I plowed all day to-day. Dad made three strike outs yester day and I turned then under leaving about three feet for Dad. to finish up on each land. I got around three strike outs, and didn't do so very badly considering it was the first day I had put in at the job never before plowing more than three or four rounds at a time. It seemed to go much better and I made a better looking job this morning than after dinner. I had old Harry and Joe Walker who made a pretty good team once they got started of but I generally had some trouble at the ends - as neither one of them much more than enough braints to make a square meal for a chipmonk. Dad. took Belle out to cultivate but she acted pretty mean so Frank came out to lead her she was still bad till Dad. took her and Frank took the cultivator, when she worked like a charm and they continued operations all day in this manner but did not quite get over the field. About five o'clock the colts came up the lane and some way knocked down the bars into the field and took a race down the corn field and back, but we soon got them out. Aunty went down town to see Mrs. Bompas who I think is going away soon. They expected Quint home to-night but he didn't come, but may be here yet for the first. Fairly warm but nothing like yesterday. Sunday June 29th 72 �We got up fairly early this morning and Dad drove Aunty up to the cemetry with some flowers before Sunday School. None of us went down to church except Frank. Hubert & Edith Lawrie came over with Aunty after church for the afternoon. I left at half past one - as this was decoration day for the odd fellows - and the band furnishes them with music for them. We had to march from the Dominion Hotel to the School house - and as it was the first march for me I didn't enjoy it much, what made it triply hard for me, I had no music harp for my horn so had to hold the music with half of one had, play with half of the other and hold the horn with half of each so I couldn't do any thing properly. Then I got out of step about half a dozen times in every block and every body suggested hobbles or some other contrivance to keep my length of step at about a foot & a half instead of three feet. We rode up to the back from the cemetry on Val. Lany's dray with Johnnie Walker's team. We played a few old hymns up there and marched back from the school house to Harry Graham's store to "Auld Lang Syne". There is an great change for the better in the appearance of the cemetry since Munroe has been looking after it. When I got home I found Mr. Blaikie here, his arm is badly crippled with rheumatism, he just came up for the first, was going to Alfred's to spend the night, - and to Simcoe to-morrow. There was great excitement up the Radical road last night, as Art Williams was going home after midnight he saw Geordie Waldick's barn opposite Cory's place on fire, Geordie wasn't home so he alarmed Stringer's. They just nicely got it out when they saw a fire at Chart Wooley's so they going over there, they saved the barn but the straw stack was burned. Next thing a blaze was noticed over at John King's, who being more unlucky than the other two lost his barn and all his implements. It was evident that this was the work of some man, and for some reason I think they tracked him they suspect the fellow who lives at Cory's. I forget his name any way - they had the house watched, but as Dad. & Enah told were going to church to-night they were very much surprised to meet this same man walking leisurely along the road in front of this place. Dad. informed Art Quanbury - and this led to Hugh McQueen and Faulkner in Al's automobile starting in pursuit and his recapture on the way to Renton. He deserves all he gets for being fool enough to keep to the road. Geordie Waldick and some other fellow were in here while Dad. was at church to see him about some vetinary business. Mr. Blaikie and Alfred were also over. Lila stayed all night over here. Very hot for me to-day, breezy and not extraordinary for other people. Monday June 30th I plowed a few rounds this morning but made such a mess of it that Dad. took it and Frank and I cultivated corn. I led Belle and he held the cultivator she went fine, we got over the 73 �rest of the corn crosswise and nearly half over it lengthwise. To night I went down to band practice, Aunty polished my horn up beautifully for me this after noon she went down with me to see Quint if he came, but he didn't. Dick waited for the late train which did not get in till after eleven in hopes that Quint would be aboard but was disappointed. I saw Stuffy tonight. Mrs. McBride was here this after noon washing. It has been pretty hot all day but a nice breeze, awfully hot to-night. Quite a few are into their hay now. Tuesday July 1st Dad went down to Vyse's, and from there down town to get the roller, it came all right this time and they set it up at Vyse's and left in there for the present. He had to stop in at Martin's on his way down to see their cow who got into the chicken cook-house the other night - and filled up on every thing she could find, and now is in a rather critical condition. Among other things I hoed some of the corn in the garden this morning and then Frank and I went to the stump and enjoyed a good swim. Frank went on down town with the lawn mower to have it sharpened, but I came home and had dinner as I had to be down town by one as the band started performing then. we played for awhile on the bandstand, and then went around town, they took us in to the three hotels and to Jake's. Jack Paine was very much in evidence on these occasions making all sorts of rash promises to the band, such as sending up a new set of instruments or anything else they wanted if each member would send him twentyfive bull dog ammonia cupons. At the lower hotel, they struck up, "He's a jolly good fellow". and Jack and the rest of them down there danced and kicked up a row, till they got out of wind and then he commenced to talk, but as they were waiting for us out side, we had to leave him much to his disgust, without all the good wine he had been promising us. I rode Frank's wheel home to tea and changed my once white pants as I thought I might take in the dance. We played awhile over in the park till the orchestra had to go in to the dance, by that time I didn't feel much like dancing so sat around with Egg Thompson & some others and came home early Among the chief numbers on the list of sports were was a a slow horse race which Hazen entered but was disqualified because his horse stopped - and which ended in a dispute, as some thought that Dave Fields who came in last let his horse stop, but others said that it didn't stop for although it wasn't making any progress its feet were going. Another was a tug of war between Simcoe & Dover. The Dover end of the rope was supported by Hugh McQueen, Sandy Leitch etc. and walkeded right down the road with Simcoe, but it also ended with {picking?} for some reason or other. Harry Moon yelled him self hoarse at that, An unadvertised sensation was created by the arresting of a motor cyclist by Val. Leany. It seems the fellow either through non control of 74 �his machine or whisky or pure devilment or all three was {illegible} the roads through the crowd at a very reckless and dangerous rate. He did stop at last and evidently objected to peace ably accompany Val to the cooler, so that gentleman picked him up, put him under his arm and carried him in out of the hot sun. I heard afterwards that Bond tried him and that he contributed nineteen dollars to the municipal treasary. A Simcoe man dropped dead over at the Dominion at noon. I suppose he collapsed with the heat, that didn't cause much excitement though as every body else felt the same way. It was almost unbearably hot especially under a coat that has been collecting the bandroom dirt for an unknown number of ages. Wednesday July 2nd Dad. plowed and. Frank. Belle & I cultivated corn all day. We finished the field lengthwis length wise and got up as far cross wise as where Frank & Dad. begun the other day. We are going to leave it that way for awhile now. To-night I went down to the regular weekly night band concert. Lila came over and spent the night, she cut her lip quite badly inside by falling off Frank's wheel several times. It swelled up like a sick toad or we wouldn't have known she hurt as she didn't feel it. Aunty went down town to-day and to-night Mrs. & Miss Woodson came over to inquire after her as the cook though some delusion on her part had told them she fainted while going through their place this afternoon. It rained a few drops this morning and has been a most comfortable breezy day. Thursday July 3rd Vyse came in this morning with our roller, he and Aikens were going out to haul in his hay. Dad had to go over to Martin's to see their cow and when he came back he got the mower out and cleaned it up I turned the grindstone while he sharpened one of the knives. Mrs. McPherson and her three angels came over to spend the day. I hope they enjoyed themselves, for then somebody would have. Arthur would have if they had let him spend a little more time in the blacking box and flour tin. After dinner Dad took the mower back the other side of the gully and started on the half of the old wheat stubble, the other half is in alsike. I went back with him till he cut a round. He didn't quite finish the field to-night but has a couple or so hours more, he said none of it would be fit to rake before tomorrow noon any way. When I came up I worked in the garden till six. Frank thinned out the carrots and Paris Greened the potatoes. Dick got home to tea to-night. Very hot again to-day. As the cats have been taking a duck or two lately Frank has moved them, the ducks, out on the front lawn. They don't add to the beauty of the place any, but I guess no body in particular 75 �cares a cent. Dad had to go over to Martin's again to-night as the cow is in a worse condition, he punched a hole in her stomach and has created a spring of chicken feed with the above mentioned stomach as the source. Friday July 4th Dad. went back as early as he could, which was pretty late to finish mowing. I didn't do any thing much but start to make a rack for the beans to climb on, about ten I went back to shake up some of the hay which Dad. cut yesterday but mowed instead Dad. went to shake up the hay but found there wasn't enough of it to make it necessary so went over and visited with John Wess McBride who while cultivating corn was taking things as coolly as possible. Some menl were there putting a new roof on his barn and he wasn't at all satisfied with it. We finished mowing about noon. When we got to the house we found Huby there with a horse and buggy out electioneering. This was the day, they voted on the by law to fix the canning factory's taxes. but every body had forgotten about it. even the canners them selves. Vyse told them he had forgotten and had been thinking it was the twelfth, and telling people that was the date. Huby stayed to dinner and Dad. & Aunty drove down afterwards with Joe, while Huby went after Uncle Ward & others. Win came over with him but went home with Edith who also came over as she pretended to be scared of the horse which ran away several times so Huby said. Mrs. McBride came this morning to paper our room and Frank has been helping her all day. It rained all the after noon so I didn't do any thing much. Dad. cleaned out the cellar and I helped a little break the sprouts of some apples potatoes. Mrs. McBride & Frank finished the room to-night all but the border on one side which they didn't have enough of. Bill Dunbar and some other fellow came after poor old Taurus this morning they led him down and although he was quiet enough they had a little time with him as he didn't know what being tied up meant. After dinner both the Dr. Burts. from Simcoe came in to see Dad. They had come down to look at Martin's cow but she was just about dead, she died soon after. Dick didnt come home till late but hadn't heard how the election went. Saturday July 5th I drove Dick down this morning as the roads were too muddy for him to ride or walk. He got me the rest of the roll of border and a few other things to bring home. Martin's were just about to inter the remains of their cow when I came home and were evidently waiting for Dad to come and hold a post mortem as he told them he wanted to yesterday, he went over but said it was to long after her death to make any observations. He and Frank then 76 �went down to the mill with some grist for chop. I tied binder twine together to make a trellis for the beans to climb on. This after noon I just walked around the garden. Frank planted out another row of cabbages & Dad. cut weeds around here and put up the other piece of border. Aunty went down town this afternoon but came back to tea. After tea Dad. & I drove down town I tried to get some coarse salt but couldn't but got some chloroform for Fran's butterfly. I then went over to the dance - and put in a very miserable time - as no body would dance or have anything to do wth me. Dick was there and never missed a dance. It rained hard last night but there has and has been pretty hot all day although there was a very nice cool breeze off the lake this after noon. Sunday July 6th Dad. & Frank did all the chores this morning as I didn't get up very early. Aunty & Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and I went to church. This after noon Dad. Enah, Aunty and Tiddums went out to the Shand's and stayed to tea. We did chores. Dick spent the after noon down town in swimming. Frank went back to the gully and I tried to draw a picure but didn't make much of a job of it. To-night the boys fed the little ducks some whisky soaked grain and they got {bory?} eyed two or three could hardly walk, and would roll over & over. It has been cool & quite windy all day. It rained a short time this after noon. Monday July 7th This was Dad's. birthday so we didn't get a very early start although we never do any other day either. Dad. went over and raked up the hay he cut and finished at noon I went back with him and started to cock up. Frank had to take a consignment of sick little chickens over to Jack Martin to have their case diagnosed, he pronounced it chickenpox and ordered them to be quartined, fumigated, disinfected, vaccinated and about half a dozen other things, when he got back he came and cocked up too.This afternoon we took the waggon back and put on a load. It took us nearly two hours as the the hay was very loose & short and the wind was very strong. Frank went a head of us and bunched it out of the windrow, Dad. pitched on & I loaded or piled it on the rack. We cocked up a little before we came up with the load. Aunty Maude, Win and Lila came over to-night to wish Dad. a happy birth day. I went down to band practice and got home soon after eleven. It has been very cool and a strong wind all day. Tuesday July 8th 77 �We cocked up all morning and finished about noon all but about one load in the north west corner we then all went over to John Wess. McBride's to get some information regarding slings, as Dad. never used them before. We found out all we wanted to and he gave us an ash board to make the uprights which bolt on the rack. We were over there quite awhile and didn't get back till after one so by the time we had dinner did chores and pitched off the load on the rack it was pretty late. It looked a little like rain so we went out and got the load that was in wind row instead of rigging the slings. We couldn't take it quite all in one load but it didn't rain anyway. Frank bunched it all up, so as to make it easier to pitch on. I loaded it again and it didn't upset. It was after six by the time we got up with it. Winnie came over this after noon and stayed all night. Lila went home. Very nice cool day and not so windy. Wednesday July 9th We spent the whole morning in fixing the sling rigging on the rack and oiling the pulleys and making general preparation for getting in the rest of our hay. We also put off the load by hand which was on the rack We got a good start after dinner, but as it was the first time we had ever had the sling ropes to bother with, we didn't get on extra fast, but we got it off with out any trouble as the slings worked fine. We went back and got about half a load on when a very heavy thunder storm blew up and we all got soaked to the skin. It didn't last long as we left the field as soon as it began and it had nearly stopped when we got to the barn. We had a hard time coming up the hill as it was too slippery for the horses. Old Harry fell right down once on his nose - and they both came down on their knees two or three times, but I don't think either of them sustained any serious injuries. Lila came over after dinner and came out to the field with us. so got soaked with the rest of us. Dad took down a panel of the barnyard fence when he drove the team through into the field with the sling rope so had to take the horses out of the field, he put Belle & her colt in the boxstall and turned Ginger & Queen back the lane in fear & trembling best they should get into the barbed wire, and to-night before tea we noticed Queen in the pasture field and on investigation Dad. found she had jumped the lane fence, and had a few scratches on her but otherwise was not hurt. Ginger was all right. I went down to band practice concert tonight. Dad. & Frank drove me down but I was late. I just missed the first piece. I came home with Dick. Very cool and breezy. They got their smoke stack up to-night at the canning factory. Thursday July 10th 78 �Frank and I cultivated corn all day, we started to go twice in a row but made such little headway that we knew we wouldn't get over all of it so went once in a row. We also went up between the potatoes rows, they are coming slowly but the grass is bad in them and they need hoeing. I am afraid our mangel crop is a failure, it looks as if the seed was no good. Dad. started to cut the new meadow this side of the gully where the wheat was last year, he only started to cut a {?} part of it which was west of the old garden but didnt get it quite done. One of the sections on the blade got loose this morning, and he was delayed quite awhile fixing it, then at noon we sharpened the other knife. Lila has spent the whole day going back and forth from the house to the fields, watching her chance to drive the horses or hold the cultivator, she wanted to go home to-night as to-morrow is her music lesson day. but Aunty thought she would be too tired so persuaded her to stay. Aunty & I went over to the Woodson's to-night and spent a very enjoyable evening. Most of the family were out in the kitchen assisting the cook to entertain her two gentlemen callers, who were a mexican who Paul Lee says is the Ingram's cook and a negro dwarf from Simcoe, they had a banjo or some instrument but were stage struck before so large an audience. We got home about half past ten and every one was in bed. Dick stayed down late to the dance tonight and forgot to put the light out when he got home. I discovered to-day that my big knife was gone out of my overalls pocket and I am afraid I have lost it in the load of hay, which means that it is gone forever, it was a dandy too. Very cool all day cold to-night. {Toby's aunt, Emily Louisa Barrett (Aunty), wrote the entries for July 11 and 12.} Friday July 11th Lila went home when Dick went to the Bank. Harry, Toby & Frank drew in two loads of hay in the morning and unloaded them with the sling it worked beautifully it was a lovely day to work "clear and cool", in the afternoon they raked the hay that was cut and put part of it in cock, they were quite late coming in from the field, and we were very late having tea Hattie had a long visit from Mr. Law, who brought the butter. before tea I went over to see Mrs Battersby and Ethel, Hattie took the baby out for a little while. Dick came home to tea he wrote to Ferdie Wiser and went to bed very early. Harry and Hattie drove out to {see?} Harvey Shand in the evening Saturday July 12th It began to rain this morning before the boys got out in the field, and rained heavily nearly all the forenoon. They were very disappointed that so much hay was out, but they were 79 �busy all the morning with the numerous odd's and sod's which are left waiting for a rainy day. Harry helped us with one or two bits of work in the house, while the two boys began to tidy the drive house, he then went to help them at that, they got it finished and Frank cleaned his chicken house. I made a mistake in saying the rain began before they went to work, it looked very like rain early this morning, but it was cool and windy so Harry and the boys did go out and raked up more of the hay, hoping to draw more in today, but the rain came on and drove them in. After dinner Toby drove Enah down town Dick did not come home to tea, he is staying over for the dance - We heard from Roy, he said Jean was coming to the Woodson's tonight - Since tea Toby and Frank have been for a bathe at the Mill. This is Cousin Loll's Birthday, Enah went to see her, and took her some cream Sunday July 13th Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday school and I met them at church. Aunty stayed down at Miss Battersby's for dinner, she came over to-night with Lila. Dick went down to the lake this after noon and didn't get back till about eight o'clock. Dad. Frank and I took a drive after dinner. We went out to the Winding Hills east to Black Creek. South to the Dog's Nest and up this road home. We were pleased to note that the other neighbors are not much farther ahead than we are and their crops except the wheat are not much better than ours I didn't feel very husky this afternoon, I guess I haven't had enough sleep lately. Nice day, but windy. Wednesday July 16th We got up extra early this morning in order to get in a good day hauling hay, we got out soon after seven to unload the load standing on the barn floor. While Dad. and I were in the field after a load Frank took the pulleys and ropes down out of the barn as we want to fill up our horse stable mow with the hay we are now hauling in. Dad. had to change the car from one track to another when we came in and that took half an hour, then we found our slings wouldn't work there, the first lift nearly knocked the old ventilator chute over, there was one would hardly go in the doors and the hay all dropped out of the last one for some unknown reason we got the fork to lift what had dropped but it wouldn't work in the short blue grass. It took us about two hours to get through which was rather discouraging, we got in one more load before noon and two this afternoon, they went up all right but we didn't put on nearly as big ones. We quit on time as this was the night of Dad's party out at the Shand's, and we had to have the hay rack to carry them all. One of the Miss Shand's drove in this afternoon and took Enah and Tiddums out, they will stay all night as Tiddums wouldn't go 80 �very well with the load. There were twenty two of us on the rack and lots of room, besides all the crowd at the Woodson's (10) there were Mrs. Hobbes and Miss Prest. Aunty Maude and Lila Ada, Miss Beemer and Edith Lawrie, Dad., Aunty and we three boys made a nice load. There was quite a bunch out there consisting of Shand's and relations of Shands, Mr. & Mrs. Nixon and very sleepy son from Renton and a Mr. Hare with his mother, who is a sister of Mrs. Shand's came all the way from Jarvis. Mr. Hare had his clarinet with him and also his violin, but he wouldn't play the latter after he had heard Miss Prest. He is the leader of the Jarvis Band which had just started this year. I had to miss the band concert to-night. We had music of every description and a good time. We didn't leave till after mid-night. and it was about half past two when we got all the passengers delivered at their different places of abode and got home and the horses put away. I was dead sleepy. We didn't see a living creature down town but Mr. Hobbes was stalking up and down like a ghost past the bank waiting anxiously for his family A fierce cat fight some where in the neighbourhood of Billy Frank's cottages made us aware that Dover was not completely enveloped in slumber. Winnie went to Waterford to-day with the other Miss Beemer, she will be in a very joyful state of mind as she passed entrance with honors. Poor Lila failed and feels badly although nobody would know it from her behaviour. Nice, cool breezy day, cloudy to-night and sprinkling a few drops of rain when we got home. Thursday July 17th Dad. got up a little later than usual this morning, I slept till after seven and Frank spent the best part of the morning in bed, but it had rained quite a spatter so we couldn't do much in the field. We just puttered around. Dad. worked a little in the garden and cut some of the grass and all the young plum trees on the front lawn and some of the thistles in the plum orchard. I mowed lawn. This after noon Dad. went back and started in to cut the alsike I cut more lawn and thinned some onions while Frank scythed thistles. About five I went back and cut alsike till dark while Dad came up and did chores and had tea. He had been having a hard time with it clogging up the knife, as it was wet and a lot of stuff in the bottom. I had just as bad a time for awhile but it got better. Dad. Dick and Frank all came back when it got pretty dark and Dad. thought we could finish it to-night, but decided that we had better leave it till morning. It was about half past nine when we got up to the house. The Miss Shands drove Enah and Tiddums home this after noon. Tiddums was tickled nearly to busting at getting back home again. Damp and muggy drizzled nearly all morning. Friday July 18 81 �Dad. went back this morning to finish cutting the alsike Frank and I went out to cock up the rest of the hay in windrow, but found it too wet so just turned it out and went over to the alsike field. Dad. told us to go up and get the rack ready to put on a load, so we went up and threw off the hay which was left on from the night of the party and put on the ladders and sling standards. Dad. came up just as we got about through. Mr & Mrs. Harry Dyer with Nancy drove in about this time and Harry was dickering with Dad. about his lots on St. George St. Dad. told him he could have the two for $600 but he wouldn't sell one separate. Harry said he would decide and let Dick. know to-morrow. We went out and got one load before dinner. Mr. Lamb came over to see if he could get some hay. Dad said if he would send a couple of men and a team & waggon over he could get a load but we didn't have time to haul it, so he said he would. This after noon we got another load in and unloaded, and then went out to cock up the rest of the wind rows. One of the little black kittens followed us out and caught a very young mouse and gobbled it. We didn't get quite through before tea, so Dad. went out after tea and worked at it till nearly ten and still left some. Frank and I drove down town after tea as Dick didn't come home and Frank wanted to see the Maple Leaf to know his fate - as to whether he passed his exams. although he made it seem as though getting his wheel was the real object of our trip. The wheel wasn't done so we went down to Huby's to see the paper, he was very disappointed not to find his name among the successful candidates as he was pretty confident he had passed. Poor old Jim Low was killed to-day by Dave Turner's engine. He was crazy with drink and as near as we know jumped in front of the engine before Dave could stop for him, the engine threw him and I think fractured his skull. He died an hour or two afterwards without becoming conscious. Aunty, Enah & Tiddums went visiting this afternoon at the Johnston's and Martin's, Aunty went over to Mrs. McBride's to find out why Frank didn't come to pick cherries but no-one was home. Dick didn't get home till after midnight as he went up to Mrs. Scofields where Ada and the rest were having a dance, Pretty warm to-day. Saturday July 19th Dad went out early as soon as he got up and raked up the alsike, he finished about eight. I got the cows and milked. While Dad. was having his breakfast Ivey's men came and got a load of hay out of the field, after we had cocked up the hay which Dad. didn't finish last night we went over and started to bunch the alsike, it was pretty dry but did not seem to be shelling out much. It was about ten o'clock when we went out, and as we had quite a lot done by noon, we took the rack back with us after dinner - and when we finished bunching the alsike, put on a load of the old clover & weed hay. It was six when we got it on. When we 82 �came up Mrs. McBride was here picking cherries, Frank has run away again they haven't seen him since Wednesday morning, there is a search party composed of Jane on the look out for him now. Aunty went down this after noon to stay all night. Frank wanted me to go for a swim to-night but it was too late. While I was milking this morning one of the little black kittens crawled up the edg of the pail I had filled and fell in I pulled her out as as soon as I could but was a little doubtful about using the cream from that pail. However we did separate it into a separate dish as we thought there was lots worse things than kitten often coming in contact with cream, and the separator is supposed to take all dirt out of the milk any way. The alsike back there is full of bees' nests. Dad got stung over the eye while he was raking and his face is so swollen up that I believe he would scare some people at first glance for that side of his face is exactly like poor old Simply Jim's. Windy and cool looks rainy. Sunday July 20th The boys went down to church and Sunday school but I went for a swim instead. I went in down below Quanbury's as Chris told me there was a good place. There is a good bottom and you can wade out a long way. Dad. went off without any dinner to take Huby to Jim Low's funeral. It was private but they didn't know it and so were the only ones at it. They didn't get home till late as Huby wanted to go down and see the canning factory's corn field at King's and also Mrs. Bill Oakes to see if she would come and pick cherries. Dad says their corn field is only a few inches high. About four o'clock I dressed up and went down town I intended to get a film for my camera but was too late, so didn't go up town. Dad drove Enah and Tiddums down when he went home and we all stayed at Huby's to tea. Aunty kept Tiddums while Enah and Aunty Maude went to church. I went to church and expected to hear the choir boys sing as they were there this morning but they didn't show up, there was a big crowd there expecting them, thery are camping down here and got fooling around so could get dressed in time to get to church. Instead we had a little shrimp of a lay reader from Vittoria who chewed the rag about some thing or other which was supposed to be a sermon for about three quarters of an hour. After church Dad. drove Enah, Tiddums & Aunty home. I started to walk the same time they did and beat them. They met the Bawlby's with Louise in an automobile on their way home, she expects to be down some time this week. Nice day threatening, and rained quite a shower before tea Monday July 21st 83 �I started to cut the timothy this morning but made so little progress and became so exasperated at old Harry & Joe Walker who were pulling the machine for me that I had turn the job over to Dad. They were driven nearly wild by the flies but that wasn't my fault. Old Joe would walk leisurely along next the standing grass and stop now and then to munch timothy heads or bite a fly while old Harry at the same time would get a fly chewing him and as he seemed to be of the opinion that he could run out from under the flys if he went fast enough he would everlastingly rip things, however Dad took them and finished the piece soon after six to-night. Frank and I cultivated corn all day we got it done lengthwise from where we left off the other day and crosswise up to the hickory nut tree from the road. Sam Law came over and borrowed our spreader this morning and spread all their pile which they had back in the field they are going to put wheat on. Allan brought it back tonight and said they had lost the crank to wind back the apron Clark Matthews brought Teddy over to pasture this after noon. He saw Dad yesterday and told him he hadn't a care in the world except his wife a white cat and Teddy, who according to his own assertion knows as much as a man. He is going for a long trip to the coast I think, and is taking his wife with him, I don't know what will become of the white cat, and he wanted to know if Teddy could come over here, so Dad told him if it wouldn't add to his care in stead of lessen it to have him surrounded by barbed wire fences in a very bad state of repair, Teddy might come over and stay with our colts for awhile. Jean and Adelenan came over this after noon to stay for a few days. Tonight I went down to band practice, there were only a few of us there as Harry Graham was having a dance over in the pavillion Walt. had some new music there which proved lvery unpopular and punk. Aunty went down town with me to stay all night, and Dick went to the dance. Cool. Tuesday July 22nd Dad raked up the hay he cut yesterday first thing I hoed potatoes till he got enough to start cocking up then went at that. Frank also started but it got to heavy for him so he hoed some more potatoes. The hay is mostly pretty thin it is not so bad at this end but up at the other end of the field the cocks are few and far between. It is pretty fair hay blue grass & timothy except in the low holes which Dad. didn't rake. we didn't get finished to-night. This afternoon every body but Dad and I went to the Sunday school picnic. Enah got home about eight, and Frank & the girls about half past nine. Win who got home from Waterford to-day came over with them. Dad. & I quit at five o'clock so as Dad could go to the mill for a bag of flour. just as we were coming up we noticed two men departing in an auto mobile we supposed it was Walt McCall, whoever it was left two cigars behind on the gate post. Frank 84 �McBride was over this morning to pick black currants but there were none ripe. Isaac Johnston drove a couple over at noon who had a little spaniel with a split toe nail which they had brought over to Dad for advice as to treatment. Dick I guess is working to-night. Cool and windy. Wednesday July 23rd Dad. & I went out this morning and finished working up the timothy; we then came in and threw off the load of clover and weeds that was on the rack by hand as we put it over at the barn for the sheep and didn't want to change our car for one load. We went out and got one load before dinner. After dinner we unloaded it and got two more unloaded, one of our sling ropes broke in the middle loop on the last load we couldn't have got another in tonight anyway. Lila went up in the mow with Frank to-night and while running around up there w stepped on a fork full of hay which was lying just over the top of the chute, the hay was loose and she took a drop of about sixteen feet to the cement floor with about a half a forkfull of hay under her which likely came down with her, she cut her tongue and scrapped both thighs a little but was not hurt seriously, it is a wonder she wasn't killed. I went down to band concert to-night, it was raining a little when I went down and they didn't start playing till a while after eight. Louise came to-night, so I stayed down at Huby's till I heard them start so was late. It was raining so hard when I started home that I went down to Huby's and stayed all night. Dick came to the window soon after I got in to bed and said he was going to stay so came around to the back door and crawled in with me. I took the sling rope inl to Jim Bannister to-night and he said he would splice it. I saw Vyse sitting out on his veranda and he seems to be in pretty bad shape, he says he is not going to try to do anything for a month. Betty Woodson came over to-day and the girls all went back to the woods with a bottle of hard cider which may account for Lila's conduct. Cool and windy. Thursday July 24th (mistake) Dick and I both got up about six this morning, Dick went around by town to post a letter and I went home I went through Martin's and got soaked on the long grass Dick beat me home. Huby didn't have to go to work this morning as they laid the whole gang off last night on account of some unbusinesslike bungle, so none of the house hold was up. Aunty came out just as I was leaving to wish me a happy birthday, for it is just eighteen years ago today that I first squeaked. Dad. and Frank had the chores nearly done when I got home. I got all sorst of presents from every body. Dad. found my knife the other day that I thought I had lost in the hay, it was not hurt much. Dick did not hear about it till this morning and had 85 �bought me a new one but he exchanged it for a necktie before he told me. After breakfast this morning I drove down to bring Aunty and Louise over. Louise was not ready so I took Win. up town to get a plug of tobacco for Dad. before we got back we met Aunty on her way up town so we drove her up to get a tin pail to replace the one the Sunday school lost for us she also got some ice cream but forgot about it till to-night and then it was in rather a mushified condition. Before dinner we ran the binder out of the wood shed and this after noon Dad started to cut wheat he only got a few rounds but it will be a good start for to morrow. Dick did not get home till late to-night he said the canning factory gang had gone to work again about nine o'clock all except Huby & Bill Oakes who had gone fishing up to Doan's. Louise and Aunty went back to Huby's to-night. After tea Mr. & Mrs. Bob Rankin drove over to have Dad look at their horse who has a few pimples on it in various places. Hot this morning but cooler this afternoon. Friday July 25th We got a pretty early start this morning and finished the wheat field at just six to-night. Dad cut all day and is nearly shaken to pieces from dropping into the ditches. Frank and I shocked up, and we each took one side & one end so by this means kept up with the binder. Jean came out this after noon and helped us for awhile, its a pretty slim crop but won't take long to handle. Louise and Frank went down town after tea to-night. It has been a very nice day. Saturday July 26th We hauled hay to-day, but only got in four loads, we were unloading with the hay fork as the loft is getting too full for the slings to work well. I went down town to-night to get my hair cut. Dad. drove me down and I got a ride home with Tupper and Jonas. Aunty and Louise stayed here all night so Frank and I slept out in the hay. Dick stayed down to the dance and did not get home till late. He got word to-day that he would have a ruise of fifty dollars in his salary. Lovely day. Sunday July 27th I drove Aunty, Jean & Adelena down right after break fast and they wanted to be down in time to get ready for Sunday school. I started to get ready for church but couldn't get a necktie that would slip through my collar before I got mad so just drove Enah & Louise down and waited for them at Huby's. I tied Joe in front of the gate. Dave Waddle and Harry Battersby came and stayed most of the time I was there. This after noon Frank and I went 86 �down to get the scow to go up creek. Huby had just let a couple of the Polocks have it but he whistled for them and they brought it back, Winnie and Lila went up with us, we went up nearly as far as we could and did not get back in time for me to get ready for church. Dick went to church to-night as he slept till to late to go this morning. Mr. Lawrie and Edith came over and spent the afternoon Dad. drove Mr. Lawrie over to see John Wess McBride but he was not at home so they Mr. Blaikie who is helping John Wess this summer. It has been very hot and sultry all day and to-night wound up in a teriffic thunder storm. The rain started with the worst crash of thunder I ever heard and the only one that ever made me cringe, it rained very hard but I don't think it lasted long. Monday July 28th Owing to the rain last night we were unable to do any thing with the hay, so I drove Aunty and Dick down town this morning and got Joe's shoes set of course it took Butler nearly all the morning but I looked at "The Literary Digest", and listened to Jack Spain talk when I wasn't holding Joe. I had to give her one small licking because she teased Butler too much, I went over to Billy Langs while I was there and got a sack of binder twine to be ready for cutting the oats. Aunty came back home with me. Lila is sick to-day and put in a very bad night of it, Huby is still not working, they are having a meeting of the share holders of the canning factory this morning down on the band stand. When we got home about noon Dad. & Frank were out straightening up the wheat sheaves that were down. They had fixed up the hay in the barn ready to put the alsike in. Dad. nearly killed himself while he was trying to tighten up the track in the barn. He had the big monkey wrench - and - could hardly reach to get it on the nut while working with it, it fell and struck him in the eye with a force which knocked him down and nearly stunned him, it left him with a headache for the rest of the day. This afternoon, he & I went out to finish straightening up the wheat, we didn't bother with the thislly sheaves, we went down to see Alfred for awhile who was cutting grass along the fence in his wheat stubble across the road. We saw that Mr. Fleming was hauling alsike though it can't be fit. He has a lot more dead ripe to cut and his oats ought to be cut so we aren't so very far behind. Frank went over to Martins this after noon and got some more chickens, he also returned Sam Law's binder twine. I had an attack of the blues to-day caused I think from seeing the garden and lawn in such an eye sore state, but we got about half an hour's pulling weeds in the garden this evening so I felt a little better. Tonight I drove Louise up to Mr. Frank Bowlby's. She would probably have had to walk from Lynn Valley there if I had not. It was after six when we left and I got back about nine in time to go to band practice Dad and Frank brought my horn down town and took Joe home, I 87 �stopped in at the Smyth's on my way home but Pud. was having a swim. I saw signs of the new railroad for the firss time. It has been very hot to day and to-night. Tuesday July 29th We hauled in hay all day but only got in four loads. Dad. & Enah went down to the church concert to-night and Aunty stayed here to mind Tiddums. Frank and I worked in the garden till after dark and to night I am so dead sleepy I can hardly hold my head up. Very hot today. Wednesday July 30th We hauled wheat to-day. Dad. loaded because he can do it so much faster than I can and I pitched on. We only got in two loads before dinner and at noon I thought I was tuckered out but this after noon got rested some way by working harder than ever and we got in three loads. This morning I laid them in the mow and Dad. pitched off but after dinner we made a change Dad. could mow them twice as fast as I could so I got on and pitched off. I took my shirt off and left it in the sun to dry and then I everlastingly threw them, I just about covered old Frank up two or three times as he couldn't get time to turn them but we made things hum. The neighbours are hauling in wheat to-day too. Sam Law we thought was going a little faster than we were but he could go from the field right into the barn. Mr. Fleming was going about the same and John Wess was too far away for us to tell.... Quint came home last night for a couple of days and this after noon came over here for a little while, he seems to like his job well and is enjoying himself. Tonight I went down to band concert, and didn't get home till about eleven as I went down after wards with Quint to get some ice cream. The canning factory gang are still not at work. They had a meeting of the share holders to-night. It has been terribly hot to-day. Thursday July 31st We got up early this morning to get a good start but were sorely hindered. Dad. noticed stranged cows in the lane as soon as he went out and found upon investigation that every head of Vyse's stock had got in to our place. The horses were way back on the timothy sod near the oats and the cows in the lane although we don't know where they got in, it just took about an hour to get them back, we found the cows had been right through the corn but besides eating thirty or more hills had not done it very much damage. It was really my fault for leaving our wheat field gate open but I never thought a thing about it last night, and the animals had some way got Vyse's gate open about three feet and walked a ac cross the 88 �road into our place. Owing to other small but aggravating delays we didn't get out at all early and just got our wheat in and unloaded by noon, we made two trips of it but could have taken it in one load if we had kneeded to. It just comes up to the first beam in the bint opposite the granary in the old barn and is the smallest wheat crop we ever want to have. We spent all the afternoon getting in the rest of the hay on this side of the gully, there was were just two small loads. It has been pretty hot to-day. Friday August 1st We started to haul alsike to-day but although we did our best we only got one load in and un loaded this morning, we got if off about eleven so instead of going back we did up all the chores before dinner and Frank and I planted some turnip seed in the garden. This afternoon we did better, we worked till nearly eight - and got in three loads, there is a lot of it but we think we can get it all in to-morrow if we can get out good and early Quint went away this morning so Aunty came over here. Jean & Adelena with the McPherson kids this after noon Dick came home early to go for a swim but as I couldn't go with him, he went back, had a swim at the lake and came back to tea. Nice and cool to-day Saturday August 2nd We got up before sunrise this morning and for the first time this summer got out at seven. It took us a long time to get the first load this morning as it was miserable stuff to pitch, we just got in two loads this morning and two this after noon, and have all the best of the alsike, there is another load over there but it is very grassy and we did not think it would be worth thrashing especially as we are getting a little cramped for more room, so we shall likely put this over the cow stable. I pitched on both yester day & to-day this. alsike where it is good is very light and easy to pitch and as it has been bunched up so long it lifts nicely. When we came up with the last load the old pig was out in the barn yard evidently looking for a nest as during the night some time a family of fifteen piglets arrived. Frank is going to raise three of them on the bottle owing to lack of lunch counter accommodation on the part of the old sow. Dick was late to-night - dance. Much hotter to-day and very windy. Sunday August 3rd I got up about half past six this morning and instead of doing a chore I went down to the stump and had a good swim. I needed it the worst way Dick and I went to church this morning. Dad & Enah drove down and Aunty minded Tiddums. Frank went to Sunday school but not to church. This after noon I read myself to sleep, and don't know what the rest of 89 �the family did except that Dick went down town. I drove Aunty down to church to-night but as I had a little pain I didn't go but after taking Joe over to Silverthorn's took Pud. Slocomb for a drive up the Radical and down The Gravel. Pud has heard that he passed and is going to Normal in Hamilton next month. {Gorby?} failed. Lila came over this morning with Dad. & Enah and is staying here all night, she feels well now but is weak yet. Huby says he has quit the canning factory, and is not going to do any thing now, but I think likely he will. It was very hot all day, cooler and threatening rain to night. Monday August 4th Dad cut oats all day but did not finish the field, it is the one west of the lane next the gully, he had old Joe Walker and Harry, and said he could have finished it if he had had little Joe in stead of Joe Walker. Frank and I shocked up, Frank didn't feel well at all and had to feed his little pigs quite often so we didn't nearly keep up with the binder. I went down to band practice to night but as Walt. Steele and Bob. Rankin were the only members present we didn't have any - and I came home early. I scared the gizard out of Frank when I got home to-night, they were all sitting tin the parlor where Enah was playing, and I went up and shook the pear tree by the window which Frank was near - and as it was a still night old Frankus felt mighty uncomfortable. Mr. Hall, an old friend of Enah's came over to dinner today escorted by Cecil McPherson who greatly entertained us with his wonderful fairy tales of his experiences & exploits. The gang at the canning factory went back to work to-day but Huby has quit and I am afraid is not doing anything. Nice day, cool morning and evening. Tuesday August 5th Dad. finished cutting the oats and we got them shocked up by noon. It is a pretty fair crop very good in some spots. This after noon we put off the load of alsike which was on the waggon and went back and got all the rest of it except three or four bunches which we will bring up with the hay. It made a tremendous load but we got up safely with it. Frank went back with us to pick blackberries or thimble berries but didn't get many as they are not ripe yet. Harry Battersby came over this after noon to see us as he is leaving tomorrow, Lila went back home with him. Aunty went over to dinner and spent the afternoon at Mrs. Battersby's. Warm day & cool night. Wednesday August 6th We unloaded the load of alsike which we hauled yesterday. It just went in and there was no room to spare. Dad & I had to dig a runway for it first. We then loaded the wire that Robert 90 �John bought from Sid McBride a year ago to put up along our woods between him & us on the rack and took it back we rolled it all out flat along the woods - and this after noon Frank and I went back and cleared away the old fence - and rubbish around it and trimmed the tree branches off so as the wire can be just tacked up temporally till Sid. McBride can come to stretch it - as we want to turn the cows in the field which the woods are in. Aunty and I drove down town we got a lot of groceries and I got one of Joe's shoes set which she pulled a couple of nails out of someway. Lila came back with us. Huby has gone back to work again at the canning factory, and we are all very glad of it. I went down to band concert to-night. It has been cloudy and cooler all day and rained a shower before tea. Thursday August 7th Aunty and I got started about nine o'clock for Burford to see Mr. Hanmer and his sheep. We stopped for awhile at St. John's Church which is getting nearly finished and for awhile at Simcoe but arrived in Scotland near where Uncle Robuck lives about two o'clock, we stayed at Uncle Robuck's for dinner and as Aunty and I both went to sleep there we didn't leave for Burford till nearly five. It was about seven miles farther on and we got there about six Mr. Hanmer was just going to dip some sheep that were to be shipped to the other side, he had a government vetinary inspector there and so we saw the whole performance. As we were almost strangers to them we felt a little uncomfortable at paying them such an such an unexpected visit at such a time of day, but they couldn't have been nicer or more hospitable and wouldn't hear of us going else where to spend the night. Before going to bed to-night we found Joe had put her foot through a board in the stable floor and had to be moved. It has seemed to us like a lovely day, it has not been too hot and a little breeze the roads were fine and as we met very few vehicles of any kind were not bothered at all with the dust, the country is very dry though Friday August 8th I don't know what time I got up this morning but I wandered around out side for a good while before I found anybody, but when I went out to give Josie a cleaning off I found her all cleaned, fed & watered. Mr. Hanmer had tended to her, he thinks a lot of horses - and admired Joe very much, he has a nice team of hackneys now and his daughter has taken a good many prizes & ribbons for driving. We didn't have breakfast till rather late and as he had some business to - do after wards, I didn't have such a lot of time as I would have liked, however he showed me a good many of his sheep and one ram especially which I may buy, he wants fifty dollars for him so I thought I had better speak to Dad. first. We also saw a few 91 �imported sheep which were going through Burford, but Mr. Hanmer thought he had lots that could beat them. As Aunty had said we would be at Uncle Robuck's for dinner we thought we had better go although they pressed us to stay there. We left at twenty minutes to twelve and got to Uncle Robuck's at about twenty five minutes after. We stayed there todinner and left about three. Harry was off thrashing but came home just before we left. We went home by way of Waterford and Aunty went to see Mrs. York & Mrs. Boughner there for awhile. We got home before seven and although we enjoyed our drive & visit immensly were very glad to be home again, we had to ask the way a few times but didn't get off the road much, they are fixing a bridge at the bottom of Decou's hill so we had to drive a little way down the fourth concession and get to the third through Sol. Smith's lane. It has been another very nice day, roads fine and quite a breeze in our face. It looked rainy to this morning but seemed to clear off again but to-night it is thundering and shows signs of a big storm. I don't know all that Dad. and Frank did while we were gone but yesterday they tacked up the wire along the edge of the bush enough to keep the cattle out of Robert John's till Sid. McBride can stretch it and turned the cattle in there. To-day Frank took the team and went over all the summer fallow with the disks and Dad. cut weeds and tidied up. Jean & Adelena are over here to-night. Saturday August 9th It rained cats and dog's last night and things are so flooded we can do nothing outdoors. I didn't hear any thingh all night but they said the thunder was terrific. I drove Dick down this morning and didn't do much else all morning as it kept raining a little. It cleared off at noon and I drove Jean & Adelena down town as Jean's grand mother wanted to see her about something we got some groceries and came home I wrote a letter to Mr. Hanmer telling him that Dad. was willing for me to get his fifty dollar ram, it seems a lot to pay but if we never get any good headers for our flock we will never have any good stock. Frank and I went down to the mill for a bathe after tea and had a good one as there is a big head of water coming over. it began to thunder & lightening & rain heavily again before we went to bed. Dick did not come home at all to-night. Sunday August 10th It rained harder than ever last night and the cannonade of thunder was terrific with a steady blaze of lightening. It didn't bother me any, I don't think I would have wakened at all but Frank was afraid the barns would be struck and got up over me to investigate Aunty also got up to look around. but Dad slept through it. It was too wet for any of us to go to 92 �church or Sunday school so we didn't do any thing much all day. I drew a little and Dad went down and drove Dick home to dinner, but he went down again this after noon as Wiggins wanted him to help him hang pictures in his room. It began to rain again about five to-night so I put on my bathing suit to go after the cows as Dad. couldn't have got them this morning if it had not been for Tige as the stream was so swollen as to be impassable. He found that they had been in John Wess peas the other night so shut them out of the woods. We heard that Joe Long had a horse killed the night before last with the lightening Monday August 11th Dad. went back to John Wess's first thing this morning to get Frank Faulkner's heifer which had got into John Wesse's peas with the rest of the cattle but had not come back with them so was taken by John Wess & put in with his. He was not at home but Blaikie was there so Dad. didn't get back very soon. I cut lawn off and on most of the day, I started to get the part across the the ditch cut as it had grown up pretty long. When Dad came home we started to dig a culvert across the front of the lane but after it was pretty well dug Dad. discovered that we couldn't make a satisfactory job of it with the material we had so we had to fill it in again. Dad. shocked up the oats over again all the after noon he said they were soaked right through and every shock had to be changed he didn't get finished of course. Frank thinned out the carrots this after noon and to-night. he & I went to the moving picture show which wasn't bad. Dad. drove Jean & Adelena & Lila down as the two former are going home on Thursday. Huby & Lila came over about noon. Huby had taken a day off to settle up some insurance business and Aunty went back with him. Mr. Bowby brought Louise down to-night, she was here when Frank & I got home. Dick didn't get home till late, he is kept pretty busy now as Mr. Hobbes is taking his holidays. It has been sunny and very cool to-day. the storm has quite cleared off. To-day's papers are full of the news of great damage to property and general depradation caused by the lightening last Saturday night and the night before, all is not known yet as telegraph & telephone wires are down all over. Tuesday August 12th Frank and I drove down and got Louise's trunk first thing this morning. Frank also got a new carborundum scythe stone which I broke on the scythe in a short time, Dad. sharpened the scythe while we were gone and I started to cut weeds around the fences as soon as I got home, by to-night I had all around the wheat field and on three sides of the summer fallow and corn there was none to cut on the fourth side, but my ribs and back ached so that I 93 �could hardly wiggle. It's hard work when one's not used to it. Dad turned nearly all the rest of the oat shocks to-day, he didn't quite finish it's a miserable job I would rather cut weeds even if if it does break my back. Frank picked black currants from the old garden and nursed his young hogs most of the day. Sunny & nice to-day. Vyse was in for quite awhile this morning, he told Dad he was going to sell out entirely and go West for awhile on account of his health. Lila came over for the afternoon. Frank went home with her to-night. Old Jonas was in to-night Ivy's have taken him back. Wednesday August 13th Dad finished turning and setting the oat shocks this morning. I went out and cut all around the field he was working in - and a little around the house, before dinner we put of the load of old hay that was on the rack we put what we could of it over the cow stable and left the rest in the shed, it was after noon when we got through so we got a pretty late start. after dinner Dad started to cut the oats over by the side road, we went out with him but didn't shock any up as we had to wait for quite awhile before there was room and we quit early to go up and do chores as I went down to band concert but Dad. kept on cutting till sundown, the ground is pretty soft, he has to cut around the holes and there is water standing in some of the furrows. Frank went down with me to-night, and got some machine oil and went to see the movies. There was quite an accident downtown to-day, the bridge going over the road into Buck's Park broke with a crowd on it, we don't know very much about it but there were none killed and I don't know that there were any very seriously hurt, but there were a good many bones broken, the canning factory is going full tilt now, Huby and the rest worked till dark to-night. Nice day, cool but sunny. Thursday August 14th Mr. Flemming came over this morning with the woful tidings that he wanted two men to help thrash this after noon, so Frank went over to John Wesses to get Blaikie to come in Dad's place. John Wess was about to start cutting peas but insisted on Mr. Blaikie coming. Dad. cut oats most of the day and finished some time during the after noon. I shocked up a few in the morning - and after dinner Mr. Blaikie & I lit out for Flemmings, we got a pretty late start as the machine wasn't there on time so will have to go back in the morning. We got word this after noon that there was sheep down at the station for us we were so busy we couldn't go till night, then Dad. & I went down in the waggon, we picked Huby up who was in a great state of excitement over the ram, (for it proved to be the one I ordered from Mr. Hanmer), if we hadn't come down he was going to have it sent over, he wasn't any the 94 �worse for his trip - as all hands at the station had been careful to keep him in the shade. I was very surprised to see him as I under stood Mr. Hanmer to say he wouldn't ship him till after he had been shown at the different fairs, he is certainly a beauty. Hot. Friday August 15th Dad. went with me to Mr. Flemming's this morning we finished there and had our dinner about eleven. Sam Law wanted us to go and help thrash his stuff and as he thrashed his oats out of the field he wanted our team and rack so we went out and put a load of our oats on to take over it wasn't a big load but we got forty seven bushels of good plump oats out of it, which will last us till we have time to thrash. We finished at Sam's a little after six and had our tea there so we were rather late doing our chores. Pretty hot to-day. Saturday August 16th Dad. and I went out this morning before the dew was off and turned out every shock of the first cutting of oats, we then went over and shocked up some of the others, we didn't finish but quit at noon and this afternoon hauled the others, we got them all in, there were only four more good sized loads, but it took us till about nine o'clock the last one, it was so dark we could hardly find the shocks, of course we didn't unload this last load. Aunty brought us out a little lunch at six and we had some more when we came in. Very hot and looks like rain soon Sunday August 17th I didn't get up till about nine o'clock this morning and then we three boys all went to the stump and had a good swim, about half the kids in town were down there, and we didn't hurry at all, it was about one when we got home. I didn't do any thing much this after noon but perspire. I started to read but went to sleep, it was too hot to sleep and I started to write but it was too hot to think, so I had to quit that. It rained pretty hard for a short time before tea. Monday August 18th Owing to the little shower we had yesterday it was a little too wet to haul any oats this morning as we had intended, Dad. and Frank took a load of grist to the mill first thing, they waited till it was chopped and then went down to Mrs. Battersbys where Frank Slocomb is laying side walk and got a load of yellow sand from him to put in front of the lane gate 95 �where there is such a mud hole, they then went and got a load of rails. I raked up the weeds and chopped the grass with the lawn mower back of the old house and along the east side of it; I worked at it all day and although it looks a lot better there is lots of room for improvement yet. This after noon Dad. went out and shooked up the rest of the oats. Dr. Hicks & Cousin Willie went out to ask him if he would run against Bob. Taylor in the election for a school trustee next Monday, as he hates to see them so tied up in their business he said he would, but woudn't take time to get out & work at all. Enah and Louise drove Joe down town this after noon Jean Marks came over to say that she and Louise were wanted in Toronto to help christen Rebecca Lee Scott next Friday. Louise hadn't intended going till next Monday but I guess she will have to go Wednesday now. Aunty thinks she will go down with them. Dad and I went out about six to night and brought in one load of oats. It has been hot all day cooler to-night. Tuesday August 19th We hauled in oats to-day but as we didn't get out very early and quit early we only got in four loads. We stopped work at five as I had to be down town at seven to accompany the band to a {?} scocial at Port Ryersie. It wasn't a full band as Bob. Rankine had a lame back & Johnny Walker had no one to run his engine at the picture show for him, Miss. Thompson & Old Silverthorne took a load of girls up on the Victoria but the lake was so rough they could hardly land and they would not go back any way but by land so some came in one of the band rigs and Theodore Brown brought the rest down We had a time although the wind was cold and the torches blew so we could hardly see. I got home a little after twelve and Dick who spent the evening at the Hobbes got home soon after. Very cool all day Wednesday August 20th We hauled in all the rest of the oats to-day. There were just two loads and a jag. We brought the jag in about three o'clock and Dad. & Frank pitched it off while I got Joe ready to drive Louise & her trunk to the station. She, Aunty and Jean all got off to-night. While I was down town Dad took the mower out and cut around the holes in the oat field which he couldn't do with the binder on account of them being so wet. I came home around by Huby's to get some peony roots and he was just getting ready to go to work as he is night watchman these days at the works. I went down to band concert to-night, after we got through on the stand Johnny Walker very kindly offerd us each a freelticket to the moving picture show so we all went down, tore off a piece in front of "The Gem" and then went in, he put on the three reels almost solely for our benefit as there were very few others in 96 �there. Edith came over this after noon and is going to stay for a few days or a week. Warmer than yesterday but not too hot. Thursday August 21st Dad. and I went out this morning with the rack and got the oats which were around the edge of the water holes and which Dad had cut with the mower, it took along time as Dad. just raked the stuff up in piles with his pitch fork. I set fire to the grass & weeds which I cut the other day between the corn field and the wheat stubble and had to watch it that it didn't do any damage. This after noon Dad went out and rolled the summer fallow but it was very hard and lumpy. Frank and I cleaned all the rubbish and burdocks out of the yard between the horse stable and the hay barn and fixed the fence so that we can turn the old ram out. To-night we printed pictures and got some good ones mostly of Tiddums. Dick did not come home to-night. Nice day not too hot. It got very black this evening and rained a little before tea. Friday August 22nd It began to rain - quietly about six this morning but stopped about nine or ten. Dad. patched the roof on the old barn and Frank held on to the rope to which Dad was tied. This after noon it got too windy to shingle so Dad plowed a little more of the old corn stubble. I started to clean up the limbs out of the orchard and got quite a lot done, Frank and I had to go down town to night about five for groceries. Cloudy and cool. Saturday August 23rd Dad. plowed at the old corn ground all morning while I worked in the orchard. This after noon Dad took the the team and waggon and we took all the brush and piled & burned it in the north end of the orchard where the little trees are mostly dead, we then took the big limbs and piled them behind the wood shed fore stove wood. it took us all the afternoon but it has made a great improvement in the looks of the orchard. This was Baughner Picnic day but Frank was the only one who celebrated from here. Doctor Hicks & Doctor Cook were over before tea to talk election to Dad. They said things were going pretty well although there are several working against him. Vyse was over this morning to say he wanted us to go & thrash on Monday. Edith left this after noon. Lila came over this morning for her music but didn't stay long None of us went down to meet Aunty to-night as we think likely she will stay ay Huby's to-night. It as been very cool all day and mostly cloudy, regular fall day. 97 �Sunday August 24th This was the sunday that they decided to have Tiddums christened. Aunty came over before Sunday school and brought Tiddums a lot of presents she got for him in Toronto and which Vernon and Mrs. Marks sent up. We all went down to church. Dad. drove Enah down and she & Tiddums stayed over at the Harding's till the time of the christening arrived - and then she & Dad. brought him in Huby was the extra godfather, and has been studdying the service up for the last few nights. Tiddums never let a whimper out of him but sat on Dad's hand, and jumped, stared, laughed and crowed a little although they said he was getting sleepy before the end. Dad. & Enah drove right home with him but the rest of us waited for the rest of the service. This after noon Dick and I went down town. I went to see Harry & Mrs. Moon but they weren't home so after calling at the bank where the whole staff except Mr. Hobbes were hard at work and at Huby's for a minute or two I came home. Dick got back for tea. Dad. and Enah drove down to church to-night as Enah had to play the organ for Elva; when they got home Dick and I drove down to post a couple of letter for Aunty. Cool & windy all day Cold to-night. Monday August 25th Dad. and I both went over to Vyse's to help thrash and were there till noon, although he didn't have much stuff, but it was awkward getting it out and we were late getting started. Dad. made a mistake by going at all for this was election day, when he was running against Bob. Taylor for school trustee, and Vyse sent two of Martin's men home saying he had enough hands, then went down town as soon as we got started and I suppose worked as hard as he could for Taylor. This after noon I went up to the glen with a picnic party of Mrs Hobbe's, Dick got off and went with us we went up in the "Victoria" and had a fine time. We got back a little after dark, and went up to Mrs. Hobbes and danced till about twelve, most of the music was supplied by Col. Smith's gramophone about the first news we heard when we struck town was that Dad. had beaten Taylor by a majority of 9. He was down town all the after noon - and had an exciting time. The school board can now do business as Tibbets and Miller were not disqualified and they will have a majority on their side. Lovely day, cool & sunny. Tuesday August 26th Dad. and I went over to help thrash at Martin's this morning, it didn't take long to thrash their oats out but they had a few interruptions so we just got through about eleven and had 98 �our dinner. This after noon Dad disked on the summer fallow, and I cut at the lawn but didn't get much done. Allan Law had to pull Vyse out of a hole to-day, he found him beating his little balky mare unmercifully, because she balked with a load of 16 bags of wheat Vyse told him he would kill her if he had ambition enough. Cool and threatening. Wednesday August 27th Dad. disked and harrowed on the summer fallow all day and I cut the rest of the front lawn this side of the ditch and worked around at other odd jobs. Frank and I fixed a couple of bars at the end of the horse stable to close the yard south and west of the horse stable, and then turned old 4700 out, he spent most of the afternoon under an old door leaning against the fence. Frank noticed today that he is club footed behind, we couldn't see his foot before in the stable. I went down to band concert to-night. It has been a nice sunny day but cool. Thursday August 28th When Tom Albert came this morning he said there was a loose horse on the road, Dad got her and put her in, she had a halter on but Dad. didn't know her, but we had an idea she belonged to Bill George so when Dick went down he happened to see the above mentioned Bill. and told him whereupon that gentleman came over immediately and took the mare home. We started to haul manure to-day but owing to interuptions such as oiling the spreader and as it was drizzling rain we were undecided whether to go to to work or not; we didn't get started till after ten, we got four loads out and one on the spreader by twelve and one out after dinner, but it started to rain so hard that we put the horses and machine away. I then drove Enah down town to Mrs. Schrams and had to wait quite awhile for her, we got home at five and I drove Aunty down, she to the old German Roller canary who has not been in a healthy condition for "some time back" down to Mrs. Tusk for repair, she also got a student lamp from Miss Battersby who made a present of it to Dad. It has drizzled nearly all day and to-night another big thunder storm came up with an awful downpour. About ten o'clock Aunty & Dad. noticed fire north of here, where some poor fellow's barn had been struck. Friday August 29 It was too wet this morning to work on the land so Dad opened up ditches on the summer fallow and I sawed up the old apple limbs and rubbish behind the wood shed. This afternoon, I went to see if the field next the woods across the gully was fit to plow but 99 �found water lying in the furrows and ditches. Frank and Lila went back as far as the gully with me to look for mushrooms. I set out three little rose bushes on the mound just for fun I don't expect them to grow, but the were in the lawn and I didn't know what else to do with them. I took John Wess McBride's rope back to him, which Dad had borrowed the day he brought Frank Faulkner's heifer home. I saw Mr. Blaike and he told me it was Bob. Winter's barn that was burned last night he lives on the townline just north and one lot west of this place. I came home around by R. J. Watson's, and Charlie McQueens. I also went over to Lorne Myers where Geordie Murphy is ditching I got home about four and then Frank & I went down to Martins where Frank got some grit for his chickens and I got some information re planting out straw berries & pruning grape vines from John Quanbury. Dad. had to go to a school board meeting to-night, he hasn't felt very well all the after noon. Frank is better to-day he was quite sick yesterday. Sunny and breezy to day. Saturday August 30th I spent the whole day working around the garden. I cut the two high patches of weeds and pulled them out as well as I could of the onion bed, This after noon I cut the lawn behind the house and about five drove Enah down town for supplies. We got word to-day that Walter was coming to night he has been in Toronto for the last few days - and Roy & Vernon may come up with him, {undecipherable} we have been making preparations for them all day. Dad. went over to John Wess McBrides this morning to see his lame cow and get advice about the field back there we were going to put wheat on but there is so much blue grass on it we that we would not likely get half a crop especially now that we wouldn't be able to get in in early, so we thought of fall ploughing it and summer fallowing it then plow in June & put wheat on it next fall, that was just what John Wess said he would do as that will just about fix the blue grass. This after noon Dad plowed up a strip in the garden where the potatoes were and which I am going to try to work up in shape to set out a few straw berryplants. Dad. and Aunty drove down to-night to meet Walter and the others if they came. They did come but it took about half the night to collect them all. It had been arrangd that Vernon would spend the night at the Woodson's - and Walter & Roy would come here, so Dad. drove Vernon over - and then came on home with the impedimenta, leaving Aunty to come home with Walter & Roy. He just nicely got in the lane when Walter came in alone. He had come up town with Dick (who had to work till midnight.) to get some cigarettes and had forgotten whether Roy and Aunty were waiting for him or not and evidently didn't care a hang so came on over by him self - getting information concerning the route from some of the Woodson's who were outside as he came past. We were just 100 �about to start of with the lanterns in search of the other two when Roy came up, ignorant of the whereabouts of Aunty saying he had left her in front of the Dominion waiting for Walter while he went down to the canning factory to see Huby, but couldn't find him so came on over, he was very indignant - at finding Walter here - and proceded to call him down as he well could and Walter smoked and enjoyed it all as he well could while Dad. and I started to hook Joe up and go in quest of Aunty, however we just nicely got sh the buggy when poor Aunty came up, she had waited a long time and then went up to the bank and found out from Dick that Walter had gone home, so she followed, when each ones evidence had been given and the mystery of the mixup unravelled we all had tea - after which we talked till after Dick came home. Nice day, cloudy & cool Sunday August 31st We all went to church this morning except Dad. who went over to John Wess McBrides to see his lame cow and spent a very enjoyable morning and Enah who had household duties & Tiddums to attend to. I drove Walter & Roy down, as I was supposed to drive Vernon back to dinner but she was booked for dinner at the Woodson's so I drove Aunty and Frank part way home then went back and got Walter & Win who had gone up to see Cousin Bessy for a few minutes. Huby. came over with Roy, as we had a couple of Frank's ducks for dinner. He says he was there last night when Walter & Roy paid their separate visits but as they are going to get him a clock to "punch" he has to make the most of his unregistered time unless he can get George Gamble to figure out a scheme to punch the clock all at one time, in all probability George is quite capable of doing such a thing. This afternoon we inspected the livestock, the gully & mound - and such things besides "settin around". Tupper & his Englishman came over & spent the afternoon visiting with Dad. Tonight Dad. and Enah drove down to church as Enah had to play the organ. Vernon came over to tea and she & Roy went down to Mrs. Battersby's for awhile. Cool and nice. Monday September 1st Dad's cold was very bad to-day and he felt too rotten to do anything, I didn't do any thing to speak of all morning but this after noon I put some manure on my strawberry bed and chopped it up pretty well with the hoe. Frank chored around all morning and this after noon went down town with the Ryersie's, he has to go back to school in the morning, poor kid, I feel sorry for him. This being Labor Day the bank was closed but Dick went down and worked for an hour or two this morning and was down town all the after noon. Dad. drove Roy down to the station to-night as he & Vernon couldn't stay away from business & baby 101 �(respectively) any longer. Aunty and Walter stayed at Huby's for tea. Cloudy & threatening this fore noon Hot & sunny this after noon. Old Jonas was over to-night for a long visit during which Queen broke out of the pasture and caused us a lot of trouble getting her in, then I traipsed all over the pasture looking for the others and fearing they were out on the road but at last found them all safe in the pasture. Roy is thinking quite seriously of coming up here and starting a poultry ranch for the city market. I which he would. but. - Tuesday September 2th Jonas came over this morning with a basket of tomatoes which he promised us last night. He came before seven but if he had not been in such a hurry - and left them to enjoy - a few more sunny hours they would have been in much better condition. He also brought a boquet of about three asters, two gladiolii & one geranium with one foot in the grave. It was very kind of him though. Poor Frank went back to jail this morning but got out for the afternoon. Dad. & I hauled out manure. We monkeyed around till after ten o'clock so only got out about 10 loads all day. This afternoon Carl Coleman & Perce Kindree came over and got Edmond England's heifer that has been sending the summer with our cows. having crossed the dilapitaded line fence from Ivys where she & three others were boarding, as we didn't have time, means or enough inclination to repair the fence, our gully has furnished her with free board and lodging. I think Walter slept & read most of the day except when he rode out with Dad. on the spreader bant load. and when Aunty with some difficulty induced him to call on Mrs Battersby with her. Edith came over this after noon to say good bye, as she is going back to Toronto on Thursday. Tiddums has not felt very lively to-day, they think he is enlarging upon his dental equipment. Cecil Lamb has been very ill for a week or more wth typhoid fever and now Dick says they don't expect him to live. Vyse left this morning for the West, I don't know how he expects Dover to exist without him. Very hot & hard to work Wednesday September 3rd Dad. & I pitched manure all day we got out 12 or 13 loads which we thought was pretty good considering the circumstances. we were getting it from between the barn & the stack where we can't get in with the spreader so have to carry it quite a way. We don't think the spreader is sowing it at 16 loads per acre which it is set at. This afternoon Aunty and Walter went down town and stayed at Huby's to tea. I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went to the moving pictures. This was the last concert of the season and Walt. was going to treat the boys over at the Dominion afterwards but I came right home with Carl. 102 �Coleman, Frank & Jonas. Jonas seemed in a melancholy state of mind to-night. Sairy was sick and had evidently been calling him down about something, anyway he told us he did not lead a happy life and he didn't care who knew it. Very hot & thundery & rainy. Thursday September 4th Dad. and I started to tear up the old stable floor which was half buried in manure so that we could drive right through instead of steering clear of this old rubbish heap, but Dad. felt so rotten we had to quit and he couldn't do any thing all day. This after noon I mussed around a little and cut weeds along the side road, gully and lane fences. Aunty and Walter went down town this afternoon and to-night they went over to see Mrs. Battersby. We were all asleep whent they got home. Aunty has at last decided to go as far as Winnipeg with Walter on her way to Fort Saskatchewan. Very much cooler, fine day to work. Friday September 5th Dad. didn't feel much better to-day but worked all day in spite of his illness, he says his bones ache all over and he is so weak he has to exert himself to double up his fist. This morning we took the team and snaked the sleepers of the old stable out of the manure and piled them up in the yard and out of our way. About eleven o'clock I drove Aunty over to the Shand's as she wanted very much to say good bye to them before she went west and thought she might not get a better chance. we got back about noon, we lost a little time putting John & Snowdrop in the gully as they had got on the road through the culvert. but Joe made up for lost time by the rate she got over the pike. Dad. had two or three more sleepers to get out when I left but he finished all but one which is too deeply buried and not at all in the road so he left it till some other time. This after noon we didn't think it was worthwhile getting started hauling manure as one of us had to drive Walter's suitcase to the station, so Dad. plowed all the afternoon. I was out with him for awhile but about four I drove Aunty and Walter to the station. I hung around till after the train went out and then brought Aunty home with me, she is going to meet Walter in Toronto next Wednesday Tuesday and go west with him from there as he is going to stay a few days with Roy before he leaves. Very nice day a little warmer We had to shut old 4700 up in the boxstall to stay to day as to-night Dad. noticed he had rubbed a big wad of wool of his shoulder on the bars where he was trying to get through, he aparently enjoys it just as much in confinement as he does when out in the yard where he sees & hears the other sheep. 103 �Saturday September 6th - Although Dad feels very miserable yet he worked all day, we didn't get a very early start this morning but had Frank nearly all the time to help us and I think we got out 14 loads of manure We were delayed for awhile this after noon when the spreader was incapicated incapacitated through a lot of stuff being jammed between the beater and the comb above it. Dad lost quite a little time adjusting it. Lila has been over all day and has spent nearly the whole time riding Frank's wheel up and down the road, she went down town on it once for Enah. Aunty has been down town nearly all day preparing for her journey. Fine day - pretty warm this afternoon Sunday September 7th Dad. Aunty & Frank left about eight o'clock this morning for Port Rowan as Aunty wanted to say goodbye to Aunt Ida before she left and they took Frank as a part compensation for him missing a trip to the Toronto Exhibition. I finished up the chores and went to church alone as Dick was in bed till noon Lila went down this morning to Sunday-school but this after noon does not feel very well so Dick says, due probably to her violent exercise on Frank's wheel yesterday. I slept this after noon for two or three hours and then milked and did chores which aren't much with Josie away and the other horses out. Dick was down town swimming with the girls all the after noon. Dad. Aunty and Frank got home about nine o'clock. They had quite a day of it, saw Aunt Ida, Clara and the Howe bunch, and Aunty got some rare flowers on the way home. It has been a lovely day but pretty hot. Monday September 8th We hauled out six loads of manure this fore noon but had to go thrashing down at Alfreds, we were there all the afternoon. I stayed {heart shaped ink blot here} tea but Dad. came home to drive Aunty's valise down town, he was gone quite a while as he got some thing in his eye this after noon and had to go to the doctors to have it taken out. I had all the cows but the two heifers milked when he and Frank got back so he did up all the rest of the chores while I took Joe and drove Mrs. McBride home, she has been here all day washing and picking plums, she took a lot home with her. Nice day with east wind. Tuesday September 9th We got up extra early this morning and Dad. Frank and I drove down to see Aunty off. Mr. Wiggins was going home on his holidays so she would have company all the way. On our 104 �way back we met Tupper who wanted one of us to go and help thrash, he expected the machine there between ten & eleven. I went over about ten but there wasn't a sign of the machine and Tupper was plowing I hung around till after dinner, they started soon after dinner and didn't stop once till after six, we put through about 650 bushels of oats in the after noon I was getting pretty well worked out when they stopped, it was Win Law's out fit. Tupper got disgusted with Sam. last year so wouldn't have him again. I got a ride home with Mr. Flemming. Dad plowed all the afternoon and is all finished but about two rounds, it was an awful job when he got into the land next the fence which was plowed up last spring and the weeds were three or four feet high. I feel pretty sick to-night but have to go back in the morning. It has been very cold all day. Wednesday September 10th I was over at Tupper's soon after seven this morning and we started to work soon after I got there and got through about half past eleven, we thrashed wheat, and it was an awful mess of thistles, the down was so thick it was as if some one had shaken out a feather pillow. I came home before dinner with Bill Philips was there for Mr Flemming, I was glad to be done as it did me up for most of the afternoon. Dad. went to the mill this morning and got some oats chopped and finished plowing and disked down what he plowed. After dinner we hauled out seven loads of manure, the piece north of the orchard all covered now and we have four loads on the piece east of the orchard. Allan Law was over after dinner and borrowed the roller. They are putting their wheat in. They are working two teams, old Ben, and Bert Monroe's little mare, each with one of the big team, Jonas was over to-night to get some plums and he helped me put in some srawberry plants which Frank got to-night from Jack. Martin. It froze last night but has been warmer to-day Tiddums is not feeling well today. Thursday September 11th We got a good early start this morning at the manure and broke all previous records, we got out 16 loads, and have got just about all there is that i suitable for top dressing. Allan Law came over this morning and borrowed the waggon and drill, they finished up over there to- night and he brought the things home. Jonas was over again to-night and picked some more plums, he stayed for about an hour telling Frank and me stories of his experiences in a lumber camp. Betty Woodson was also over and brought us another kitten which she got from some kids who were going to drown it. Tiddums seems to be quite well again to-day. Much warmer looks rainy 105 �Friday September 12th We got out 16 loads of manure to-day but could have got out another, but as the field was covered all but a little strip we put the spreader away, we didn't put much on the little side hills as the spreader {shughs?} and does not work well there, Mr. Morgan came over this morning and stayed to dinner. This after noon Winnie came over to borrow some books and Frank's camera, she is not at school as she has hives. Betty & the twins were past here to- day - with three hounds and another dog, one of the hounds got in our corn field and they were a long time getting it out. Cloudy and threatening to-day. Saturday September 13th We worked both teams on the land all day and now have the piece between the orchard and the corn in pretty nice shape. I disked all day and Dad rolled & harrowed on both pieces of ground. Frank dug around and mulched some of the peach trees this afternoon. Dick expected Ferdie to-night but I guess he didn't come as he said if he had any luggage he would leave it in the barber shop, for I told him I would be in to get my hair cut. Dad. & I went down to get some groceries but it was so cold I didn't get my locks trimmed, however I went to see if Ferdie's impedimenta was there but it wasit wasn't and there was no sighn of Dick we came home alone I suppose Dick has gone to the dance - the last of the season I think. We saw Huby to-night coming from home where he had been to fill his lantern, he says he has ordered twine but he thinks they can't get anythingh from the stores now. Mrs. McBride was over this morning to pick plums, Very cold wind all day Clear & cold to-night. Sunday September 14th It froze hard enough last night to crimp the tomato tops and corn leaves, but I don't think it will hurt the corn except the leaves for fodder. I didn't get up till late & felt so rotten with a bad cold in my head that I didnt try to do much ore - go to church. Frank has just the same cold but he went down to Sunday school and church. First thing this morning we put up the little stove in the kitchen and it makes things much more comfortable. Old Jonas came over this afternoon to look at the corn he is going to help cut it but it won't be ready for awhite yet. Johnny Walker also came over to have a look at old Joe. he drove down with Dad. Enah & Tiddums, the two latter stayed at Huby's till church time and Dad. came home to help do chores and then went down again to go to church with Enah. They have heard so much about the famous Irish preacher the same one who was there last Sunday that they thought they would like to hear him so Aunty Maude will keep the baby for them while they 106 �are gone. Walt. Steele sent me over ten dollars to-day by Dick which is for my playing with the band all summer, and which I consider easy money. Ferdie didn't come last night Dick got a card from him saying he has lost his job and isn't coming at all I guess. Dick went up the beach to a corn roast last night and has been down town all this after noon. Dad. turned the old sow out this morning, he is going to wean the little pigs now, he let her in with them again to-night after they had had a good supper so as not to wean them too suddenly. We put poor old Dave in this after noon and gave him a {bath?} his three white feet are in awful shape all swollen way up his legs and terribly broken out around the feet. The only thing we can think of that can ail him is alsike poisening which we have heard of before but which Dad never believed in much. Neither Osprey nor Dolly seem affected and they both have white feet. Tiddums didn't stay asleep long down at Huby's during church and when he awoke and found himself among strangers he became home sick and cried so lustily that they were forced to send to church after Enah to come and pacify him. Monday September 15th I finished cross disking on the piece where I left of Saturday and started to roll it all this morning while Dad. harrowed awhile on the other piece and then went with Frank over to John Wess McBride's to get the seed. John Wess has gone to Grand Rapids but Blaikie was there and they cleaned up nearly {21?} bushels, and got back before dinner. Blaikie and Bill Lemons are keeping {batch?} over there. This after noon I finished rolling that piece and then started to disk the other piece deeply, and Dad. & Frank drilled in the small piece they put in about 8 1/2 bushels, they started with the drill set at 2 bus. & a peck but thought it was overrunning so changed it to 2 bus. Frank stayed home partly on account of his cold and partly to help Dad keep the drill from clogging up on the straw & grass which didn't all work in. Tonight old Jonas came over and stayed about half the night trying to sell Dad some seed oats (heavy yielders). Dad. didn't order any much to the grief of Jonas but promised him he would Dad. bathed and powdered poor Davy's feet to-night, they certainly are in awful shape and he is as thin as a board. I have felt pretty rotten all day. It froze again last night but has been warm and sunny all day. The men struck at the canning factory to-day as they haven't been payed for two pay days or more. Dick said to-night that he heard Harry Graham has failed, and that George Gamble they are afraid has typhoid fever. Gordie Faulkner has it not badly & Cecil Lamb's fever didn't break yesterday when the three weeks was up Tuesday September 16th 107 �We both worked on the land all day. I disked all morning and Dadl harrowed over the sowed piese and part of the other. It began to drizzle soon after dinner so Dad took my team and ran out the ditches in the sowed field also the cross ditches in the other. I then took little Joe & Belle and began to roll but the earth at last got so wet that about four o'clock I put them in, when Dad. got through with the others team I disked awhile but not long as I began to get too wet for comfort, so I came in Dad. did chores as I felt too tough except to help milk. Franks cold was too bad for him to go to school to-day. this morning he went down and saw the operations of the canning factory, they are working full blast to-day as the men are promised money to-night or tomorrow It didn't freeze last night and looked rainy all morning Saturday Wednesday September 17th I cross disked all morning, Dad. went over and borrowed Ivy's disks and started to cross from the other end we nearly met by noon. It looked so nebulus that Dad thought he would drill it in this after noon thohugh under other circumstances we would have rolled & harrowed it yet. I finished disking while Dad was getting the seed and drill out. and then started to go over the dead furrows length ways. Dad. got about two or three rounds drilled when it began to rain so hard we were forced put our teams in much to Dad's disgust as we couldn't do anything but chore the rest of the day and he is afraid we won't be able to get back on the land for quite awhile. Alfred came over just before it began to rain and brought back the old cultivator. I think I forgot to mention at the thime but the ice ran out a week or so ago, it lasted pretty well but we think we can make it do better next year by putting in more sawdust and making better drainage Frank stayed home from school again to-day, my cold is better to-night but Dad thinks he is getting another one now. Frank took a boquet of wild flowers down to exhibit at the horticultural show tomorrow night. Cloudy all day, didn't rain very long. Thursday September 18th I haven't done a tap of work all day, I have felt all day like a cake of soap after a hard day's washing and just lay around the house. This morning Dad. thought it was a little too wet to work on the the land so after he did chores he went out and got a load of rails and took back Ivey's disks. This after noon he drilled in the rest of the wheat. He ran out of seed when he was within a round or two of finishing and had to go down to Alfred's to get another bag, when he got back it was too late to finish so he will have to wait till morning, he thinks Alfred's wheat a better sample than John Wess's as there is not so much cracked wheat in 108 �it. Frank went back to school this morning but Dad. kept him home this afternoon to help him drill. Enah and Tiddums went down to see the flower show, she said it was not as large as other years and that Frank didn't get a prize on his wild flowers. Frank did not go down to see it. Dick did not get home till late as he went to the dance in the pavillion the last of the season. The men and women at the canning factory did not get their wages as they had been promised so have all struck again except Huby & the engineer. It has been a nice day - I think Friday September 19th I didnot do much more to-day than yesterday. I started to clean out the stables but became so exhausted that I had to give it up and just poke around, this afternoon I read and answered an advertisement I saw in "The Literary Digest" for a fellow who tells how to get strong, if he fails to help me I think I shall take to dressmaking or somethingh of that nature. Dad. finished drilling before Frank went to school this morning and then harrowed the field over, he started to run the furrows before dinner but old Harry & Joe proved so incompetent that it took him the whole after noon to finish the job, the last five of the dead furrows were so crooked that he harrowed them out and ran them over again He intended to go down and help Mr Flemming this after noon as Alfred told him yesterday that he is far behind with his work having been sick, and unable to work ever since Tupper thrashed, Dad may go down to morrow if Mr Flemming wants him. Jonas was over for a short visit to-night. We have had to keep Belle tied up all day as we turned her out twice and he jumped right back in to the lane in front of the house immediately, she & Harry got in the night before last and ate all the Golden Bantam corn down to within a foot of the ground. Dad. had to get up at half past four to shut them in the stable and then he didn't go back to bed again. It has been a nice sunny day. Sun set clear to-night. Saturday September 20th I felt quite a lot better to-day but my throat is still sore I intended to go back and cut the clover seed this morning but there were two rivets had to be replaced in the pitman rod of the mower before it could be used so I took it down to Butler's for repairs. Dad. told me that if no one else was in the shop I might as well get Joe's shoes set - as they needed it badly, I did, so did not get home till after noon This after noon Frank & I cleaned out the stables which haven't been properly cleaned for about a week and then drove down town to get stuff on our way back we stopped at Uncle Wards and he & Frank picked a bushel of 109 �tomatoes which we brought home for Enah to do up. He has a good many there going to waste as he put in a lot for the canning factory but they closed down before he got them all picked. It got very black while we were there and just as we left began to sprinkle - and just as we got home to rain hard. Dick got in just behind us the first time he has been home so early - all summer I believe. It did not rain long nor extra heavily - and there was only about one hard crack of thunder, but I don't know whether it is all over yet or not. Dad. has been cleaning ditches all day but has more to do yet. Frank went down this morning to ask Mr Flemming if Dad. could help him any if he came down but Mr. Flemming said he expected Ern. up and would be through this afternoon. Frank went over to John Wess McBride to return the bags they brought the wheat over in. Blaikie was cutting the buckwheat with a scythe he couldnt manage it with a cradle. Frank saw a black squirrel on the line fence when he was over there Dad and we three boys had a bath to-night, I needed one badly Sunday September 21st I sat around the house all day except to help do chores and finished reading Hamlet. I don't want to got to church till I get my hair cut for fear some body taking me for a wild creature would put me out. Enah still having a desire to hear the Irish preacher of the two preceding Sunday's went down driven by Dick. Frank walked down to Sunday school and church Dad. looked after Tiddums and the house. Tiddums has not been himself to day, for some obscure reason. Dick spent the after noon at home for a change, reading. Cars. Rankin and Arly McCarter drove over this afternoon to have Dad look at Car's horse's foot which got burned on a rope. It has been dull & chilly & wet off & on all day Monday September 22nd It rainded nearly all night and most of the day, the roads being inconsequence in such a condition as to prohibit travel by bicycle, so I drove the boys to the scenes of their labors and as there was nothing pressing in progress here and not knowing when a better opportunity would present itself I put Joe in at Hendersons and proceeded to have, my hair cut, a shave, and my teeth cleaned, this last item I promised Aunty I would have seen to on the first favorable occasion which presented itself. I arrived home after getting a roll of roofing paper to repair the cow shed roof - and some other articles - a little before noon, we read and did chores most of the remainder of the day, although we did go out for a while to strengthen the grain barn floor as in one place it is too much decayed to permit the safe passage of the thrashing machine over it, but as from time to time we must go outside and come in contact with the disagreeable weather, there was no pleasure in it so 110 �we postponed the duty to a future and fairer day. Mrs McBride was here allday performing her biweekly labors and it being such a 'dirty' night Dad. drove her home while I got the cows. I began to read "The White Company" to-day and I am afraid it will be a hard one to leave at the call of duty. Dick is not expected home to-night. Tuesday September 23rd Sam Law came in this morning and informed up that he was going up to Clarke Matthew's old place to thrash to-day, and would thrash his own three loads of oats on his way back and then come here, Allan came in tonight and told us that they just pulled the machine into their barn to night and would not be over here till noon to-morrow. This morning Dad & I levelled the butt of the old stack - and this after noon we finished fixing the barn floor and sweeping out the granary bins. To night when Frank got home from school he & I drove down town to purchase provisions and warn out Mr. Fleming & the Martins. Dad. has gone over to Mrs. McBrides to-night to see if he can her - to help Enah to-morrow. It has been sunny all day but with a cold wind Wednesday September 24th We went over about eight o'clock this morning to help Sam. Law, we thrashed out their three loads in a very short time and then came home and hauled a load of rails and made general preparations for them here. They got here about twelve, and were just about ready to start after dinner Frank stayed home from school and first thing went on his wheel to secure the aid of a man from Tupper's and one from Billy Louis as they promised one when Dad gave them free treatment for their cow. Mr. Fleming himself came and brought Bill Philips. Martin's sent two men - and Alfred & Jonas both came so we had plenty of help. Mrs. McBride came to help Enah and Ada came over and looked after Tiddums the whole after noon. We thrashed out all the oats 513 bushels - and made quite a hole in the wheat which lis coming pretty slowly. I helped Bill Philips carry away the oats and they kept us on the hump we got 320 bushels off the 10 acres by the side road and about 240 off the 8 acres back the lane, counting the load we thrashed before over at Sam's, we expect the wheat to go about 10 bushels to the acre. To-night I drove Mrs. McBride and Ada home, it was awfully dark and I nearly ran into a waggon and did run over a log, across the road. Lovely day sunny and warm Thursday September 25th 111 �We finished up the wheat about nine o'clock this morning it went better than we expected. 133 bushels and we didn't look for more than 100. It wasn't a very big thrashing but might have been worse. About ten o'clock Jonas and I lit into the corn field, and at noon had 13 or 14 shocks put up. Jonas doesn't use a horse but I think he would be better off if he did, as one blows down now and then and takes longer to set it up than it would to move a horse quite a few times. I didn't go out to help him this afternoon but Frank went out some time after dinner with a pail of water for him, and he wasn't there we saw him going up the road afterwards about half past three, but he got ten more shocks cut by six, he said he felt pretty sick after dinner. We trimmed up the sheep and let the old ram out in the orchard. Frank saw when he went after the mail that Butler had the tires on the waggon set so he and Dad went down before tea and brought it home. Cousins Loll & Phoebe were over for awhile this after noon Mrs. Dave Waddle died to-day at five o'clock, she has been sick for a long time but only a few days in bed, she was down town on Monday. Dad. & Frank cleaned up the barn floor this morning.. It has been hot to-day and hazy looking all around Friday September 26th When Dad. got up this morning he found the old sow had knocked down the orchard gate and let all the ewes out. We got them in with out much difficulty but noticed the ram was up at the north end of the orchard lying down by himself. When we went to look at him we saw at once that he was very sick, so brought him down and put him in his old yard between the drive house and the big barn, he has laid around all day and wont eat or drink, he is not bloated but is quite hollow and does not seem in any pain but now and then stretches out his neck and swells his sides like a dog trying to vomit. Dad. and I went up to Dunkin's this morni to see him as we got a letter from him yesterday morning saying he had a ram he would let us have for awhile not knowing of course that we had one, we expected to be back at noon but it begant to rain soon after we got started and kept up so long that we stayed there for dinner and did not get home till half past four, we didn't think his sheep much ahead of ours and his rams not a patch on old 4700. When we got home Enah told us the old sow was out and had wandered down the road but Frank brought her home on his way home from school so we shut her up in Queen's boxstall and nailed up the door. To-night the ram got in the barn and we gave him a drench, he does not seem any better but no worse. Jonas cut corn this morning to cut corn and cut till it rained. and this after noon tore down the old fence around the hill, he was over to-night to see if we would haul it for him to morrow Dad. told him he would try to. When I went back after the cows to-night I found Bobby & Fred's calf missing and walked way out to the Winding Hills to see them but 112 �when I got back they were standing at the culvert and Dad. & Frank were just going to let them in, the fence was down at the culvert and there was an empty whisky bottle near it. Saturday September 27th When we went out this morning we found the ram had gone out of the barn into the yard and seemed weaker than last night After breakfast we went out and Dad gave him some more dope, but while we were there we tried to get him to stand up but his feet just shook from under him and he stretched out and died we spent the rest of the morning skinning and burying him, we think of it a rough bit of luck but suppose it is all in the game, we will get a lovely mat off him if we can get it tanned right. what through life held his worth after his death will hold another's wealth. Dad held a post mortem on him and found that it was inflamation of the bladder which killed him, we didn't look for any thingh - like that, and Dad says nothing could have been done for him. This after noon Dad. & Frank cleaned up some of the wheat and oats that were on the floor and took it down to the mill to be chopped they went down town to take Elva's cream and get stuff. I took Harry & Joe and the hay rack and went down to help old Jonas get some of his fence up as he won't be back to cut corn till it is off the highway, he is so afraid of the law, I only got up two loads as it is hard stuff to load alone and Jonas had Leitch's team and waggon so didn't help me any, and I had to knock half of it to pieces, I did not get home till nearly dark. Lovely fall day. Sunday September 28th Frank was the only member of the family who attended church and Sunday school. I read most of the morning but got dressed up about noon and this after noon Dick and I went down to Mrs. Waddles funeral. Dad. drove us down and his went down and got Huby & Lila and they drove up to the cemetery. There was an awful crowd at the house and there must have been over a hundred rigs in the procession. Dick and I knocked around town til Dad. got back then I came home with him but Dick stayed down to go to church to-night. When we got home we found Emery & his whole family here as well as Mrs. Smythe with Susie & George. they stayed to tea so we were late getting the chores done. Beautiful day. Monday September 29th Jonas came over to cut corn this morning but after cutting for about an hour came in, in a great state of excitement vowing that he would cut no more corn with a sickle as he had cut an other piece off his finger, and said that if he couldn't - a corn hook which he was used to in Dover he would got to Simcoe after one. Dad. put some turpentine on his finger 113 �which he said just had the skin nicked - and told me that I might as well drive Jonas to Simcoe and take old 4700's hide up to be tanned, we left here about nine and went about half a dozen places in Simcoe, and got home about half past twelve, Jonas got his corn hook, some stuff at Fall's, some half stake from Billy Barlow's - a drink of beer and a prize list of the Simcoe Fair. I saw Mr. Hogg and gave Mr. Shaver the hide, and went to see Kompart about getting a new crank for the spreader to replace the one Allan Law lost but although all the doors in the place were wide open there wasn't a sign of a living creature around. This after noon I got started to cut clover seed but as {illegible} had to grind the knives and get the horses in I didn't get started till after three so only got a little more than seven rounds cut. Dad. cleaned out the ditches in the wheat field and Jonas got in a pretty good after noon cutting corn. George Slocomb Sr. was over this after noon with a shore shouldered horse. To-night Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting and I guess wished that R. M. Taylor had beaten him on the election It has been cloudy and mild all day and looks like rain Tuesday September 30th I finished cutting the clover seed this afternoon and got two rounds cut in the field next the wood which is all weeds, some of them are up to the horses backs. Dad. helped Jonas cut corn all day and they got a lot done, but Dad. had old Jonas pretty well tired out to-night, Jonas says it is the best corn he ever cut. It has been - a nice bright breeze day, doesn't look so rainy When we got up this morning we found that the old sow had knocked the gate of the orchard down and let the sheep all out, she her self was sleeping peacefully in a comfortable nest in the hay on the big barn floor. The cows cattle all got in through the bars at the end of the orchard and had wandered all through the corn and over the wheat, they were on the oat stubble when Dad. went out this morning, to-night he shut the cows in the horse pasture Wednesday September October 1st The old sow repeated the same performance as last night, but the young stock did not bother the bars at the end of the orchard, but as soon as the cows were turned in with them they went back and broke in through the gully fence and Dad. & Jonas had to stop cutting corn to put them out. Dad. had to stop later on to get Clark Matthews some wheat & oats which he came over to buy for Teddy & his chickens. In spite of these hindrances they got quite a bit cut and {illegible} the field half cut at noon. I cut weeds all morning in the back field, I think I could have finished it to-night but Jonas came over at noon to tell us 114 �that he had to help Bob. Leitch thrash so I stayed up to help Dad. cut corn we just nicely got started when we had to chase the cattle out of the field again this time we put them all up in the horse pasture but lost quite a lot of time doing it, before we got out again to work Walt. McCall, Mrs. McCall & three kids including Tommy came in, in Al. Faulkners auto-mobile (as Walt has sold his) to see the colts. so it was about the middle of the afternoon when we got settled down to work, then I cut my finger and had to come up to tie it up but Frank came out and helped us a little after school so we got about twenty two or three shocks cut. I cut a poor little half grown rabbits feet nearly off in the mower this morning but did not kill it, because I thought like Niel Elliot's man that life was sweet. Frank caught a broken winged crow on Sunday and is trying to tame it. Nice day, still looks rainy Thursday October 2nd It begant to rain about six o'clock this morning and rained all the first part of the morning and most of the afternoon but isn't raining to-night. I drove Dick down to work first thing as the roads were too bad for him to wheel, I dug up some of the onions when I got home and left them right on the ground till they dry, Dad. cleaned out the pig. pen and Frank who has a holiday to-day on account of the teachers' convention and tomorrow because Mr. Smith is going to judge at the rural school fall fair which is to be held in the town hall tomorrow. We had dinner about eleven and three of us left as soon as possible after it for Dunkin's to get the ram he told us about. We went past the rail road construction camp which is on the side road on the north of Charlie Dixon's place just as the men and teams were coming in to dinner, they made quite an army. We left Frank on the road about 3/4's of a mile this side of Dunkin's while we went on to get the ram, he is a big heavy fellow and pretty good looking, he looks very long but that is because the fellow Duncan let have him last year did not shear him. It begant to rain soon after we left his place and we just nicely got home when it commenced coming down heavily, it was pretty late then so we had an early tea and did chores after. Dad. is going down to Quanbury's to a surprise pedro party for John. He told them he would go orl he would not go through the mud Friday October 3rd We did not get up till seven o'clock this morning as Dad played pedro last night very late and came home at two o'clock this morning with the booby prize, as he is always first up and calls the rest we were late. Jonas came over at seven and cut corn all day I helped him this morning - and we got a shock or two over two rows cut which wasn't so bad considering I did not get out till nine o'clock. Dad. helped him this after noon and they got 115 �another two rows cut. I cut weeds all afternoon in the back field but did not quite finish. Frank and Dad. got a load of rails this morning and repaired the gully fence and turned the cattle back, besides other odd jobs. This afternoon Frank went back to Charlie McQueen's after nuts. Enah & Tiddums went down to see the rural school fair held in Buck's pavillion. She said there was a big exhibit of every thing the shape of farm produce & house keeping all produced & collected by the school children. Lila came back with her to stay all night. Tommy Manning came up to-nigh from the gully where he had been in quest of mushrooms but failed to discover any. Dick is at a party of Inez Schram's It has been cool and cloudy all day but fair. Clear to-night. Saturday October 4th I finished cutting the weeds in the back field a little before noon and brought the mower up. Dad. & Jonas did not get started cutting corn till about half past eight it was so wet from the frost on it thawing, so they did not finish the field till after dinner. When Dad. settled up with him he owed him $7.25 as he paid him at the rate of $1.50 a day for cutting corn and $2.00 for thrashing and as Dad. & Frank went down with the team after they got through to help him haul fence Jonas took $2.50 off for the two quarter days last Saturday and this. They did not get the fence all up. This after noon I cut a little lawn and picked up over two bushels of pears & apples of the lawn and gave them to the chickens. I did not get much done and quit early to do chores. To-night Frank and I drove down town for provisions and I finished reading "The White Company" aloud to Dad. when I got home, very sorry to finish it. Mrs. Woodson & Betty were over for awhile this after noon. Lovely day. Sunday October 5th Frank went down to Sunday school and I drove Enah down to church but as were were as usual late I went up behind the organ, where also was Charlie Martin he having come later even than we. When we came past the Martin's they were all out prepared to drive down to church in Jack's automobile but as the tire was flat they had decided to walk so we brought old Mrs Martin down with us, however they got the tire pumped up afterwards and he stayed long enough to take them down town. The Rev. Mr. Armstrong of Delhi conducted the service while Mr. Johnston was off somewhere else. Johnny Walker sang a solo by way of - a special attraction. Dad. stayed home & looked after the house and Tiddums while we were gone and also wrote a poem on the death of 4700 and an epitaph to send to Louise in answer to one she sent us. Dick spent the morning in bed but went down this after noon and stayed down to tea & church getting home quite late. Musa. Dyer sang a solo to-night 116 �in church. This after noon Ed. Moon, Marion & Alice Miller came over and spent the after noon. Ed. is working already in the mill in Sloan's place but says he will come over some Saturday after noon and do some fixing up. I was delighted this morning by discovering a book entitled "Sir Nigel" by A Conan Doyle and upon looking into it finding that it dealt with many of the same characters as "The White Company". I began it to-night. Tom Abbot came in this afternoon to inquire whether Jonas was a reliable person to make a business transaction with as he had bargained for some wood and then Jonas showed signs of backing out of his agreement but Dad. reassured Tom. It has been a very nice day, sunny & warm Monday October 6th I went with Jonas right after break fast to help him take his cows down to the cattle pen where Niel Elliot was shipping. Old Ivy at the mill bought them and Niel was going to take them to Jarvis for him in with his stuff that he was shipping. They were back here in Ivys gully and we & Sairy had quite a time catching them but got them down with out much trouble and put them in the pen which was chock full of hogs. Jonas had to squabble with Ivy for awhile as he wouldn't take any thing but cash for his cows not even a checqu and then Elliot did not want to take them at all with his hogs but they at last got things smoothed out and Jonas got his money and they tied the cows in the car. It was noon when I got home I had spent most of the morning with Skinny Ryersie who was looking after the stock. Dad. started to rake up the clover seed this after noon morning and finished this after noon we burned what we could of the weeds & grass in the back field this after noon - and most of it burned but there are patches where the fire did not run, it ran in the grass, along the fence bottom and burned about 1/3 of the posts and stakes it also chased the same little rabbit out into the field whos legs I injured with mowing machine the other day. I brought him up to the barn I suppose he has been along the fence ever since I put him there Nice day but very hot. Tuesday October 7th Dad. and I cocked up all the clover seed this morning except a few cocks which we did yesterday. We intended to haul a load this after noon but Loyd Ryersie came over at noon to tell Dad. they wanted to see him down town this after noon at four o'clock to interview the High School Inspector. He went down a little late (he took Enah & Tiddums) but said he might as well have stayed home, as it was all over, and they had had it up at the school house the {kid?} told him to go down town, but it wasn't any regular meeting any way. I felt 117 �as lazy as a drunk toad this afternoon but managed to get the barn floor pretty well cleared up of the thrashing refuse. Frank helping me when he got home from school. Dick says he is pretty sure he saw old Jonas coming home {bory?}-eyed last night and nobody but Frank has seen anything of him to-day, but he said last night that he would not be over except to set up some shocks he left down as he was going to buy some pig's, and I guess he set up the shocks. It has been a a lovely day - a little more breeze and not as hot as yesterday Dick came home before tea to-night and started to clean the buggy he says he is going to finish it in the morning. He wants it on Thursday. Wednesday October 8th We hauled in clover seed all day today but only got in three loads, we did not get out till nearly ten this morning but got one load on and off before dinner, this afternoon we got two loads in and left one unloaded, there is just one more small one out yet. Dad. let poor old Dave back the lane this after noon and he spent the afternoon on top of the hill with the other colts in the boiling sun. Mrs. Art Ryerise paid Enah a visit to-day, she has been over in Chicago for a week or so, she said that Orpha Flemming & Wilbur Ryersie were to have been married to-day. but as we have heard no other report of it, are not sure about it. Pretty hot. Thursday October 9th We were late on the start this morning, and just as Dad. & I were going out to pitch off the load we left on the barn floor last night we noticed the cattle on the wheat, and all over the oat stubble and clover. It took us quite awhile to get them back in the gully, so by the time we got the load pitched off and the jag that was left back there up to the barn it was noon we burned one or two of the cocks which were composed solely of leaves & dead grass. This after noon we went back over the gully to burn the rest of the weeds in the back field. We thought they would burn well after all the hot weather but the fire wouldn't burn at all not nearly so well as it did the other day so we just had to carry it around on our forks and by this means got it pretty well cremated but it took us all the afternoon. Jonas husked corn all day to-day and says it goes a little better than before but he says he is not going to make as much money as he expected, he is husking for four cents a bushel. Dick came home at noon to-day and took Joe and went for a drive with some girl down town Enah and Tiddums went down town this after noon. It has been fine and hot to-day but looks rainy. Friday October 10th 118 �We hauled out manure to-day from the horse stable pile and put it on the oat stubble along the side road. It was such a long way to haul it so we did not get on very fast. and as all the top part of the pile was nothing but burned or dry straw - and we wanted to mix rotten stuff with it took us quite awhile to put on a load. We did not get out till ten o'clock this morning and got out nine loads. Jonas husked corn all day but gets on pretty slowly. I had to take some binder twine out to-night and help him put up a couple of shocks. Lila came over to-night to spend the night, on Frank's wheel, he went down after school to get stuff and a bushel basket for which he went in {vain?}, and he walked home. Fine and hot to-day Saturday October 11th It looked so much like rain this morning just before we hooked to the spreader that we decided to hook to the waggon first and get the husked corn, but just as we were about to start it began to rain so we put the horses in again. Old Jonas came in from the field, and entertained us for a while with a wild west personal experience of how he was stranded out west somewhere in Michigan fell in with a gambling cowboy, and mane a pile in a hurry & revolvers knives, etc. Jonas has seen some awful times in his day if all accounts are true. We then got the sheep in the barn and marked them all with blue chalk and Dad. put the new tag we got from Dunkin in his sheep's ear and stuck up the tame ones ear with sticking plaster as she caught her tag in some thing the other day and tore her ear the full length. By this time the rain had let up and Jonas gone back to husk so we went out with the waggon and got about a load (21 bushels) but before we came in it was raining hard and we got pretty wet. It rained most of the afternoon, I read a little and the rest of the family cracked hickory nuts, while thus engaged a small yearling heifer with a freshly broken horn and a long thin rope around its neck came into the garden followed by very bedraggled man in hip rubber boots and a small freckle faced youth. I found out that he was the man from whom Jonas had purchased his heifer and that the afore mentioned "critter" was her. As Dad. had told Jonas that he might turn her in with our cows, Frank and I proceeded to help him catch her, get the rope off her and put her in the lane, but we found we had undertaken a task which we were incapable of performing, for the heifer was as wild as a deer. The man (Smith his name was) had already chased her over nearly every road between here and Marburg, but she was still very game. First she jumped into the pig yard where I caught the trailing rope, but I might as well have had hold of an engine the rope was so small and wet and she was so small and wild that I was forced to let go, she then leaped over the fence and down the lane toward the road where Dave. the small boy headed her off, I opened the 119 �gate into the barn yard, hoping to get her cornered in there but she got from there into the pig yard, then into the wheat field up the wheat field to the gully down the gully fence to the side road. then over the fence into the gully making straigt for the gap into the blue grass field where I headed her off from there and the three of us followed her up to the gully cross fence. (Dave. stayed back in the barn yard), there the man caught the rope but let go again immediately, she jumped back in to the wheat field and ran the while length of both wheat fields down to the little corner of the south east corner of the plum orchard where Frank & I both got a fall in the clay bank in an attemt to get the rope Frank did lay hands on it but she flopped him, after chasing her half way up the lane fence again, we let her go and the last we saw of her she standing in the north east corner of the oat stubble next the gully & side road. We couldn't get her with the other cows with out getting her in the lane as the cows are shut out of the east end of the gully. The man & boy went on down to tell Jonas that he had delivered his heifer and for Jonas to get his rope for him Frank Lila and I drove down town Lila stayed and Frank and I came back with provisions we drove Mr. Blaikie part way home Tonigh I finished reading "Sir Nigel" and "The Iron Trail" aloud. Sunday October 12th Frank rode his wheel down to Sunday school and Dick and I drove down to church. This afternoon Dick went down town and Frank went over to Charlie McQueen's and got some chestnuts, he also got soaking with his best clothes on. I read most of the after noon a great book I found in a box up over the woodshed. It's about an hundred years or so old, and is "Lord Chesterfield's advice to his son" - its rich. Jonas came over to look for his heifer but failed to find any trace of her so I suppose she is back at Marburg by this time. Poor Jonas is broken hearted - and wishes he had never bought her, he was very foolish I think to sell his good big three years old for forty dollars and then turn around around and pay twenty for this runt of a yearling what he wants with them any way in his position is more than I can see. Sam Law came in this morning to get Dad. to go over and cut a lump off his calf. It froze last night and was a lovely sunny morning but rained most of the after noon. Monday October 13th I had to go thrashing down to Flemming's this morning as he came over on Saturday to "warn us out". Tupper's man did not come till late and Walker never came at all so we were a little short handed I was on the table and pitched on to the feeder, after we got well started it kept me pretty busy and to-night I feel stiff and plugged up as they put some of the straw in the barn and made it pretty dusty. He only thrashed his oats and as he only had 120 �four hundred and forty something bushels we got through before noon although we got a very late start and stopped several times, it was near enough noon however for us to stay there for dinner. When I got home I found Jonas's mare in the stable and his democrat out side, and Enah said he and Dad. had just gone back the lane in quest of his heifer, which he told Dad he had seen in our back field but when Dad found it, it was in Evan's back field. Dad got home about three o'clock leading the heifer almost tame and Jonas following almost wild behind. They had evidently had just such a chase for her over Evan's place - as we had on Saturday over this place, but they got her cornered at last in Evan's cowshed and Dad. went over and borrowed a rope and humbug from John Wess McBride and once he got the ropes on her he soon mastered her, he broke the little clothes line that was on her a couple of times. He said it was pitiful and laughable to watch old Jonas, every time the heifer would break away from them. Jonas would almost weep and swear he would shoot her if he could get a rifle. Evan's wasn't home and Dad. said they got every loose gate and board around the place to barricade the barn yard but she would break through and once climbed about half way up the straw stack. When they brought her home they put her in with the rest of the cows and - although Jonas vowed she would get out she seems to be quite contented. Dad. told him that he would give Jonas $20 for her if she got out and $18 is she stayed in so Jonas said he wouldnt sell her till she got out. I drove Enah & Tiddums down town to Mrs. Schrams this after noon. Belle jumped the fence out by the big barn tonigh and knocked a couple of panels flat. It froze last night and has been very chilly all day. Tuesday October 14th I greased my old boots this morning and Dad took Mrs. Martin over the pint of cream she spoke for yester day. We also haulded two loads of loam & sod. from along the road side under the old wild cherry tree in the wheat stubble, and filled in the holes at this end of the lane in the barn yard, where the horses have pawed a hole when they are drinking from the tub in front of the windmill, and under the gate at the north end of the horse stable. This after noon we hauled out four loads of manure, Walt McCall. Dave Waddle Billy Loan & Tom. McCall came over to-night and we caught Dolly and Dave led her home he put a rope in her mouth although she would have led all right with just a halter and after walking a little way with her got in the automobile, and led her from it. Just about dark to-night Mr. Blaikie came over and got Dad to go over and look at John Wess's cow which was badly bloated and John Wess was away. Dad. went over, stayed to tea and as John Wess got back before he left, he did not get home till about nine o'clock. Frank and I did up the chores. Dad says the 121 �cow will get alright. It froze very hard last night but has been a beautiful day, very clear tonight. Wednesday October 15th We hauled out all the rest of the pile of manure at the horse stable and got through a little before four this after noon and took out eight loads, when we put the spreader away we hooked on to the waggon and got in a load of corn (22 bushels), we sorted it in the field and there is some fine looking corn in it, Jonas has been husking all day. At noon he came in and told us he had an awful foolish notion in his head, we wondered if he was just beginning to realize the fact, as there is nothing much else to him but foolishness, but at last when he got courage enough to "spit out" what he wanted, he asked Enah if she would iron a shirt for him to-night to wear to the Simcoe fair to-morrow as he could never get his "woman" to do any thing like that for him. Enah told him she would if he would bring it over to-night but he never showe up at all. Art Ryersie came over just before tea to tell Dad. he had a cow down there which wouldn't attempt to chew her cud and was panting like a lizard, as he considered her a valuable animal he wanted Dad. to go down and see her, so Dad. & Frank have gone down since tea. I cleaned out the cage I have my rabbit in this morning. his feet are nearly healed up and he can hop and jump pretty well. I think I shall let him go soon Enah and Tiddums went down town this after noon and to say goodbye to the Woodson's as they are going next week but no-one was home It has been a beautiful day. not quite so hot as last week. Thursday October 16th We started from here for Simcoe to attend the fair at about ten this morning and got there just about noon, after driving past the various livery stables in town and finding them all crammed we went back to Yeagers and put Joe in there. Yeager was there and told Dad. she was welcome. The three of us Dad. Frank and I spent the whole after noon on the grounds, but didn't see quite every thing, we didn't see the cattle at all except on parade there wasn't a very big exhibit of sheep or pigs, but the rest of the fair was good. They had a good bunch of horses, especially roadsters. Frank Temmons and Charlie Butler both showed in the carriage horse class but neither got prizes. Yeager took most of the prizes in this class of course. We saw Mr. Hanmer there showing his hackneys but didn't get a chance to speak to him. We saw Harry Langs for a little while. There was an awful crowd on the grounds and about as much fun could be derived from it as any thing else. Yeager had a team of grey mules up there hitched to one of his fancy carriages and driven by King Brown 122 �(Theodore's son) in uniform costume who jujding from his countenance was the happiest man in Simcoe, he paraded around in the ring all the after noon and lined his mules up in every judging class The number of boys on the back of his carriage increased steadily all the after noon and when we left we noticed Frank Temmons was one of them. King's black face shone as brilliantly as it's complexion would let it above a suit of - checkered - cloth covered with a motley display of ribbons, on one side of his wooly pate was a little flat hat about as big as a post card and each of his mules had a red ticket tied to its their ears. As a winding up feature they had a girl make a balloon ascention. She went up about as far as you could see her and then desended with a parachute, about a half amile away from where he went up, every body wondering whether she would light in a tree mud hole or straddle a fence. I heard one lady exclaim that she wouldnt do that for "nothing." It must have been nearly five when we left Yeager's - and - as we were trying to get home before Art Ryersie who we passed and then were passed by just out of Simcoe, we got home about six, but I guess Art beat us and beat us well, he went the back road and we kept the gravel all the way but we didn't see a sign of him after he turned at St. John's. Enah and Tiddums spent the day down town. It looked like rain all morning but faired off into an ideal day. Friday October 17th Dad. and I hauled a load of rails to the house this morning and got about all the good ones there were in the fence bottom running west from the side road along the north end of the wheat stubble We also got a small load of {sand?} to put in front of the north stable door, we then went down to Preston's and got a bushel of potatoes. This after noon we took things pretty easy did chores and Dad. fixed the little ladder goin up into the horse stable loft. which big Joe bumped his head on and broke this morning. Jonas husked corn all morning but as it rained this after noon he spent it trying to build him self a barn to keep his horses and cattle in all winter. He was in a very joyful mood this morning after being at the show and was in a great hurry for Dick to get up as he wanted him to send {illegible} away for him, but to-night he is in the worst state of despair as he evidently did not have very much success buildig his barn out of the old fence rubbish. Dad. told him he was foolish to try and might far better sell his stock and put the money away till he needed it and then have that much more firewood. It has been very cloudy all day drizzling most of the after noon and to-night Saturday October 18th 123 �I drove Dick and his bicycle down to the corner this morning and then went down to the mill to get a bag of flour. Old Jonas was working at his barn which is about the size of a big packing box, he only had a few scantling nailed to-gether for a starter. he said he was nearly wild with apprehensions for the coming winter. When I got home Tupper was just leaving, he and Harry his man were going down to fix the hill in front of Preston's and came in to borrow a fork to pitch sods. We didn't do much, this morning we started to fix the old shed next the cow stable as Dad. wants to separate his pigs and put some of them in there, we didn't get much done at it. Lila came over and this afternoon she and I drove down town principally to take Dick's suit case down as he is going to Toronto to-night. Dad. spent the afternoon cleaning ducks and a chicken. Winnnie came back with Lila and me but didn't stay to tea. Lila is staying all night. This is the fifteenth anniversary of Frank's birthday and he celebrated it by cleaning out and white washing the chicken house. We put Queen and Ginger in to-night as it is pretty cold out. Queen behaves just as if she was fifty years old. It rained quite hard last night - and to day - has been muddy cloudy and cold with a little more rain, very raw wind this afternoon. Sunday October 19th Frank and Lila went down to Sunday school and I drove Enah down for church, we were early for once. Enah expected Elva would be away but she wasn't, Enah played the organ any way. This was a children's day and they had the whole contents of the Sunday school in the front seats. As a little extra, Sam Jacques had his baby christened. Mr. Johnson kept referring to it all through as he or him but its name turned out to be Helen Isabel or something similar.This afternoon Dad. put the saddle on Joe and I went for a ride. She nearly put me off while I was getting on the first time but she didn't and I rode out to the Shands I found them just starting off to the Hares who live on the town-line about three miles this side of Jarvis, to wish old Mrs. Nixon a happy birthday she was 90 years old. Charlie put the saddle on his horse and I went with him, we beat them all of course both coming and going. I got home just about dark and to-night feel pretty stiff I guess Josie is tired too. I lost a nice little tie pin I suppose on the road. Cousin Clare gave it to me and I was very sorry to lose it. It has been cloudy and cold all day, drizzly to-night. Monday October 20th This was Thanksgiving day but has been exceedingly rotten. It rained the greater part of last night and most of the morning and has been cold, raw and muddy.. This morning Dad. went down town to ship the barrel of apples to Uncle Hal. and Aunty Alice which he got from Bill 124 �Duncan and which have been down at the station since Saturday. He also saw Butler about getting a plow but as he walked down he couldn't bring it home. He is going to get a Cockshutt to try and if we don't like it we will get a Wikinson. I didn't do any thing much all morning My muscles are all stiff and sore from my ride yesterday I guess it was too far when I haven't been used to it, it must have been about fifteen miles. Frank cleaned off the walls of the cow stable and this after noon white washed. it. Dad made a box for the wheel barrow after dinner so that I can carry out a much bigger load of manure. Then he and Frank went and struck out a few loads in the oat stubble while I cleaned out the stables. Belle jumped into the pig yard from the barn yard to night and when I went to chase her back she jumped the wire fence into the lane, caught her foot in it and bent a panel of it badly. Ginger and Queen both ran back the lane to the gully. Queen came up with Dad. when he went after the cows but Ginger is back there yet with the colts, which she has been trying to get with all summer. To-night Dad. and Frank walked down to meet Dick he said he wouldn't be home till the late train so they were going to the moving picture show. Frank has been coaxing Dad. to go for quite awhile. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. Tuesday October 21st Dad. plowed all day and got on pretty well. I did chores and cleaned out the alley way in front of the cows where the calves spent last winter. That took me the biggest part of the day. I spent about half an hour chasing cattle back into their proper quarters after they had jumped over or crawled through the old fence around the barn yard. This morning Bill Stamp came and got four bushels of wheat for this chickens. Aleeta McBride came over this afternoon to iron. Jonas husked corn all day. I felt rather rotten having a sore throat and getting an all around cold. Cold, windy, cloudy & wet. Wednesday October 22nd Dad. plowed all morning, and I did chores and started to clean out the pile of rubbish in the corner of the big barn but the wind got so bad I stopped and came in to the house. This after noon we went out with the waggon and got alload of corn. We got mostly all Jonas has husked. 26 bushels. We sort it out there and leave the poor stuff to gather up afterwards, there isn't much of it. Niel Elliot came in before dinner to see if we had any cattle for sale but of course we hadn't. Jonas husked all day. It has been a miserable day. It rained this morning and drizzled part of the after noon, being cold, cloudy, muddy and windy all day. I feel rottener. 125 �Thursday October 23rd Dad. lay awake in bed this morning from five to seven thinking from the sound of the wind that it was pouring rain but on getting up found it a beautiful morning. He got out as soon as possible after breakfast and plowed till about eleven. I did up all the chores and then went out and plowed till noon, while Dad. came up to shave as he had to be bearer at Mrs. Brirely's funeral this afternoon, he left a couple of strike oats for me to finish up after dinner and I ran myself out of a job about four o'clock. I left about a round or two on each land for Dad. to finish and as I couldn't strike out I unhooked but when I got to the top of the orchard. I saw Dad. cutting wood so yelled at him and he came out and plowed till dark. Jonas husked corn all day, he is full of an idea now to go south and work for {Evans?} Johnson, bossing niggers working in his orchard. He says they are anxious to have him go and he's going to try to get there. Aleta McBride was over ironing again to-day, she minded Tiddums while Enah went down to the funeral after dinner. My little rabbit died yesterday. It has been a very nice day cloudy, but mild, & breezy. Trying to rain to-night. Friday October 24th Since I watered & fed the horses before breakfast this morning I haven't done another tap all day, except read. I had quite a bad pain in my "stumick" this morning and have put in a bad day on account of my cold in my head. It rained steadily all day so I didn't lose much in the way of work. Dad. couldn't do any thing but chores. Mrs. McBride came over this morning according to promise to see if she could do any thing towards house cleaning, but of course couldn't. Cars. Rankin drove over this after noon to have Dad. look at his horse, which Dad. says has nothing the matter with it. He also wanted Dad. to keep it here and fix it up, but as we will be crowded for room this winter for our own horses, he refused. Saturday October 25th As far - as work is concerned I didn't do a tap more than yesterday although I felt quite a lot better. I read - quite a lot and skimmed through a large parcel of "Saturday Nights" which Roy sent up by Dick the other day and which in all probability would have scarcely been looked at, had not this cold presented the opportunity to me. Dad. and Frank hitched Joe and Belle to the waggon this morning, went down town & got a barrell of salt and the plow which Dad ordered from Butler the other day, they also got a letter from Dick (posted yesterday) saying he wouldn't be home last night and that Jack Walker wanted old Joe back right away, this was very bad news for with out him we cannot work two teams and 126 �the other plow will be useless, and it will be impossible fore one team to do all the fall plowing we had planned. Dad. did not see any thing of Jack while in town so does not know definitely yet. This afternoon they got a load of rails from this side of the east gully fence where we hope to put up a wire one next spring. They also took the plow out there and unloaded it. Vyse's three horses were on the road this morning and came into our lane, Dad. told him on his way down town so he and little Frank came after them. Allan Law was in tonight and Dad. paid him for thrashing. He told us that Jack Philips was very dangerously ill with Typhoid fever. Dick got home fairly early to-night, with the mail - and the news that Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Lynch are the proud parents of another boy. Dad. heard in town today that some "public spirited citizens of Port Dover are canvassing the town with a petition to have Jack Walker's picture show classed as a public nuisance. Fine & windy, everything very wet. Sunday October 26th Frank went to church and Sunday school, but was the only member of the family who did. I sat around all day and read. the "Literary Digest" for this week, through completely. This after noon the whole family except me went down to wish Lila a happy birthday. Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down but the latter was too sleepy to enjoy him self, so they didn't stay long but the boys stayed to tea. Jack Walker came over while they were gone and got old Joe, he says he has to have him now as the coal is coming in and one team can't stand it; he says he thinks he could make a dicker with Dad. for him, but as he seems to think old Joe worth $100. I think it very doubtful as Dad wouldn't give more than fifty for him. It has been fair cloudy and raw all day. Monday October 27th Dad. plowed with Harry & Belle all day and got on pretty well, after I got all the chores done up, I started to pick the spies but didn't get on very fast before dinner. It took me all the after noon to get the rest of the spies and there isn't so very many and they are not sorted yet, I also picked all the Kings but there were only fifteen of them on the tree, I got thirteen of them, one fell off and I bruised another knocking it off with a stick. Tonight Frank and I went down to the concert given by a travelling company for the band - and had a good time, there was a ventriloquist with them who was good, as well as an elocutionist and tenor. They had a dance afterwards and Dick and I stayed till it was over I got home about half past one and Dick a little later as he went home with some girls. Frank waited till it was nearly over but was asleep when I got home. Mr. Hodge came over with the tax notices this 127 �morning, they are just about the same as last year. It has been cloudy and threatening all day, and just as I got home to-night I felt a drop or two. Tuesday October 28th When I got up about seven o'clock this morning it was blowing a gale and raining, so after we did the chores we didn't do much else all day, although it didn't rain long we didn't even get the stables cleaned out. Alfred came over this morning for awhile. This after noon I drove Enah down town this afternoon to have her dress fitted at Mrs. Schram's I also practiced a little on my horn, Cloudy, windy and cold. Wednesday October 29th Dad. plowed all day and is now just half over the oat stubble or just at the pile of stoanes, the top of which just sticks up over the surface of the ground, it took me nearly all day morning to clean out the stables, get in straw and cut wood, but this after noon I picked apples. First I picked up all the good Canada Red's which blew down in night before last's wind, they blew down more than the others, I put them down cellar in one big box I picked an orange crate of Talman Sweets, which wil be enough for us, the pigs will likely get the rest, they are beauties. I also picked what few sweet russets I could but as they seem to grow mostly on very tips of the limbs I had to shake most of them down, there were very few barely an orange crate full. It began to rain about three o'clock and although it didn't rain hard it was very steady and wet through everything I had to go out and help Jonas put up some of the husked corn, the threw down a lot but as it began to rain didn't get it husked we didn't put it up. Mully got into the east end of the gully to-night and jumped the fence and came right up the wheat to the bars. Thursday October 30th Dad. plowed all day and - got on well. Jonas husked all day. I picked apples after I got the chores done. Mrs. McBride was here house cleaning all day so I had to beat carpet at noon. This morning Frank took a sack down to Preston's, and they filled it with potatoes and left it outside the gate, I drove down and got it. Frank went back to look for his turkeys after school, he couldn't find them at their old roost in the gully but he saw R. J. Watson who told him he had seen them Tuesday on the road in front of McQueen's. Dick told us last night that Harry Dyer fell off a scaffold yesterday and broke his ankle. It has been sharper to-day, and rained a little this afternoon. Dad. should have gone down to a school board meeting to-night but it is raining and dark so he isn't going 128 �Friday October 31st It froze quite hard last night and snowed a little. Robert John Watson came over this morning just as Dad was getting out to work to get his heifer which had got in with our cows, as I was just going back to fix the fence where Mully and Jim got into the back field where we burned off the grass, I went with him to help him get her home, she was very quiet, so we had no trouble in driving her but it took us all morning to get her to stay on Robert John's place, we got her into Ivey's place but she jumped through the old fence back into our gully, then we drove up along the woods into John Wesse's back field, then into Robert John's field then into his gully from where she ran directly back and jumped into Ivey's again, but we didn't have much trouble getting her from there into his gully again where I left him with her, I then drove Mully & Jim out of the field as they had got in while we were chasing the heifer, and made a good fix on the fence, it was a little after twelve when I got back to the house and Dad. was up with the team. This after noon we hauled in two loads of corn fifty-two bushels. Jonas was in the seventh heaven of delighted as he had Jim Law helping him husk. Jim husks about two bushels to Jonas' one and teases the life out of him at the same time. Frank went to look for his turkeys after school to-night, he went to McQueens and Charlie told him there were eight there and had been there with theirs for a month but Frank wasn't sure whether they were his or not and besides there should be eleven and Robert John said he saw that number last Tuesday, on the road, while Sid McBride was doing some other fencing for Robert John they stretched the piece between him and us so we got out of that job. We were reminded of this being Hallowee'n by hearing the school bell ringing to-night. Tiddums was playing on our bed with some blocks this after noon and crawled off the edge and gave himself a bad bump on his head and cut his eye quite badly, he was up on his hands and knees when Enah found him. Cold and windy all day, two short but blinding snow storms, one this morning, the worst one this after noon. Saturday November 1st It froze the ground so hard last night that we couldn't haul corn as we intended so Dad. plowed all morning. Frank went after his turkeys and got home with nine of them about noon They were over at McQueens and he thinks the other two must have been shot. I did chores and cleaned some of the boards out of the old shed by the cow stable and piled them in the corner of the barn. I finished the job after dinner while Dad. and Frank went down town, they took some oats to the mill to be chopped. and went on down town to get the mail and some provisions. When they got back about four we all three went out and got 129 �the soft corn out of the field. There was nearly a waggon box full of it and it was just about dark when we got up so we just hauled it in on the barn floor. Just as we were starting for the corn field Jonas came along and told Dad. he would like some money. Dad. wanted him to wait till we got the load in but Jonas wanted it right away so Dad went itno the house to get it. Just as he went in he told Jonas he was a darned old nuisance and that he would sooner have a boil on his ear (or words to that effect) than have him around. This Jonas considered an insult and started off for home declaring that he would take no money nor husk any more corn, by the time Dad. came out he was half way home, but Frank went after him and prevailed on him to take the money, he is still pretty mad though. It has been very windy but not very cold all day. Sunday November 2nd Frank went down to church and Sunday school, nobody else went down this morning. Mr. Buck came over and got Dad to go down and see his cow which he thought was sick but which was quite well when Dad got there. I did chores and Dick slept till dinner. This after noon Mr. Brirely came over and stayed - quite awhile - and to-night Dad. and I went down to church, Dick was down to Huby's to tea, and went to church after wards. We stopped in at Huby's on our way down and took him the "Every body's Magazines" that Aunty Alice has been sending us all year. He said he might be over to husk corn to-morrow. This has been a day of disaster, when Dad. first went out this morning he found one of his pigs all in and the others going for it. He carried it over to the barn and later came to the conclusion that its leg was broken up in the "ham" so will have to kill it to-morrow. He also found the old gobbler sick and diagnosed the case as black-head, he died this afternoon. Enah considered he was worth five dollars. Then we noticed a big hard lump under Queenie's jaw to-night which Dad. says is very like distemper although she has no cough I noticed a small lump there some time ago but thought nothing of it. Lovely day much milder Monday November 3rd I didn't do any chores before breakfast but wrote to Aunty instead. After break fast I did up all the chores and about half past eleven went out and plowed a little, Huby came over with his gun before dinner but didn't get a shot at any thing, old Jonas came back again and he & Huby husked all the after noon and got on well. Tom. Abbot said this morning that he might get one of the Bush's to come up and help husk for us. Dad. and I both went out after dinner, and he made two or three strike outs, and then went up to kill his poor little broken legged pig and I kept on plowing we will soon have the oat stubble plowed. Dad. hated to kill 130 �his pig but got forty pounds of dressed pork from him besides the {johcluts?}. Jonas came over to-night, he is afraid the money that he sent to Tildson bouy, has gone astray, but Dad. assured him that he wouldn't lose it as he has the receit of his bank money order, he also gave us quite an entertainment on the mouth organ. It was a lovely morning but has been cloudy and rainy all the afternoon Tuesday November 4th Dad. plowed all day to-day and is nearly over the road fence, I did chores this morning and transplanted the peony roots which I put in the garden the day Walter went away. This after noon I pulled all the carrots and beets and nearly all the onions, we piled the carrots and beets in a pile to-night and covered them for fear of frost, there were 6 1/2 bus. of carrots, what we have eaten so far would I think make 7, a yield at the rate of 784.1 busels to the acre. and 4 big bushels of beets on not half the ammont of ground as the carrots were on or a yield of 1102.78 bushels to the acre.* The onions were small and a lot of them soft, I just got a small basket full of them and there is another line to dig yet. Huby has husked all day and Jonas was here all moring but just got here in time to husk a couple of bushels before dark. Huby got a shot at a black duck in one of the holes in the timothy field but was too faraway, he was afraid he scared them away but they were back this after noon but did not light although he scattered some corn in the swail hole. Dick got home to tea to-night for a change. Cloudy and cold all day looks rainy. *These figures are according to my calculations and may not be absolutely correct Wednesday November 5th Frank caught a skunk under the cow stable in the trap he set last night. He and Tige are next to impossible to live with. He drove all the kids in school about crazy to-day. The cow stable was so thick aired that it tainted the cream. He skinned him to-night, he says it isn't a very good skin as there is too much white on it. Dad. plowed all day and finished the oat stubble. I went out with him at noon and we put on a load of rails from the gully fence and he hauled them up before he backed to the plow. I unloaded the load of soft corn that was on the waggon (21 bus) this morning and this after noon I unloaded rhe rails, cut some of them up and sorted the Northern Spys. Huby and Jonas husked all day. It froze quite hard last night but has been a beautiful day. Frank sent his Meccano outfit down for Cecil Lamb to play with. Thursday November 6th 131 �Dad. set off as soon as he could for Dunkin's with the ram this morning, he took Harry and Belle - and didn't get back till a quarter past two. He brought the imported ram back with him. I started to clean out a canal between one of the water holes in the timothy sod to the one in the oat stubble with the tile under in, I got it pretty well started, but found it would take a very deep ditch to carry it, and as the clay was so stiff I didn't get on very fast, I stopped when Dad. came home to help him unload the ram. and he said there was no use trying to plow the timothy sod this fall. as it is impossible to plow either through or around the water holes and it will waste too much time digging ditches between them so he is going to start on the other side of the gully. D. O. to-morrow and we will try to put tile in there after it freezes up. Huby husked all day but Jonas was only here for an hour or so at noon he has been sick with "information" all day, Huby says he wept bitterly out there for awhile, and then went to see the doctor. Beautiful day. Huby says it is Indian Summer and it certainly looks like it. Friday November 7th We got out good and early this morning as it didn't freeze at all last night. Dad took the new plow back over the gully and started to plow the field which we cut clover seed off. We got a good day in. Huby was over at seven o'clock this morning and got a full day in, although Jonas never showe up all day. I helped him all the after noon. This morning I carried all the apples and vegetables down cellar. Lila came over after school to stay all night. Enah and Tiddums went down to see Cousin Clare who came yesterday. Cars. Rankin came over this after noon and took the light saddle and bridle which I am positive I bought from Dick last spring, but Dick evidently thinks he owns them as he sold them to Cars. for six dollars, I don't want tho the saddle particularly only if I have paid for them I would like the money. It has been a beautiful day; mild and sunny but is raining to-night. Saturday November 8th It rained all night and has kept up a steady and soaking in down pour all day with short intervals of no rain but no sunshine at all. After I did up the chores this morning I came in and chopped suet, cleaned lamp chimney's, and tidyed up all the papers which were stacked all around the kitchen. Dad. spent the whole morning in opening up ditches in the field he has plowed, he also paced it off and found it is nearly 10 acres. Frank cleaned the windows in the kitchen and played with Lila. This afternoon we did chores, I read a little and cut a little wood, about four o'clock Arthur Preston came over to inform us that they had our potatoes all and bagged up and could we could get them any time, so Dad. hooked up 132 �Joe and Ginger and we went after them. we took Lila down to the corner with us and she walked on home. We got 24 bushels of potatoes and they were 60 cts a bushel Joe & Ginger were feeling pretty good as Joe hasn't been hooked up for over a week and Ginger all summer. Joe was glad to get beside Ginger again and "kissed" her profusely. We saw Jonas on our way home, he looks pretty sick and says the doctor told him he had acute indigestion. Sunday November 9th Soon after I got up this morning it began to snow although quite mild not having frozen all night. It turned to rain about noon and kept up all the after noon with increasing severity, and to-night is terrific, but the snow has nearly all disappeared. Frank went down to church and Sunday school but the rest of us hardly went out of the house, except for Dad. and I to do chores, and this after noon Frank and Dad. went out and drove the sheep from the orchard to the shed at the hay barn. Dad. also opened the smoke house door to afford shelter for the old sow, she took advantage of it, and soon made a bed out of the alsike chaff he put in for her, taking the precaution to root the bricks from around the edge into the middle of it. Dad. and Frank also moved Frank's pigs from the old shed where they were about submerged to the barn floor which was dry. Dad. didn't milk to-night and didn't put any of the cows in thinking it would be warmer out around the stack and in the shed than in their stable as the wind coming in above the old barn doors which space has not been boarded up since we thrashed makes it cold and draughty. I read "The Wonders of Science in Modern Life" nearly all day. Dick slept most of the morning, had a bath, this afternoon, wrote to Aunty read and played checkers with Frank. Monday November 10th Soon after breakfast this morning, I went down and got Huby to come over and help up move the cook stove from the woodshed to the inside kitchen, Dad had it all ready to move when we got here so it didn't take long to move it Huby went back home together to dinner As Dad put the little stove up in the dining room as soon as he took it out of the kitchen it was well past into the after noon when he got both stoves set up and late when we had dinner. After dinner I went down town and got some groceries, but didn't stay long. I read the rest of the time. The old sow broke out of the orchard last night and she and the sheep have been roaming at liberty all day. Art. Walker & Charlie Butler were in with, the cream, can, check and butter saving Tom a trip, the check was $2.47 which was better than we expected as we have sent so little cream and bought all the butter there. It looks as if 133 �winter had set in. It has been freezing quite hard all day and snowing with a strong and very cold wind. Tuesday November 11th I cut a good big pile of wood this morning while Dad. was doing chores, we then went out and tore down quite a strip of the gully fence intending to haul it in this afternoon. Huby came over to husk corn soon after dinner. As it snowed most of the afternoon Dad thought he would not take the team out to haul the rails so we pitched off the load of clover seed instead. Dad also shovelled down to see if he could find the hole in the oat bin through which all the grain is escaping, but could find no sign of it. About four Dad. and I went out and helped Huby husk and stayed till a little after five and got four unhusked shocks husked. It was mighty inclement out there but Huby had a very comfortable wind breake constructed of sheaves. Frank went to see Jonas to-night and says he is worrying terribly about everything, he wants Frank to feed his mare & colt a little hay and chop once a day, I suppose he expects them to live at that rate I started to practice on my horn to-night but found the little nib broken off the second valve. Toaty has fixed it on twice already, so I don't think it is much use taking it to him again. It was nice and sunny this morning but turned cloudy and snowed all the afternoon, cold and windy all day. Wednesday November 12th Huby came over at seven o'clock this morning and husked corn all day, we both went out and helped him as soon as we could so got quite a lot done. Dad. had to go down to Flemming's at noon to see Chris Quanbury's cow which has some swelling on its jaw. I went down town after supper to get some groceries, foot wear and my hair cut, Andrews was closed but I did the rest of my errands and took the valve of my horn to Toatys again for repairs. Walt said if I sent it to Whaley Royce & co. it might be three weeks before I could get it again. I went up to the bank and waited there for an hour or two for Dick, he got back from the moving picture show about a quarter to ten and then worked awhile, Hazen was there when I went literally "stripped to the waist" looking for a mistake they made or have been looking for for about a week. Hazen & Wiggins were looking for it when we left. I decorated Hazen's photo-graph album a little while I was there. Tupper was here while I was in town and wants one of us to go and thrash to-morrow. He ran a nail in his hand, and is just about laid up with it. Very much milder to-day, would have been perfect Indian Summer, but for a cold wind 134 �Thursday November 13th It was raining when we got up this morning so we did not hurry to get over to Tupper's. After breakfast it did let up for awhile so I went, it soon began to rain again and we didn't do a thing all morning, except talk, it is the most amusing, entertaining and typical conversation when Bill Donald, Win. Law and Tupper get to-gether. I stayed to dinner and we thrashed all the afternoon as it cleared off quite fine. I came home as far as the corner with Win Law who was driving to town Tupper will have about 60 bushels of alsike seed when he gets through some of it pretty good, he sold it to Green's man to-day for 8.50 cleaned up, he has a very sore hand where he ran the nail in it. I have to go back to morrow. Huby husked corn this after noon Dad said he worked out in all the rain and got the cow stable roof well repaired, and the chicken house roof nearly fixed, both with roofing paper, he also did up all the chores and to-night braided what seed corn we have up Friday November 14th I got over to Tupper's about 8.30 this morning and they had just started when I got there, we finished the alsike just at noon, it was a pretty dirty job even after they put the blower out side before that it was a fright. After dinner we thrashed out his three loads of Hungarian grass with the separator, it didn't take long which was lucky for if it had I for one would have croaked. Art. Walker, Harry & I were in the mow and they had the blower shooting the chaff over our heads, and about as much came back on us as we were pitching out, and the air was full of it. While they ran the separator out and the clover mill in from the far barn I crawled over in the clover seed to enjoy a few minutes rest, there were only three loads of clover seed and it took an hour and forty minutes to finish it up. I spent that short time in agony. For some reason or other all the muscles in my backe and legs ached horribly and I thought they would never throw up the last forkful, I was pitching on the table to Art. Walker. We got through about five and I lit out for home before supper, after they had indulged in a very prolonged and ragtimey whistle to express their joy at being through with that job as they have been there over a week I think. On my way home I came on Sam. and his out fit at the foot of the big hill at the side road, the old engine evidently wouldn't go uphill without sliding so they were just putting the big calks on the wheels. They only had half enoug for one wheel whih caused it to slide twice as much as the other and was hard to hold the front wheels in the middle of the road. It was dark when I got to the cornfield but I saw old Nig. in there and after a little hunting found Huby. and waited there with him till six, when I got to the house I was about ready to drop with cold and fatigue so crawled up as close to the stove as possible, I went to bed right after tea. I 135 �guess Dad. put in a busy day, he finishd fixing the hen house roof, hauled in two loads of rails and a jag of corn. Huby husked from the middle of the forenoon on till six. This storm has been awful in Western Ontario and on the Upper Lakes especially Lake Huron. Over twenty wrecks and over three hunderd lives lost according to the papers which are full of it. We know old Quint is safe though as the Algonquin was reported at Port Coulborne on Monday I think he he has to make one more trip to Montreal before he goes up the lakes, after wheat, that will be the last of the season. In spite of the beautiful night last night it was raining when we got up this morning, but it soon cleared off bright, and is clear and cold to night. Saturday November 15th We have had a busy day to-day. Huby was over at day break and went back first thing to the gully to see if he could get a shot at a duck, when he got to the top of the gully, he saw one a little way up from where he was but thought he saw another closer so crept up on it, he heard the one up the creek fly but thought he was sure of this one, as it didn't fly till he got so close to it and then discovered it to be a muskrat, he didn't shoot it at such close range for fear of spoiling its skin so came back empty handed and went to husking corn. It was frozen stiff early so we thought it an extra good chance to get in the corn, we put off the jag (18 bush) which Dad. got in yesterday and got in three more before noon averaging 25 bushels apiece. Huby helped us while we were in the field and then went back to husking, so with Frank we got on fast. We brought the soft corn in at the same time in the back of the load it ran about five bushels to the load and we put it up above the pig pent. After dinner Dad. and Frank had to go down town to get coal oil, flour and do some other errands, which took up a lot of valuable time, I cleaned out the horse stables and got bed in while they were gone, but when they got back it was snowing, however they got in two more loads, the last one of which they ran into the barn. I only helped get in part of the first load as the sheep got out on the wheat so I stopped to put them in and the last load I spent in putting the cows in and feeding them. Lila came over this morning and went back with Huby to-night. Sunday November 16th We got up very late this morning and Frank went to church and Sunday school and came around by McBains to tend to Jonas's horses. He says Jonas is worse to-day. "The indigestion has gone down on his lungs," poor fellow is in bad shape. Dad. and I went down to see Chris Quanbury's cow after we did up the chores but as neither Chris nor Mr. 136 �Flemming were home and the cow was out, Dad. couldn't see much. We saw Jack Spain and Vyse on the latter's place and had a talk with them principally about the wrecks on the lake. Vyse says they are getting up a fund to help the widows and orphans of the drowned sailors. This after noon Huby came over with a fish and an awful pile of side line which Dave. Law had given him to make a line for digging our ditch, all the string where the nets were fastened has to be taken off. He and I then went back to the gully where we fell in with Frank who had previously gone back with his book "Trappers Guide" which he got from John {Hallam?}, it is the first thing in the literature line he has ever showed any interest in. Huby scattered corn all along the creek to coax the ducks and then we went back into the woods we saw one rabbit but Huby didn't get a shot at it, he got a lot of moss and ferns and a small bird's nest which he says he is going to use for a burnt match receptacle. Dick went down town this after noon, stayed to tea at Huby's, went to church and came home right after, he and I then made so much noise that Tiddums and Dad. had much difficulty one in staying asleep and the other in writing a letter to Aunty. Cloudy and raw. Monday November 17th Dad. and I unloaded the load of corn they ran in on the barn floor, Saturday night, it took a very long time as we had to sorted it out of the waggon, we then went after another load. and got it unloaded a little after noon. Huby helped us load and un- load it as the corncrib is getting so full, that I had to stay in there to dump the bushels as far back as possible. This load took nearly all the good there is husked, there is not a load out there now. This after noon Dad. started plowing again over the gully. I cleaned out the cow stables and then helped Huby husk corn till dark. Cold and cloudy with raw wind. Tuesday November 18th Dad. plowed all day and got on fairly well. Mr. Blaikie came back and had a visit with him this afternoon. I did chores this morning - and braided some corn. I am going to have the drive house beautifully decorated with seed corn when I get it all braided. We were disappointed that Huby didn't show up all morning we don't know just why, but he came over at noon and he and I husked till about five o'clock it was nearly dark then. we got just five shocks husked, Jonas came over this morning, we don't know what his message was, he looks pretty sick and hardly talks above a whisper, but I think that is because he doesn't want to more than because he can't, the old jay has bought eight pigs and has nothing to feed them and is paying a man $2.00 a day to finish building his barn to shelter them. It has been a 137 �very disaguable day, very foggy cloudy and a fine drizzle, one quite hard shower this after noon. DIARY. 1913 T B Barrett, Port Dover, Ontario The Farm From November 19th 1913 to December 31st 1913. Wednesday November 19th 1913. Dad and I got up pretty early this morning and I braided some corn before breakfast. Huby came over but instead of husking this morning he helped me pick up apples for cider, I shook them down and he gathered them up and carried them over to the waggon which was in the lane as it was too soft to take it into the orchard. There were just enough apples left in the orchard to make the waggon-box full (26 bus) and we took them all except a bushel of Newton Pippins which I picked to put down cellar. Dad thinks we will have too many but Huby and I thought it best to be on the safe side, as we have Huby's two 10 gallon kegs to fill this time besides our 42 gallon barrel. We also scalded out the barrel and kegs, and hung up the braided corn in the drive house, we didn't finish the apples till half past two this afternoon, and then I picked the Newton Pippins cut wood and did chores till six, Huby husked corn till after dark, and just about when I was thinking of going out to see if any thing had happened to him, he came in drenched to the skin, he said he just wanted to finish the shock. He killed one of the drakes after dinner, he is going to get another later. Dad plowed all day and to night had to go down to a school board meeting although it is a fierce night. I spent the evening braiding a long rope of seed corn. It has been cloudy and raining all day, not steadily nor hard but a kind of half hearted drizzle about every ten minutes, till about five o'clock to-night when it more than poured down and soaked Huby who stayed out in it to finish his shock. Every thing is covered in water. Dad. got back early from the school meeting, we don't know whether Dick will be home to night or not. Thursday November 20th Dad and I left a little after nine for Walker Waddle's with our apples and got home about one. We had lots of apples, he said he could have filled another keg. He said one bushel of 138 �good apples would make about three gallons of cider. and that the sweet ones mixed in with the others would just make the cider right. We drove around by town coming home and left Hubys two kegs down there. Huby was wheeling Tiddums around the yard when we got home so he helped us get the big barrel into the woodshed. This after noon Dad. drove Enah down town this after. She went to Mrs. Francis Henry Stringer's At Home with Aunty Maude while Dad. kept Tiddums in at Cousin Clare's. Clark Matthew's came over while they were gone and got eight more bushels of oats and four bushels of wheat. He paid me ten dollars for what he got to-day and eight bushels of oats he got the other day. The oats were 35 cts and the wheat 82 cts a bushel. I couldn't find any change in the house for him. I spent the rest of the after noon doing chores. Dad & Enah didn't get back till after six. Huby husked corn all day but says he won't be over in the morning as he has some insurance to look after. We saw Ed. today at noon and he said he would be over to help us on Saturday. They are working short time in the mill now for some reason or other, they only work from eight to five week days and not at all on Saturday. We saw old Jonas when we went past this morning, he looks awful but thinks maybe he will pull through, he wanted {so---?} for his pigs and Dad. said if he had time he would bring him some, we left Tupper talking to him, he may cheer him up a little. Tupper told us he had fired Harry as he was no earthly good to him. It has been a beautiful day, it was quite hot this morning while the sun was shining. Friday November 21st Tiddums broke one of the springs in his buggy this morning and as Dick didn't want to take it down I had to take it to Buller to see if he could fix it, he wasn't very sure about making a good job of it. When I got back I went over the gully where Dad. was plowing and threw the sod out of the ditches till noon. Dad. plowed all day and got a nice lot done. Huby didn't come over till noon and brought us a new dog, named Blucher.. He is a great big yellow Scotch Collie with a white collar and face, he is a pretty dog and only nine months old which Huby says is the proper time to train him He got him from Bob. Rankin and just paid the taxes on him. Huby says he will train him all he can as soon as he gets so as he will stay here loose and not run to town.. I did up all the chores after dinner and then helped Huby husk corn. Dad. was afraid the corn in the crib was getting musty but I dug into it a little and didn't think it looked bad. Mr. Brirely was over to-night to buy a couple of ducks he is going to get them tomorrow night. It has been a lovely, sunny mild day like spring. It rained last night during the night. Saturday November 22nd 139 �This morning Ed. came over about eight o'clock so he, Huby and I husked corn till noon and got about seventeen shocks husked. Huby went home for dinner as he said he had some more insurance to see to this afternoon so couldn't come over. Ed. and I spent the after noon tearing down the old windmill, and by to-night Ed. had it all down but the first section and it wont take long to finish it. Getting the big heavy head to the ground with out hurting any thing or ourselves was the most ticlish job but we managed all right with a rope and pulley. This morning Dad. and Frank hauled Uncle Ward his ten bushels of corn and Jonas' eleven bushels of soft corn right out of the field. I think he is getting 35 cts a bushel for the good and 20 cts for the poor stuff. He said they dumped Jonas' right in one corner of the house which was in such an unsanitary and uninhabitable a condition as to make Dad sick for the rest of the day, he and Frank saw Allan Law to-night and he was quite uneasy about Jonas as he had told him that he was going to jump in the pond and end his miserable career if he wasn't better or dead in a day or so but I guess he will either forget it or think better of it when the time comes and he sees how wet that pond looks, the poor old fish is in misery though I guess, he looks like it. Dad. and Frank hauled in the rest of the corn that was husked this afternoon, and left it in the waggon box on the barn floor. Dad. and I went down town after tea to-night. I got some stuff and Dad. got his hair cut. Dick came home with us. Mr. Brirely came over to get his ducks to-night. Chris also came over and got a pair. It has been another beautiful mild sunny day windy to-night. Sunday November 23rd Frank went down to Sunday school and church and I drove Enah down to church. Dad. looked after Tiddums and cooked dinner. Dick slept all morning and went down town after dinner and probably to church to-night. This after noon Josie and I had a good ride up the Gravel to the cemetry corner and down the Radical. Frank and Blucher went back to the gully. Dad intended to go to church to-night but didn't get there as he wasted a lot of time going nearly back to the gully thinking he saw the cattle in on the wheat but they were way over on the other side of the gully. and by the time he got settled down he didn't feel like getting fixed up and walking down town through the mud. It has been a nice day with a cold wind. We don't know whether it rained last night or not, Enah is sure she heard it raining in the night and there was a puddle of water on the kitchen floor under the leak, and Frank's coat which he left out all night was wet but the ground and all the boards seemed dry and the ceiling over the pool in the kitchen was perfectly dry. I did a little more drawing tonight. Monday November 24th 140 �I spent the whole day in knocking down the rest of the old wind mill and clearing up the debris. I am not quite through yet. This after noon I had to go back and drive Mully, Jim and Snowdrop out of the east end of the gully into the other end through the bluegrass and field where Dad is plowing which is the way they got in. I took the two dogs with me so had quite a time with the cows. Dad. plowed and Huby husked corn all day. Frank brought Tiddum's carriage back mended to-night and he was tickled to death to see it again, and jump in it althoug the spring is stiffer now than it was. Dick sent away for ten books for me to-day called "The Library of Original Sources" which I saw advertised in the "Literary Digest." It is supposed to be a collection of all the documents which have made history and translated. It cost $35.10 cash. I borrowed the money from Dad. It seems a lot to pay in a bunch, but books are mighty nice things to have especially for the long winter evenings on the farm. I suppose if I was town, the same ammount would dribble out in nickels and dimes in the course of a year. Dad. had to go to a school board meeting to-night and Frank went down with him to see the moving picture show. I guess I'll draw a little. It has been colder and very windy with two or three blinding but short snow squalls. Tuesday November 25th After I did the chores up this morning I helped Huby husk all day and by to-night we had only twelve shocks left to husk, we think under favorable circumstances we will be able to finish it to-morrow. Dad. plowed all day and he is nearly through with that field. John Wess was over talking to him for a long time this morning, telling him about his barn roof. He hasn't paid for it because he is not satisfied and the company are going to sue him. Jonas was over for awhile at noon, he wants Frank to cut wood for him as the doctor has forbidden him to do it. Old Nig and Bluch got into a scrap this morning. Nig got jealous because Huby threw Bleuch a corn cob to retrieve after letting Nig do it several times and he piled right into Bleuch who would have killed him pretty quickly if Huby had not separated them, he couldn't keep Nig off till he kicked him in the jaw, this broke poor Nig's heart and he was sulky the rest of the morning, his little scrap cleared his old white eye up wonderfully except a little white spot in the middle. Cars. Rankin rode over to-night to see Bleuch, who knew him afar off and was crazy to go back with him, Cars says he will bring the saddle back the first time drives over this way. To-nigh Dick and I went down to a dance in the town hall, where we had a good time. I didn't dance much because everytime I got up I would make a worse mess of it than the time before, they quit dancing about one but as they had nothing to eat there Dick, Truman Roadhouse and I went up to Jim Law's lunch counter and had a sanwich apiece after the thing was over, there were quite a few of the 141 �other dancers up there, so we didn't get to bed till about two o'clock. It has been bright and sunny all day but a cold breeze, to-night it was drizzling when we came home Wednesday November 26th It looked so rainy this morning that insted of plowing Dad. hauled in the rest of the good corn that was husked. It took us till noon as we had to unload the other load that was on the waggon and Dad. also fixed a couple of old crates. We just left this load on the waggon. Huby didn't come over till noon as he thought it was going to rain I helped him this afternoon but we didn't quite finish as there are four more shocks to husk yet. I was cold and didn't husk fast at all. Dad. plowed all the after noon and has now finished all the field but the head lands, he was delayed as he had to chase the cattle out of the field where we burned the grass off. To-night Frank went down to Confirmation class and I spent the evening writing this and sleeping alternately. Very cloudy all day, drizzled a little but nothing to speak of Thursday November 27th Huby told us he wouldn't be over till about ten o'clock this morning as he was going to get us a long handled shovel to start ditching with. I cut wood and then went back and turned the cattle out of the alsike stubble, when I got back Huby wasn't here so I went out and got two shocks nearly husked by noon. Huby came over to dinner and he and I finished up the corn soon after dinner, we then took Nig, Bluch, and the shotgun back to the woods, we let Bluch loose back there and he behaved excellently, never going far away from us, Huby shot the gun off once accidentally and once on purpose to see what he would do and he wasn't at all frightened, so Huby says there is no danger of him ever being gun-shy now, we didn't get a shot at any thing and got back about four, we chained Bluch up again when we got home. Dad. finished plowing his field at noon and this after noon did chores and raked the overhanging parts all off the stack. Dick told us that Jack Philips died last night Amy Turner was over to-day collecting for the Bible Society. It has been cold and a raw east wind all day. Friday November 28th We didn't get very much done to-day although we were up good and early. We went back and put the cattle out of the east end of the gully and the plowed field and fixed the fence so that they will have to stay out, we think. When we came up we braided all the rest of the seed corn and I hung it up in the drive-house after dinner, it certainly looks nice. I have 142 �driven nails just fifteen inches apart in the back four joists in the drive house, from the south wall over to the cross beam, there are just nine nails in each joist, on the back one I hung nine bunches with twenty or twenty five ears in each, it would look better if they were all the same, about twenty five ears to each, they can hang lower than the corn in front of them on account of being behind the buggy top and they just set the other off. The three front rows I braided into long ropes it would have been too heavy to handle to have braided a rope long enough to hang on the whole nine nails, so I made two ropes for each joist one seventy five inches long which hung on six of the nails and one thirty inches long to hang on three of the nails I tied a loop of binder twine every fifteen inches along the rope and at each end to hang them by, so the weight of the corn just sagged the rope enough between the strings to form a graceful loop. It might have looked better if I had made the two ropes even lengths for each joist say forty five inches long so one would take four nails and leave a row of nails down the middle on this row might be hung short bundles like those at the back only shorter so not to touch the buggy top. After I got through we unloaded the corn that was on the waggon it was a big load, I think there was twenty eight bushels on After this we went and got the last load from the field, it was mostly poor stuff but a big load it was all we could do to pile the last of it on so as it would stay, it was too late to unload it so we don't know how much there was on To-night I went down to the bankquet in the Sunday school for the men of the church. Dick and Dad were invited but neither of them went. Frank went down to help the ladies. There were two speakers from out of town, one Mr. King of Simcoe and the other Mr. Noble from Hamilton, speaking on "The Layman's Missionary Movement". There was a good many there. Huby came over at noon but didn't feel like working so took Bluch back to the woods, he didn't shoot any thing but an owl. Bluch has been running around here loose a good part of the day. It has been very cloudy all day, but not at all cold, looks stormy. Saturday November 29th Dad. took the plow out and opened out some ditches in the corn stubble this morning and Huby cleaned them out, if it stays fine a little longer we hope to get that plowed yet. I cut a little of the stack while he was out and when he came in, he hooked on to the hay rack and we went out and hauled in some corn stalks. Huby helped pitch on and Frank helped Dad. load so we got in two jags before dinner leaving the second load on the waggon, we didn't haul much at a time as they were a little damp. When they came in with the first load while I was opening the gate, they ran over Frank's smallest pig with both wheels of the waggon; just above the hips, so Dad. had to kill the poor little fellow, he only dressed 30 lbs. Huby 143 �went down town this afternoon but Ed. came over, he put in the after noon fixing up the old house, he put in a window casing to fit two old frames we had, he made it on the north side where we hope to have the bench, he patched the floor and took the siding off the south side which is the wall to the ice house and boarded it up part way with inch stuff so that we can fill the space with saw dust. Dad. had to go down town this after noon to interview the Council and get a rebate of three dollars on his taxes as they charged him four dollars for one doz. I supposed the mistake happened when Edmund England was assessing last spring Ed. {Aiker's?} dog was here Ham Thompson was in this morning to see Dad. about a sick cow. and Mr. Oliver {Theshell?} from Vittoria was here this afternoon to get the recipe of some blister which Dad. told him about for ring bone and he forgot it. It was cloudy and a heavy mist all morning but fine and bright this afternoon, cold wind all day. Sunday November 30th Frank was the only member of the family who went to church this morning. I was too late to get ready so started a letter to Aunty but haven't finished it yet. Ham. Thompson's man came after Dad. to go and see his sick cow. Dad. was gone till noon, and drove Ham's man home to dinner and then went back and spent the whole after noon, he feels rather sick tonight. Enah and Tiddums and I drove out to Jim Waddle's this after noon, Jim had gone to town after some bread but the rest of the family was home. We were there quite awhile. Tiddums got hungry and ate up nearly all the bread they had in the house and drank a lot of milk, we got home about dark. Frank went back to the gully and took Blucher back, he came up and got some traps and set them. Dick went down town. I went to church to-night and came home with Dick who was there. Beautiful day, sunny and mild Monday December 1st Huby came over this morning and we hauled cornstalks all day, we had to unload the load in the barn first thing so didn't get a very early start, as the barn was as full as we wanted to put it, we didn't haul any more in but put up some huge shocks on the clover sod, just near the corner of the orchard, we put up six of these big shocks with an average of five shocks in each one, we binded them all up tight with a sling rope before we bound them with sideline or binder twine. we built a small shock on the top of one and think we will top them all out as it will keep the water out much better, we have the field more than half cleared and hope to finish to-morrow if it is a nice day. Blucher was out there with us this after noon and the three dogs did away with three or four big rats and a number of mice. He minds Huby pretty well when he says "Come in" but not so well when he is excited as he 144 �chased both Fitz and the sheep. Old Mr Rankin was over to see if he could get some corn but Dad. told him he wasn't going to sell any more. Huby brought word over this morning that Tom Casper and Toad Long wanted some. Toad sent the money so he will have to get his and Charlie Law will have to have his but we need the rest. John Quanbury was over this evening to see about us subscribing to the church Dad. gave him a little more than he has been giving and I put in a little. Aunty Maude got a card from Quint to-day saying he would be home on Friday. We got a letter from Aunty to-day saying Uncle Hal was pretty sick, having had some kind of a stroke. Mrs. McBride has been here all day, washing. It has been another lovely day cloudy but very mild. Tuesday December 2nd We hauled cornstalks all day and built five more big shocks and topped out two more, we intended to top them all out but found it took to much time. There is just about enough left out there to make another shock and haul a load in the barn. Nig didn't come over to-day but the other dogs caught more rats. Huby gave Bluch another lesson this morning on "Come in" and also to come to heel, he took him in with the sheep and when Bluch came beyond his leg he hit him in the face with a swich and say "heel", it didn't take Bluch long to know what he meant and not bother with the sheep. We had a very entertaining visitation this after noon from three kids. Jimmy Rankin, Jimmy Dickerson and Bobby Low. The two Jimmys were about six or seven and Bobby a year or so younger. They came over to see Bluch and Jimmy Rankin who was spokesman for the party told Huby that May wanted him to steal him and bring him home. He was showing us how he had Bluch trained. He could make him sit still by holding his fore finger up right in front of the dog's eye and then sternly interrogate him "See that finger?" They came through the orchard and scared the sheep so Huby easily persuaded them not to go back that way as the old ram and the old sow hid around to-gether watching for little boys, the old ram knocked them down and the old sow came right after him and ate them up, she was just finishing the little fellow they got this morning. Jimmy happened to mention that some one had been stealing their clothes off the line, so Huby told him that as old Tige Anderson had been so keen for them to get rid of Bluch, there was - no doubt that he stole the clothes and Huby also told them that he caught him once stealing his clothes, and got the shot gun to shoot him but when he came out he was gone. Jim. then rembered seeing Tige with one of his father's shirts on and Jimmy Dickerson saw him one day stealing their clothes. We took them out to the field and they were just preparing for an exciting rat hunt when Bobby got home sick and the other boys had to go home with him. After tea I went down town to meet Louise. The train wasn't 145 �in when I first went there so I walked up town met Hazen, and went into Waddle's store with him, when I came out I heard the train in so started of down street lickety larup, on my way I ran into a very small boy and knocked him flat. I thought he was killed but on picking him up found it to be Jimmy Rankin and had just hurt his knee. Dick was at the station and met Louise and went up to Hubys with her where I met them and walked home with Louise. Dick had to go back to work. Frank went down to some cadet organization of Harry Noon's. They got a card from Aunty saying Uncle Hal. was worse. Anothe nice day cloudy & mild. Wednesday December 3rd Huby didn't get over very early this morning and as old West came over to see if he could get some corn, we didn't get a very early start. Old West is about the worst blow I ever heard I guess Bill. Cooper comes by his lying streak honestly. He was telling all the wonder full stunts he performed when he was young. and he is now nealy 91 and willing to bet any man of his own age ten dollars that he cant beat them in a fast race "wrastle" or fight. He went back the lane from here to John Wess to look for corn and Huby and I saw him down town aparently working at Mrs. Fawcetts house this afternoon. Dad. and I went out and got one load of stalks, and built a shock, then Huby came over and we got the last load up to the barn a little before noon This after noon Huby and I took Joe and Ginger down town and delivered the corn we promised we also had to unload the soft corn which was in the waggon. As near as I can estimate we had about four hundred and forty two bushels of corn, we have about 317 bushels in the crib which wouldn't hold much more than twenty more bushels and then be filled to the top. 82 bus. of soft corn 5 bus. of seed and we have sold 38 bus. Huby and I took Mrs Charlie Law down five bus. and Toad. Long 12 this afternoon at 35 cts a bushel. Jack Martin and Wilson McPherson wanted to get some but we have no more to sell except a little to Uncle Ward. There have been an awful lot after it, we could have sold the whole crop if we had wanted to. Huby and I picked up Jimmy Rankin when we were down there and brought him back with us but he got cold. Dad. started to plow the corn ground when we left but said he couldn't get on well at all with the Peter Hamilton plow as it would turn the furrow over to stay, so when we got home we went back over the gully and got the Cockshutt, which worked much better. After this Huby raked down the stack when we put the horses in and I carried in some bed. It was then dark and Huby took Jim. home. Cousin Clare came over to dinner and Cousin's Loll & Phoebe came over after wards. Uncle Hal. is about the same. Old Tommy Gilles is very ill, not expected to live It has been a lovely day sunny and very mild considering -. Thursday December 4th 146 �After I did chores this morning I went back and threw the sod out of the crossditches in the field Dad. plowed across the gully and Huby shovelled them all out. He ditched all the after noon, but I drove Louise up to the Bowlby's, where she is going to stay till after the opening of St. John's Church. Dick went with us and he and I went on into Simcoe where he got a cap and some collars and I got old 4700's hide it just cost $1.50 to have it tanned and it makes a lovely mat, we put Tiddums on it when we got home but he was afraid of it. We went around to Rus. Lamkin's shop to see him about the wind mill but there was no one there. We got home a little before six. I let Dick out at the head of Main St. as he expected to have to work. He found there was a dance down at the Rankin's so went to it. Joe didn't go well at all on the way up but much better coming home. We wasted a little time by starting to drive up the new Railway survey from the gravel to the next concession but came to a big gully quite a long way up where they hadn't put the culvert in yet so had to retrace our steps. Dad. got a good early start plowing this morning but didn't get much done as he couldn't get the coulter to work. He put the rolling coulter on but couldn't fasten it properly. till Tupper came along and fixed it for him. Cloudy with raw wind. We had no word about Uncle Hal. to-day. Friday December 5th Dad. got another fine start this morning, got out soon after seven and got a nice lot plowed, the corn roots bother a little but every thing else is all right now. I did up about all the chores. Huby came over about nine and wanted to try the hay knife which he sharpened yesterday so we cut a big slipe of the stack, the then went back and shovelled ditches he got pretty well through with the field over the gully and has started in the oat stubble which Dad. plowed next the timothy sod. I went out this morning and tore down a lot more of the old gully fence. Dad. hauled the waggon out there at noon and I loaded it up with rails and he hauled it up to the house to-night. I also worked for a little while at the old house. There was no word from Aunty again to-day. They expected Quint. home to-night but I don't know whether he will get here or not as the last we saw of the Algonquin reported was at Detroit. Beautiful day, sunny and warm. Saturday December 6th Dad. plowed all day but didn't get on very well as it froze hard enough to make the ground sticky when the sun came out and he is in the lowest and wettest part of the field so it was pretty muddy, both he and the horses are tired to-night. After I did up all the chores this morning I gave the hen house a through cleaning and put fresh straw in. I have decided to 147 �take the managership of the hens and see if I can make any thing out of them for Frank doesn't seem to be able to, he evidently thinks there is more money in trapping muskrats, and maybe there is but I don't care for the work. I put some manure on the rose bushes, rhubarb and peonys. This after noon I cleaned up all the chaff and dirt of the hay barn floor and put it over in the chicken yard. Frank did a few chores this morning and spent the rest of the day back in the gully and digging out an empty skunk hole down at the pond on McBains place. Dad. Frank and I caught all the pullets that were rooting around the barn tonight and put them in the chicken yard, there are about 30 white ones besides about a dozen old hens of various breeds. I went to bed soon after tea to-night - bad cold Another nice mild day not so sunny. Sunday December 7th We didn't get up very early this morning and as I had quite a bad cold I didn't go to church. Dick drove Enah down and Dad looked after Tiddums and cooked dinner. Frank went to Sunday school and church, I put in most of the after noon doing chores and shelling corn for my chickens. Dad. helped me. I got two eggs to-day which is a starter. Dick went down town this after noon and stayed pretty late, he bought a very nice looking watch last night for twelve dollars. Dad. and I went down to church to-night. It rained a little last night and this morning and was very mild till noon but then started to snow a little and got steadily colder all the after noon and to-night it is freezing hard with a cold north wind. Monday December 8th I put in most of the day putting in panes in the cow stable window which I had in the house. Dad. worked out in the barn fixing up the empty space between the granary and cow stable for a calf pen, we are going to floor it if we can. We also did chores and shelled a little corn, we found the bushel of soft corn weighed about 40 lbs and when shelled about thirty. Harry Graham and Charlie McKenzie were over this afternoon to get Bob. Miller's corn they took about 10 bushels but didn't measure it very accurately. Charlie said he would take the turkeys at 18 1/2 cts a pound live weight but that I think is higher than is quoted in the 'Globe'. Jonas came over as we were having tea to-night and helped us eat it. He is feeling very much better but looks pretty fishy yet. He is going to try and get the farm up the Radical where Mrs. Cory lived. He was telling us some of his experiences of the road as he evidently was a pedlar at one time. He has heard that Sairy's rich bachelor brother is very ill and I guess he is expecting a little if he drops off. We had a letter from Aunty to-day saying Uncle Hal was still improving and as that was written five days ago we hope he is very much 148 �better by this time. Frank. skinned two muskrats to-night and is now playing checkers with Jonas. It has been snowing and blowing all day - the wind is very cold but the sun was out for awhile and was warm in it and out of the wind. The ground is frozen solid so that there is no chance of plowing. Tuesday December 9th Dad. and I went down town with the waggon this morning and got some groceries and 22 twelve foot plank 10 inches wide to put down in the old barn between the granary and the cowstable and from the door to Dreadnought's stall for a floor to the calf pen, we got home about noon. We met Huby & Quint coming over for a shout they stayed to dinner. Quint. got home yesterday noon, and has a lot to tell if he is asked. We talked to them for quite awhile after dinner but Huby said he had to go back to town this after noon. He said last night just as they were going to bed they heard an awful racket going on and discovered it was a bunch having a shiveree in honor of Gint Rankin who was married about a week ago. Huby and Quint went over and Tom. Low treated the bunch up at Jim's lunch counter where there was a great celebration and concert.. Just as we were going to get to work after Quint and Huby. left, Mr. Blaikie came along to overhaul his {chists?} and stayed till it was time to do chores. He has been helping Tupper plow, he was plowing sod yester day a little and as there is no more sod to plow they can't go on. Mrs. Smythe was in about five to ask Enah and me to stay to dinner at their place on Sunday but I guess we are coming home. I spent quite awhile to-night getting up a time card for the horses. I only got one egg to-day. Frank went down town to-night to go to his cadet class. It has been freezing hard all day but not so windy or cold as yester day. Cloudy pretty much all day. Wednesday December 10th Jonas came over this morning to take the heifers down to the "Bain" place. Dad. had to go with hm and lead the yearling, they didn't have much trouble I guess. Bessie the calf ran away from Jonas once or twice at which he crew bitterly. It rant into Ivey's the first time but came out when it saw Sairy. I cut some wood while Dad. was gone and started to make a hopper for the chickens, and then did chores till noon When Dad. came home he cleaned a couple of chickens. This after noon I read quite awhile and puttyed nearly all the glass in an old window frame which we will use for the barn or old house, the glass was all in it but just fastened with carpet tacks, we didn't get much else done. Green's man was in to-night to buy hay but we don't want to sell any, at least not now. It has been cloudy but very much milder to-day snowed a little to-night. 149 �Thursday December 11th We didn't get any thing but chores done to-day as Mr. Morgan came over this morning and stayed most of the after noon. I ordered some trees from him fifty Carolina Poplars and two English Walnuts. - $9.00 Dick came home to tea to-night and went down to the dance. I didn't go. We fed the sheep a few oats this morning and evening for the first. I didn't get any eggs to-day. It has been nice any sunny but freezing hard all day. Clear and cold to-night. Friday December 12th We did up all the chores this morning and I helped Dad nail the boards over the doors on the south side of the old barn, I also made a littlle more of my feed hopper, and Dad killed three nice chickens and plucked them this afternoon he says he will have to clean them tonight. This after noon I drove Enah down town, and she got a whole buggy load of Christmas groceries and dry goods. I put Joe in at Butler's intending to have her shoes set, but got Butler to fix one of the uprights of the buggy top thinking he would ony be a few minutes, but he put a new piece in and took all the afternoon so than I couldn't have Joe shod. There was a shooting match this after noon and Huby & Quint got quite a bunch of pigeons between them, Huby gave Enah a couple to bring over he also gave her a fish he said he worked down at the fish shanties till midnight last night helping them take fish out of the nets which were in quite a bad mess with the ice. Jonas was over to-night and he and Frank are playing checkers again I think they are about even to night. Jonas beat him two games out of three the other night and Frank is the champion player of this family. It has been very much milder to-day, sunny with strong south west by west wind. Saturday December 13th I went out this morning and tore down a lot more of the gully fence, Dad. cleaned the chickens he killed yesterday and then came out and we put on a load of rails. We unloaded them before dinner and Dad. went down to the mill and got a bag of flour. This after noon we got all the rails I tore down in two loads then did chores. Frank did a few chores and errands and hunted the rest of the day. He shot a skunk back in Robert John's this after noon and when he went up to it found it caught in a trap. He took it all the same, and brought it home and skinned. Lila was over most of the day she said Quint went over to Erie this morning on the tug. It has been a lovely day, sunny and mild, the frost is nearly all out of the ground. I saw some body over in the alsike stubble this morning with a big white ferret, 150 �thinking it might be Quint I went over but found it was Sam. George, he, his father, Harry Burch and Wilson McPherson were all out after rabbits but I didn't hear them shoot much Sunday December 14th Frank went to Sunday school this morning and Enah and I drove up to St. John's. It was the first service in the church since it was burned, but as the Bishop wasn't there they did not dedicate it. The church was packed full and so was the grounds in front I had to tie Joe to a tree but she was all right They had three preacher's. Mr. Evans from Montreal or Ottawa or somewhere down that way, Mr. Edward the regular one and a lay reader. We didn't stay to Communion. After church we drove Louise nearly up to the Bowlby's and then came home by the fourth concession through Lynn Valley, and got home about half past two. Dicky Smith was here after his heifer which he took home this afternoon. I didn't do any thing the rest of the after-noon but shell a little corn and read "The Lady of the Lake." Frank went back to the gully and Dad did chores. Dick didn't get up till noon and then had a {words cut off} his dinner and went down town and is not back yet to-night It barely froze last night and has been thawing all day but was cloudy with a raw west wind. Cars. Rankin and Quint came over with Dick to-night. Quint borrowed Bluch to take to Marburg tomorrow to hunt rabbits. They didn't stay long. Monday December 15th It froze pretty hard last night so Dad. wasnt able to plow as he had hoped. We did chores and Rus. Lampkins drove in soon after breakfast and was here quite awhile till Dad. ordered a windmill, he thought about getting a gasoline engine, and could have got a little 1 1/2 h.p. engine for fifty five dollars but it wouldn't be strong enough to do much more than pump water and one that would do any thing would come about $122. so Dad. thought a $75 windmill would be the best till we get a place rigged to put an engine especially as a wind mill is not nearly as liable to get out of repair as an engine and costs nothing whatever to run it. This after noon Dad. and I took the tank off "The Little Giant Sprayer." to have it ready to put in front of the wind mill, I took the little two cylinder pump down to the ditch and tried it and and it works fine. Quint brought Bluch back, he said he worked all right but they only got one rabbit. Quint stayed all night he slept on the sofa with all his clothes and boots on. He was cutting some wood for us to-night and the saw broke so he spent half the evening repairing it. I drew all evening and have nearly finished the picture Aunty sent me to draw for Aunt {illegible}. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day and she and Enah have our room fixed up slick as a button with a new carpet it looks fine. Frank brought a cedar 151 �waxwing home and put it in the orchard Lloyd Ryersie caught it up at school although there didn't seem anything the matter wth it. It has been a lovely sunny day though freezing in the shade. milder to-night. Tuesday December 16th I went down town as soon after breakfast as possible this morning and got the storm window sash at Stickney's and took them up to Mr James for him to glaze them. I got an old sash down at Huby's than I thought might doo for the barn but it is pretty badly smashed. Huby came home with me and has worked all day opening up ditches in the corn stubble. Dad. plowed all day and except for it being a little sticky on the surface and a frozen clod here and there, the ground is drier and in better shape than before it froze up. He got on fairly well but has part of a day to put in yet. I just did chores this after noon except for a little while I was out in the field. Cousin Clare came over this morning while I was down town and is staying all night. Quint went down with Dick this morning. Very mild but cloudy. Dad. ordered some fence to-night from Sid McBride. Wednesday December 17th Huby was over before daylight this morning and shovelled ditches all morning. This after noon he cleaned out all the loose straw and sticks out of the old barn between the granary and the cow stable. so as we can lay the floor for the calf pen. Dad. plowed all day and finished up the corn stubble all but the head land, he couldn't get along very fast as it froze a little last night to make it sticky on top. I did chores most of the day and helped Huby a little this after noon besides cleaning off the dropping boards in the hen house. Cousin Clare went home this after noon, she is going to Hamilton to-morrow to stay till after New Year's. We heard to-day that Mrs. McBride's house caught on fire last night and some one who just happened along the road got it out. Aleta went down town and left the two little kids nailed in the house and they got playing with a stick which was part way out of the stove. It didn't do much damage Another nice day, windy and inclined to be cloudy. Thursday December 18th I got up a little after four this morning and wrote a letter to Aunty before daylight. Huby put down the floor over in the barn for the calf pen this fore noon and I was over there with him all morning but didn't do very much except clean out the cow stable. Dad. plowed the head land on the corn field and finished up some bits in the other field and plowed out the ditch from the water hole to the gully which Huby is going to put tile in. This after noon Dad. and 152 �Huby cleaned out the ditch for the old drain this after noon they do think it is going to work all right. I put in the entire after noon doing chores. To-night Huby stayed to tea and helped us catch the turkeys as we have to take them down to-morrow Dad. caught them out of the tree. and gave them to Huby who handed them over the orchard fence to Frank and me and we put them up over the hog pen, there were nineteen but one was roosting so high up that Dad. couldn't get it, it was a hen and as they want to keep three old hens and one young one it didn't matter. One gobbler got away and struck off into the orchard. We followed him up with the lantern and after quite a search found him way up at the northeast corner of the orchard we took him in the house and weighed him, he weighed 20 lbs, so we marked him as Henry Odd was over to-night and wanted to buy one. Jack Martin's men are going to give him one for a Christmas present. Tiny and Miss Ethel Phipps were over this afternoon. Snowed a little this morning and has kept groing colder all day. west wind. Friday December 19th We didn't get started very early this morning to get the turkeys loaded and it took us quite awhile to load them as we weighed each one.The heaviest was 20 lbs and the lightest about 12. Jack Martin's shrunk about a pound during the night. We kept 3 old hens for next year, 2 gobblers for Huby and us for Christmas and two 2 young hens one for Cousin Loll and one for Jameses so we just took eleven down to Bob. We just tied their feet and put them in the waggon and covered it over with the binder canvas. We got down town about noon - and were down about an hour. Bob's weight came to 165 pounds and we made it 171 but with the Old Spring Balance where the ounces aren't marked likely we made a mistake, so we got $30.52 from Bagley and Miller, and Jack Martins came to $3.50 It was about one when we got home, we went around by Huby's and got the little high chair and crib for Tiddums, and a wheel barrow load of cabbages from Uncle Ward. We met Huby coming over on our way down and he finished putting down the floor in the barn. This after noon Dad. and he went down town to get gravel to build the posts for the windmill foundation. Dad. had to go around by the mill with some oats to be chopped, so Huby went right down to the beach to locate some good gravel and to see if he could borrow a pick somewhere in case the sand was frozen but he couldn't get one and I guess didn't need it. He couldn't find any gravel on the beach except some piles which Mr. Porter told him Ivey's men had raked up yester day, so Huby said quoting some Greek Scripture "First come first served" and they took what they wanted of that. Dad said it would have washed away soon any way as the lake was pretty high. They came around by town and got the storm windows and picked Frank up 153 �somewhere. I did chores all the after noon and got three eggs which is the most yet. Mrs. McBride has been here all day and half the night, cleaning the kitchen, picking ducks and a chicken and ironing. To-night I printed pictures and had good luck. Dad. found out this morning that instead of the cistern pump being out of order as we thought yesterday the cistern was dry, so will have to be cleaned out as this is the first time since we have been here that it went dry. Lovely day, froze last night but mild. Saturday December 20th I cleaned all the straw out of the hen house this morning and put fresh in. I had to cut a slice off the stack for straw. Dad. started to put on the storm window but found that Mr. Jones had bored the holes to close to the in side of the sash so the screws wouldnt catch the casing. He then cleaned out the cistern and it took about an hour, we pumped out what little water was in it and then Dad shovelled up quite a few pails full of black muck and pieces of cement. It is a brick cistern with a coat of cement all over the brick and some of the cement was off which caused a leak, so this afternoon Dad went down and got a load of sand and some cement and saw Frank Slocomb who is coming over on Monday morning to fix it up. I did chores all the after noon. Frank went down town with Dad. and cut wood this morning, he and Lila and Bluch went back to the gully to-night. Charlie Shand was in tonight to see if he could trade off a turkey hen but I said he couldn't as his was a mongrel. but Dad. said he could have had Huby's turkey. This was Tiddums first birthday anniversary. I suppose he will have to be Jim now. Lila was over all day and brought him a great line of toys. Uncle Hal also sent him a pair of overalls and a toy whip. We had a rooster for dinner which Mrs. McBride cleaned and got a pretty fair crop of corn out of it. Beautiful day sunny and fine but cloudy to-night. Sunday December 21st I drove Enah down to church this morning, He she had to play the organ. Elva had to stay home to look after her mother who broke her ankle the other day. Frank went down to Sunday School and Church, Dad. stayed home to look after Tiddums and Dick was in bed all morning. This after noon I went for a ride, I went out to the Shand's first to tell them they could trade turkeys, all but Mr & Mrs Shand had gone to Sunday school. Mr. Shand said he would be in tomorrow after noon with the turkey and Mrs. Shand gave me some peanuts that her brother had grown in Virginia. I did stay long but went up to the corner and rode west to the next corner which is where the blue line crosses the fourth concession, and down that road to where the new rail road comes out on Tige Anderson's place. I rode down 154 �it as far as I could go but as there was a sudden drop and a fence at the end of it I had to come back and go down Ham Thompson's lane to his woods, then had to unwire a piece of fencing to get into his wheat field and a cross his wheat to the gate opening on to the radical road, and home through town, and on the whole spent a very enjoyable after-noon. Dick spent the afternoon down town and Frank prowling around the upper pond. Dad. did the chores. Very mild this morning but turned colder and is freezing hard to-night. Monday December 22nd Frank Slocomb came over this morning to plaster the cistern, he went over the whole thing as so much of it was loose and he thought he could make a better job, he will have to come back again in the morning as there are two or three places where the cement is put on thick that it doesn't stick very well to the brick. Dad. had to watch it and keep it plastered up all day, as Slocomb was only here for an hour or so this morning. Enah went down town this after noon and Dad. put on another storm window, he is putting them on now with wooden buttons. I did chores, read a good short story and helped him a little. About four o'clock Colin McNeilley came after him to go and see a sick cow so he didn't get back till dark. Mr. & Mrs Shand came in with their turkey to trade and got theirs on their way back from town. Mrs Shand came to call but no body was home. Dick told Enah that the wind mill was here so Dad. went over to the Quanbury's to telephone Rus. Lampkins and he said he would be down to morrow after noon to take it off the car. Dick also told her that Louise wanted me to drive up and get her to morrow. Mr James gave Enah a new rasin seeder tonight that works all right and Frank is busy seeding rasins with it now. Frank got out of school early to night and doesn't have to go back till after New Year's. Very mild and nice all day but cloudy. Tuesday December 23rd Frank Slocomb came over again and finished the cistern he made a good job of it - and only charged a dollar. I rode Joe down town first thing and got her shod. While Butler was shoeing her, I went up town and did some Christmas shopping - ahem -. I met Huby on my way down with a pickax he had fixed up with a bit which Bill Oakes gave him and a handle he bought and Joe {Hawel?} put it in and sharpened it for him. He came over and helped Dad. pluck the four turkeys. This afternoon he, Dad. and Frank went down with the waggon and got the windmill off the car. Rus. Lampkins was there and said it was alright I cleaned out the cow stables, shelled corn and read at the same time while they were gone. Huby ground our axe he brought over the other day when they got back, and Frank went back to 155 �the gully and caught a muskrat. I intended to go up and get Louise this after noon but it was such a disagreeable after noon I decided to wait till to-morrow and stand a chance of having sleighing but from the looks of things now I would have done better to have gone this after noon. Vyse was over this morning to settle up with Dad for thrashing and some things that Dad. owed him for. Dad. wouldn't take anything for thrashing for him but I got a dollar out of it. Frank and Enah are making candy to-night and Dad is drawing and dressing turkeys. It started to snow soon after break fast this morning and kept up till noon getting milder all the time till this after noon it turned to rain and the water is running into the cistern yet. Dick told us to-night there was a fire in the Wide Spread to-night. They got it out but were afraid it damaged the machinery considerably. $200.00 Wednesday December 24th We all overslept ourselves this morning and so I didn't get started up to the Bowlby's till nearly ten o'clock, however I got Louise and was home by noon. The roads were a little slushy but not bad. Colin McNeilleys came after Dad to go and see his cow again and he got home just before we did. This after noon Dad. and Frank went down town to take the turkeys to Cousin Loll and Mr James and the duck to Ed. and also do some shopping. I fooled around quite a lot and then did chores and shelled corn. It has been very mild all day and the snow is nearly all gone, the cistern has got a good lot of water in it, we just got it fixed in time Thursday December 25th I was up at about a quarter to six this morning and routed the family out of bed, and Louise, Enah and I drove down to eight o'clock communion, and Dick walked down, after I got home I did chores and Dad. and Frank went down to the eleven o'clock service, Dick came back soon after church and went back to the gully to see if there was any ice but there wasn't. Aunty Maude and Lila drove back with Dad, and Frank, Quint and Win. walked over. Huby never showed up all the after noon - darn him. We had dinner about two o'clock and as I hadn't had any thing to eat since last night except a piece of bread & butter and nine wintergreens, I stowed away a large quantity of turkey and plum pudding and many other things. After dinner we kicked up a terrible row for about ten minutes while Tiddums tried to go to sleep, we then doled out the presents. I drew a pile of presents, socks heavy and light from Frank and Lila, shirt from Dick, handkerchief from Win, perfume talcum power etc. from Cousin Clare, photograph album from Aunty Maude and Dad. & I got four copies of Punch from Louise, and Ray is sending me a new diary for 1914. After this Dick and Quint 156 �went down town and I think Dick went to a dance to-night. Aunty Maude, Lila and Win. went home about dark, we didn't have any tea but gormed Louise's chocolates all evening. Tiddums has been rather all in to-day, we think it may be due to his swallowing a grain of corn yesterday, we don't know that he did swallow one but I gave him a cob to play with while I was shelling it for the chickens and there was a grain off it when I took it away from him, but he hasn't been at all well all day. Raw & cloudy all day but not cold Snowing and blowing to-night. Friday December 26th Dad. lost a considerable ammount of peaceful slumber last night wondering if the stack had blown over as there was quite a wind, at last he got about four o'clock and went and looked, but found it still standing, so went back to bed and didn't get up till after daylight, neither did I, consequence being that we got very little down to-day but chores. I shelled a little corn cut a little wood and read a little. Frank went down town and got the mail and some parcels Roy sent up a bread mixer for Enah which was just what I and somebody else had orderd for her but which hasn't come yet. He also sent me two Diary books like the ones I have used for the last two years. The first one was one of Dad's old veterinary college books and last year I sent to Eatons for one but had to pay more than the price of the book in postage. I also got a necktie from Byron and Fred Johnson and another from Aunt Leena. There was also a letter from the University Research Extension Company saying they had shipped "The Library of Original Sources" long ago and that if we don't get them soon they will ship another set and go after the Express company. Dad. & Enah purpose to give me them for a Christmas present but I have set my heart on paying for them myself. To night Dad. though he would put the calves in so Frank and I went out to help him, after a lot of chasing we succeeded in getting Charlottes calf who is tamest into the barn, then after a lot more chasing Dad. got one of the sling ropes and lassoed Mully's calf first throw, but couldn't manage to rope the other two until he had put out hay for the young stock when he made some very clever throws and caught Spots calf first time around the horns and Bobbies with a little more trouble around the neck we were a little afraid he would get hurt as the others seemed to be hunting him around quite a bit but we left him there We then caught all the rose combed roosters and put them up over the pig pen. To-night we spent a rather hilarious evening as Enah and Louise supplied us with lots of music. Dick came home rather late with more mail from which I drew a necktie from Jean & Adelena and a dandy big pocket book from Grand daddy I have been writing this in spats all the evening and as it is gettin on to half past twelve I feel I must get to bed. It froze hard last night and 157 �snowed quite a bit and there has been a cold north and west wind all day, but sunny and otherwise not bad. Enah took a picture of Tiddums to-day, she had him all dressed up in a suit of bouncers or rompers or what ever they call it which Aunty Maude gave him and he looked for all the world like Bill George on a small scale, he is so bowl legged. I called Dad in from the wood pile to see him and to insure a speedy answer to my summons, I intimated that there was something the matter wth him, and Dad. seeing a picture in his mind's eye of Tid. in convulsions or the reservoir or something rushed in livid with fear. Tiddums however met him at the door and he was so overcome by laughter and relief that I escaped uninjured. Saturday December 27th It was after daylight again this morning when we got up so put in most of the day doing chores. but this morning we did get one of the big dead apple trees grubbed out but only have a few limbs cut off it. Frank cut at it quite a hit this after noon, he has been cutting wood nearly all day. This morning he went back to the gully and came up by Alfred's and borrowed his cross cut saw This after noon Dad killed, plucked and dressed a couple of young roosters (single combed) but they were pretty scrawny yet not being fully grown. I didn't do any thing much but read and fool with young Jim. I was giving him walking lessons and find he can run like a deer much faster than I can keep up with him and hang on to him. I got a letter from Aunty to-day saying he had got the picture which I had sent to Aunt Lena around by Aunty so that she could see whether it was worth sending on or not. As I didn't write till a day or two after I posted it she thought I meant it for her so I started another one to-night to do for her birthday Dick brought home a huge parcel to-night which proved to be rwo pair of lovely balankets and two counterpains from Cousin Clare Herring I think. It has been a beautiful day. It froze very hard (hardest yet I guess) last night but has been very sunny and no wind - all day. Sunday December 28th We were very late getting up again this morning so none of us but Frank went down to church, he went down to Sunday school and church Dad. and I did chores and read all morning. We let Belle out for a run, which she enjoyed very much and no doubt benefitted by although we did notice that the swelling in her led was reduced much but she didn't show any sign of lameness. This after noon about half past two I drove Louise up to the Bowlby's again. The roads were good, smooth and hard with no snow to bother so I was home before dark. Jonas climbed in the buggy with me as I passed his place and came up 158 �for a visit, to get rid of trouble he said although he didn't seem in a very down cast mood. He has another farm in view now which is owned by to old maids who live on the place, and if he gets it he is to move the first of March and live in half the double house. Dad. and Enah and Tiddums expected to go down to Mrs. Battersby's this afternoon but Tiddums went to sleep and blocked the games. I drew to-night, Dick has been skating on the creek this afternoon, he says the ice is pretty good and for the most part strong. He went to church to-night. Frank I think spent his time back in the gully. Lovely day, no wind and fairly sunny. Monday December 29th We expected Rus. Lampkins down to day to put up the wind mill but he didn't show up at all. We did up all the chores this morning and worked at the old apple tree a little more. This after noon Dad. decided to go down to township nomination. He didn't get started till about a quarter after three but he enjoyed what little oratory he heard. George Hammond took great pleasure in making personal remarks about Jim Waddle till Jim got "frothing at the mouth" mad. George said he admitted that Jim had a better education and more of something else than he had but that he didn't have any more brains that if he had had brains enough to learn anything he would be going to school yet. Both these fellows were too mad at each other to talk sensibly but Sam King's manner was different. although a great many people were very dissatisfied with him as Councilor and had no doubt told him so, but he said if they put him out this election it would not be because he had sat in council and held his peace as was the custom with other councillors it would be because he had been in action all through and had made some showing, he then stated that every job that the present council had done was a permanent job, whereat someone in the audience inquired "What about Lisby's hill?" Mr. King smiled and acknowledged that that wasn't a permanent job but he said we did the best that could be done and the devil himself could do no better as it was his own hill, Then in reference to Lisby's bridge over which there has been a lot of kicking about on account of the cost he said it was the best bridge in the county of Norfolk. At that a small English sparrow jumped up and chirped out "Mr. King, may I ask you a question". "Certainly go ahead" was the reply. "Well will you please tell me what was the use of putting up such a costly bridge at the foot of an almost impassable hill." King smiled again, and replied blandly that they did it simply because they had to, there had to be a bridge there and why not put one that was indestructible and consequently costly as one that would cost less and have to be replaced in a year or two, and so they wrangled and chewed the rag. Dad. was home about dark, and said that Hammond was going to run against Ed. Aikens for reeve. I did up the chores and after tea 159 �Frank and I went down to {illegible} nomination, where every thing was very quiet. Vyse was the only one who said much and he just gave an account of his stewardship. and solicited the vote of those present. R. M. Taylor, John R. Davis and Ed. Moon where nominated to run against him and Taylor was the only one who said positively he wouldn't run and the general opinion is that the fight will be between Vyse & Ed. All the old council where nominated and about a dozen others but which ones are going to run I don't know. Dick got home a little before we did to-night, he had been skating on the pond though Dad tried to argue with him that it was unsafe. Inez Schram got in to the creek to-day. Mrs. McBride was here all day washing. It has been a very fine day. Mild and pleasant. Tuesday December 30th Sam. Law and Bert Munroe drove in this morning to see if we were ready to thrash yet, but Dad. told him we wanted to get the windmill up first. He said he overheard Rus. Lampkin's telling {Heck?} Henderson last night that he had promised to go some where that day (Sam. didn't hear the name) but that as he couldn't go he would have to go Wednesday. Sam thought that he must have meant here when we told him we expected him as he heard Henderson tell Rus that he could let the boy know, but Dick didn't say anything about it last night but not likely Henderson saw him after that. Allan drove in while Sam was in here and after talking election for awhile they all drove out expecting to thrash some where up the Gravel. I did chores and puttered around most of the morning - and Dad. & Frank cleared up a little around the well so as to be all ready if Rus. Lampkins comes to-morrow. This afternoon they cut up nearly all the apple tree with Alfreds cross cut saw. I raised the nests in the hen house off the floor so the hens wouldn't scratch them full of straw and put fresh straw in. Both Billy Laurises were in to-night to get Dads. advice about a horses leg which has got hurt some way. Very mild and nice all day. When Dick came home to-night he said Henderson did tell him that Rus. Lampkins would be here to-morrow to erect the windmill. Wednesday December 31st I was awakened very early this morning by a great disturbance in the kitchen which I realized after I came to my senses was rat in one of the traps Dad. set last night and trying to get free by dragging himself and the trap all over the place, he was making such a racket and I knew must be putting in such a very disagreeable time of it that I arose and despatched him. It just struck four as I got up and this clock is way over half an hour fast, but as I had my clothes on and was wide awake I decided not to go back to bed again so drew till about half past six and then went out to do chores. I got quite a lot of Aunty's 160 �picture done and Dad. thought it was better than the one I did for Aunt Leena. We fully expected Rus. Lampkins this morning so Frank went down after breakfast and brought Huby over but as Lampkins disappointed us again we started on the tile drain we are going to put in along the font of the garden and back of the chicken house, we all four worked at it this morning and Dad. Huby and I this after noon so we got a nice start at it. Loyd Ryersie came along at noon and Frank went off shooting with him but didn't get any thing. Dad. went down to-night and met Roy who is just going to spend New Years' with us. Jonas came over after supper and wanted Frank and I me to help him fix up a lot of orders that he had got from varios farmers for seed potatoes and oats. We did to the best of our ability but I think we had Jonas in a great state of anxiety on account of our pretended carlessness, after that he played two or three games of checkers with Frank. I slept the last couple of hours of the old year but roused up sufficiently to wish the family a Happy New Year and go to bed. Dick was at a dance and didn't get home till about three o'clock in the morning. Beautiful day, mild and pretty sunny. For more information on Theobald (Toby) Barrett, check out the “Meet the Diarists” section under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca 161 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1913 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. January 1, 1913 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript & Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>DIARY.1913</p> <p>T.B.Barrett.</p> <p>Port Dover,Ontario.</p> <p>The Farm........</p> <p>From January 1st 1913 to November 18th 1913.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday January 1st 1913</p> <p>We began to think that 13 at the end of the New Year was beginning right away to bring calamities upon us, for Dick who did not come home to tea last night did not put in an appearance all night, and it is the first time since he went into the bank that he did not come home to bed.</p> <p>I woke up at half past four and found Dad &amp; Aunty up and in an awful state as neither one had slept all night and had been thinking Dick had tried to cross the pond about mid night when every body would be asleep and never got to the other side.</p> <p>Dad &amp; I went down about five and went to Huby’s first to see if he had stayed there. We went to Quint’s window and tapped and immediately saw old Quint gliding around in the room as soon as he lighted the light Dad. saw Dick in bed. We couldn't get him more than half awake and he mumbled something about Wiggins being sick and he &amp; Hazen worked so late, then went down to watch the dance for awhile and he never thought we'd miss him.</p> <p>Later on in the morning I drove Aunty and Lila down town with two mince pies and the turkey we killed for Christmas &amp; which Aunty took down to Huby's to cook. Dad did chores and we had a cold lunch after which Dad &amp; I went down to Alfred's followed by Nig. Tige &amp; the white kitten</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to take him Huby's wooden cross puzzle which he seemed very pleased to get. We went down his lane &amp; home by way of the gully. When we got home we slot around awhile before doing the night chores</p> <p>Quint &amp; Dick came over about six as Dick wanted to get on a clean shirt or something and we went down with them to tea, or rather turkey dinner. I took my skates down but it was too dark to go.</p> <p>Dick went up to a surprise party at Fatty Turners, and told us he would not be home to-night. Aunty stayed down too. Dad, Frank &amp; I came home about eleven. It has been very mild &amp; sunny</p> <p>Thursday January 2nd</p> <p>I got up very late this morning. Dad &amp; I did chores and Glen &amp; Wilbur Ryersie came along for a half morning's visit. Wilbur wanted Dad to buy a pure bred Durham bull calf for fifty dollars, but Dad told him he would go over &amp; look at it before investing.</p> <p>At eleven Dad went down to Huby’s and brought Aunty home. This after noon he went down again and saw Vyse up town who solicited his vote for his re-election but Dad told him that though he had nothing against him as a neighbor, he was out of place as reeve for he thought he had acted very unfairly in everything last year.</p> <p>I cleared up some of the old rubbish heap in the barnyard while Dad was gone. Frank put in the afternoon building a dandy jib crane with his “Meccano” outfit. It has been very soft to-day &amp; looks like a storm.</p> <p>Friday January 3rd</p> <p>This was Aunty's birthday and although we did our best we could not think of anything to give her so she vows that she doesn't know of any thing either, but Win sent her over a couple of aprons. Aunty remembers they are just what she wanted.</p> <p>Dad. Aunty and I drove down town in the lumber waggon this afternoon morning. Aunty went in to see Enah who was up walking around and then down to Huby's to get Dads old medicine cupboard and the contents those of ready for removal to the farm. Dad &amp; and I went down to the beach and got all the sand we thought we had better load the wagon as down therewere great as the sand was frozen enough to hold the wheels up and yet not too much to shovel. The ice banks are very high down there. We came up around by Huby’s and got Aunty and the old cupboard which we are going to use as a stove house for Frank’s &amp; my belongings.</p> <p>We are preparing in time against young Huberts development. Dad &amp; I did chores this after noon and then sorted Dad's medicine. It started to rain this morning which turned to an all day snow storm. Colder to-night but not freezing.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday January 4th</p> <p>Charlie Martin was over for an hours visit this morning and told Dad as he was leaving that he had a lame horse over there which he wanted Dad to look at. He said his mother fell off the back steps before Christmas and nearly broke her leg. He also told us his sister Mrs. Maclaughlin had a baby girl about two days after Enah's boy came. Dad thought they ought to trade as Mrs. Maclaughlin was all prepared for &amp; had a boy named and it was the other way round with Enah.</p> <p>This after noon we did chores and Dad went down to see Enah. I went over as far as Martin's with him and saw the chickens which were all washed, fanned, powdered and the dark feathers pulled out of them and ready to start on the five train for the Boston show. We also saw Charlie's lame horse which has an awfully sore looking leg on it.</p> <p>I cut wood and practiced on my horn when I got home. Lila came over soon after I got back with her steam engine. Dad has to go down again to-night to sit with Enah. She is blue because the boy exercises his lungs now &amp; then Froze last night. Cold raw wind all day but sunny and thawing.</p> <p>Sunday January 5th</p> <p>Frank, Dick &amp; Lila went down to sunday school and Aunty and I went down to church and were a little late. We went into Mrs Lawson's to see how Enah was on our way down and Aunty Maude was with her which surprised us very much but she said she didn't think it would hurt her a bit. Mrs. Roy Silverthorne was there in a very low condition, her little baby which was born last night, died and she didn't know it yet when we were there.</p> <p>Dick and I went down and had a good skate this afternoon though the ice was rather rough. Dad went down and got Faulkner to bring Enah &amp; the boy home in the covered in bus and it didn't hurt either one in the least. Al drove at a snail's pace.</p> <p>He was telling Dad his opinion of Vyse. He spoke in the grieved monotone which he assumes for such occasions and said "I told Vyse, when we elected you reeve you promised to build good roads. You haven't done 15 cents worth of road work but spent all the money in sticking up that coup by me. Now what you had better do is to put the man in you built it for, which is Aikens, then you &amp; Bill Graham lock yourselves in with him take a stick of dynamite and blow youse all to hell to save funeral expences!" yes i said Al. I told him that two weeks ago and he hasn't spoken to me since."</p> <p>Beautiful day. Froze hard last night, but thawed all day. Colder &amp; look stormy to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday January 6th</p> <p>We did up all the chores this morning. Frank carried over the chaff &amp; corn from the cows manger to the chicken house which he cleaned out. This after noon Dad.went down and cast his vote for J.R. Davis. Frank Taylor came over after him with Faulkner's bus just he was starting out. I broke the brace in the buck saw and fixed it this after noon</p> <p>Dick came home to night and told us that Vyse was elected reeve with John Walker, Henderson, Carl Coleman &amp; Billy Laings as councilmen. He and I went down to A.Y.P.A to night where we spent a pretty slow time. I went over to the band room for awhile where they preparing to start out for a serenade of the succesful candidates in the election. They were greatly proveket at Harry Graham &amp; Art Lawson because they wouldn't play as they were sore at the way things went. It wasn't right of them for as Harry Moon said and he was probably as disappointed as any but was playing, "The band is an organization independant of politics. All we're after is the coin and we don't care whether it is American money or not." It rained all night and drizzled all day, wasn't any colder when Dick &amp; I got home about eleven to night.</p> <p>Tuesday January 7th</p> <p>We just did chores this morning. Aunty went down town to get somethings for Dick's birthday which we celebrated to-night. I stayed in the house and read all the afternoon. Quint came over to tea to-night but Dick felt pretty miserable all evening. Quint stayed all night. Stormed all day half rain turning to sleet &amp; ice so that everything is ice coated.</p> <p><br />Wednesday January 8th</p> <p>Dad and Enah spent the greater part of last night I guess in the baby's company, who takes great pleasure in making them try to put him to sleep at midnight. He is just one red lump of wickedness &amp; noise at night, sleeps all day.</p> <p>Frank started back to school this morning. Dick felt very miserable but said he must go to work and felt much better to-night when he got home. We did up the chores this morning and I took a picture of the ice mantled trees around Martin's place. I didn't do a thing but read "Lords of the North" all the after noon. Win came home with Frank to-night but could only stay a little while. Clear cold and sunny to-day, snow crust very hard &amp; slippery.</p> <p>Thursday January 9th</p> <p>Dad &amp; I did chores &amp; cut wood this forenoon. Bill Donald</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was in for awhile to have Dad. look at his horse. He told Dad. that he heard Jim. Dunbar had some wood for sale at $2.00 a cord, so Dad. drove Joe down to see if he could get her shod and drive down this after noon but he couldn't get in the shop and was afraid to risk driving on these icy roads, smooth shod.</p> <p>This after noon we started to fix up a place between the granary &amp; cow stable for a calf pen but couldn't do much as we had no nails. Dick &amp; I went down town after tea I took my horn down thinking there would be band practice but found when I get down that the council were treating the band to an oyster supper. I suppose I could have partaken of the feast if I chose but I came home to get my skates. I put them on at the house and skated down to the pond. There were quite a few there but it was so dark I couldn't see any of their faces and I didn't think Dick was there so I skated up to the bank Hazen was there and said Dick had just gone out with his skates on. I stayed there about half an hour and Hazen &amp; I wrote &amp; talked to Baldy Denton. I then went back to the pond but it was nearly deserted so I came home and found Dick had just got here before me, he had been over at Dyer's or someplace and hadn't been skating at all. Win. came over with Frank to stay all night. Nice day very much milder.</p> <p>Friday January 10th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I drove down as soon as we could get started this morning which wasn't very early to get Joe shod but the shop was full again so we had to get a few things up town including a straw knife and come home. Dad. didn't know what to do as we want wood badly but he was afraid to drive Joe on the icy roads, especially after Vyse told us this morning that Sam. Law lost a cow by slipping on the ice. I supposed it was his old lame one.</p> <p>At last I decided to try and skate down. I left here after eleven and skated down on the road all the way and was back here by before one. Jim Dunbar was in Jarvis but his daughter said she thought he had wood for $2.50 a cord and would tell him to try and bring us a load to-morrow. I tripped several times going but only fell once. There were only a few places where the skating wasn't fairly good, the worst place was going up &amp; down Art Ryersie's hill.</p> <p>We didn't do any thing in particular this after noon Bill Donald came after Dad. to go and see his horse about five o'clock. Some fellow drove in while he was here and wanted to know where Anson Collver lived. Bill knew, he said he supposed that was some body after him for money.</p> <p>Neil Elliot &amp; Charlie McKenzie where in to look at Fred's calf although they had just met Dad. on the road and he told them the calf was not for sale. I went down to Mrs Jarley's wax work practice to-night, but there was "nothing doing". Mrs. Luck, Miss Harding &amp; Booze Waddle were</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the only ones there. We went up to Mr. Johnson's and he gave me a little idea of what I had to do. I think it will be a pretty poor show. It is advertised for next Thursday and half the ones in it haven't been to practice yet. Mr. Johnson never looked through the book till to-night and he picked out several new caracters that he is going to try &amp; ring in. Not sunny but thawing all day. Almost raining to-night.</p> <p>Saturday January 11th</p> <p>We got a very big late start this morning and so did not do any thing but chores. Art. Ryersie came after Dad. a little before noon to go and see one of his cows which slipped on the ice, and Dad. is afraid it has broken her leg. It was the best cow he had.</p> <p>This after noon we fixed a place in the barn to put Ringworm but could do nothing out side owing to the inclemency of the weather.</p> <p>To-night Dick &amp; I went down town I went to Mrs. Jarley practice &amp; Dick waited for me. Frank spent the morning down town getting his tooth filled and helped up this after noon. Rained last night, very soft &amp; cloudy this morning. Rained hard all after noon, drizzling to-night.</p> <p>Sunday January 12th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I drove down to Jim Dunbar's this morning and Dad. got him to say he'd bring us a load of wood to-morrow. When we got home we were about frozen. I felt kind of sick till I got thawed out.</p> <p>After dinner I did helped Dad. do chores and then started to go down to Harry Moors. I met Hazen who was driving out in front and he drove me down and went up to Harry's with me where we spent quite a time. Dick was down at Dyer's all the after noon and to tea. Bill Donald come and got Dad. this after noon. Very cold and windy early part of the day but milder and fair to-night.</p> <p>Monday January 13th</p> <p>We let Queen out this morning for quite an exercise Dad. was scared to death she'd slip and hurt her self, but I guess she didn't. Mr. Bowlby. drove Louise down this. morning. She had to back this after noon so Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger to the cutter and drove her up. The sleighing was very poor &amp; one of the shoes on the cutter runner broke and ripped a big chunk out of the runner. Tom. Dunbar. brought us our cord of wood to-day. He made two trips of it and charged us three dollars.</p> <p>The baby has been awake all day and to-night is raining "Hail Columbia." Dick went back to-night. Froze hard last night but much milder to-night. Nice day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 14th</p> <p>Dad. loaded the cutter in the waggon first thing and we took it down to Butler who said he didn't think the runner was {illegible} much. Dad. found he could get Joe shod so stayed down and I walked home.</p> <p>I started to throw the top off the straw stack. Th Mrs. McBride came to wash at noon and was here till after tea. Dad. cut some wood and we put a door on the barn and cut a bigger doorway. Dick came home to-night and forgot to bring the butter Aunty told him to get and we had a butterless tea, after which Dick went down town to get a pound I went with him to the Mrs. Jarley Waxwork practice in the town hall and am still convinced that the show will fall far short of what it is advertised to be.</p> <p>Beautiful day and perfect night. Sunny and much milder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday January 15th</p> <p>Our attention was attracted this morning by a great deal of racket being kicked up by Dave Turner's engine, and learned to-night when Dick got home it was in honor of Gladys Coleman who was married sometime during the night to get off on the early train. We were greatly surprised at the news although Aunty suspected it.</p> <p>We did chores this morning and about eleven o'clock Dad. &amp; I drove up to Stan Tompson's. Ham wasn't home but Dad. had a look at his bull calf. He says his stock is in a very bad condition. When we got home Dad. took Enah out for a short drive. The first time she has been out since she came home.</p> <p>This after noon we husked a little corn and Dad. moved some of the corn stalks from one end of the hay to the other and then cut some wood. I didn't do anything much.</p> <p>I went down again to-night to a Mrs. Jarley practice and had a pretty slow time. It will be over to-morrow night. Dick went down with me and worked awhile then we came home to-gether. Very soft and cloudy to-day. Rained a little this after noon and is raining quite hard to-night. Very slippery</p> <p>Thursday January 16th</p> <p>Mr. Lamb came over this morning before we had breakfast and got Dad. to go down and see a horse that got kicked. He was gone quite awhile and came back with a lovely bunch of flowers. This after noon he and Aunty went down town to get some things for the house. I didn't do anything much but chores and read</p> <p>To-night Dick, Dad., Frank and I went down to Mrs. Jarley's Waxwork show. It came off a lot better than I expected and there was a full house. Perce Brock who was Mrs. Jarley couldn't have done better and Hazen Waddle was perfect. He was Simple Simon and sat through the whole show with his mouth wide open and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the vacantest kind of a look on his face. If any body jarred against him he would fall over in his chair till they set him up straight. They said all the figures were good except poor Captain Robinson who with Sidney McQueen acted as Babes in the Wood. He couldn't keep a straight face, but Sidney kept the same sweet smile all through. They each had an enormous doughnut and when wound up would feed each other. It certainly did look great for two of the biggest men in town. Lila impersonated Little Jack Horner and except when she was exhibited &amp; wound up evidently forgot she was waxwork, for she laughed and moved around all she pleased and likley was more amusing than if she had been quiet. I, the deceased Mr. Jarley nearly bit a hole in my cheek to keep from laughing and then didn't succeed very well. I was in agony for awhile when my nose began to tickle and I couldn't scratch it. The girls were all very pretty and I think every body got their money's worth. They had a dance after the performance and Mrs. Moon gave me another lesson. I belive I could learn if I could keep at it but not likely I will get another chance now till next summer.</p> <p>Rained a little this morning, dark &amp; very soft all day. Raining hard to-night when Dick &amp; I got home at half past twelve, and had been raining all evening, so Aunty said.</p> <p>Friday January 17th</p> <p>We got rather a late start this morning and did nothing but chores except throw some more off the top of the straw stack Mr. Peace. came in to see Dad about a colt which has some thing on its leg - which oughtn't to be there. Tige resented his visit strongly and bit at him twice, much to his indignation &amp; terror</p> <p>This after noon Dad. cut wood and we straightened up the fence in front of the hay barn two pannels of which have been down all winter. We were rather surprised this afternoon at Ringworm adding a bull calf to our stock collection.</p> <p>It rained all night and to-day Barrett's farm is a quagmire. Still very mild I woke up about half past eleven to-night by Tige barking furiously then I heard Dad who was just going to bed go to the door and a stranger's voice ask for permission to hunt sparrows in the barn, around the stack. Dad. told them they could hunt around the stack but couldn't go in the barn with their lantern. They told him they weren't out for "na fun" (wich Dad readily believed) but were trying to rid the country of sparrows &amp; rats. Dad. supposed they were after some prize as they came all the way from Selkirk.</p> <p>Saturday January 18th</p> <p>I read most of the morning and part of the afternoon in Dicks B.O.P. but finished the story and am not going to begin another</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for awhile. Frank helped us do chores and after dinner went down to Alfred's to buy some butter. Alfred had the puzzle done the right way, and after putting it to-gether to show Frank, sent it home. Frank is working at it now evidently with out much success. I husked corn this after noon and Dad sawed wood. Frank went back to the gully for awhile to watch the creek or something.</p> <p>To-night Dad &amp; I worked at my horn trying to loosen one of the valves with the big monkey wrench. Mild &amp; cloudy this morning. It turned colder with a high north west wind and snow. Quieter &amp; not freezing to-night</p> <p>Sunday January 19th</p> <p>Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School. I helped Dad. do a few chores amd went to church. Bill Donald came in just as I left and stayed about a hour &amp; a half. Aunty &amp; I went down to Miss Battersby's after church and found her looking about as well as ever. Winnie came over to dinner with Dick, &amp; Frank stayed down at Huby's.</p> <p>This after noon Dick &amp; I went down town. I guess Dick spent the after noon at the drug store with Bob. while I went over to Waddle's for awhile then up to Harry Moon's, and looked at photographs. I drew to-night. It froze last night. It has been a very nice day and thawing.</p> <p>Monday January 20th</p> <p>I went out this morning to help Dad. do chores but got so dizzy I had to come in and go to bed, where I put in the rest of the day. I didn't have anything to eat all day except half a breakfast and about half a pint of pills with which they dozed me and which I think made me much worse. Enah gave me half a cup of cocoa which did no good as it floated.</p> <p>This evening I came out into the kitchen while Aunty fixed my bed. I was sitting there talking to Dad. when the first thing I knew Frank began to look like a very poor moving picture and the next I seemed to be waking up lying on the floor with Dad. &amp; Aunty asking me how I felt. I then began to realise I had fainted, a thing which I never did before and only twice before ever felt like it - funny feeling.</p> <p>Charlie Martin came over again this morning for awhile. Aunty went down town this after noon and came home half drowned and mud to her eyes. Dick sent the mail home by Frank but he did come home till after A.Y.P.A. as he went to hear Cousin Willie's lecture on literature which he liked.</p> <p>It rained again last night but was a lovely sunny day till this after noon when it began to pour and kept up till after tea when it turned colder and to snow.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday January 21st</p> <p>I didn't do any thing in the shape of work all day although I felt much better that yesterday. I read nearly all morning. This after noon Louise came over. She had come down on the one o'clock train, and is staying here all night</p> <p>Mr. &amp; Mrs. Art. Ryersie came over and spent the evening Art. took the wooden puzzle home with him. It Froze last night and has been a lovely sunny day, though cold</p> <p>Wednesday January 22nd</p> <p>I went out this morning and tried to do a few chores, but couldn't do much. Louise came out for awhile to see the livestock and Dad. took Queen out in the halter for her entertainment but Tige proved to be the chief attraction in that show.</p> <p>This after noon Mrs. Bowlby came down &amp; Louise went back with her. Mrs. Bannister, Mrs. Vyse &amp; her three kids came over this after noon. I was {illegible} to come in the house so nearly froze out in the drive shed where Dad. was putting a new head on the scraper which old Harry broke this morning. Dick got home early but went back again to watch the dance.</p> <p>Dad &amp; Frank went down to Alfred's to-night to show him Franks. Mecanno Outfit. Lovely sunny day. Freezing slightly to-night.</p> <p>Thursday January 23rd</p> <p>I didn't do any thing today but sit around and feel rotten. Dad. couldn't do anything out side but chores. Enah was feeling miserable this morning having fainted in the night. without telling any body. This afternoon Aunty went down to Bible Class. It was raining when we got up this morning and has kept it up steadily all day.</p> <p>Friday January 24th</p> <p>About the only thing of much interest that happened to-day on the premises was the birth of a bull calf to {Mully?} and no-body is much exercised over that, Mully included. Ah! Yes. another thing is, we got five eggs and didn't find a nest either. We think that is "going some" for only about forty hens.</p> <p>I am a lot better to-day though my knee is pretty sore yet. The baby isn't very well to-day either. I went out a little to-day but drew &amp; read most of the time. Dick had to go back to work at the bank to-night. Froze a little last night. Lovely mild day but not very sunny. Freezing to-night.</p> <p>Saturday January 25th</p> <p>We saw Allan Law &amp; Art Ryersie driving past this morning with the separator and upon inquiry found</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>they were hauling it to Fleming's while the roads are frozen as they are going there after they get though at Arts, there is no telling when they will get here. Dad. and Frank loaded up the rack with blue grass hay this morning from what was on top of the alsike as we have decided not to thresh it on account of the price being so low.</p> <p>This after noon they hauled it over to the other barn where it will be handy to feed to the cows, and then went &amp; hauled up a load of rails. They did all the chores. I didn't do any thing all day owing to my sore knee though I felt better in other ways.</p> <p>The two Mrs. Shands &amp; Miss Shand came in to see the baby to-night and although he was awake he never whimpered so they went off with a very good impression of his conduct. Dick went down to the pond to skate after tea to-night. Perfect day sunny and lovely out</p> <p>Sunday January 26th</p> <p>The boys were the only members of the family who attended church or Sunday School to-day. I hung around outside with Dad. for awhile this morning as my knee felt better. Quint. came home to dinner with Dick and stayed all night. This after noon he, Frank &amp; I went out and played marbles for awhile. Tonight. Aunty read to us about an African cannibal &amp; the missionarys. Very, mild, cloudy &amp; muddy.</p> <p>Monday January 27th</p> <p>My knee was much better and I helped Dad. do chores this morning. Arpha Fleming came over and invited Dad to go there threshing this afternoon. Mrs. McBride came to wash and was here nearly all day. Rus. Lambkins was in to see about a windmill but Dad. told him we didn't need one now on account of Ivey's tile drain at which we have watered the stock all winter so far. and it looks as if it would run for quite a while yet. Earl. Brown was in also to see Dad. about a cow.</p> <p>Aunty went down town this after noon to see if she could get some lady to stay with Aunt Ida but was unsuccessful. Dad. &amp; I went with her as far as Vyses. We found they had moved the threshing outfit in there instead of Fleming's as Vyse has to go to County Council soon. Cousin Loll &amp; Cousin Phoebe came over to see the baby this afternoon. Mr. Lamb. came over to-night to see about his horse. Froze pretty hard last night and been freezing all day.</p> <p>Tuesday January 28th</p> <p>Dad. left early this morning to thresh at Vyse's. I did the chores as my knee was ever so much better. About ten o'clock Dad.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>came home. He said they were stopped then but did need him much anyway, so he came home to saw wood which he did till noon Mr. Flemming told him that if they didn't get moved to his place till the middle of the afternoon it wouldn't be worth Dad's while to come over so he didn't.</p> <p>This after noon he gave Queen quite an exercise &amp; I took a picture of her also one of the baby which finished my film. Dad. &amp; I hooked up Harry &amp; Belle &amp; got a couple of loads of rails, one load from the remainder of the fence on the east west side of the wheat field and one from the north fence. Aunty went down town this after noon to get some birthday presents for Huby. Beautiful day, froze in the night, sunny &amp; milder</p> <p>Wednesday January 29th</p> <p>Dad left first thing this morning for to thresh at Mr. Flemings and was gone all day. He got home in time to milk before dark and felt pretty well "plugged up". It kept me nearly all morning doing chores.</p> <p>This after noon I practiced my horn a little and read. Mrs. Alfred Ryersie came in to see the baby. Enah took a walk over to Martin's. Allan Law came in at noon and got the waggon to get wood. He didn't know where he was going, but intimated that he was going to "lift" rails from fences along the road. This was Huby's birthday. It has been cloudy &amp; spitting snow all day. Not cold but freezing</p> <p>Thursday January 30th</p> <p>Dad threshed over at Fleming's all day and they finished to night. They finished the alsike about 3 o'clock and got 17 Lays and 1/2 bushel from the 98 loads, and they thrashed 316 bus. of oats in two hours after that. It kept me all morning doing chores and this after noon I cut a little wood.</p> <p>I intended to husk some corn but it was such a nice day I thought I would get a load of rails instead so I went &amp; hooked up Harry &amp; Belle to the waggon and went out and got the rails from the north side of the wheat field where Dad. &amp; I got the last load. The horses were feeling good especially old Harry who hasn't any more sense that a seventeen year old bird's nest. Going out I had to get out to open the gate off the road and as soon as they saw it open in front of them, started through it. I caught Belle's rain but Harry kept on going. so I had to let them go into the field where they immediately started to speed up. and it just kept me humping to run and scramble in the back of the waggon but I was fortunate enough to get the lines and steady them down before they did any damage, but I was thankful to get back safe with my load.</p> <p>Mr. Johnson &amp; Mrs. Quanbury were over this afternoon to see the baby. Aunty went down town this after noon. To-night. Dick &amp; I went down to band practice. I found out from Carl Coleman that we could have their cattle rack on Saturday to go after the {illegible}. Lovely day. sunny &amp; very mild.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday January 31st</p> <p>It begant to rain this morning which about noon turned to snow and that cleared off &amp; it begant to freeze pretty hard to night.</p> <p>Dad. and I spent the day doing chores, {"settin' round the blow"?} in the meantime, Dad. cut some wood &amp; I unloaded the load of rails this after noon. About four o'clock I went down town &amp; got my hair cut. I also took down 3 doz. eggs &amp; traded them off for meat. Dick did not come home to tea tonight as he had to work this being the end of the month.</p> <p>Saturday February 1st</p> <p>We intended to go and get the sheep to-day but the weather prevented us. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. cut wood. I read a little and this after noon fooled with my horn. Dad. managed to get the valve loosened which has been stuck for so long, and I poured a couple of quarts of water down the bell to clean it out and spilt it all over the floor. Frank also polised up the mouthpiece with his sample of silver polish</p> <p>Aunty succeeded at last in persuading Frank to remove the fourteen wish-bones which have been accumulating on the kitchen hanging lamp for over a year, and she boiled them and polished them up for him. It has been freezing hard all day with a very high cold wind but sunny.</p> <p>Sunday January February 2nd</p> <p>Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School and I got fixed up and went to church. I got there about twenty minutes too early so waited at "The Dominion". Win. came home with us after church and stayed all night. Dick stayed down all the after noon and stayed at Huby's to dinner.</p> <p>Dad. did all the chores. Aunty had us all going guessing Bible Carachters to-night. It froze like Billy-b-da--ylights, last night and has been very cold and a high wind all day. Bear saw his shaddow.</p> <p>Monday February 3rd</p> <p>We did up the chores this morning. This afternoon we hooked Joe &amp; Ginger to the waggon and went down town. We found out from Carl Coleman that we could have their stock waggon to get our sheep to morrow. We also got the cutter from Butler.</p> <p>When we got home we found an old pedlar who told Aunty he had walked all the way from Hagersville, he was selling post cards. Archie Long had been here to sell fence. To-night Dick and I went down to the Orchestra dance where we had a dandy time. I think I am getting on to the hang of it now. We got home a little before half past three to-morrow morning. It was a nice day to-day and quite mild. It snowed a little this morning.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday February 4th</p> <p>I got up about half past seven this morning. We didn't do any chores but got started as early as we could which was about ten for the sheep. We drove Joe &amp; Ginger and took our waggon down to Coleman's and left it there then hooked on to theirs, we got up there in about an hour. Dunkin said he thought we were never coming. He had had bad luck with his imported sheep. Owing to carelessness in the Quarantine Station two of his sheep died and he can't get a cent for them. They charged him forty five dollars for their keep down there for thirty days.</p> <p>Mine were alright though and we got them home safely. He only charged us two dollars for their keep, but hasn't had them registered yet. We had to walk the horses nearly all the way home on account of bumpy roads. When we unloaded the sheep we went right back with the waggon and got our own, we also went up to Chris. Fairchild's and got the saw blade. Dick took to him this morning &amp; {following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page}{it was?} just half past three when we got in the house after {putting?} the horses in. it was just twelve when we left Dunkins {after?} we had a little dinner we went out and did up the chores. The poor horses were pretty hung up &amp; thirsty especially Joe &amp; Ginger who were tired also. Dick &amp; Frank went down to O.Y.P.O. to-night. It has been cloudy &amp; blustery all day and pretty cold.</p> <p>Thursday Wednesday February 5th</p> <p>We hooked up Joe &amp; Ginger to the waggon first thing this morning and went down town and got a load of coal, as Dick found out last night that Jim. Low had some in at last. We lost quite a little bit of it coming home as the roads were rough and it jiggled out the back. when going up hills. although we scraped it forwards a couple of times.</p> <p>This being Ash Wednesday they had service in the church but none of us attended it. Lent begins earlier this year that it has for 138 years, it can only start one day earlier, at least that's what the "Maple Leaf" states but it is not likely right. Last night was about the coldest night this winter. It must have been down to zero during the night, and has been very cold all day, with a high wind and snow</p> <p>Thursday February 6th</p> <p>We did not do any thing to-day but chores This after noon Aunty went down town to Auxillary or something and Dad. &amp; I Enah had an awful time with the baby as he was sick and they couldn't do any thing to ease him or keep him quiet. I practised my horn all after noon. About five o'clock Sam. Law pulled in here with the clover mill. They got through at Ham Thompson's sooner than they expected so moved right down here to night. Allan &amp; Bert Monroe came soon after wards.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with the engine, which had something wrong with the injector &amp; they worked at it till long after dark. They said they would thrash in the morning if we weren't ready but we bade them come. Sam. was about half drank &amp; the other half frozen when he came in and borrowed our waggon to go home &amp; {load?} wood but we noticed he hit the trail for town at a pretty good lick. To-night I went down to band practice and got home about eleven. It has been cold with a very high wind.</p> <p>Friday February 7th</p> <p>The men did not get here till after breakfast, they got steam up and moved the machine into the barn and then began to talk of not threshing, "Bert was the only one of the this that wanted to Allan I guess thought it would be too cold out on the engine {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {and?} it certainly wouldn't be very warm. Their only excuse was {that?} the belt wouldn't stay on in the wind. Mr. Odd was here {to?}day for Mr. Fleming. Allan &amp; Bert went down town and {g?}ot their horses shod. and Sam went home. about noon he came back again and said he guessed they could thrash this afternoon. We did the chores all up there was a little more work for Dad. as this morning when he went out to the cow stable he found a red &amp; white bull calf of Spotty's on the floor. We got it &amp; her in as warm quarters as we could but the poor little fellow has been pretty cold all day. The thrashers did come back this afternoon and we thrashed out the four loads of cloverseed and got three bags &amp; about 1/4 bushel I get 1 1/4 bags. Young Billy Louis came over for {Tapper?} but we didn't need him so he went back. They got the machine moved over to the other barn but didn't try to thrash any they said if it was very windy to-morrow tney wouldn't come over.</p> <p>This aft. To-night. Dick &amp; I went up to the hockey match in Simcoe - Simcoe vs Hamilton I was going to drive up with Bert Monroe but it turned out such a rotten night that both Bert &amp; I decided to take the train There was quite a big crowd went up from Dover on the Port Rowan train, we came back on the Hamilton special that brought the team up. We got there a little after out eight, and had to sit and freeze by inches for about four hours. They could not have begun to play before half past twelve and it got pretty tedious waiting, but it was a good game when they did start, We rooted for Simcoe and they trimmed Hamilton 8 to 3. The Hamilton boys seemed rather tired the last half. We didn't get to bed till after three to-morrow morning.</p> <p>Dad got a blank form to-night which he had to fill &amp; tell about Tiddums. They named him Hubert James Harold. (poor kid) more name than boy. It was very cold and windy this morning and has been growing worse all day. To-night when we came home it was a holy fright.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday February 8th</p> <p>I got up about the same time as usual. This morning it was windy &amp; snowing so we didn't look for the thrashers. Frank. Dad. &amp; I moved some of the poles from over the driveway to above where Ring worm (by the way her name has changed now from Ring worm to Erie, Aunty objected to the former so we called her after Mrs. Fred. Warren as that is who we got her from.) and her calf are. We started to put some clover chaff on them but it was so short it fell through a lot, so Dad. said we would wait till the wind went down and then put some straw on first to hold the other. but we never got it done all day.</p> <p>Dad felt pretty miserable all day and stayed in the house all the afternoon I cut a little {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {wood?} and fooled around the rest of the time. Aunty went down town, she lost her muff the other day and thought {she?} knew where she left it but when she inquired this {afternoon?}, she could find it nowhere.</p> <p>Lila came over while she {was?} gone and told her to-night that she saw George {Spain?} {on?} Thursday kicking a muff through the square and he said it was somebody's old worn out muff they had {thrown?} away. Aunty is sure it was her's as it was near there {she?} missed it. It was such a bad night. Lila spent it here Frank went down and visited with Mr. Alfred for awhile this after noon and got some butter. Dick felt pretty rotten when he got home to-night and his ear ached. Allan Law came over to-day to put a fire in the engine to keep the water from freezing It was not very cold to-day but very windy &amp; snowdrifty.</p> <p>Sunday February 9th</p> <p>Dad. has felt very sick all day and didn't to any thing much but milk, feed the calves and let the cows out &amp; in again. I sent the most of the day doing the rest of the chores. I felt kind of tired myself. Aunty, Frank &amp; Lila all went down to Sunday School &amp; church, but none of the rest of us. Dick didn't get up till about noon.</p> <p>This afternoon Mrs. Johnson &amp; Mrs. McPherson with Cecil &amp; Leon came over to see Enah and she walked down to Quanbury's with them. Ada was also over to see H.J.H. Barrett. Allan Law came over again to put a fire in the engine. King Pepper was in this morning with a little dog, which Dad. told him had a broken leg. It was up to far to bandage it so Dad said just to keep him quiet and it would likely get all right.</p> <p>Frank found Aunty's muff this morning right near the bandstand in the snow. George Spain told him in Sunday School that he had taken it home and after keeping it two days and not finding an owner he had brought it back and left it where he found it. It was not at all hurt Aunty said. Not cold to-day but windy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday February 10th</p> <p>We got up pretty early this morning on account of thrashers They got started about half past nine. The only extra ones we had were Mr. Odd &amp; Billy Louis. We thrashed nearly all morning and never saw a head of alsike, and the blue grass neatly all blew over, so we stopped thrashing the blue grass in the back part of the mow and confined our labor to the front bit. We only got about two bags of seed all day, and there is about two hours more to go through yet. For awhile Dad. thought it wouldn't be worth thrashing but we got nearly to the floor at one end and it is much thicker so I guess we will finish the job.</p> <p>Dad has the shed, the driveway and over the sheep pen filled up with thrashed hay. and it {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {means?} no way out in front of the drive way. He had a very {---ty?} place and feels pretty tired to-night. Charlotte {had?} a calf to-night another boy. Aunty says "It may {be?} cold in the house but they are having a "bully" time in {the?} barn"</p> <p>It was very cold &amp; frosty this morning but the sun got up and it was quite a nice day. There was a slight easterly breeze which was just what we wanted as it blew the smoke away from the barn. It is about the first time this winter we have had an east breeze. Dick &amp; I sent away to-night for a work of 10 volumes which we saw advertised called "The Wonders of Science in Modern Life".</p> <p>Tuesday January February 11th</p> <p>We finished up our threshing about noon. the seed came a little faster than yesterday and I guess we have about five or six bushels, they didn't need me much to help them so I didn't hang around looking for a chance to help. I did a few chores but nothing to speak of.</p> <p>This afternoon I went over and helped thrash at Sam Law's we got all the red clover thrashed and he got just the same as we did - three bags and a little more. It turned out pretty well. I have to go back in the morning to help thrash out three loads of alsike.</p> <p>Dad. did up all the chores here this after noon &amp; I did not get home till after tea. Dick had to go back to help Hazen find a mistake to-night. Mr Wiggins was going to a dance in Jarvis. Allan Law was going down too. It has been much milder to-day this morning it looked stormy but was sunny after dinner and it seems colder to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday February 12th</p> <p>I didn't get up very early this morning and went over to Sam Law's as soon as I had my breakfast. They started to thrash soon after nine - and got though just about noon. They got just three bags of alsike so it turned out</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>much better than ours as they said they only had three loads. I stayed over there to dinner. This afternoon Dad. &amp; Frank fixed up three pens in front of the cow shed for the calves, they had to be separated as they suck each other's ears. &amp; Spot's calf had it's ears frozen last night. I battoned up the door of the horse stable with tar paper and it took me nearly all the after noon. We started separating again this morning. Frank stayed home from school to-day to help Dad. get some of the thrashed blue grass over to the other barn but the wind was too strong. Dick had to go back to work to-night. There was a very cold north wind all day and quite a snowstorm to-night for a while</p> <p>Thursday February 13th</p> <p>We didnt get any thing done to-day but chores. I sawed a little wood this after noon &amp; hung around. Aunty went down town to Bible Class. To-night I went down to band practice and got home about half past ten.</p> <p>It has been cold and very windy all day. The wind got up with the sun and made Dad. feel very cross all day as he wanted to get some to the thrashed blue grass moved to the other barn, and we couldnt with the wind &amp; rough road.</p> <p>Friday February 14th</p> <p>We spent our spare time this morning in fixing a door in the east side of the horse stable loft where we can pitch hay off by hand instead of using the hay fork. This afternoon after we had the chores done up we went over and put a load of timothy hay in the rack ready to haul to the horse stable at the first opportunity as the supply over there is getting low.</p> <p>Harry. Varey drove Mrs. Johnston over to spend the after noon with Enah &amp; he &amp; {Elan?} called for her again after tea. Tiddums had colic to-day - very wicked. Miss Harding was out this afternoon to see him. Sunny &amp; mild with not much wind to-day, very nice day.</p> <p>Saturday February 10th</p> <p>As soon as we got the chores done this morning we {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {moved?} the load of timothy which we loaded yesterday over to the stable and Frank helped us unload it. Then we {al...?} and put on a load of the thrashed blue grass and {hauled?} it over to the other barn. This after noon we unloaded it. {We?} loaded two more, we unloaded one and left the other on the barn floor, so we think we have got in a pretty day's work. Nigle came over quite early this morning &amp; Lila followed him up this after noon, both are staying</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over night. Aunty went down town this after noon to get some things. Something has gone wrong with the dining room stove chimney and we can hardly see accross the room in there for smoke. Nice day, much milder, slight wind and raining to-night.</p> <p>Sunday February 16th</p> <p>I intended to go to church this morning with Aunty, Dick &amp; Frank but I had to go up on the roof to see what was the matter with the dining room chimney, and as I had to wait till the fire went out it was twenty minutes to eleven when I got down, I found the cause of the trouble was that a brick had blown down the chimney and nearly filled up the flue. I hadn't much trouble in disloging it</p> <p>Quint came over with the boys to dinner, and this afternoon we went skating. I thought I ought to go as I didn't get to church this morning. We were the only ones on the creek, and the skating was good. We were out to the end of the pier and up as far as Tommy Jackson's, Frank &amp; I came home at half past five &amp; Quint &amp; Dick came over later. Nice day, rather cold and cloudy. It turned cold and froze during the night. We saw a flock of geese flying north to-day.</p> <p>Monday February 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I hooked Joe &amp; Ginger to the buggy this morning and took them down to be shod but we found every shok in town full, so after getting a buggy load of groceries came home, I dropped a dollar's worth of sugar on the floor at Bayley &amp; Miller's and spilt it all over, I was mad enough to cuss. We found out that to-morrow would be the last day they would cut ice, so as we couldn't get the team shod, Dad. spoke to Allan Law and he said he would hold it for us. We intended to get the ice house all ready this after noon but didn't get much done to it.</p> <p>Alfred came over for a visit &amp; Felix Perkins came in to sell a wind mill. I was going to print pictures to-night but we were a little late with tea and as I wanted to do quite a lot, I thought I had better wait till I had more time. Dick didn't come home to tea to night. We don't know where he is but suppose he has gone to O.Y.P.O There was quite a snow storm tonight this morning but cleared off and was very sunny &amp; mild this after noon. Clear &amp; freezing to night.</p> <p>Tuesday February 18th</p> <p>Allan Law came with the first load of ice this morning soon after breakfast before we had our chores</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>done and we have been on the hump all day. We just put in six loads, and think that will be enough till we see if it keeps and we can easily put in more another time. It kept us busy to keep it well chinked with snow and icechips and we have yet to get some sawdust and pack it.</p> <p>Dick had to work last night till midnight and to-night came home, he has to work every other night for awhile. It has been very mild and sunny all day, freezing to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday February 19th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I did the chores all up this forenoon. Vyse was over for quite awhile and also a pedlar who waited around about ten minutes for Enah to make her appearance to sell something - and then received hardly any attention so departed with haste. Aunty went down to the dentists but had to go again to-morrow. We took Joe &amp; Ginger down right after dinner to be shod. I came home soon after we got there but Dad. did not get back till dark. Butler is so slow.</p> <p>I didn't do much except put some more snow in the chinks of ice and cut a little wood. Dad. had to milk after tea to-night. Dick didn't come home to tea as he has to work to night. Mrs. Jack &amp; Mrs. Charlie Martin were over this after noon while Enah was visiting at Quanbury's. It has been a lovely day but terribly muddy.</p> <p>Thursday February 20th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I left as soon after breakfast as possible this morning for Brad. Bowlby's to get a load of sawdust, we got back about noon and after putting it in the ice-house found we would need more, so left right after dinner and got a bigger load, getting home at four o'clock. Dick got home early and unloaded it for us, we could use a little more but we have enough for the present.</p> <p>To-night Dick got a ticket for Dad. to go to the Library Concert so I went with them, they had a farce called "That Rascal Pat" which wasn't much in itself, but the actors, Bill Davis, Perce Brock &amp; Art. Lawson were great. It was very short and we were home at half past ten. It barely froze last night, and has thawed very much all day. If we had waited any longer to go for our sawdust we wouldn't have been able to get in after it, the road was so bad. Mrs. Crosby Morgan died last night.</p> <p>Friday February 21st</p> <p>Just as we were getting ready to sack up some oats this morning, Jack came along and bought our veal calf</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>(Erie's) for eight dollars, he was big but very thin. Dad. took some oats &amp; barley down to the mill to be chopped just before dinner. Aunty went down town to get some flowers for Mrs. Morgan's funeral. Frank came home at noon and is to have a half holiday, as Mr. Smith had to go to Captain McFell's funeral this afternoon.</p> <p>Allan Law came in after dinner and said he was going to take his seed to Jarvis in the morning so I am going with him and take ours. Dad. settled up with him for threshing and he didn't charge anything for hauling the ice, so we got it pretty cheap, as Val. didn't charge for cutting it. Dad. and I went down town after some coal oil and came around by the mill and got our chop and then loaded on our seed.</p> <p>We started to have a musical evening but Tiddums opposed us and had to have refreshments. Colder to-day with cold easterly wind, getting stormier to-night.</p> <p>Saturday February 22nd</p> <p>We got up before day light this morning as I expected to go to Jarvis with Allan Law, but he never turned up, we supposed on account of the weather. Dad. informed us this morning that the old sow had a big litter of piglets. We have counted them several times during the day and have come to the conclusion there are thirteen, all healthy and of uniform size.</p> <p>Soon after breakfast young Billy Louis came after Dad to go and see a sick cow so Frank and I were left with all the undone chores on our hands, but we got them off in good shape by noon, besides throwing off what was left of the load of threshed blue grass standing on the barn floor. Dad. got home about noon and had to hurry to get down town by one as he had to be bearer at Mrs. Morgan's funeral. Aunty went down with him.</p> <p>I didn't do much all the afternoon except cut a little wood. The Ryersies came up and Frank went with them back to the gully as Frank discovered a rabbit hole in the mound. One of our white cats has been sick for the last couple of days and to-night has disappeared we are afraid for good. I read "Oour Mutual Friend" all evening and wound up with a bath which nearly killed me. It rained last night and then froze and has been raining most of the day with several heavy downpours.</p> <p>Sunday February 23rd</p> <p>The two boys went to Sunday school Aunty didn't go as she has a cold and didn't like to go out in the wind. I went down to church. Winny came over</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to dinner with Dick, who spent the after noon down town. Dad. did chores. I read most of the time. We had some music. Frank went back in the gully to look at his empty snares.</p> <p>It has been much colder to day with a raw wind, freezing hard to night Dad is very anxious about his little pigs and to day battoned up the cracks in the pig pen, he says they feel as warm as toast. There are thirteen live ones and one dead one.</p> <p>Monday February 24th</p> <p>Allan Law came over this morning before I was through breakfast all ready to start for Jarvis I got ready as quickly as I could, with Dad's big coonskin overcoat and walked over to Law's as Allan had to load up their seeds, we got started about nine o'clock.</p> <p>When we got down about to the fourth concession Allan got out to walk and then got in with Bellack who was leading a team to Jarvis to sell to Dave. Ward who is shipping to-day, so I drove on to Jarvis's alone, I pulled into the association store as I saw the name of {Tess?} above the door but Allan saw me and told me to come on down farther to a brother of this fellow, so we went down and left our load at the other place till after dinner. I came away in such a hurry this morning that I for got to take any money so had to look to Allan for dinner, and so got a dandy. It took the fellow all the after noon to clean up our alsike &amp; blue grass red clover and we had to leave our blue grass for another time. We got $11 1/2 for the alsike &amp; $9 for the red clover, which is as good as any body is getting now I guess. I got $18 for mine. Allan only got $10 for his alsike as it was part white clover. The fellow said it would have been worth a lot more than ours if it had been brought in two months sooner but now the market was closed for it. Allan got the same for his red seed as we did. I think he expected more than he got. We left there I guess about half past five, and got home about seven, we came a lot faster than we went as we had a big load on this morning.</p> <p>Dad has been over to Louises' this after noon, their cow is getting better he had a very enjoyable visit with John Wess on his way- one of our little pigs got killed some way this morning thirteen was an unlucky number anyway. Emery McPherson and Mrs. Johnson were over this after noon. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day. Dick did not get home to-night, had to work I suppose. Pretty cold to day but sunny and nice. Roads are awfully rough down east</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday February 25th</p> <p>We were very late this morning getting started, owing to my staying in bed later than I should have, so it took us till noon doing chores. Allan Law came in with our seed and took the waggon away with him again.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad. &amp; I drove down town on sundry errands Dick came home to tea but went back down town again to see Huby. he said he might skate or work. Aunty has been feeling very miserable all day, with grip or neuralgia or both. Pretty cold, but sunny and no wind. I finished reading "Our Mutual Freind" to night, sorry to leave it.</p> <p>Wednesday February 26th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing but chores to day. We went down to Alfred's with the sacks we borrowed from him and found him feeling pretty sick with a cold, we were there quite awhile and got back about noon</p> <p>Ern. Fleming was in for awhile this after noon to have Dad. look at his horse who has scratches. I drew a little this after noon and spen the evening practising on my horn. Frank went down town to-night to the moving picture show. Dick was going too so we stayed down to tea It snowed all day, no wind and not very cold</p> <p>Thursday February 27th</p> <p><br />It snew &amp; blew nearly all day. We did up all the chores this morning. Allan Law brought back our waggon and borrowed the hay rack to haul a couple of loads of hay down town, he brought it back to-night.</p> <p>This after noon Dad. drove Enah down town and when they got back he &amp; I drove down to the mill got some corn cobs and took them down to Huby's as he wanted some to smoke his pork. I printed pictures tonight and met with fairly good success. Dick did not work to-night.</p> <p>Friday February 28th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went down first thing this morning and got a load of coal with Joe &amp; Ginger. We let Belle &amp; Harry out separately for a ran in the barnyard and they evidently enjoyed them selves immensly, especially Harry. who was enraptured, this after noon we did chores and unloaded our coal.</p> <p>Aunty has felt very miserable all day and feels as if she was getting the grip. Dick did not come home to-night, this being the end of the month he had to work late. It snowed the biggest part of the day but was quite mild. We are getting enough snow now to make up for the rest of the winter.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday March 1st</p> <p>We did the chores all up this morning, this after noon we sat down to read, and stayed a good deal longer than we should have, and then drove Joe &amp; Ginger down town for exercise, the sleighing is pretty good now. When we were letting the team into the stable to-night Joe who goes in first stopped in the alleyway to nose for hay and Ginger came up behind and turned in beside Belle and she kicked Ginger just below the knee and raised quite a lump, but we don't think it will be serious.</p> <p>Frank has spent the day looking at his empty trap and snares and scouring the farm in search of material to make a sleigh. Our other white cat is at the point of death to-night, they must have got poisoned. Isaac Johnson &amp; Jack Lawrie were over this morning with a new horse bought by the farmer. March has put in a very lamblike appearance. It snowed quietly most of the morning, and has been sunny &amp; mild the rest of the day.</p> <p>Sunday March 2nd</p> <p>The boys went to Sunday school and I went down to church. Aunty didn't go on account of her cold and the bad weather Quint came over to dinner and this after noon we went over to the Shand's as Charlie had asked Frank at school. It was a rough day for a drive and we werent sure wheter we could get through the cuts or not. This one out here was nearly full and we just had room for Joe to go down one side of it. The four of us in the cutter made quite a load but she got through the drifts nobly and where there were no drifts the sleighing was pretty good. We were there all the after noon and they wanted us to stay to tea but the wind was getting worse all the time so we thought it was better to leave before dark. We drove around the other way coming home past McQueen's and the Mill as we weren't shure about getting through the other way. It was getting very much colder and in some places I couldn't see any farther than Joe's head for the drifting snow we got home just about dark, the lane out here was full and we all had to get out for to let Joe get through</p> <p>Dad walked down to Alfred's this after noon and to Art's as Mrs Tuck asked Frank in Sunday school to let them know that old Mrs. Sindor. had another stroke. Dad got very cold, and says Alfred isn't feeling much better yet. Quint stayed here all night. Aunty read to us all the evening, but I went to sleep before she finished.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday March 3rd</p> <p>Dad didn't feel very well to-day so we did not do anything out side but chores and cut a little wood. We also started to make out a list of seeds to send for to Simmer's</p> <p>It snowed pretty much all day, was cold and windy this morning but the wind went down a little and it was a great deal milder this afternoon. Dick did not come home to tea to-nigh but went to O.Y.P.O. I had quite a piano practice to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday March 4th</p> <p>I drove Dick down town this morning as the walking was so bad, we were to late in starting to take Frank. When I got back Enah was ready to go down with 10 lbs of butter so after cleaning out the stables I drove her down, she got 30 cts a lb. for the butter, we didn't get back much before noon.</p> <p>Allan Law came over to get one of us to help him shovel out the cut on the side road out here but as neither could go he said he wasn't going to do it alone and so departed after breaking the handle of our snow shovel while talking. Dad felt very miserable to-day so we didn't do any thing much this after noon but finish making out our list of seeds. Aunty got a letter from Miss Scott this afternoon saying that a little daughter arrived yesterday afternoon to Ray &amp; Vernon. Aunty couldn't make out from the letter whether they were extra anxious about Vernon or not, but we didnt get any more word to-night so Dad. thinks every thing must be all right.</p> <p>We are afraid that all our cats except Fits and her mother have gone where they don't play billiards as neither the grey or black cat has showed up for the last two or three milking times. I had a good practice on horn &amp; piano to-night. It snowed a little to-day but was pretty sunny &amp; not cold.</p> <p>Wednesday March 5th</p> <p>I drove Aunty &amp; Dick down town, this morning. Aunty got Cousin Willie to telephone Ray and find out how things were, he said they were doing better and said there would be a letter from him on the noon train. I drove around town while waiting for Aunty as I didn't want to keep Joe waiting. Bah. Miller asked me if we could keep a ewe for awhile for him as didn't want to kill it yet.</p> <p>Aunty found out from Aunty Maude that Mrs. Baugner's friend Mr. Hamer the great Shropshire man was coming to Mr Scofield's this afternoon so Dad. &amp; I went down and met him and thought he was a very nice fellow. We have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>been troubled lately by a very disagreeable odour in the dining room and until this morning have been unable to discover the cause, but upon investigation Dad found our two cats the black one and the white one which disappeared from the horse stable so mysteriously lying dead in the garret directly over the dining room stove, where it was warm. Frank found the remains of the grey cat underneath the cultivator in the barn to-night, our once great supply of cats has now dwindled down to two head.</p> <p>Dick had to work to-night so did not get home to tea. Mrs. McBain. died very suddenly this morning about ten o'clock. I had a pretty good practice to-night. Rather cold, but sunny, windy to-night.</p> <p>Thursday March 6th</p> <p>Helen Agusta Wind was here to-day, so in honor of her visit we didn't do any thing but chores, and not all of them as we didn't clean out the horse stable at all, for the first time this winter.</p> <p>This afternoon I walked down town to get the mail as Dick wasn't coming home to tea to-night. The lane was full of snow-drift so we couldn't drive. To night I went down to the Orchestra dance, I didn't decide to go till just in time to get ready but the wind had died down, so it wasnt so bad going. Dick was there and we had a good time, the only boots I could find to wear, were a pair of thinsoled paten leathers of Dad's, they were about a foot too long for me but worked pretty well, we got home about three in the morning; it was freezing hard and I guess was the coldest night this winter. Frank didn't go to school to-day on account of a bad cold.</p> <p>Friday March 7th</p> <p>Dad. and I started to dig out the lane this morning but Sam Law came over about ten o'clock and got Dad. to go and help dig out the our cut on the side road and at the winding hills, so I didn't get finished here.</p> <p>This afternoon we did chores, and I walked down and got the mail and my hair cut. Frank was in the house all day to-day again and feels pretty sick. Dick brought home a book to-night which he persisted in reading out loud and so I could not get this written. Had a practice on my horn. It has been freezing hard all day but sunny and no wind.</p> <p>Saturday March 8th</p> <p>Dad. and I did up the chores this morning, we also finished shovelling out the lane. I drove Enah down town this after noon to sell her butter and do shopping</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I didn't wait for her standing as I was afraid Joe would get cold so drove around town I picked up Roy Dell and afterwards Quint &amp; Jim Math piled in too but they didn't stay long. When we got home Mr. &amp; Mrs. Morley Buck and kids were over just leaving. Mrs. Buck had been comparing babies but thought Tiddums would be not much account as he didn't sleep out doors. Jack Martin came over this after noon while we were gone and took all his roosters.</p> <p>Dick didn't come home to tea to-night we supposed he had to work. We started to have a practice to-night but Tiddums had to wake up and be fed just as we got started and it looks now as if I was in for a bath. It has been much milder to-day snowed this morning and is almost thawing this evening before sundown.</p> <p>Sunday March 9th</p> <p>The boys went to Sunday school this morning, Aunty stayed home to mind Tiddums so as to let Dad. &amp; Enah go to church, we started rather late and it was beginning to rain before we got to the corner it was pouring so hard we came back.</p> <p>Frank did not go to church. This after noon we didn't do anything much Dad. did all the chores and Enah &amp; I practiced Dick read, he was very disappointed as he has been counting on a sleigh ride this afternoon but the sleighing is nearly all gone, although a cutter &amp; bob sleigh did go past in the mud. It has been very mild &amp; sunny this after noon but every thing is flooded.</p> <p>Monday March 10th</p> <p>Dad. and I loaded up some wheat oats this morning and took it down to be chopped. This after noon Dad drove Aunty down to the McBains and on down town to get the mail and then drove around by the mill for the chop</p> <p>Just after dinner Allan Law drove in with his new buggy and harness and wanted to go to Jarvis after the blue grass money, so I went with him. the roads were a little muddy but not bad we went down and back in three hours, and were there half an hour or more. We got eight dollars for our seed with 17 lbs of alsike in it and Allan got a little over five for his. we didn't expect any more. He gave us 2 1/2 cts for the blue grass @ 17 cts per lb for the alsike. Allan bought me a cigar and I was fool enough to smoke it on the way home. It was my first whole one and although I didn't suffer any ill effects from it I think it will be my last because I don't see any sense in it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Mrs. McBride has been here washing to-day. Cliff Mc{Baird?} was in before break fast this morning to see if Dad would take their old mare but we couldn't so Dad told him to shoot her which he did this afternoon. Although they hated to do it, they couldn't manage any other was as they are all leaving for Toronto to-night. Dick did not get home to tea to-night. Very mild and sunny. snow going fast.</p> <p>Tuesday March 11th</p> <p>Teddy George was in before breakfast this morning to get Dad. to go over to Monteith's to see a sick cow Dad. fed the calves and had a cup of coffee but when he got over there the cow was dead. After doing up the chores Dad hooked up Joe &amp; Ginger and we hauled up a load of rails.</p> <p>This afternoon we put a load of timothy on the rack to haul to the horse stable in the morning when the ground is frozen. Dad had been carrying blue grass over lately. Frank went down to see a health car to-night so was late getting home. Just before ten Hazen &amp; Murray drove in to tell Dick that he needn't go to work to night but Dick didn't come home anyway. Murray says he is home on sick leave but not very sick. Miss Monteith &amp; Mrs Welch were in this after noon. Mild. muddy and springlike</p> <p>Wednesday March 12th</p> <p>Lorne Myers and his father came in first thing this morning to get a load of the threshed blue grass which Dad. told him he could have for five dollars a load, while they were putting it on we took Joe &amp; Ginger and hauled our load of timothy over to the horse stable. Bill Donald came in just as the Myers were going and it was nearly noon when he left. Dad. discovered Queen had cut a nasty gash in her right fore leg just above the fetlock, he thought at first the tendon was cut but when he bathed it after dinner found it wasn't; he feels very badly about it and is afraid it will always be rough there.</p> <p>This afternoon we weighed and took Alfred's bushel of clover seed to him. He his pretty sick yet. When we got back we went out and cleaned out the road ditch running on the south side of the wheat field - as it was full of snow - and was hacking a {big?} pond on to the wheat. The seeds we sent to Simmer's for came to-day. Froze last night but sunny &amp; thawing to-day looks like a big storm.</p> <p>Thursday March 13th</p> <p>We bathed Queen's leg and did chores this morning Aunty went down town to the dentist and stayed down to go to Bible class this afternoon Dad. drove down</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after her about half past four. This after noon Dad &amp; I moved quite a lot of the threshed blue grass out of the drive way into the barn. To night Dick and I went down to band practice but there wasn't any thing much going on as a lot of them were practicing at the Presbyterian concert. Dick couldn't get his cornet as Bill Graham has taken it. Murray was playing a lot of the new song hits over on the town hall piano for Walt Perce Brock was dancing to them.</p> <p>Vyse was over most of the morning. It rained a little but has been sunny &amp; warm Frank and Dad each saw a robin to-day and Dick said he saw two or three, they are the first I have heard of.</p> <p>Friday March 14th</p> <p>I didn't get up early this morning and had the blues for most of the forenoon. We fixed up the ice house a little more and put some tar paper and siding on the front of it so that it looks ever so much better.</p> <p>This after noon we trimmed apple trees we got two pretty well browsed in two hours and a half. The cows all went back to the gully this after noon, when I went back for them they were nosing around half way to the culvert but they came when I called them.</p> <p>Lila came over with Frank to stay all night. Dick came home to tea. After we sat down to tea Roy Bannister came after Dad. to go and see their old horse which he said was choking. Dad. had his tea and then went over to see it.</p> <p>Tiddums allowed Enah to play the whole evening for Dick and me. and I didn't go to bed till about eleven. It has been a beautiful day quite hot but to-night a very heavy thunder storm came up and it rained &amp; hailed nearly all evening, that in the spring means cold weather.</p> <p>Saturday March 10th</p> <p>We got up pretty fairly early this morning and Dad discovered that the calves were in the sheep pen and upon investigation found that they had come through the barn and had let the sheep all out. we supposed the wind last night had blown the barn doors open. Another little bit of excitement we had was Dick discovering that Lila had come in to his room before he was awake and taken his Romany Club pin of his coat. and she wouldn't give it back. She said he had no right to it as he didn't belong to their club. but he said he was going to keep it as they had sold it to him. We found out later when Winnie came over that Lila had lost hers, and there wasn't anothe one so she had taken Dick's but Win persuaded</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to give it back as they had found the lost one. I think Dick bought it so as there wouldn't be enough to go round and led them to under stand he was buying it for another member of the club. We got the chores done up pretty early but didn't get any thing else much done.</p> <p>Dad. went over to Bannister's to see their horse and says he thinks it will die. Roy came back with him and fooled around with Frank nearly all morning and at last went home with an Horatio Alger book after Frank had showed about half a dozen {"tame" illegible} Win and Lila went home soon after dinner.</p> <p><br />This afternoon Dad drove Enah and Frank down town, Enah sold her butter and Frank got a new suit which he is highly delighted with. Dad arranged with Marshall to send our cream to the butter factory in April.The roads were a fright, frost nearly out in some places. I cut wood and cleaned out enough threshed blue grass to shut the barn doors. It rained this morning this after noon very high wind and colder not quite freezing to-night. Dick had to work tonight. Tiddums on the mend slept most of the day.</p> <p>Sunday March 16th</p> <p>Aunty said the boys went down to sunday school &amp; church I helped Dad do up some of the chores and then left here about eleven for church. I was a little late of course so sat in the back with Dick &amp; Fred Tuck. Quint came over to dinner with us and this afternoon he Dick &amp; I went down town and sat around down at the Vigilant with Jim {Muth?} till six. Dick stayed down to tea at Huby's but I came home. Dad did up the chores. It froze last night and has been much colder to-day with a sharp wind. Freezing pretty hard to night. Snow flurries to day.</p> <p>Monday March 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I caught the two young gobblers this morning and put them up over the pig pen, where we hope to get them in a corpulent state, one for home consumption and the other to convert into cash, we started before dinner to move more alsike &amp; bluegrass threshing and this after noon got it all out of the drive way and piled in one corner of the empty bent in the barn as high as was convenient to pich, there is still quite a pile in the shed.</p> <p>Enah went down town to church this afternoon, there is church every afternoon this week now. Dick came home with her. Tom. Abbot was in this morning to see Dad. about his mare who has distemper. It froze pretty stiff last night and there has been a rather sharp breeze to-day but sunny.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday March 18th</p> <p>I went down town this morning took some saws down for Emery to sharpen and got him to come over to morrow to help us build a smoke house. I also saw Huby and asked him to come over as Dad. wanted to speak to him about tendering for a mail route. He came over this afternoon and said he would think about it. I got a pair of low shoes and came home.</p> <p>This after noon we tore down most of the old chicken house as that is were we expect to get the material for the smoke house. Skinny Ryersie came over this after noon with the ewe Bol. {Milly?} wanted to keep her for awhile. He said it was one of my old ones, but I dont beleive I would have recognised it. Aunty went down to church this afternoon. Art Quanbury was in soon after dinner and got all the white wyandotte pullets (14). It has been very much milder but windy.</p> <p>Wednesday March 19th</p> <p>Emery did not show up this morning as we expected and we found out afterwards that he stayed at home to help Mrs. McPherson get ready to go to Courtright in the morning. Dad. and I finished taking the nails out of the old chicken house boards and I just hung around this after noon and went back to the gully where I heard a frog.</p> <p>Enah went down to church this afternoon. To-night Dick and Frank went to the show the Presbyterian church had in the town hall called "The Old District School" which they enjoyed very much. I had a good practice. Lovely day very mild the frost nearly all out.</p> <p>Thursday March 20th</p> <p>Emery came over this morning and built the smoke house getting it all finished by to-night. Dad. &amp; I helped him and I cleaned out the separator this after noon Aunty went down to church to-day. Emery stayed here to tea and Cecil came over here to find him.</p> <p>After tea Dick. Emery Cecil and I went down town &amp; I went to band practice Dick got his first long pants to-night but I don't think he likes them much. It rained a little and was threatening this morning but turned out fine and was a beautiful night.</p> <p>Friday March 21st</p> <p>It poured rain most of the morning. Frank and Enah went down to church as this is Good Friday. Cecil McPherson came over and said he thought I would</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>stay here awhile on his way to his Grandpa's, but owing to the weather he stayed till after dinner when his father came and called for him. A terrific wind got up about noon and blew things "galley west." It flatened our barnyard fence. tore some of the roof of our cow stable rooted up the old half dead mountain ash tree at the corner of the spare bedroom and blew over our new smoke house.</p> <p>We three boys went down town and found the water very high down at the pier. We noticed Woodson's tank has blown off its tower and their fence is lying all over the sidewalk. Aunty and I intended to go to church to-night but as the wind was so bad we decided to stay home and I had a pretty fair practice. Dick went down town to a party at {Bessie?} Gaham's.</p> <p>Saturday March 22nd</p> <p>Dad and I &amp; Frank fixed up the fence around the barnyard which blew down yesterday. Roy Bannister came over to spend the morning with Frank. This after noon Dad and I went down town to get some groceries. We have to take beef for Easter as the wind yesterday blew apart the pig pen door and both the turkeys got loose and we haven't caught them yet. We heard of quite a lot of damage being done around here several wind mills put out of business and the roof blew off Chast. Wooleys barn. but by the paper we see there is much more damage done in other parts of the province.</p> <p>Dad. got his hair cut and I waited around till he got through Mrs. Lawrie was here when we got back. I had a good practice to-night. Sunny with cold wind.</p> <p>Sunday March 23rd</p> <p>As this was Easter Sunday, Dad. and Enah managed to get down to church while Aunty looked after Tiddums. This after noon I wasted in sleeping and reading Dad &amp; Frank did all the chores. It was cloudy this morning and rained all the afternoon.</p> <p>Aunty wanted to go to church to-night but couldn't on account of the weather. Franks got 12 eggs to-day which is more than he has got since Christmas but for that it has seemed very un-Eastery.</p> <p>Monday March 24th</p> <p>I didn't do any thing much to-day but chores Dad &amp; Frank cleaned up the old barn, and I read a lot of "Tom Dick &amp; Harry". Jimmy Lawse came over quite</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>early this morning and got Fred. Dad. was disappointed Bob. didn't see her before she got all wet and muddy but I saw Bob to-night and he said she was in better shape than he expected. The fellow that lives down at the corner where Andre used to live was over this morning to see if he could buy some little pigs as he had a lot of milk going to waste, he seemed disappointed when he couldn't get them but Dad. didn't want to sell any and had had a lot speak before.</p> <p>It poured rain all last night and most of the morning but was clear all the afternoon. About dark it began again and kept it up all night to-night. Dick and I went down to the Orchestra dance to-night, it was raining so hard when we left about 3 am that we went down to Huby's. I just took off my coat and boots and lay on the sofa. Dick I guess turned in with Quint. About six I came home. Dick spent about half of his holiday yesterday in bed and the other half in town.</p> <p>Tuesday March 25th It poured rain all last night and this forenoon, the mud is terrible. Tobe and Dick stayed at Hubert's after the ball. Tobe got home just as Frank and I were getting the fires going. We did very little but chores all day, the papers are full of the awful loss of life and property caused by the storm on Good Friday. It was fair for a little while this afternoon but is raining and freezing a little tonight.</p> <p>Wednesday March 26th A very heavy fog this morning, but mild the ice was dropping from the trees, we took Joe and Ginger on the lumber wagon and moved the big bin from the drive house over to the old barn there we put on three sacks of oats to go to the mill, we got there and then on down town. Aunty went with us, (Frank &amp; me) she stayed down town. Frank and I got home about noon with our chop and our flour.</p> <p>After dinner we cleaned up some wheat. Aunty got home about six. Dick did not get home to tea. Toby went down to have a practice. It is a dark dismal night and not knowing whether to snow or rain.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday March 27th</p> <p>It blew &amp; snew all day so we didn't do any thing out side but chores. I drew a little this morning while Dad. paid a visit to Alfred and Frank worked at his Mecanno. We weren't sure whether Dick would be home to-night with the mail. I walked down after it, I saw Dick and we went down and got our Science books and I brought them home.</p> <p>I took my horn down this afternoon and went down to band practice to-night. Dick did get home to tea after all. The papers are full of accounts of the awful floods in Ohio.There has been a blizzard most of the day and to-night is freezing quite stiff. Snow all over again</p> <p>Friday March 28th</p> <p>We put in most of the day to-day hauling hay. We had two motives for so doing. first because we were out of hay both in horse stable and cow barn. and secondly because we wanted to get at the clover which was under what we hauled for the sheep, we just cut a square out of one corner of the blue grass mow and took out all the blue grass till we struck clover. We could only haul half loads as the mud under the frozen crust was to hard to pull through but Joe &amp; Ginger did it. We hauled one half load to the other barn and half a one to the horse stable and put half a one on the rack Frank pitched out of the mow Dad pitched on and I loaded.</p> <p>Enah went down town this morning and Aunty went calling at Brileys &amp; Martin's this afternoon. It has been very sunny all day but a cold wind, freezing to-night.</p> <p>Saturday March 29th</p> <p>Frank, Dad and I cleaned up more wheat this morning but have quite a lot left yet. Nig. came over this morning and he and Frank went back hunting this after noon around the gully. I went back too with my camera. I intended to follow the south creek to its source but as I couldn't get across it and there were several branches to it I had to keep on the south of every branch. I was led at last nearly to Colin {McKellige's?} barn - and then I went down to Cedar swamp in quest of skunk cabbage but as I was on the wrong side of that creek and the log was gone I didnt find any, I think it is a little early any way. I heard a dog barking down the stream and upon investigation, discovered Billy Louis &amp; Balby</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wright with their dog's. I talked to them awhile and then came part way home with Billy the same way I came went. Dad. and Aunty went down town this after noon. Dad. settled up with Bob Miller for Fred. he got $60.00 for her, just what he asked and Bob said she was worth it. Bob offered him $48.00 for the twelve little pigs now but Dad. doesn't want to sell them till he has spoken to the othe people who have asked for them, he saw Carl Coleman coming over here on his way home with his cow who had another piece of turnip in her throat. Dick did not get home to tea to-night. It has been much milder to-day and very sunny.</p> <p>Sunday March 30th</p> <p>I went down to church this morning. Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School and church. Dick stayed down at Huby's to tea dinner. This after noon I decided to take a walk up to Wooley's to make sure whether the roof was off his barn or not as we have heard conflicting reports concerning it. I fell in with Jacks Spain &amp; Winn, Lewie Larose &amp; Geordie Spain. and they came to the conclusion that they would go with me, but Lewie didn't go very far. The rest of went up to Wooley's point with out much adventure, then I left them there to go and ascertain the facts of the barn case, and found it in perfectly good condition and I didn't think it was likely they would have it all fixed up so soon.</p> <p>I came back to the lake just by Hay Creek and saw the other fellows down the beach, and saw by their foot prints that they had kept on the beach so I thought if they could go that way I could too but soon found out that I was very much mistaken. I got into quicksand above my boot tops and just covered myself with mud (I was fool enough to have worn my good clothes) I lost one rubber and fished around with my fingers for about five minutes before I found it. I struck for the bank at the first opportunity and stayed there till I got to where I knew I wouldn't have to cross any more mud. I washed my rubbers off as well as I could.</p> <p>When I got down to McCoy's bush I found Skinny &amp; Perce Ryersie with Fred Tuck Bangers &amp; Smock making maple syrup they had quite a quantity of sap gathered and were boiing it down right there. I took a picture of them and then homeward plodded my weary way, via the back streets of Dover thus escaping the notice of most of the good people who might scoff at my appearance. I stopped at Huby's</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to try and brush off some of the mud but did not succeed he gave me a piece of Sassafras root which Mr Henderson had got. Lovely sunny day but muddy in spots.</p> <p>Monday March 31st</p> <p>Dad. went off this morning to settle up about the sale of his little pigs, he saw. John Quanbury &amp; Vyse and they didn't want to block the sale of the bunch so he sold the eleven of them to Bob. Miller for forty five dollars he had given the runt to Frank so couldn't sell it with the rest. I did the chores up and Tapper came through on his way down town.</p> <p>This afternoon the old man that lives down at the corner came up here with his cream to churn as Dad. told him he might this morning. Part of the barn gate fence blew down in the morning and some of the cattle got into the field. About four o'clock Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompsons and Dad bought his registered short horn bull calf for fifty five dollars although he wanted sixty as he says their price has gone up very much lately. We didn't get home till six so were late with the chores. Dick did not get home to tea to-night I suppose as it is the last of the month It rained alittle this morning, cloud, windy and colder to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday April 1st</p> <p>There was a very strong wind blowing all day to-day and as wind makes Dad. sick &amp; mad. we didn't do anything but chores, but did them thoroughly, we also went out and I held the ladder while Dad nailed a board on the eve of the cow stable roof, as the wind was getting under our roofing paper and tearing it.</p> <p>This afternoon I slept most of the time and Dad made some meat hooks out of the rod he got from Butler the other day. Aunty went down town this morning and stayed down till after the auxillary this after noon. Dick did not get home to tea.</p> <p>I had a good practice to-night. Ed. Aikens was in this after noon to see Dad. about a dog which he left here to be looked after. Cold but sunny to-day. Froze pretty stiffly last night but the wind dried up a lot of mud.</p> <p>Wednesday April 2nd</p> <p>Dad. and I put up the barnyard fence again this morning which the wind blew down the day before yesterday While we were at it the old man at the corner, whose name he told us was Mr. Green, but who is commonly known as Jonas by the surrounding neighbourhood.) came in and bargained for a load of hay. Dad. said he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>would let him have a load of thashed alsike for five dollars but would not deliver it with the roads in the shape they are, so this after noon he got Allan Law to come and get it for him, his wife came last night so he is a little more cheerful, Charlie Martin was over this morning for awhile to see about getting some meat smoked and he helped us raise the smoke house. We chopped up the old mountain ash tree that blew down and got a small pile of firewood from it.</p> <p>This after noon we didn't do much as Allan Law and his friend Jonas came after the latter's hay and we stayed out at the barn watching them work. Tupper came in soon after their exodus and entertained us for about an hour relating the history of Jonas, &amp; Sairy his wife as he had known them in the days of his youth when they lived near Waterford. It appears that Jonas has a few shingles of his roof and that some of Saiway's "as Jonas evidently calls her are loose. It was rather late in the life of each of them when they entered upon their matrimonial career and all has not been perfectly clear sailing since as they now and then strike a rock in the shape of a pugilistic bout, in which the old lady generally comes off with the laurels. Many were the anecdotes he told of pranks &amp; tricks enjoyed by the juvenile portion of the comunnity at Mr. Green's expence and one case where that gentleman's claw's did him a good service in peeling a youth's face with whom he was engaged in battle.</p> <p>Aunty went down town this after noon and brough back a note from Mrs. Lawson containing news of the arrival of a new member to the house of Tupper, and it was to be delivered to the head of that house. Mrs. Tupper is down at Mrs. Lawson's and the stork called yesterday morning but Mrs. Lawson hadn't seen anybody to carry the tidings home. Tupper said this after noon he in tended to call down there the end of this week or the beginning of next to see if there was any thing doing, he supposed they would let him know if a boy came but if it was a girl he didn't care a cent. Poor Tupper it was a girl and he was going fishing to-night.</p> <p>Just before ten to-night Billy Barlow drove in he had been down in this country after beef and dropped in to see us and Dad sold him his two gobblers. Dick did not come home to tea to-night but I went down to private band practice and we came home to gether. {Pat Slow...?} Roy Dell &amp; Walt were at band practice and we had a fairly good one. Very nice day to-day Sunny and quite mild, Roads are drying up fast. Blacker than a stack of black cats to-night. Found 4 duck eggs in mudpuddle</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Mr. Green came in this morning for a little visit before breakfast and sat by the door with his hat on all the time we were eating. We couldn't do very much out side to day on account of the weather but this morning we finished cleaning up the wheat and this after noon started to clean up oats but didn't get much done Emery came over with the pieces he is going to put on the bed piece of the rack to rest on the holster instead of the cross pieces on the holster but he couldnt finish the job as the bolts he brought over didn't have a long enough thread cut on them.</p> <p>Tonight I went down to band practice with Emery. I wore my steel boots and gaiters to keep off the mud and I left my horn at Hubys. It has rained nearly all day to-day with thunder and lightening but seems to have cleared off to-night.</p> <p>It seems there is a new fellow now negotiating with the town concerning a canning factory they have formed a joint stock company and yesterday sold $8000 worth of shares they want to sell $15000 worth.</p> <p>Friday April 4th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I drove Joe &amp; Ginger up to Simcoe to-day. Dad went to Frank Reid's and paid the intrest on the mortgage and $1000 of the principal which Aunty got and wanted to pay last fall but couldn't as they wouldn't take it till the right date. We got there just a little after twelve and Dad. just caught Mr. Reid as he was leaving for dinner we also called around to see Billy Barlow but his shop door was locked so we dropped in at Church's and got our old harnessed fixed and came home getting here about half past three. The roads were very bad in some places especially in the streets of Simcoe, we didn't go by the half way house but turned at the cemetry corner and came out on the gravel at St. John's as Carl Coleman told me the other night there was a bad place near Brad. Bowlby's but we found the back roadway good condition.</p> <p>We had our dinner and did up a few chores after we got home Charlie Martin came over just before tea and tuned the piano Dick came home to tea. It has been cloudy and threatening all day but quite mild. It rained before and after we were at Simcoe but was fair all the time we were gone. Quint was over a couple of times after some ducks, Frank saw in the timothy field. But -</p> <p>Saturday April 5th</p> <p>Frank and Dad. went up to Ham. Thompson's about the first thing this morning and got our bull, they were gone quite a while as he gave them considerable trouble</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and got away once and ran way down the track. We have to think of name for him as is to be registered. While they were gone Quint and George Haymaker came along, they had come up the creek and came over here to see if the dudes were here, but they weren't. George wanted to know if I knew any body around here by the name of Mull or some name sounding like that, who kept brown leg horn chickens and lived a long way in from the road; by this last hint I suppose I mentioned Tapper which proved to be the correct answer; they didn't know the way over there so I showed them part way as George wanted to get some eggs.</p> <p>This afternoon Frank &amp; Enah went down town for supplies. I cut wood and Dad carried hay and then we hung the hams all up in the smoke house Dick didn't come home to tea to-night. It has been colder and windy to-day with quite a snow storm to-night.</p> <p>Sunday March April 6th</p> <p>Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday school and I went to church this morning. This afer noon I drew a pattern to carve and Dick went down town. Dad. did nearly all the chores. Toby and Hallie have gone in to have some music so I told him I would finish this, there is little more to say. It has been a cold miserable day, quite a wind with occasional snow flurries, it is freezing hard tonight.</p> <p>Monday April 7th</p> <p>I didn't do anything much to-day, helped Dad. a little clean out the place where we had the calves as he wants to build a stall for the bull (who by the way we have decided to call Dreadnought after Aunty's suggestion) in one corner of it. Dad. lit a fire in the smoke house this morning and about noon Art Quanbury came over with Charlie Martin's hams and some side meat of his fathers which Dad promised to smoke. Bob. Miller came over and got the little pigs to-day. He paid $44.00 for the eleven but left Runty for Frank, we left him in with the old sow but soon had to remove him as we heard a terrible racket in the pig pen and when Dad went to investigate found the old sow with the little pig down and treating it in a very savage manner and if she had been left to continue would soon have killed it but as it was she didn't hurt it much Aunty went down town this after noon, and something or other struck Enah to go down to A.Y.P.A. to-night so Dad. went with her I guess it was because Aunty Maude was going to recite.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dick did not get home to tea to-night we don't know whether he had to work or not. We think of getting up early in the morning and going fishing back in the gully. Ray Dell told Frank to-night that Earn. Fleming caught 6 pike above the culvert at our place yesterday or the day before. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. It was cloudy and inclined to snow this morning but turned sunny &amp; muddy &amp; mild this after noon. Lovely night. {indistinct marks on page}</p> <p>Tuesday April 8th</p> <p>Dad finished building his bull stall to-day. I didn't do much in the morning but this afternoon I pruned another apple tree. We got up about half past five this morning and started to the gully armed with a rifle and two pitch forks. We went down to the culvert and walked up but didn't see a sign of aquatic life except a mud turtle who was too cold to resist my picking him out of the water on my fork and some sort of a fish about a foot long which I speared at but missed. I also saw two minnows.</p> <p>Aunty went down town to the dentists this morning and was successful in finding the door unlocked and Bill in working order. Dick had to work to-night and said when he got home that got nearly through he only made a mistake of $1800.00. Froze hard last night, sunny &amp; breezy to-day.</p> <p>Wednesday April 9th</p> <p>This morning I started to clean up the lawn in front of the house and I raked the grass across the ditch. Then Dad. &amp; I went back to the gully and burned some of the old grass on the flat. After dinner went back again. we burned quite a lot of it but it is a little too wet to run. When we got back we bolted the pieces on the bed pieces of the rack.</p> <p>To-night I went down with my horn to practice but found there was a public meeting on in the hall and consequently no practice so I went to the meeting, it was about the new school bylaw. Mr. Ivey was speaking when I went in, and he was against it. Then Dr. Hicks &amp; Mr. Robertson who were for it had a little say, then Old Maneer &amp; Dr. Jolly the former for &amp; the latter against it. Old Maneer told us that as he had lived in the back woods all his life he had no education so would like to see a good school and that if nobody else would build it for less than $28000.00 he would take the contract himself. They spent a good part of the time arguing who was going to have the last word but Mr. Ivey left before it was over I think Dick &amp; I did any way and got home after eleven.</p> <p>Aunty went down town this morning and stayed down all night as Aunty Maude has not been at all well all day. It has been a nice day but with quite a cold wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday April 10th</p> <p>It rained nearly all day so we didn't do much but chores. As I was cleaning out the stable this morning I got a sharp stitch in my side and had to go in the house and lie down till after dinner, and it was quite a while after dinner before it entirely left me. Aunty came over this morning.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad fixed up the boxstall door and cleaned &amp; admired Queen. To-night I went down to band practice to-night. There weren't many there as all the orchestra went to Port Rowan to a dance. Bob. Rankin was down and we had a pretty fair practice. Dick had to work all evening hunting for a mistake of 40 something dollars and we came home to-gether through the pouring rain.</p> <p>Quint got word by telephone to-day from Geordie Allen saying he had a job for him and he is to go to Port Coulborne to morrow night. He doesn't know yet what the job is but thinks it is on a boat.</p> <p>Friday April 11th</p> <p>Quint came over this morning to say goodbye to us and I went out with him to get his traps which he set for the ducks and we scared up six but were too far away to get a shot at them. Aunty went down with Quint and is going to stay down all night I went over as far as Martin's with them and Aunty got Mrs. Charlie Martin to telephone down to see if Bagley &amp; Miller's car of potatoes had come yet but they hadn't so I went over again after the train should have come in but they weren't here.</p> <p>This after noon Jonas came over to prune apple trees. We hardly knew him as he has had his beard shaved off. he got over quite a lot of trees but didn't cut out any thing much but the suckers. He says he will be over to-morrow if it is fine but has to go to work for Ivey on Monday. I went down to-night to see Quint off. Dick was down and said he would have to look for his mistake again to-night. Cloudy &amp; very mild, windy</p> <p>Saturday April 12th</p> <p>Jonas came over at seven this morning and pruned in the orchard all day. He got pretty well over all the trees but I think they would stand a lot more being cut out of them. Dad &amp; I went down to Porter's in the lumber waggon and got back about two o'clock. The roads were awful in places. Art. Ryersie just scraped his hill before the rain so it was like a mortar bed, so to miss it we came home but the Plank road and it was just about as hard pulling down the hill above the brick yard as it would have been</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>pulling up Art. Ryersie's. Dad. &amp; Enah walked down town after dinner and did not get back till after six. Dad. voted for the School by-law and before he came home found out that it had carried by a majority of 10 in town but they hadn't heard from the town-ship yet, most likely the moss backs will be against it. I started to dig up the plum trees out on the front lawn this afternoon but the ground was too wet.</p> <p>Frank and I found the turkey nests right out here along the side of the road. Aunty came over this morning after she had voted. Dick is still in quest of his mistake. Jim Law was in here this morning trying to sell Enah some tea &amp; coffee but didn't. Dark &amp; threatening all day but quite mild.</p> <p>Sunday April 13th</p> <p>Dad. caught a whole family of rats in the horse stable last night in the cage trap, there was a mother and five ratlets. He had to drown them although he hated to. He also discovered that Bob's ewe had a lamb last night. Aunty &amp; the boys went down to Sunday school and I went down late to church.</p> <p>This afternoon Dick and I took some duck eggs down to Mrs. Tuck and Dick bought a film for Frank's camera with the money. We hung around the lake till about five o'clock with Roy Dell and then came home. We found Pud. Smythe &amp; his father had been here all the afternoon and were just going We went in on our way down to see Jona's colt which came this morning. It is a nice colt only one hind leg is crookeder than a snake fence. Enah went to church to-night and Dick went down with her but said he was not going to church. Lovely day, roads drying up fast.</p> <p>Monday April 14th</p> <p>Dad managed to poke a hole through the blocade in the center of the culvert this morning with a scantling and as there was such a head of water on it washed it out clear and in a few minutes it drained the lake that has been in the field on the west side of the road all spring &amp; winter. Then we grubbed out the six plum trees that were planted all in a heap along the lane in the lawn as they were full of black knot and haven't borne fruit since we came here so we want to plant a grape vine in their place. While we were out there Billy Louis drove along breaking his colt then Art. Ryersie, then Mr. Monteith came and each stopped to talk Charlie Martin came over and talked till nearly noon.</p> <p>This after noon I fixed the place up where we dug out the trees and Dad bunched them out. When we went out to the {Courslake?} we had to spend some time with Bolly who had a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>big bull calf just come.We were rather late getting through to-night but Dad &amp; I went down to Mrs. {Halles?} as soon as we could get ready after tea. Dick came all the home after he had had his tea to tell Dad. to take his songs down but he didn't. We had a nice evening and enjoyed Miss Prest's playing on the violin very much. We got home about twelve and came with Dick who had just got through work as we came out.</p> <p>Aunty Maude went to London to-day as delegate to the W.A. Meetings and Aunty has gone down to keep house for Huby &amp; the girls Charlie Martin got his meat this after noon. and Dad is going to take ours out as it is smoked enough. It has been very nice &amp; sunny but with rather raw east wind.</p> <p>Tuesday April 15th</p> <p>Sam. Law came after Dad. this morning to put a team on the road scraper so he took Joe &amp; Ginger and has had them at it all day. They used the old three cornered dray that has been leaning up against our barn since the reign of Titus and just had the two teams on. Law's &amp; ours. Sam drove their team this morning and Allan drove this after noon. Dad got home about five to-night and said he would have been home half an hour earlier but they hauled the scraper to Law's and Sam was bound he should see their bull calf - and then Allan insisted on him going in to hear a record or two on his new graphaphone. I didn't do much but chores this morning but chores and this after noon took a walk over the estate. I found the wheat in some places to be pretty badly killed but where we ploughed the manure under it is pretty good and where it was top dressed is better than where there is none at all. On the fall ploughing I noticed that parts of the fields are dry as a bone hat in other places it is a little too soggy to work yet. I went back to the gully &amp; burnt a lot more grass but didn't have anything to carry the fire. I went back to the woods and saw quite a lot of May flowers and two garter snakes Dick came home to tea with the mail but had to go back to work. Mild, sunny &amp; breezy.</p> <p>Wednesday April 16th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went down first thing this morning with Joe &amp; Ginger &amp; the lumber waggon to get the team shod. we didn't get back till noon. I got some things up town and then went down to Huby's where Aunty showed me where to get some raspberriesroots. I also got a white rose root, one of the old bushes This afternoon I set them out but didn't get all the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>raspberries put out. Dad got a load of rails, we intended if we had had time to have gone back and harrowed a little this after noon, Vyse has started disking. Frank &amp; Dick had tea at Huby's to-night as they are going to a show in the town hall. Jonas came over to night to pay Dad for what he owed him on the hay and got some apples. One of the hen turkeys died during the night. When Dad went out to feed the calves to-night he gave Frank's runt a big feed of milk - and when he returned he found the poor pig dead at the back of its pen. Lovely sunny day quite hot.</p> <p>Thursday April 17th</p> <p>Dad. started to work on the field this side of the gully on the east side of the lane with Joe &amp; Ginger. He harrowed all morning. I went back with him but just as we got back I noticed the colts out. I went back to put them in. Tig undertook to help me but as she chased them way over to the side road I shut her up in the stable I managed to get them back into the barn yard through the lane. While I was after them Taurus &amp; all the calves got out and I chased them for about an hour but a last had to shut them up just where they were. some of them in the clover field, John in the plum orchard and left Jim out on the road. I then planted out the raspberries and Dad put the calves in when he came up.</p> <p>This after noon Aunty came over for a few minutes Dad. took the disks back and disked what he harrowed this morning, some of the land is a little too wet to work yet. I did chores. and cleaned up my horn with some stuff of Quint's which Aunty brought over. its what they used down on the "Vigilant". and is great stuff.</p> <p>To-night I went down to band practice. Roy. Dell. Walt &amp; John Smith were the only ones there. Dad. went down with me and got the baby carriage which Mrs. Johnston sent to Enah. He came home with Dick who hasn't been working all the after noon. We went down to Huby's for awhile after practice Aunty Maude came home to-night. None of us expected her It has been a lovely day, sunny &amp; hot.</p> <p>Friday April 18th</p> <p>Dad and I worked on the land all day. I disked with Belle &amp; Harry and Dad harrowed wth the little team. We are just working up half the field and are going to try to get it in to morrow after noon. Enah took Tiddums down town this after noon in his fancy carriage. Aunty &amp; Win came over to-night. but Win had to go back after tea. Dick went home with her. Very warm, thunder &amp; lightening after tea but no rain to speak of.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday April 19th</p> <p>I went out and disked all morning. Dad. and Frank got out the drill and cleaned up some oats, then Dad. came out and harrowed for a couple of hours before noon We didn't get out very early after dinner owing to chores and things but Dad. got sowed nearly all we have worked up and I harrowed after him Frank &amp; Roy Bannister have been hobnobbing to-gether this after noon. Frank went down to Law's after the butter and stayed quite awhile listening to the phonograph We didn't get in till late to-night and didn't get through tea till about nine I had a bath and went to bed</p> <p>Aunty was down town all the after noon. The old sow got out at noon and our efforts to recapture her were unsuccessful. Frank put some apples in her pen but she waited till we were all away before she ate them and then came out again. It froze last night and there has been a cold north wind all day very strong this after noon quite sunny.</p> <p>Sunday April 20th</p> <p>Aunty &amp; the boys went down to Sunday school and I came to church. Lila came over to dinner with us and is staying all night. This after noon, Lila Aunty and I went back to the woods and got some wild flowers. Frank rode his bicycle out to the Shand's and he &amp; Charlie rode out to Renton. Dick spent the after noon with the girls down town.</p> <p>Dicky Smith came over to see Dad. about pasturing a calf this summer, and Dad. said he would. Uncle Ward &amp; Aunt Lucy also came over. Enah went down alone to church to-night. It froze quite hard last night and there has been a cold wind to-day.</p> <p>Monday April 21st</p> <p>We have been working on the land all day. I went out to disk this morning but the ground was so frozen for an hour or two that it did very little good. Dad. took Joe &amp; Ginger and went down town this morning and got the potatoes which came at last. When he got back he came out and harrowed the rest of the morning and all the after noon. We are now cross disking &amp; cross harrowing it. and we think we will be able to sow to-morrow after noon.</p> <p>Sam. Law came over at noon to borrow the drill and Vyse came and got his roller. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. Aunty went down to Huby's to-night &amp; I went with her she expects to leave for Toronto to-morrow night. Cold, but sunny</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday April 22nd</p> <p>Dad. kept Frank home this morning and they cleaned up enough seed oats to finish this field. I I disked all morning and finished crossing the field. Dad came out a little before noon and started to drill and drilled all the afternoon just finishing up to-night. I followed him with the harrows and it was after six when I got through but the field is now put in, in good shape and running out the ditches is all that remains to be done. Dick did not come home to-night as he said if he didn't have to work he was going to an old time social in the Methodist church. Frank went to school this after noon &amp; he &amp; Dick went down to the station to see Aunty off.</p> <p>The cows knocked the fence down around the barn-yard and some of them got out so I had to come up to try &amp; put them in but I only got one in so I shut them up in the stable and fixed the fence as well as I could - as we both had to stop in the field for Dad to watch my team. It has been cloudy &amp; cool all the morning it looked threatening and did rain a little but this after noon it came out sunny &amp; hot.</p> <p>Wednesday April 23rd</p> <p>We had a terrific Thunder storm last night and as it was pouring rain when I woke at 5 this morning I had another little sleep. The rain cleared off and it came out very hot before noon I opened up a lot of ditches in the old corn ground and Toby and I trimmed up all the sheep. Dick did not come home to tea and Toby went to band practice after tea.</p> <p>Thursday April 24th We were up early this A.M. Frank went to Vyse's after the grass seeder, before breakfast. I had to go down to Art Ryerses first thing had a dickens of a job. Toby and I got the wheat ground all seeded and a lot of the ditches opened up on the Timothy sod, he had to go down to Joe Longs to see a cow, and after tea tonight I had to go down to old Jonas {Greens?}, The boys, Frank and Dick were at Wess's tea party. Tobe is down at band practice It has been very hot all day, every thing has grown since the rain</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday April 25th</p> <p>Toby, having finished a game of hide and seek with Dick and Frank is too tired to write so is exchanging work with me and is darning stockings.</p> <p>This moning was bright and very warm Toby &amp; Harry dug ditches in the old Timothy sod preparatory to sowing oats. They also burnt off the grass around the fences and set fire to a post. Sam Law extinguished the blaze before any damage was done.</p> <p>In the afternoon Toby disked the oat field. Harry did all the chores, brought up the harrows on the stone boat ready to take out in the morning, went out for a load of rails, came in and did up the chores for the night.</p> <p>At noon we had a visitation from our friend Jonas who has a sick cow and came for advice. This has been an exceedingly hot day, unseasonably hot.</p> <p>Saturday April 26th</p> <p>As our supply of milk has run out Frank has taken {much of this paragraph is too faint to make out}</p> <p>Sunday April 27th</p> <p>It rained all night nearly, not very hard but a steady cool rain, which will the wheat a lot of good and which is bursting the buds on all the trees. Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and I went down to church.</p> <p>This after noon I read my self to sleep (although I tried not to) and so wasted half a day. Dad. &amp; Frank did chores. Dick went down town for awhile. It didn't rain much this afternoon. Mr. Lawrie was in church this morning &amp; Mr. Herbert prot. the sermon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday April 28th</p> <p>This morning Dad and Toby packed the sawdust in around the edge of the ice-house and put some some blue-grass on top. Then we went out and cleaned up about 20 bushels of oats. Frank was sick all day and did not go to school. I think he feels better now as he is talking a blue streak.</p> <p>After dinner Dad went out and cleaned out ditches in the north-west field this side of the gulch. Toby did the chores in the afternoon and then went out and dug up two maple trees in the woods besides fooling around picking flowers.</p> <p>Between 4 and 6 o'clock while Frank was sleeping on the kitchen sofa and Enah was in the dining-room some unknown person came in and left a silver spoon on the kitchen table for Tiddums with his initials carved on it and then went away before anyone saw her or him. It was cloudy and windy all day with about ten minutes sunshine.</p> <p>Tuesday April 29th</p> <p>Dad. has been opening up ditches all day out in the field next Ivey's where we sowed the oats and is now pretty well finished. I cut some wood this morning and then went back to the woods and dug up a couple of maple trees one of which I brought up at noon with me &amp; we planted in place of one of the dead ones along the lane. This after noon I dug up two more and Dad. &amp; I put out one of them to-night. The other two I left down in the creek so as the roots wouldn't dry out. Frank has been home all day although he feels a lot better to-day.</p> <p>This after noon Wyatt Waddle came in with the {catalogue?} for the Massey Harris Company and he proved himself to be a good man for the company not only by persuading Dad. to order a manure spreader, but Dad. seemed to like him &amp; showed him Queen who he thought like everyone else was perfect. We got the manure spreader on easy terms as we don't have to make a payment on it till a year from next fall when we pay 28 dollars &amp; 50 dollars a year for the next two years.</p> <p>Dick told us to-night that Huby had got a job at the canning factory which they started work on to-day. He went down to the dance to-night. I only have five cents to my name so stayed home although I guess I could have got enough tin to take me sunny &amp; mild but a cool wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday April 30th</p> <p>This morning we planted out the four little trees which I had dug up, then we went over to see what the field looked like, it is getting pretty dry, from there we went over to see if Sam Law's wheat was any better than ours, but it wasn't. We found him over trimming up the limbs he had cut out of his orchard. As he was just contemplating a visit to Alfred who was disking the other side of the hedge we made a joint attack and sat around over there for about an hour. so by the time we had wandered back home it was noon.</p> <p>This after noon instead of working on the field as we had thought of doing, we took our wheat down to the mill. I went down and harrowed some sacks from Blight and we had to make two trips of it as the ground was a little soft. We had eighteen bags and it went over two bus {bushels}. to the bag, that job took up all the afternoon.</p> <p>Tonight I went down to band practice and came home with Dick. The school board were having a meeting, we heard after wards that Mr. Ivey called it but as none but kickers attended it soon adjourned with out any thing being done except Old Stringer falling down stairs coming out so Pud. Slocomb says. Nice day Mild &amp; sunny cool breeze.</p> <p>Thursday May 1st</p> <p>We worked on the land all day to-day. I disked &amp; Dad. harrowed, we have it in pretty nice shape now I went down to band practice to-night. Dick went down with me although he didn't have to work. Jonas came over to pay Dad for some hay he got this morning and he stayed half the night telling them stories of his experiences in the United States with, snakes bears and such like. Cars. Rankin told us to-night that his Dad is laid up with blood poisoning and is in pretty bad shape, they just moved back to town the other day It has been sunny and fair with a cool breeze.</p> <p>Friday May 2nd</p> <p>We worked on the land all day. I cross disked &amp; Dad. harrowed. We could have drilled it to day I suppose but thought we would have it in extra good shape. Enah took Tiddums down to Mrs. Battersby's this afternoon. I nearly went to sleep on the disk this afternoon It has been fair &amp; sunny. Sun set clear to-night.</p> <p>Saturday May 3rd</p> <p>Bill Oaks came over this morning with his grey horse</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{This page is a duplicate of page 50}.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>which had hurt his head in the manger. Later in the morning he came over and borrowed the clover seeder, which he brought back at noon and had a short visit. All Ivey's men except the teamsters quit at noon on Saturdays now. and the factory closes at twelve instead of one.</p> <p>Dad. drilled what we have worked up to-day. Itook him till a little after noon and then he harrowed I hitched to the waggon this morning &amp; took the seed out and left the waggon for Frank to fill with rails and then disked nearly all of this end of the field the rest of the day. Frank did chores &amp; odd jobs.</p> <p>Charlie Batter{sby?} was in here to-night to see Dad about a colt which came this morning. I started to cut the lawn to-night. Dick went for a swim at the stump to-night, but I guess I will have to hit the tub. Very hot to-day. Dick went down town to-night to hear the result of the election recount, which they were having in Simcoe over the school by law but he couldn't hear.</p> <p>Sunday May 4th</p> <p>The boys went down to Sunday school and I went to church. This afternoon Dad. Enah &amp; Tiddums started to drive out to Jim. Waddles. but before they had gone far Tiddums objected so strongly to continuing the journey that they were forced to return. Lila had come over so Dad. took Frank &amp; her to Jim. Waddle's. Dick &amp; I went down town Dick went off with some girls. but I went up the beach. and hung around alone, till I was about cooked and then came home.</p> <p>We let Artful Dodger out to-night and he was so weak on account of always being shut up that he could hardly walk. Frank McBride came over to-night with a note from his mother saying to send the washing over there as she would be unable to come here so Frank went back with it to-night with Frank Mc. Lila stayed to tea, and Dick went down home with her after. It has been exceptionally hot to-day but is cooler to-night and feels as if it had rained somewhere near.</p> <p>Monday May 5th</p> <p>We got a fairly good early start. I cross disked all day and Dad. harrowed. This after noon Dad was afraid it was going to rain so went &amp; got the drill and some seed &amp; put in all we had worked up about 2 acres. If it doesn't rain we will be through on that field to-morrow. Caw. Rankine was in here to-night to have Dad. look at his horse's teeth as {Schavley?} had told him that if a horse got wolfe teeth</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it would go blind. After tea Mrs. McBride brought the washing back. It has been very hot to-day and looks rainy. Fred's calf got out two or three times to-day and tried our patience sorely at it's own cost. Mully also got out but went in easier.</p> <p>Tuesday May 6th</p> <p>We finished up the field to-day. Dad. has to sow a little by hand around the water holes and he may harrow the whole field over. I disked all day. &amp; Dad. harrowed and drilled. I took seed out in the waggon this morning but we had to clean up another sack at noon to finish with. I brought back rails in the waggon both at noon &amp; to-night. I cut lawn before tea till Dick came &amp; inticed me to play catch with him. Very much cooler to-day with quite a breeze this after noon</p> <p>Wednesday May 7th</p> <p>Dad. went out this morning and sowed by hand around the water holes and then harrowed all day on that field. It is now finished all but running &amp; cleaning the ditches. I brought the disks up and disked on the old corn ground all day and got nearly over it. It is pretty hard but we think we will be able to get about 3 inches on top worked up for barley. Tonight at tea time Jonas came over with a guinea hen which he presented us with as a reward for our neighborly conduct towards him. He got a setting each of duck &amp; turkey eggs. I was going down to band practice so went down with him as he was going down town. He confided to me after we had got a short distance from the house in an almost inaudible whisper that they had an awful funny feller as a boarder. His peculiarity evidently lay in the fact that he went down town before &amp; after tea.</p> <p>As I was coming home an Englishman passed me and I thought likely he was Jona's funny boarder &amp; upon inquiry I found I was correct. Went we got to the top of Prospect hill we found Jonas &amp; Allan Law so I enjoyed the pleasure of the company of them nearly home. I heard Redface - the funny feller. tell his lanlord. that he would have to drive Bill's team to-morrow as he was going away with a gentleman from Toronto, as I saw Jack Paine up town to-night, I surmised that old Bill had a dose of Tong Point fever. I guess he is insurable.</p> <p>I went up to the bank to-night to see why Dick hadn't turned up. When I knocked Dick came to the door &amp; I was just going to step in and swear at them when I caught a glimpse of a stranger Then Dick who looked very care worn motioned me</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>back and informed me that the inspector was paying them a visit, and they would likely have to work every night for a week, he had his wheel anyway so I didn't wait for him It has been rather cool to-day and looks frosty to-night.</p> <p>Thursday May 8th</p> <p>We went out this morning and ran the ditches in the oat field. Then Dad ploughed a ridge along the west side of the old corn field, it couldn't be ploughed before on account of the old rails lying there. This after noon we turned the cattle &amp; two colts back the lane. We let the two fillys out in the pasture field and they &amp; the colts have been hanging around on opposite sides of the lane fence ever since, we managed to get the colts in the box stall to-night.</p> <p>We went back to the gully to fix fence, but didn't have very good luck. We barricade the gap into the other pasture and then Dad started to dig out a post that was broken off and while he was prying on the shovel handle he broke it so we had to cobble the rest up by hand as well as we could. Dicky Smith came over to-night to see if we had turned our cattle out yet and I went down town with him to band practice, got home about eleven. It froze last night but has been sunny &amp; nice to-day.</p> <p>Friday May 9th</p> <p>I went out and finished disking the old corn field this morning and Dad brought out the old cultivator but after going a few rounds he decided that it was going to be lumpy and hard to put barley on so we thought we would leave it, manure it and summer fallow it which would be better farming anyway. We brought up the disks and the plow &amp; harrows and Dad ploughed the garden over again, this after noon he disked &amp; harrowed it, so that it looks pretty nice only it is inclined to be lumpy. I got my currant bushes and grapevines from Simmer's yesterday and spent the in putting them out and staking them to protect them from the curse'd hens. I also cut a little lawn</p> <p>Dick Smith brought his heifer, Joe, over to-night. It has been cold &amp; raw all day. I wore my over coat while disking and then was cold. Robert John Watson was in here to-night to inquire about a colt "Mable". Dad enjoyed his elevating conversation for he has a most extraordinary vocabulary which is all his own.</p> <p>Saturday May 10th</p> <p>Frank got us all up early this morning as he had to get down to the Canning factory by seven</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>where he has been all day setting out tomato plants in baskets. He told us the other night that hands (his size) were wanted and hasen't talked of much else since, he was to get 8 cts @ hour but has got his envelope yet, as they are not through. Vyse came over this morning and Dad broke the news of our spreader deal and he took it calmly although he thinks we made a big mistake in not putting in with him &amp; Mr Fleming on his John Deere as he "conscientiously believes it to be the best in Americy".</p> <p>I went down this morning for the purpose of obtaining some particulars concerning a load of hay which Mrs. Battersby is purchasing from us through the agency of John but as that gentleman was in bed with a cold. I failed to recieve any valuable data. so I came home and mowed lawn till noon. Dad took back Alfred's bags this morning and borrowed his shovel with the intention of cleaning out the ditches in the oat field but as he found in Alfred an opponent to the building of a new school, he stayed and argued till noon.</p> <p>I read most of the after noon and then went out and assisted Dad to rearrange the implements in the old shed so as to create a space for the old waggon we then repaired a little fence to enable us to turn out the old sow, but it didn't take her a great while to discover the weak spots in the {rockery?} which we call a fence and now she is at liberty. I think Dick came home to tea. and says our manure spreader has arrived It froze ice last night and has been very cold to-day</p> <p>Sunday May 11th</p> <p>Frank &amp; Dick went down to sunday school &amp; Frank &amp; I went to our church but Dick attended the Presbyterian as he saw no-one to associate with in the back pews of the Episcopal. This after noon Dad &amp; I drove up to Dunkin's to see how many lambs he had; but he has had no better luck than we, for his flock has only increased by one ewe lamb. He is really worse off than we are because two of his ewes now won't have lambs till they are three years old wile ours are all yearlings and if any thing will be better off. Dunkin him self was at church but his son was home, he gave Dad. guinea fowl to mate with the one Jonas gave us but when we got it home we learned they were both of the feminine gender from the fact that the new comer requests imaginary foes</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to retrace their steps by the imperitave sentence "Go back" and it seems the gentlemanbird of the species is not addicted to that habit. It was nearly six when we got home. Enah was down at Art Ryersie's with Tiddums the Wicked. Dick has been gone all the after noon and has patronized the church again to-night as he said he would be home to tea if he didn't. Frank has been knocking around the woods all the afternoon. He tried to bargain with Tupper for a guinea cock but he had no success.</p> <p>It has been sunny to-day but a cold wind. Walt McCall &amp; his retinue came over in his automobile this morning and was agreeably surprised in Dolly. He says he is going to take her up and train her now. He wants Dad to keep his mare for him this summer. Frank Faulkner was over this morning too to see about bringing over his heifer calf to pasture. He brought her over to-night. It froze ice last night and I wrote to Aunty Alice &amp; Uncle Hal to-night.</p> <p>Monday May 12th</p> <p>We didn't do any thing much the first part of the morning but Dad. went and cleaned out the ditch in the oat field. I barricaded two of the four little trees which are in the pasture field to protect them from the ravages of Queen. Dad. took Alfred's shovel back and I barricaded the other two trees. Frank started off about nine o'clock this morning on his wheel for Dunkin's to return the guinea hen which he had tied in an old sack on his back. Just as we were thinking of starting out to look for him to night about four o'clock he came home with a rooster guinea which sings properly in a bass voice. He had stayed up there to dinner and explored the country. When he got home we planted a few rows of spuds in the garden.</p> <p>Jonas came over to-night to ask us if we could deliver him his hay in the morning, he also got some apples. To-night we played hide &amp; go seek and then came in and kicked up such a rumpus that Tiddums couldn't go to sleep, and Enah got mad and said she wouldn't press Dick's pants in time for the dance, but she is pressing them now - and we weren't making much noise and Tiddums didn't want to go to sleep anyway much. Tapper told Dad. to-day that he killed his pup yesterday and intended to keep Fanny but she followed him down town to-day and he ran over her with the waggon and killed her, he said he thought he would send Blakie a funeral notice. A week or two ago the Dover council</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>advertised for a cop. They got fifty something applicants some all the way from Calgary. They engaged a man from Hamilton who has been on duty before. Good man for the job. big, Scotch &amp; total abstainer. He came to this morning. Now he is in bed at the Dominion sleeping off a drunk-fired. We're still Dover. It froze a little again last night and there has been a raw breeze to-day but it is much milder and looks rainy</p> <p>Monday Tuesday May 13th</p> <p>Dad went over to Martin's this morning to try to telephone to Krompart and find out why he hasn't come down but Charlie wasn't home so he didn't go in, he then went over to Quanbury's and as John was in better health than when I went to interview him Dad found out that he wanted about half a ton of any kind of hay. We pitched on a load for Jonas, (he bought all that was left of the thrashed bluegrass) before dinner.</p> <p>Dick rode home at noon as he had got about half an hour's leave of absence to tell us that the station agent wanted our manure spreader unloaded as it was holding the car so Dad. &amp; I had to go down after dinner. Dad understood the agent to say that we were to let Krompart in Simcoe know as soon as the spreader arrived and he would come down and set it up at the station and we could haul it home from there, so he was naturally pretty hot at them for not coming. The men at the station were also getting into a state of rightful indignation as their car had to be sent back tomorrow. As we were in our farm uniform we didn't want to go up town so Dad. went up to the Norfolk House and telephoned Kompart Wyatt Waddle was there and he told Dad that they understood Dad was going to take the thing off the car and they were to come to the farm to set it up, and that they would be down in a day or two. Dad. went for him over the 'phone but of course that wasn't much satisfaction. We went home and took Jona's hay down and put it off and then went down to the station with the rack to get the spreader as it was too wide for the waggon, with the aid of Truman Roadhouse and a couple of fishermen we got it loaded all right and were home soon after six</p> <p>To-night Dick and I went down to the dance but I got a headache from some uncertain cause and had to come home at twelve. Nice day but with rather a cold wind looks as if it might possibly rain to-night or sooner.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday May 14th</p> <p>We took a small jag. of hay down to John Quanbury this morning on an improvised {rack?} which Dad rigged by laying boards across the waggon box, as we didn't want to unload the manure spreader off our rack. When we got back from there we took some posts back around by the side road and left them in places where the fence was down with the intention of coming back at a future date to repair the damage done by the Good Friday wind. We also took some material and fixed the old gate going into the gully off the road.</p> <p>We found the cattle all out of the far end of the gully and in the blue grass field so I took them back while Dad. went up with the waggon, they were all there but the Artful Dodger and he was nowhere to be found, so this after noon Dad. and I went back to look for him. We went into the wood and saw there had been a lot of cows in there and after a little search found our missing calf in John Wess McBride's place in the corner of the fence where he had walked and finding he could go no further stayed there we chased him into the gully to be left till called for while we went over to Tapper's to borrow his post auger, the consequence was of course that we didn't do a thing all the afternoon and didn't get home till about five or after</p> <p>We saw everything on the place from his oat field down to the baby. We saw some things off his farm too such as Charlie Butlers colt which got an awful kick in the face from its mother and Dave Lamkins white heifer which was on the road and which was worth fifty dollars but he sold it for forty five, also Art Walker who was rolling on his cornground. We had a very entertaining after noon and enjoyed it much better than digging post holes.</p> <p>To-night I went down to band practice Dick with me. Theodore Brown came up and entreated Walt to play "Way down upon the Swanee River" promising him some beer but Walt said he couldn't. Theodore tried to impress up on us as a bit of good advice that "We could borrow from a thief but not from a liar." Weather about the same</p> <p>Thursday May 15th</p> <p>Dad and I went back and fixed up most of the fence this morning. Mr. Evans' came along the side road and wanted to Dad. to look at his horses teeth so Dad. told him to come in at noon on his way back. He did and Dad. floated them as the poor old horse's tongue was just about cut in two. We also found when we got here at noon what Wyatt Waddle and his man Mr. Hillis were in the barn setting up the spreader. They got it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>all up and we took out a load before they left so they could show Dad how to run it. Joe &amp; Ginger pulled it alone and a couple of times Ginger's whipple tree caught and she pulled it all alone.</p> <p>I went down to band practice. I came very nearly staying there for awhile. for we all got locked in. The door fastens on the out side with a rasp and staple, the padlock is broken. The door was open and some one who was getting cold ordered it shut. Jack Smith kicked it to and the rasp sprung over the staple and stayed there. Perce Brock tried desparatly to open it but failing turned to John. and told him frantically that he would be the first to satiate our appetites when we got ravenous, he then mounted the table under the window and proceeded to let the {word heavily scored out} anybody who happened to be around (it was pouring rain) {word scored out} know of our fate.</p> <p>Perce remarked sorrowfully that it was the first time he had ever been behind the bars trying to get out. (The bandroom is in the old lockup). Dick {Faulmshy?} was the first to be alarmed by the pitiful cries but the hard hearted jay refused to come saying he didn't know the combination on the door. How ever Walt McCall was soon aroused and he and some other fellows came up and released us. They say Long Geordie Long nearly committed suicide last night, it seems his wife put him on the Indian List, but Geordie got full and he &amp; his wife were having a quarrel down by the dam when Geordie told her he was going to drown him self. She told him to give her his coat to hold for him, but I guess Geordie &amp; water don't go well to-gether for as far as he got on his desperate deed was to twist his legs well around the post and let go the railing with his hand, then go home. After he got there he was again seized with a mad desire to leave this unhappy world and left the house with a razor asserting that he was about to sever his carotid artery Mrs. Geordie gave him about an hour to perform the opperation but upon investigation found him out side in a dormant condition but was disappointed to hear him snoring heavily and in perfect health.</p> <p>Cold all day. very cold before dark and poured rain all night with terrific thunder &amp; vivid lightening. Dick &amp; I stayed at Huby's all night. I planted some onion seed to night.</p> <p>Friday May 16th</p> <p>We didn't do anything much to-day. Dick &amp; I got home before they had breakfast here but it was late when we went out and then Bill Donald came in to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>talk about the spreader and before he left Allan Law rode in to have the wolf teeth pulled out of his sorrel for fear they would affect his eyesight. It was noon when he left us. After dinner Bob. Miller came in to get his ewe and lamb and of course the sheep were nearly to the gully Dad. wrote a letter to Aunty Alice while Bob &amp; I were after the sheep and then saddled Joe and I rode down town to post it. I was only gone about fifteen minutes. but when I got back we read the "Maple Leaf." after which we did chores. I went to bed soon after tea. We let Harry &amp; Belle out this after noon. Fine but cool.</p> <p>Saturday May 17th</p> <p>I started first thing this morning and raked over about half the garden, it raked fine because the rain the other night had softened the lumps. Dad. fixed fence around the orchard to keep the sheep &amp; calves in. Frank went down town to sell some duck eggs to the car {tapper?}.</p> <p>This after noon we all worked in the garden and have about all the small seeds in, onion, carrot, beet, cabbage &amp; peas, a few beans. Allan Law was over to borow the disks also John Wess came to get some stuff for his horse which has colic. We turned the four calves in the orchard at noon. Lila came over to spend the day. Huby ran a nail in his foot yesterday and was unable to work to-day.</p> <p>Enah took Tiddums down to Mrs. Laws to get the butter this afternoon, there was another baby about Tiddum's age there which he was greatly interested in until it began to "talk?" when Tiddums got badly frightened. Lovely warm day rain to-night.</p> <p>Sunday May 18th</p> <p>The boy's went to sunday scholl. I to church late. different preacher. Dad. rode Joe down to see Huby while we were at church, he went in to see the John Deere spreader on his way back. This after noon Dick &amp; I went for a drive with Joe, not far. Winnie &amp; Lila came over this after noon &amp; stayed to tea. We let Belle, Ginger &amp; Harry out to-day and had a hard time catching the latter. Lovely day with a little shower at noon and rather cloudy</p> <p>Monday May 19th</p> <p>We hauled out manure to-day as we didn't get a very early start we only got out eleven loads, &amp; most of it was dry clover chaff. The spreader works fine in spite of the fact that there are one or two nuts &amp; keys missing from various parts of the gearing machine. Dad</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>found one large key on the road was unable to locate the place where it was missing. Sam Law was over this morning to see about keeping the disks a little longer. Mrs. McBride was here to-day.</p> <p>This after noon we were agreeably surprised to have a visit from Ed. &amp; Marion. Ed. came home on Saturday as he has left his job in Brantford he is going back to the Falls for the summer. To-night Dick and I printed pictures and had fairly good luck. Huby sent word over by Ed. that Dad's steel boot had saved his life on account of easing his injured foot. Dick says he only has one on, one steel &amp; one leather one. It froze last night again but has been a nice day with cold breeze. Dick bought me a saddle &amp; bridle to-day for six dollars he got them from Bobbie Leany and says they are nearly new.</p> <p>Tuesday May 20th</p> <p>We got one less load out to-day than yesterday but I think we have good ground for excuse in the fact that it was so hard to load. A lot of it was dry clover chaff burnt to powder and there was a layer of it just ike a board which had to be chopped up with an axe, we didn't get any earlier start either. Erie cut her eyeball to-day someway, likely on barbed wire.</p> <p>Jonas came over to-night to see if he could get some turkey or duck eggs or get Dad. to plow his garden, he couldn't get any of the three so took the rhubarb roots out in the lawn. He was relating to us some of the heroic deeds performed by him in the past &amp; United States, of how he headed a torch light procession and was so disguised by his uniform &amp; medal that he was not recognised by his father, he also saved a young man's life from drowning and was rewarded by his boss the young man's father by a ten dollar bill &amp; three weeks board free. Another time he stopped a train wreck by his presence of mind and drew another ten dollars as a pass to go where ever he wanted to on the railroad or a chance to learn braking, he stayed at the job a week and one day when he was in a reckless mood (good mood for a train man) he boarded a train which was headed he didn't know where and was landed in Niagara Falls where he got acquainted with his wife, and in course of time drifted to the condition in which we now see him.</p> <p>Frank &amp; I drove down town to-night and took Jonas &amp; his rhubarb roots home, and got the saddle &amp; bridle</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>from Bobbie Leany, they are roughly made, the saddle being half covered and riveted but they are nearly new &amp; I think are worth six dollars. When we got back we found Dad. &amp; Dick had gone down to the Scotch man who works for Harry Ansley to minister to a cow which is not enjoying the best of health. Nice day may rain soon.</p> <p>Wednesday May 21st</p> <p>It rained a little this morning and looked cloudy so we just did odd jobs. Dad. took up some of the rotten apples out of the cellar and drew off what cider was left in the barrel. I didn't do anything much but took a walk around by the wheat &amp; oat fields whcih are doing fine.</p> <p>This after noon we got the spreader into commission again and hauled out seven loads. The shed is nearly empty now. I fixed Dad's. saddle rack up on the wall in the drive house and started to make one for mine between loads, while Dad was out spreading. A big thunder storm blew up about tea time to-night but it stopped raining long enough for me to go down to band practice, but it more than pelted when Dick &amp; I came home. Dick had to work to-night. He got a telephone from who he thought was Roy referring to his 24th of May visit but it afterwards transpired to be Wiggins down at the drug store enjoying himself at Dick's expense.</p> <p>Thursday May 22nd</p> <p>It rained hard during the night so we couldn't do much, we made an {ewe?} trough for the west side of the old house and made the rest of the saddle rack I started yesterday. Dad. also opened some ditches out in the oat field.</p> <p>This after noon Dad would have liked to have started plowing the corn ground but as there were several errands to do in town, we we thought this would be a good time to go. We got some groceries, and Dad got a chain for Dreadnought and a ring for his nose. We took the waggon wheel down for Butler to put the bands on as they were both broken. Dad. was very pleased that Vyse saw him going down with the wheel and inquired after it as it was off "the best waggon made" which he got from Vyse. We bought a little giant sprayer from Huby for ten dollars, they are no use as sprayers but have a good tank which was what Dad wanted to put out at the pump for watering stock, a good pair of wheels &amp; a tongue besides a lot of old iron, Huby is selling them for Jack Paine</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Jack told him to sell the ten for for $100. and, Huby has been selling them at $10 apiece and he says Paine called him up, and gave him a great calling down, he wanted him to sell them all to one man. Huby told him he was a fool and asked him what one man would want to buy 10 no-account sprayers. I went down to band practice to-night, and got back after eleven. Nice day, but cloudy.</p> <p>Friday May 23rd</p> <p>I planted out some lettuce plants this morning and Dad &amp; I got some rails and took them back in the waggon to the gully to repair the fence there, we also hauled up some for the house. About noon I drove down town with Dick's valise as he went going to Toronto to-night to stay till Monday night. Frank went down to see him off.</p> <p>After dinner Mr. Krompart drove in with a Gould. Shapley &amp; Muir agent who talked a little about a windmill but didn't bother many. Mr. Krompart went over the spreader ajusted several mistakes in the setting up which the other fellows made the principal one being changing the double trees on the evener. The way they had it, the single horse had the short end and so was pulling twice as much as the team. When they went Dad. &amp; I went and cobbled up the gully fence and opened the gap so as to let the cows in the far end as the grass in there is getting rank.</p> <p>Frank says the old black &amp; white cat has a large family on her hands now, but her hands are equipped with six or seven fingers each. Poor Fits had part of her tail nearly cut off in the door to-night. Dad was going to finish the job but forgot. It has been cloudy all day but quite cool. Old {Roy?} has succeeded in overthrowing the election on the school by-law. He got ten illegal votes, his own son's among them and it seems every illegal vote no matter on which side it was polled counts against the majority.</p> <p>Saturday May 24th</p> <p>Dad. started to plow the corn ground to day he plowed a headland all around the field this morning so as he wouldn't have to tramp on the clover at the north end of the field. This after noon he got quite a strip plowed and harrowed over. I put in the day cutting lawn and it was awful. It hadn't been cut for over a week and all this rain to-gether with a dull lawn mower wasn't a very good combination to make a satisfactory job. Frank worked around this morning and this afternoon went down to the creek to fish with the rest of the</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>inhabitants of this part of the country, but I guess only drowned worms as he wasn't hardened with luck on his return. Winnie came over after dinner and I drove her home to-night. Enah to Tiddums down town and I shunted the buggy down to the side walk for her Win went down &amp; came back with her. To day at noon we placed a ring just below the septum nose of poor Dreadnought. It has rained once or twice to-day and been cloudy &amp; sunny &amp; hot by turns.</p> <p>Sunday May 25th</p> <p>Frank went to Sunday school and church this morning but was the only member of the family who attended. Dad &amp; I went up to Ham Thompson's to tell him we named Dreadnought. and he will soon get the registration papers. We were up there quite awhile and it was after noon when we got back.</p> <p>This afternoon we put the saddle on Ginger - and gave her a lesson, I didn't get on her because Dad. says it is no use "breaking" her, she has to be "trained." Dad, &amp; Enah &amp; Tiddums drove out to Shand's but there was no body home. Lila &amp; Frank went out after merells but didn't get any. Nice day rather inclined to be cloudy, quite cool to-night.</p> <p>Monday May 26th</p> <p>I spent the day cleaning up back of the woodshed and the east side of the old house and have it looking pretty decent now. I also cleaned out the gear case of the separator. Dad. plowed all day and got a nice chunk done. Enah went down town about noon to buy wall paper and stayed for the afternoon. The stores were all closed to-day instead of Saturday so the drug store was only open for a couple of hours. Dad &amp; I had dinner alone.</p> <p>To-night Frank and I drove down and met Dick. The old turkey that was sitting in the old house hatched out to-day Dick got home safely and had a good time. Everyone was well in Toronto. Cloudy and cool all day.</p> <p>Tuesday May 27th</p> <p>Right after breakfast Dad went down to Sam Laws and got a roller and rolled down all he had plowed. The calves got out of the orchard and Dad and I had a devil of a time getting them back in again. We hauled out one load of manure.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>In the afternoon it drizzled rain most of the time and we helped Mrs McBride put down the carpet and paper Auntys room. They are working there yet. (9.15pm). Cold miserable day. To Richard, thanks.</p> <p>Wednesday May 28th</p> <p>We hauled out eleven loads to-day one of them was pitched on yesterday. We are only going to haul a little more and then work up the corn ground. The old turkey which was sitting in the old house got out with her family to-day, there are nine of them and they all look lively.</p> <p>I went down to band practice to-night they had the regular one as there is a dance on to-morrow night. Harry Moon was present for the first time in many weeks, I had began to think he had been wiped off the map, but it looks more as if the map had been wiped of him or at least buried with whiskers. He has some thing the matter with his face and can't shave. They have the Ivey gang about {winched?} now on the school board as Blight who was on Ivey's side has dropped out and that gives the other side the majority and they can elect any man they like to take Blight's place, before there was a deadlock. Gus Smith fell off a scaffold somewhere to-day and broke his shoulder or some thing I couldn't hear any details from any one but over heard Harry Moon saying some thing about it up in the band room which was so chuck full of noise you couldn't drive a nail in it.</p> <p>Johnny Walker's mother &amp; old Mrs. O'Harra of Norkway died yesterday &amp; to-day. It was quite mild this morning but there is a cold wind to-night.</p> <p>Thursday May 29th</p> <p>We hauled out enough manure to-day to go over to the hickory nut tree which is as far as we are going to put corn in. We got along very slowly the first part of the day as we were getting it out of the old shed where the implements are and it took us about an hour to put on a load, but we have it just about cleared out of there now and this after noon hauled five loads out of the barn yard, that is enough for awhile now.</p> <p>Vyse was over for awhile this morning. Fred &amp; Carl Coleman were over this after noon. I rode Ginger for the first time tonight. Dad. - got on her first - and rode her to the end of the lane, then I took her down to Sam Law's corner. We have</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had the little saddle on her every night but one since Sunday, and she has behaved a little better each time. To-night Dad. put his heavy saddle on her There was another dance on to-night but owing to "pecuniary liabilitys" I spent a quiet evening at home. Dick worked till after midnight so did not feel in much humor to attend either. Warmer to-day.</p> <p>Friday May 30th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day with Harry &amp; Belle, and I disked with Joe &amp; Ginger as neither they nor I are much account on either end of a plow. Dad. will finish plowing to-morrow if all's well and it won't take us long to work it up. Mr. Henderson &amp; Ronald were down this morning for Dad to have a look at their horse.</p> <p>To-night Mr. &amp; Mrs. Jim Waddle &amp; the little girls came in and Jim &amp; Dad talked till about nine o'clock, before we had tea. Dick had work late again to-night. I had another little ride on Ginger to-night she turned in at the open gate into the corn field and also onto Sam Law's lane, but otherwise was pretty good. It has been cloudy most of the day and sprinkled a few drops now &amp; then, a lot warmer to-day.</p> <p>Saturday May 31st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day but is not quite done yet. I disked with the little team all morning but as Dad. saw he couldn't finish plowing to-day said I might as well not work them this after noon but cut lawn which I did. He disked and harrowed over all he had plowed to-day. before he turned out.</p> <p>Peg. Long &amp; Bill Dunbar came over to day after Bob. Miller's hay which was to be part payment for {Ray?}. I helped them put it on and they took a good one. Jimmy Corbett was in at noon to get Dad. to go down to see his sick colt but Dad declined the invitation on the grounds that he was too busy but told him what to do. Lila spent the after noon and night over here.</p> <p>Tiddums is growing a tooth now and is pretty cranky. Tige appeared to show an interest in Tiddums to-night whent he was out in his buggy but when Tiddums endeavored to get a strangle hold on her eye she ceased her attentions. Dick did not get home to-night, as this is the last day of the month I suppose he had to work. Cloudy this morning, clearing and developing into about the hottest day this month. We didn't put the saddle on Ginger to-night. I have been barefooted most of the afternoon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday June 1st</p> <p>The boys went to sunday school &amp; church &amp; I went down to church. It began to rain soon after we got out so we went down to Huby's after for dinner. Huby was in his bare feet and had just finished hoeing his garden. Frank &amp; I came home soon after dinner but Dick went up town.</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went for a little ride to night. I rode Joe &amp; Dad. Ginger. Mr. Fleming, Vyse, Roy Bannister &amp; Allan Law were over here to night day. I saw Jim Blaike down town this morning. It has been very hot to-day with two heavy showers the last of which was to-night.</p> <p>Monday June 2nd</p> <p>Dad. was greatly surprised this morning as he was going to the cow stable, to hear a strange whinny in the horse stable and upon investigation to find Belle the grand possessor of a colt full brother to Queen. He is a lively &amp; strong little fellow and has been on his feet nearly all day. He is about the same color as Davy &amp; has the same triangular spot on his fore head he has two white feet both on the same side and his legs are as crooked as rams' horns.</p> <p>We heard yesterday that Johnnie Walker had been made take his horse off the dray on account of a sore neck which it had. and as we were very anxious to get the corn field finished up and as the advent of Belle's colt has knocked the use of her, we drove down to see what arrangements we could make for getting Johnnie's horse. We met him just coming out, and he said he wanted to get the horse out to pasture and that we could take him, but would have to be careful about working him or that "thingh" by which he meant Aikens I suppose would be jumping on him again.</p> <p>Aikens was the one who raised the row and it was nothing but a dirty piece of spite work. He didn't go to Johnnie him self but to Ellis Ryersie who was driving for Johnnie as it was while Mrs. Walker was dead in the house, and told him to tell Johnnie to take the horse off. Ellis evidently thought there was enough trouble in the house so refrained from mentioning it, whereupon Aikens tried to get out a summons against Jack, but Bond wouldn't issue one. Most people seem to think it was a low down trick of Aikens to bother Jack at such a time especially when it is none of his business anyway. Dad. went up and saw the old horse whose name is Joe. and found he has a sore shoulder as well as a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>sore neck but decided to bring him home and try to fix him up. We got a collar at the barn there for him and Dad put a short pad under it, and as the draught comes above the lump on his shoulder there is no weight on the raw part at all. As long as we plow harrow and disk with him there will be no weight on his neck so he promises to be just what we want. Dad plowed a couple of rounds with him &amp; Harry before dinner and he says they make a dandy plow team and Joe never felt his shoulder in the least. He finished plowing that piece quite early in the after noon and says he wouldn't have finished with Belle but this team doesn't feel the plow any more than a waggon.</p> <p>I spent about half the after noon printing Dads. name on the cream can and there is room for improvement on the job at that. the other half I spent mowing the rest of the lawn. Mrs. McBride was washing here all day. Dick had to work late tonight but he and Frank both get a holiday tomorrow as it is the anniversary of the King's birthday. They say the Polocks got on a tear last night and broke all the lamp in the park. It has been quite cold this afternoon. It looked this morning as if it would be hot but a wind got up at noon.</p> <p>Tuesday June 3rd</p> <p>Dad. went down with Joe &amp; Ginger this morning and borrowed Vyse's roller while I went out and disked with Joe Walker &amp; Harry. Dad rolled the field and then harrowed After dinner he went out with Joe Walker &amp; Harry and disked. I played catch with Dick and hoed.. for about an hour and a half - and then brought the little team out and Dad harrowed with them while disked. He started to roll crosswise to-night but didn't get half over it and Vyse told him to bring the roller home to-night - although when he got as far as Martin's Odd. told him Vyse had said they could have it in the morning.</p> <p>Dick spent the morning in bed &amp; the afternoon down town playing ball. Frank cut weeds in the fore noon and went fishing up in the upper pond this after noon but I guess his visit will soon be forgotten by the finny inhabitants of that spot as what few did happen to run into his hook, he did not deem worth of transportation home so kindly returned them to their natural element. He has been hearing great tales of the angler's luck out at the celp and built on-going out to-day but could find no one to accompany him. Jack Ivey came over this after noon to buy hay. Dad told him he could have the hay but</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>unless it rained we wouldn't be able to haul it, but they sent their team over and got a few forkfulls for to-night. We found one of the little turkeys nearly dead, this is hard weather on them, we were hoping it wouldn't rain but he said they had six thousand little osters wich needed rain badly. Jack Martin told Dad to night that the latest piece of devilment of Old Ivey is to have Cousin Willie &amp; Bob Miller disqualified as school trustees as Cousin Willie drew up the papers for trans ferring Mrs. Gordon's property over to the school and the school have bought brooms from Bagley &amp; Miller some time. Both men I think have gone to Simcoe to see Kelly about it, and Dad. went over to Martin's tonight to remind Jack that Old Stringer has done carpenter work for the school and so should be put off too if it is legal. Mrs. Charlie Martin was the only one home so he left the message with her.</p> <p>They found out to-day that it wasn't the Polocks that committed the depradation in the park the other night but a couple of pesky Yankees who are working at the fish shanties. Hugh McQueen &amp; Aikens went down to arrest them to-night. Hugh got one but Aikens chased the other one down the plank road and I don't know whether he caught him or not, they ought to run Aikens in with them. It was pretty hot all day. A big thunder storn blew up late this after noon and for awhile it looked as if we were in for a "souser" but it only rained enough to chase us in off the field and then stopped</p> <p>Wednesday June 4th As Toby went to band practice tonight or at least Wednesday and Thursday nights he is behind in writing this up as this is Friday night We finished working the corn ground Toby disced all day and I rolled it twice and harrowed it once we have it in first rate shape. Cold wind nearly all day.</p> <p>Thursday June 5th</p> <p>First thing after breakfast I went over where Bill was working at Iveys and drove his team while he came over here and marked our corn ground, he finished at noon. After dinner Toby went down and borrowed a planter from Mr Fleming and we got more than half the field planted There was quite a frost last night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 5 6th We did not get out very early this morning, several interruptions before we got in the field and just as I was going to begin to plant Will Donald drove along and well, "Talk about talking". Toby went down to Alfreds to see if he could get a corn planter that would do better work than Mr. Flemings, he got one but it was worse. We did not finish at noon there were still 13 rows to plant.</p> <p>I had to go to a raising at Frank Ryerses, there were lots of men there and they had every thing done before seven O'Clock, We had a grand lay out at tea and I came home with Mr. Fleming. Toby had finished the corn, and he &amp; Frank had (the pens all ran out of ink so I am finishing this to-morrow night myself) the chores all done when Dad. got home. Jonnie came over tonight and &amp; got a little field corn and an ear of Golden Bantam to plant in his garden, he stayed a little while but as no body made any effort at carrying on a conversation he soon left. Jack Walker came after Dad to night as he was nicely in his first sleep about twelve o'clock to go down and see his new horse which had colic or some thing and which was quite recovered when Dad arrived. Al. Faulkner &amp; Charlie Long were both in attendance. Dick did not get home till late owing to surplus of labor. The Woodsons all came yesterday after noon. It was hot all day and almost suffocating to-night, looks like a big thunder storm.</p> <p>Saturday June 6 7 th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went down to Bruce's this morning but found that he &amp; Mr. Ashbow U.S of Caledonia were up Mud. Street on a "professional visit, so we drove up the town line till we met them and brought them up here to have a look at Dave &amp; Osprey who have not been acting as we would like to see them lately. They were here to dinner and Mr. Ashbow proved to be a very entertaining talker.</p> <p>This after noon Dad. went down town and got his hair cut, while Frank went over and worked in John Quanbury's garden for him. I hoed a little in the garden here but spent most of the time hunting crows with Frank's rifle, although I had several good shots I failed to inflict any visible injury on the villains they have been preying upon the little turkeys and now will be at the corn field when an opportunity offers. I scared</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>them off with a bullet everytime I saw them light this afternoon. Dick did not get home to tea again to-night. It rained hard last night and this morning but cleared off and has been quite cool &amp; windy to-day.</p> <p>Sunday 8 9th</p> <p>The boys went down to Sunday school and church Dad (after a good deal of squirming) also attended the morning service, he tried to induce me to go but when I unselfishly offerd to stay at home to take his place he couldn't very well get out of it.</p> <p>I cut a little wood watered the horses &amp; fooled around. I went out once with the rifle in quest of crows but as none were in evidence in the vicinity of the cornfield I in my wrath sought to drive a bullet to the heart of the hickory nut tree, but owing to my unpracticed marksmanship it escaped unscathed.</p> <p>Lila came over this afternoon and she and Frank went back to the gully armed with the rifle and returned this evening with a quantity of wild strawberries, which we were not aware of being developed into an edible condition, Dad, Enah &amp; Tiddums went down to the Woodson's till the latter grew into such a state of excitement which was unequaled in magnitude &amp; noise to any of his former vocal exercises, so much so that Dad. grew anxious about him and brought him home. I started to read Hamlet while they were gone. Dick spent this post meridian in town. Enah &amp; I took in church to-night and we all had tea after we came home It has been cold &amp; raw wind all day again to-day.</p> <p>Monday June 9 8th</p> <p>We were late this morning anyway and before Dad got the team out Walt. &amp; Tom McCall with Dick {Faulmshy?} came in and their visit culminated in Dad. going back with them to see a colt of Walt's which just came this morning, they weren't gone very long, When Dad. refused to take five dollars from Walt. for just taking him down town &amp; back in his automobile, Walt said he was glad to see him in such affluent circumstances financially but Dad told him that if he had a little pile the fiver would have added to it and persuade him to accept it but as he was penniless that amount would only be tantalizing, this was before he knew that Tom Abbott had been in while he was away and left a cream check for twenty five dollars for the month of May, which we don't consider bad for three cows &amp; two heifers one of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>which (Erie) doesn't produce much more than a quart of milk. Dad started to plow the old garden before dinner we are going to put in potatoes, mangels &amp; turnips there if all's well as it is such a loamy spot, he only got a few rounds done before dinner.</p> <p>At noon he got thinking about the little colt down town and as he knew that it wouldn't be properly looked after down there where there were so many around he thought he would like to have it over here as he hated to think of it dying, so he went over to the Martin's and telephoned Walt. and told him if the colt wasn't any better and he liked to bring it over here to do so, which he did about four o'clock. He, Bob. Rankin &amp; I suppose Jack Davis Yeagers man &amp; the colt came over in the automobile and Billy Loan led the mare over, she is the gentlest thing to handle &amp; work around ever lived. They were here for quite awhile and gave the colt some refreshments they have to hold it up it is so weak but it is well aparently every other way and is willing enough get up but can only flounder around.</p> <p>Dad got up at midnight and fed it. He gave it some whisky &amp; milk but it didn't like it much This colt to-gether with old Joe begins to make Barrett's farm look like an infirmary for afflicted members of the equine race.</p> <p>This afternoon I wed a few carrots till Dad. yelled at me to tell me the cattle were in the clover on the north side of the gully. I wemt over with some wire &amp; pinchers and found the miscreants were John &amp; Fred's calf, but one wasn't enough to put them back through the hole they got through so I left them &amp; Dad &amp; I put them back to-night.</p> <p>Bob. Rankin &amp; Mrs. Rankin drove over to night to have Dad. look at their horses feet which I guess are all right. Vyse was over to say that our roller has come but is the wrong kind owing to a mistake of his in the order, and I suppose will have to be shipped back. We didn't get through till very late to-night. It froze last night and there has been a cold wind all day &amp; it is cold to night.</p> <p>Tuesday June 10th</p> <p>As soon as it got warm enough we got the mare &amp; colt out of the boxstall and put them in front of the drive house in the lane so she doesn't move more than ten feet away from it. This after noon it got a little cold there so we put it around between the drive house &amp; barn. It shows great improvement to day. It can now stand up a little while by itself and has got up by itself a couple of times when we</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>saw it and I don't know how many times besides. Walt. Mrs McCall, Tom &amp; a couple of his pals were over this morning to see it. Dad finished plowing the old garden at noon &amp; this afternoon I disked it while Dad. harrowed over the corn ground. This morning I went back and fixed the hole in the fence where the calves got through, I also cleaned up the lawn mower.</p> <p>We didn't get any word from Aunty to-day and as she said in her last letter she would like to come home with Miss Battersby to-night we didn't know whether to expect her or not. Frank went down to the station and met her as she did come. to-night. She went to Huby's for to night she had written Aunty Maude a card yesterday but she had failed to let us know about it. It froze again last night but has been a little warmer to-day but raw wind Dick went down to a surprise party at the Culp's to-night given for Ray who is leaving town in the near future</p> <p>Wednesday June 11th</p> <p>Dad harrowed the old garden this morning but says it will have to be left till the sods dry out before we can work anymore on it. Bob. Miller &amp; Bill Dunbar were over talking to him for about an hour and bought Taurus for sixty two &amp; a half dollars. Bob. offered sixty &amp; Dad. asked sixty five, they wont take him till the first of July when he will likely be worth seventy. I cut some wood and a little lawn.</p> <p>This afternoon I went over to Tupper's to get him to come over and shear our sheep. I found him just finishing up his own. He came over about half past three or four and sheared three. Dad. started on one and Tupper finished it for him. He makes a very nice job of it and doesn't mind leaving a few nicks in the hide, we worked rather late but he said he would be back in the morning. The poor little colt died to-night. We noticed when we brought her out this morning she wasn't nearly as lively as yesterday and she has just been getting weaker all day, and to to-night she just "gain out".</p> <p>I went down to band practice to-night and told George {Faulmshy?} about it. Walt was in Delhi and had not got home yet. The poor old mare feels pretty badly. It has been quite summery today.</p> <p>Thursday June 12th</p> <p>Tupper came over before we had breakfast this morning and "proceeded" to shear the rest of the sheep, we chased them around into the barn so as we could catch them easily. He got through about eleven and as he</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had his wool with him to take to market I went down in his rig with ours. We had 45 1/2lbs and at 18cts got $8.19. Dad get 1/7 of that. Frank gets 1/4 of what is left &amp; I get the balance. Tupper beat us by a dollar and he only had six fleeces to our seven but his were bigger sheep, he had fifty something pounds &amp; got the same price. We took it down here to Penman's. Vyse was working on Uncle Ward's side hill so I went to see him about the roller that is here for us but he says it isn't the right one.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad. buried the little colt and I worked a little in the garden. Mrs. Brad Bowlby came in to see Tiddums I guess and Aunty &amp; Enah went down town Aunty stayed all night. Ada. &amp; Hubert Lawrie were over for awhile. Hubert is just here for a day or so. About five o'clock Dad. &amp; I drove Belle out to Jim Waddle's.</p> <p>I went down to band practice to-night and didn't get to bed till twelve. Dick came home with me his new suit came to-day. Pretty hot, breezy. Tom Law's automobile upset last night the other side of Simcoe and nearly killed Harry Dyer and injured Tom. They thought at first that Dyer's back was broken but that report was contradicted later, but he is in pretty bad shape in Simcoe</p> <p>Friday June 13th</p> <p>Dad. went down town this morning with the waggon and got Joe &amp; Ginger shod, he also got Aunty Maude's refrigerator. I cut a little lawn and chored around till noon. About twelve Enah heard the fire bell, and I set out hot foot for the town but when I got over behind Vyse's I noticed the smoke over by Mrs. Munroe's. I got there just as Al Faulkner arrived on the {hump?} with the bus &amp; fire pails. It was the house I think that Bill Philips used to live in, but is now occupied by a fellow by the name of Smith and is owned by Person. They soon had the fire checked but not before it had burned down the kitchen and part of the roof.</p> <p>It was late when we got through dinner. Dad. and I went down to the mill to get some flour &amp; chop. Dad took some grist down this morning. When we got home, he went out and harrowed over the old garden, I didn't do any thing much as I felt lazier than a yellow dog.</p> <p>Mrs. Skey &amp; Mrs. Battersby came over this after noon. Aunty came over after noon she got a ride with old Fawset. Lila also came over to spend the night. Frank &amp; I went down to the stump to-night, the water was fine it was the first time in for me this year. It was very hot to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 14th</p> <p>We caught all the calves but Bobbie's when we fed them this morning, they have not been feeling very lively to-day. Bill Oaks came over for a drink and visited for about half an hour. He is going to leave Ivey to-day. We cut potatoes most of the morning.</p> <p>This after noon we got some ice out to put in the refrigerator, it is meling a lot but seems all right in side. Frank went to a picnic this after noon that Mrs. Tuck was having for her Sunday School class. We did not get out in the field till about three and then Dad ploughed some furrows to plant potatoes in the old garden and we planted four rows. We planted Huby's early ones which he has been telling us ought to be planted for the last month. two rows from the west side of the east section.</p> <p>Alfred came over while we were out there and paid a short visit. Dad. &amp; I had to go down town to-night for some stuff. Lila went down with us. Tupper went past to-day and told Dad he was going to begin road work on Tuesday.</p> <p>Sunday June 15th</p> <p>Frank went to Sunday school but Dick didn't get up in time; he, Dad. &amp; I drove down to church. Dad. &amp; I went in the choir. The Rev. Larry Shey prought about the Dominion Alliance and its efforts in trying to "Abolish the bar". I walked home with Paul Lee Woodson. Dick stayed down and is not home yet (9.10 P.M.)</p> <p>This afternoon I read till I went to sleep, and then read again. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Frank Faulkner were over, and Walt McCall, Dave. Waddle, Powell McKintosh &amp; Bill Davis came over. Walt. said he would send over his mare in the morning. Dad. &amp; Tiddums went down to Alfreds so missed all visitors. Enah intended to go to church to-night but Tiddums woke up about that time so she stayed home. It has rained quite a few times to-day and has been sunny &amp; hot in between.</p> <p>Monday June 16th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I planted the rest of the potatoes this morning and went over to Sam Law's before dinner. This afternoon we moved the kitchen stove from the inside kitchen to the woodshed, we didn't have enough hands and the consequence was the base got broken and now the stove is supported by columns of brick, we then went out and planted three rows of mangels. We had a garden line which was to short and had to be stretched</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>twice in the same line. Dad had to make the drill with a stick and I shook the seed in with a can with a hole in the bottom, which worked all right. Tonight I went down to band practice and got home just at twelve. Aunty went down and spent the evening with Mrs. Bumpas at Mrs. Skey's. It was too late to wait for me so she came back alone. This has been about the hottest day we have had 90 in the shade I think</p> <p>We are hearing a lot of talk now about the enormous almmount of money the government &amp; the railway are going to spend on harbour improvements. I found our poor black &amp; white cat killed this morning in Joe's stall I suppose she has run up after a mouse and frightenend Joe when she stepped on her. Frank has undertaken to raise her family for her but has a hard job making them drink. We heard yesterday that Harry Dyer was dead but I heard to-day that he was better yesterday.</p> <p>Tuesday June 17th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I worked on the road all day, we took Harry &amp; little Joe and the plow. Tupper, Mrs Flemming, Mr. Walker &amp; Ben were all there with teams. They plowed a ditch from the corner to the top of the gully on our side of the road and took the dirt and filled up the holes around the culvert and covered the stones that have been the source of many a cross word coming from travellers mounting the hill. Of course there are a lot of kickers, that feel called upon to tell us that a worse mess couldn't be made than the job we are doing but they cant suggest a remedy. One mug told us we might better be home in bed. Dad. told him we would much rather he.</p> <p>Roy telephoned Dick to-day that Aunty Louisa died this morning so Aunty went down on the five train. Tonight I went down with Dick intending to go to Aunty Maude's &amp; Ada's party at Mrs Scofield's but when I found out that it was to be mostly {illegible} I thought I had better be in bed. The Woodson boys went down with us, and Dick his best to persuade us to go up but they didn't want to go so we came home and Dick stayed and says he had a good time and any ammount of dancing. Lewis treated the four of us to a dish of ice cream. Pretty warm but not so bad as yesterday.</p> <p>Wednesday June 18th</p> <p>We worked on the road all morning. As our time</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was finished at noon by Dad. &amp; the team alone. Tupper rewarded me with a dollar for my services, he said he knew I wasn't worth it but as it was a government job, he would let it go. at that. This afternoon we planted a few more mangles and have another row to plant yet.</p> <p><br />To-night I went down to band concert, it was the first night we have been out this year and the first night I ever played in public, I guess I did as well as ever, but just about froze on the stand and was so stiff I could hardly walk home. Very much cooler and cloudier to-day.</p> <p>Thursday June19th</p> <p>I went out this morning and planted the rest of the mangels (one row). Dad disked up the unsowed part to the garden and then started to plow the other half of the corn field for wheat, This after noon I raked the garden and got a place ready to plant corn but only got one row of Golden Bantam in on account of the rain. Dad. plowed all the after noon</p> <p>Our corn is coming up very nicely except in a few hard spots which are as dry as a bone. Dick came home to-night and we had some music to-night. We had quite a thunder shower about noon and another about tea time We needed them badly but they weren't enough</p> <p>Friday June 20th</p> <p>Vyse came over this morning and told us our roller was at the station. so Dad told him that we would go right down and get it and for him to wait for us to set it up. When we got there it proved to be a nine foot instead of an eight foot one which was ordered so Dad. did not accept it. We went up by town to get some cream jars at the hardware store and around by the Spaints for Vyse to inquire after Alex. who was taken sick last Monday night, and they have been afraid he would have to be operated upon. He is better this morning.</p> <p>I planted the rest of the corn when we got home and Dad. went back to fix the gully fence where Fred's calf got into the field. I went over to the Quanbury's at noon and got some tomato and cauliflower plants, but just as I got home it began to rain and poured all the afternoon. There were a few very close claps of thunder but I don't think anything around here was struck. The ground was just about flooded but it didn't take it long to run off &amp; in. I read myself to sleep and slumbered till about five when I went out and we planted out the tomato &amp; cauliflower. It is raining quietly again to night. Very hot this morning. My Frank brought us over a lovely bunch of peonys this morning.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 21st</p> <p>As it was too muddy for Dick to walk or ride his wheel (which was down town any way), I drove him down town as far as Mrs. Lawson's, I didn't care to go any farther on account of my appearance. Frank &amp; I wed out a few onions. Frank got quite a lot done, he is getting skilled at the job from his practice at the Quanbury's. Dad. started to clean out the wood shed and we helped him a little. We also steadied &amp; levelled the separator. It took nearly all the afternoon to the the wood shed cleaned but it looks a lot better now. Frank went over to Mrs. Martin's with the cream and got eight more tomato plants from John to fill out the row. I put them out and helped him put out some Cabbage plants, he has sixty out now. He got another hatch of chickens over at Jack Martin's these are single combed ones to keep for ourselves, he also went over to Law's and got the butter.</p> <p>To night he and Dad. have driven down town after the mail &amp; some groceries, as Dick did not come home to tea. Dad. wants to see Emery about a corn cultivator which I saw he had for sale this morning. It has been cool and cloudy all day.</p> <p>Sunday June 22nd</p> <p>The boys went down to church and Sunday School this morning but I went back to the gully for an hour or two instead and I guess was just as much benifited as if I had gone to church. I found a breach in the fence where I suppose John gets through into the alsike and patched it up as well as I could. I took a walk way up around by Robert John's and fell in with Edmond England coming from Ivey's where he has three heifer's pastured.</p> <p>While I was gone Dad. went down town and got Huby and Lila to come over for dinner and see the farm. Win came over after dinner. This after noon Harry &amp; Mrs. Moon and Jack &amp; Mrs. Walker came over. Harry spent about half an hour trying to take a picture of Queen &amp; the colt, but Queen was too tame and wanted to examine the camera while the colt was a little shy and would get behind Belle. Then Old Harry seemed to think tnat it was his likeness which was wanted or else Ginger would take a run across the field and the rest would all be after her. At last however Johnny got Mrs. Walker's parasol and attracted their attention enough for Harry to get a couple. Dad. drove Huby home soon after dinner and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I drove Enah, Win &amp; Lila down and Enah. Win &amp; I went to church. We over took all the Woodson's but Lewis coming over here after church. When they left we had some sanwiches is place of tea which we missed. Lovely day sunny but not hot cool to-night.</p> <p>Monday June 23rd</p> <p>Sam &amp; Allan Law came over this morning to borrow our waggon, Lewis Woodson also came over with a scythe blade to be sharpened. I spent the day in clearing the blue grass field of daisys and strawberries there were some fat ones back there. When I went out this morning I had designs on a patch of daisys which we could see from here and which I thought I could corner in an hour or two but when I over there I found a lot more on the side bilt, and they took me the most of the day. I pulled them, which took a good deal longer than to cut them as I had first intended, so I am not through yet with the patch I set out after.</p> <p>Dad plowed all day. and at noon drove down to see Emery about his cultivator but Emery couldn't find the teeth for it then. but. I went down to-night to band practice and he told me he had gone out to his fathers and found them out there so I guess we will buy it. It was half past eleven when Dick and I got home. pretty fairly hot.</p> <p>Tuesday June 24th</p> <p>I went back and harvested the remainder of my flower garden. and got through a little before noon with out feeling any regret at leaving. At noon Dad went down to Emery's and brought the cultivator home. I cut a little lawn while he was gone.</p> <p>As the trip down town delayed dinner we were late getting out and by the time we got Belle in and harnessed to put on the cultivator it was about three o'clock, but it was just as well for she was inclined to be pretty balky and mad at six. Dad drove her up and down the field once then she balked and soon got her to behave fairly well, and got a nice start on the cornfield to-night</p> <p>I worked in the garden till dark and then Frank and I went for a swim and got back about ten. Frank had just started his exams today and appears to be very interested in them, he thinks he passed in the subjects he had to-day. Arithmetic, Spelling &amp; Writing. Hot &amp; sultry I have felt about half asleep all day. Dad's head ached and he felt pretty rotten about noon</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 25th</p> <p>As it showed symtoms this morning of being an extra hot day and as Belle's colt didn't seem very well this morning on account of being away from her while she was working yesterday, and because she cut up rather rustily yesterday. Dad. went over to Sam Law's before break fast and borrowed old Ben. to cultivate our corn. Dad. plowed all day with Harry &amp; Joe Walker so I was sentenced to keep Bent and the cultivator in the straight and narrow way lying between the corn rows. He went pretty well all morning and for awhile after dinner till I started to go crosswise; but then I couldn't do anything with him, he did his best to step on every hill and wouldn't mind at all. Dad. took him a couple of rounds or so while I plowed and said he went pretty well but I couldn't see any improvement. When Frank got home from school he rode him for awhile and things went better. Tonight Frank took him home and we decided not to cultivate any more till he got through with school, he is just having his exams now and tomorrow &amp; Friday is his last day. Frank's guinea hen started setting today. Drat {ink blotch on page}</p> <p>Thursday June 26th</p> <p>I worked in the garden all day, and got most of the weeds out but nothing else done. Dad. plowed all day and finished the rest of the corn field for summer fallow. Wyatt Waddle came in this afternoon with a duplicate of the broken casting on the manure spreader.</p> <p>Aunty came home tonight. Dick met her and she stayed at Huby's all night. Dick started the other day to take music lessons from Miss Wimmer. Allan Law brought our waggon back this morning. Very hot and sultry to-day.</p> <p>Friday June 27th</p> <p>It rained last night and the thunder which accompanied it was deafening. There was one clap that fairly shook Dad out of bed, and he went around shutting all the windows. When he got to ours I partly woke up but if it hadn't been for him I would never have known there was any thunder. It has been a very stifling day. It was about 90° in the shade and so muggy and wet we could hardly breathe. Dad. plowed all day on the old corn stubble and nearly croaked with the heat and his uncomfortable footwear. I planted</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>out a few tomato plants which Frank found coming up from seed among the potatoes. I was to lazy to do any thing else much. Aunty came over about noon.</p> <p>This after noon I put on a bathing suit and hooked up Joe and took the buggy down here to the grist mill and gave it a good washing. Lila came over just as I was starting so got on a bathing suit and went down with me and I think enjoyed herself immensely, going right up under the dam and all over. I got well washed off by by getting under the stream that overflows from the flume but there was awful force to it. I went down at seven to-night and attended the Methodist strawberry fistival with the rest of the band. Dad. Dick, Frank &amp; Enah were all there. Aunty &amp; Lila took care of Tiddums. We got home pretty fairly early and had a good time.</p> <p>Saturday Saturday June 28th</p> <p>I plowed all day to-day. Dad made three strike outs yesterday and I turned then under leaving about three feet for Dad. to finish up on each land. I got around three strike outs, and didn't do so very badly considering it was the first day I had put in at the job never before plowing more than three or four rounds at a time. It seemed to go much better and I made a better looking job this morning than after dinner. I had old Harry and Joe Walker who made a pretty good team once they got started of but I generally had some trouble at the ends - as neither one of them much more than enough braints to make a square meal for a chipmonk. Dad. took Belle out to cultivate but she acted pretty mean so Frank came out to hold her she was still bad till Dad. took her and Frank took the cultivator, when she worked like a charm and they continued operations all day in this manner but did not quite get over the field. About five o'clock the colts came up the lane and some way knocked down the bars into the field and took a race down the corn field and back, but we soon got them out.</p> <p>Aunty went down town to see Mrs. Bompas who I think is going away soon. They expected Quint home to-night but he didn't come, but may be here yet for the first. Fairly warm but nothing like yesterday.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday June 29th</p> <p>We got up fairly early this morning and Dad drove Aunty up to the cemetry with some flowers before Sunday School. None of us went down to church except Frank. Hubert &amp; Edith Lawrie came over with Aunty after church for the afternoon.</p> <p>I left at half past one as this was decoration day for the odd fellows - and the band furnishes them with music for them. We had to march from the Dominion Hotel to the School house - and as it was the first march for me I didn't enjoy it much, what made it triply hard for me, I had no music harp for my horn so had to hold the music with half of one hand, play with half of the other and hold the horn with half of each so I couldn't do any thing properly. Then I got out of step about half a dozen times in every block and every body suggested hobbles or some other contrivance to keep my length of step at about a foot &amp; a half instead of three feet. We rode up to the back from the cemetry on Val. Lany's dray with Johnnie Walker's team. We played a few old hymns up there and marched back from the school house to Harry Graham's store to "Auld Lang Syne". There is a great change for the better in the appearance of the cemetry since Munroe has been looking after it.</p> <p>When I got home I found Mr. Blaikie here, his arm is badly crippled with rheumatism, he just came up for the first, was going to Alfred's to spend the night, and to Simcoe to-morrow. There was great excitement up the Radical road last night, as Art Williams was going home after midnight he saw Geordie Waldick's barn opposite Cory's place on fire, Geordie wasn't home so he alarmed Stringer's. They just nicely got it out when they saw a fire at Chart Wooley's so they going over there, they saved the barn but the straw stack was burned. Next thing a blaze was noticed over at John King's, who being more unlucky than the other two lost his barn and all his implements. It was evident that this was the work of some man, and for some reason I think they tracked him they suspect the fellow who lives at Cory's. I forget his name any way they had the house watched, but as Dad. &amp; Enah told were going to church to-night they were very much surprised to meet this same man walking leisurely along the road in front of this place. Dad. informed Art Quanbury - and this led to Hugh McQueen and Faulkner in Al's automobile starting in pursuit</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and his recapture on the way to Renton. He deserves all he gets for being fool enough to keep to the road. Yordie Waldick and some other fellow were in here while Dad. was at church to see him about some vetinary business. Mr. Blaikie and Alfred were also over. Lila stayed all night over here. Very hot for me to-day, breezy and not extraordinary for other people.</p> <p>Monday June 30th</p> <p>I plowed a few rounds this morning but made such a mess of it that Dad. took it and Frank and I cultivated corn. I led Belle and he held the cultivator she went fine, we got over the rest of the corn crosswise and nearly half over it lengthwise. To night I went down to band practice, Aunty polished my horn up beautifully for me this after noon she went down with me to see Quint if he came, but he didn't. Dick waited for the late train which did not get in till after eleven in hopes that Quint would be aboard but was disappointed. I saw {Stuffy?} to-night. Mrs. McBride was here this after noon washing. It has been pretty hot all day but a nice breeze, awfully hot to-night. Quite a few are into their hay now.</p> <p>Tuesday July 1st</p> <p>Dad went down to Vyse's, and from there down town to get the roller, it came all right this time and they set it up at Vyse's and left in there for the present. He had to stop in at Martin's on his way down to see their cow who got into the chicken cook-house the other night and filled up on every thing she could find. and now is in a rather critical condition.</p> <p>Among other things I hoed some of the corn in the garden this morning and then Frank and I went to the stump and enjoyed a good swim. Frank went on down town with the lawn mower to have it sharpened, but I came home, and had dinner as I had to be down town by one as the band started performing then, we played for awhile on the bandstand, and then went around town, they took us in to the three hotels and to Jake's.</p> <p>Jack Paine was very much in evidence on these occasions making all sorts of rash promises to the band, such as sending up a new set of instruments or anything else they wanted if each member would send him twentyfive bulldog ammonia coupons. At the lower hotel, they struck up, "He's a jolly good fellow". and Jack and the rest of them down there danced and kicked up a row, till they got out</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>of wind and then he commenced to talk, but as they were waiting for us out side, we had to leave him much to his disgust, without all the good wine he had been promising us. I rode Frank's wheel home to tea and changed my once white pants as I thought I might take in the dance. We played awhile over in the park till the orchestra had to go in to the dance, by that time I didn't feel much like dancing so sat around with Egg Thompson &amp; some others and came home early</p> <p>Among the chief numbers on the list of sports was were a a slow horse race which Hazen entered but was disqualified because his horse stopped, and which ended in a dispute, as some thought that Dave Fields who came in last let his horse stop, but others said that it didn't stop for although it wasn't making any progress its feet were going. Another was a tug of war between Simcoe &amp; Dover. The Dover end of the rope was supported by Hugh McQueen, Sandy Leitch etc. and walkeded right down the road with Simcoe, but it also ended with {picking?} for some reason or other. Harry Moon yelled him self hoarse at that,</p> <p>An unadvertised sensation was created by the arresting of a motor cyclist by Val. Leany. It seems the fellow either through non control of his machine or whisky or pure devilment or all three was {illegible} the roads through the crowd at a very reckless and dangerous rate. He did stop at last and evidently objected to peaceably accompany Val to the cooler, so that gentleman picked him up, put him under his arm and carried him in out of the hot sun. I heard afterwards that Bond tried him and that he contributed nineteen dollars to the municipal treasary.</p> <p>A Simcoe man dropped dead over at the Dominion at noon. I suppose he collapsed with the heat, that didn't cause much excitement though as everybody else felt the same way. It was almost unbearably hot especially under a coat that has been collecting the bandroom dirt for an unknown number of ages.</p> <p>Wednesday July 2nd</p> <p>Dad. plowed and. Frank. Belle &amp; I cultivated corn all day. We finished the field lengthwise and got up as far crosswise as where Frank &amp; Dad. begun the other day. We are going to leave it that way for awhile now. To-night I went down to the regular weekly night band concert. Lila came over and spent</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the night, she cut her lip quite badly inside by falling off Frank's wheel several times. It swelled up like a sick toad or we wouldn't have known she hurt as she didn't feel it. Aunty went down town to-day and to-night Mrs. &amp; Miss Woodson came over to inquire after her as the cook though some delusion on her part had told them she fainted while going through their place this afternoon. It rained a few drops this morning and has been a most comfortable breezy day.</p> <p>Thursday July 3rd</p> <p>Vyse came in this morning with our roller, he and Aikens were going out to haul in his hay. Dad had to go over to Martin's to see their cow and when he came back he got the mower out and cleaned it up I turned the grindstone while he sharpened one of the knives. Mrs. McPherson and her three angels came overe to spend the day. I hope they enjoyed thenselves, for then somebody would have. Arthur would have if they had let him spend a little more time in the blacking box and flour tin.</p> <p>After dinner Dad took the mower back the other side of the gully and started on the half of the old wheat stubble, the other half is in alsike. I went back with him till he cut a round. He didn't quite finish the field to-night but has a couple or so hours more, he said none of it would be fit to rake before tomorrow noon anyway. When I came up I worked in the garden till six. Frank thinned out the carrots and Paris Greened the potatoes. Dick got home to tea to-night. Very hot again to-day.</p> <p>As the cats have been taking a duck or two lately Frank has moved them, the ducks, out on the front lawn. They don't add to the beauty of the place any, but I guess no body in particular cares a cent. Dad had to go over to Martin's again to-night as the cow is in a worse condition, he punched a hole in her stomach and has created a spring of chicken feed with the above mentioned stomach as the source.</p> <p>Friday July 4th</p> <p>Dad. went back as early as he could, which was pretty late to finish mowing. I didn't do any thing much but start to make a rack for the beans to climb on, about ten I went back to shake up some of the hay which Dad. cut yesterday but mowed instead Dad. went to shake up the hay but found there wasn't enough of it to make it necessary so went</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over and visited with John Wess McBride who while cultivating corn was taking things as coolly as possible. Some men were there putting a new roof on his barn and he wasn't at all satisfied with it. We finished mowing about noon. When we got to the house we found Huby there with a horse and buggy out electioneering. This was the day, they voted on the by law to fix the canning factory's taxes. but every body had forgotten about it. even the canners themselves. Vyse told them he had forgotten and had been thinking it was the twelfth, and telling people that was the date.</p> <p>Huby stayed to dinner and Dad. &amp; Aunty drove down afterwards with Joe, while Huby went after Uncle Ward &amp; others. Win came over with him but went home with Edith who also came over as she pretended to be scared of the horse which ran away several times so Huby said. Mrs. McBride came this morning to paper our room and Frank has been helping her all day. It rained all the afternoon so I didn't do any thing much. Dad. cleaned out the cellar and I helped a little break the sprouts of some apples potatoes. Mrs. McBride &amp; Frank finished the room to-night all but the border on one side which they didn't have enough of</p> <p>Bill Dunbar and some other fellow came after poor old Taurus this morning they led him down and although he was quiet enough they had a little time with him as he didn't know what being tied up meant. After dinner both the Dr. Burts. from Simcoe came in to see Dad. They had come down to look at Martin's cow but she was just about dead, she died soon after. Dick didnt come home till late but hadn't heard how the election went.</p> <p>Saturday July 5th</p> <p>I drove Dick down this morning as the roads were too muddy for him to ride or walk. He got me the rest of the roll of border and a few other things to bring home. Martin's were just about to inter the remains of their cow when I came home and were evidently waiting for Dad to come and hold a post mortem as he told them he wanted to yesterday, he went over but said it was to long after her death to make any observations.</p> <p>He and Frank then went down to the mill with some grist for chop. I tied binder twine together to make a trellis for the beans to climb on. This afternoon I just walked around the garden. Frank planted out another row of cabbages. Dad. cut weeds around here</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and put up the other piece of larder. Aunty went down town this afternoon but came back to tea. After tea Dad. &amp; I drove down town I tried to get some coarse salt but couldn't but got some chloroform for {Yran's?} butterfly. I then went over to the dance - and put in a very miserable time - as no body would dance or have anything to do wth me. Dick was there and never missed a dance. It rained hard last night but there has and has been pretty hot all day although there was a very nice cool breeze off the lake this after noon.</p> <p>Sunday July 6th</p> <p>Dad. &amp; Frank did all the chores this morning as I didn't get up very early. Aunty &amp; Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and I went to church. This after noon Dad. Enah, Aunty and Tiddums went out to the Shand's and stayed to tea. We did chores. Dick spent the afternoon down town in swimming. Frank went back to the gully and I tried to draw a picure but didn't make much of a job of it.</p> <p>To-night the boys fed the little ducks some whisky soaked grain and they got lazy eyed two or three could hardly walk, and would roll over &amp; over. It has been cool &amp; quite windy all day. It rained a short time this after noon.</p> <p>Monday July 7th</p> <p>This was Dad's. birthday so we didn't get a very early start although we never do any other day either. Dad. went over and raked up the hay he cut and finished at noon I went back with him and started to cock up.</p> <p>Frank had to take a consignment of sick little chickens over to Jack Martin to have their case diagnosed, he pronounced it chickenpox and ordered them to be quartined, fumigated, disinfected, vaccinated and about half a dozen other things, when he got back he came and cocked up too.This afternoon we took the waggon back and put on a load. It took us nearly two hours as the the hay was very loose &amp; short and the wind was very strong. Frank went a head of us and bunched it out of the windrow, Dad. pitched on &amp; I loaded or piled it on the rack. We cocked up a little before we came up with the load.</p> <p>Aunty Maude, Win and Lila came over to-night to wish Dad. a happy birth day. I went down to band practice and got home soon after eleven. It has been very cool and a strong wind all day.</p> <p>Tuesday July 8th</p> <p>We cocked up all morning and finished about noon all but about one load in the north west corner</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we then all went over to John Wess. McBride's to get some information regarding slings, as Dad. never used them before. We found out all we wanted to and he gave us an ash board to make the uprights which bolt on the rack. We were over there quite awhile and didn't get back till after one so by the time we had dinner did chores and pitched off the load on the rack it was pretty late. It looked a little like rain so we went out and got the load that was in windrow instead of rigging the slings. We couldn't take it quite all in one load but it didn't rain anyway. Frank bunched it all up, so as to make it easier to pitch on. I loaded it again and it didn't upset. It was after six by the time we got up with it. Winnie came over this after noon and stayed all night. Lila went home. Very nice cool day and not so windy.</p> <p>Wednesday July 9th</p> <p>We spent the whole morning in fixing the sling rigging on the rack and oiling the pulleys and making general preparation for getting in the rest of our hay. We also put off the load by hand which was on the rack We got a good start after dinner, but as it was the first time we had ever had the sling ropes to bother with, we didn't get on extra fast, but we got it off with out any trouble as the slings worked fine. We went back and got about half a load on when a very heavy thunder storm blew up and we all got soaked to the skin. It didn't last long as we left the field as soon as it began and it had nearly stopped when we got to the barn. We had a hard time coming up the hill as it was too slippery for the horses. Old Harry fell right down once on his nose - and they both came down on their knees two or three times, but I don't think either of them sustained any serious injuries.</p> <p>Lila came over after dinner and came out to the field with us. so got soaked with the rest of us. Dad took down a panel of the barnyard fence when he drove the team through into the field with the sling rope so had to take the horses out of the field, he put Belle &amp; her colt in the boxstall and turned Ginger &amp; Queen back the lane in fear &amp; trembling best they should get into the barbed wire, and to-night before tea we noticed Queen in the pasture field and on investigation Dad. found she had jumped the lane fence, and had a few scratches on her but otherwise was not hurt. Ginger was all right. I went down to band practice concert to-night. Dad. &amp; Frank drove me down but I was late. I</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>just missed the first piece. I came home with Dick. Very cool and breezy. They got their smoke stack up to-night at the canning factory.</p> <p>Thursday July 10th</p> <p>Frank and I cultivated corn all day, we started to go twice in a row but made such little headway that we knew we wouldn't get over all of it so went once in a row. We also went up between the potatoes rows, they are coming slowly but the grass is bad in them and they need hoeing. I am afraid our mangel crop is a failure, it looks as if the seed was no good.</p> <p>Dad. started to cut the new meadow this side of the gully where the wheat was last year, he only started to cut a part of it which was west of the old garden but didnt get it quite done. One of the sections on the blade got loose this morning, and he was delayed quite awhile fixing it, then at noon we sharpened the other knife. Lila has spent the whole day going back and forth from the house to the fields, watching her chance to drive the horses or hold the cultivator, she wanted to go home to-night as to-morrow is her music lesson day. but Aunty thought she would be too tired so persuaded her to stay.</p> <p>Aunty &amp; I went over to the Woodson's to-night and spent a very enjoyable evening. Most of the family were out in the kitchen assisting the cook to entertain her two gentlemen callers, who were a mexican who Paul Lee says is the Ingram's cook and a negro dwarf from Simcoe, they had a banjo or some instrument but were stage struck before so large an audience. We got home about half past ten and every one was in bed. Dick stayed down late to the dance to-night and forgot to put the light out when he got home.</p> <p>I discovered to-day that my big knife was gone out of my overalls pocket and I am afraid I have lost it in the load of hay, which means that it is gone forever, it was a dandy too. Very cool all day cold to-night</p> <p>Friday July 11th</p> <p>Lila went home when Dick went to the Bank. He, Toby &amp; Frank drew in two loads of hay in the morning and unloaded them with the sling it worked beautifully it was a lovely day to work "clear and cool", in the afternoon they raked the hay that was cut and put part of it in cock, they were quite late coming in from the field, and we were very late having tea</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Hattie had a long visit from Mr. Law, who brought the butter. before tea I went over to see Mrs Battersby and Ethel, Hattie took the baby out for a little while. Dick came home to tea he wrote to Ferdie Wiser and went to bed very early. Harry and Hattie drove out to {see?} Harvey Shand in the evening.</p> <p>Saturday July 12th</p> <p>It began to rain this morning before the boys got out in the field, and rained heavily nearly all the forenoon. They were very disappointed that so much hay was out, but they were busy all the morning with the numerous odd's and sod's which are left waiting for a rainy day. Harry helped us with one or two bits of work in the house, while the two boys began to tidy the drive house, he then went to help them at that, they got it finished and Frank cleaned his chicken house. I made a mistake in saying the rain began before they went to work, it looked very like rain early this morning, but it was cool and windy so Harry and the boys did go out and raked up more of the hay, hoping to draw more in today, but the rain came on and drove them in.</p> <p>After dinner Toby drove Enah down town Dick did not come home to tea, he is staying over for the dance. We heard from Roy, he said Jean was coming to the Woodson's tonight. Since tea Toby and Frank have been for a bathe at the mill. This is Cousin Lila's Birthday, Enah went to see her, and took her some cream.</p> <p>Sunday July 13th</p> <p>Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday school and I met them at church. Aunty stayed down at MIss Battersby's for dinner, she came over to-night with Lila. Dick went down to the lake this after noon and didn't get back till about eight o'clock.</p> <p>Dad. Frank and I took a drive after dinner. We went out to the Winding Hills east to Black Creek. South to the Dag's Nest and up this road home. We were pleased to note that the other neighbours are not much farther ahead than we are and their crops except the wheat are not much better than ours</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I didn't feel very husky this afternoon, I guess I haven't had enough sleep lately. Nice day, but windy.</p> <p>Wednesday July 16th</p> <p>We got up extra early this morning in order to get in a good day hauling hay, we got out soon after seven to unload the load standing on the barn floor. While Dad. and I were in the field after a load Frank took the pulleys and ropes down out of the barn as we want to fill up our horse stable mow with the hay we are now hauling in. Dad. had to change the car from one track to another when we came in and that took half an hour, then we found our slings wouldn't work there, the first lift nearly knocked the old ventilator chute over, there was one would hardly go in the doors and the hay all dropped out of the last one for some unknown reason we got the fork to lift what had dropped but it wouldn't work in the short blue grass.</p> <p>It took us about two hours to get through which was rather discouraging, we got in one more load before noon and two this afternoon, they went up all right but we didn't put on nearly as big ones. We quit on time as this was the night of Dad's party out at the Shand's, and we had to have the hay rack to carry them all. One of the Miss Shand's drove in this afternoon and took Enah and Tiddums out, they will stay all night as Tiddums wouldn't go very well with the load. There were twenty two of us on the rack and lots of room, besides all the crowd at the Woodson's (10) there were Mrs. Hobbes and Miss Prest. Aunty Maude and Lila Ada, Miss Beemer and Edith Lawrie, Dad., Aunty and we three boys made a nice load. There was quite a bunch out there consisting of Shand's and relations of Shands, Mr. &amp; Mrs. Nixon and very sleepy son from Renton and a Mr. Hare with his mother, who is a sister of Mrs. Shand's came all the way from Jarvis.</p> <p>Mr. Hare had his clarinet with him and also his violin, but he wouldn't play the latter after he had heard Miss Prest. He is the leader of the Jarvis Band which had just started this year. I had to miss the band concert to-night. We had music of every description and a good time. We didn't leave till after mid-night. and it was about half past two when we got all the passengers delivered at their different places of abode and got home and the horses put away. I was dead sleepy. We didn't see a living creature down town but Mr. Hobbes was stalking up and down like a ghost past the bank waiting anxiously for his family</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>A fierce cat fight some where in the neighbourhood of Billy Frank's cottages made us aware that Dover was not completely enveloped in slumber. Winnie went to Waterford to-day with the other Miss Beemer, she will be in a very joyful state of mind as she passed entrance with honors. Poor Lila failed and feels badly although nobody would know it from her behaviour. Nice, cool breezy day, cloudy to-night and sprinkling a few drops of rain when we got home.</p> <p>Thursday July 17th</p> <p>Dad. got up a little later than usual this morning, I slept till after seven and Frank spent the best part of the morning in bed, but it had rained quite a spatter so we couldn't do much in the field. We just puttered around. Dad. worked a little in the garden and cut some of the grass and all the young plum trees on the front lawn and some of the thistles in the plum orchard. I mowed lawn.</p> <p>This after noon Dad. went back and started in to cut the alsike I cut more lawn and thinned some onions while Frank scythed thistles. About five I went back and cut alsike till dark while Dad came up and did chores and had tea. He had been having a hard time with it clogging up the knife, as it was wet and a lot of stuff in the bottom. I had just as had a time for awhile but it got better. Dad. Dick and Frank all came back when it got pretty dark and Dad. thought we could finish it to-night, but decided that we had better leave it till morning. It was about half past nine when we got up to the house.</p> <p>The Miss Shands drove Enah and Tiddums home this afternoon. Tiddums was tickled nearly to busting at getting back home again. Damp and muggy drizzled nearly all morning.</p> <p>Friday July 18</p> <p>Dad. went back this morning to finish cutting the alsike Frank and I went out to cock up the rest of the hay in windrow, but found it too wet so just turned it out and went over to the alsike field. Dad. told us to go up and get the rack ready to put on a load, so we went up and threw off the hay which was left on from the night of the party and put on the ladders and sling standards. Dad. came up just as we got about through.</p> <p>Mr &amp; Mrs. Harry Dyer with Nancy drove in about this time and Harry was dickering with Dad. about his lots on St. George St. Dad. told him he could have the two for $6.00 but he wouldn't sell one separate. Harry said he would decide and let Dick.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>know to-morrow. We went out and got one load before dinner. Mr. Lamb came over to see if he could get some hay. Dad said if he would send a couple of men and a team &amp; waggon over he could get a load but we didn't have time to haul it, so he said he would.</p> <p>This afternoon we got another load in and unloaded, and then went out to cock up the rest of the wind rows. One of the little black kittens followed us out and caught a very young mouse and gobbled it. We didn't get quite through before tea, so Dad. went out after tea and worked at it till nearly ten and still left some.</p> <p>Frank and I drove down town after tea as Dick didn't come home and Frank wanted to see the Maple Leaf to know his fate - as to whether he passed his exams. although he made it seem as though getting his wheel was the real object of our trip. The wheel wasn't done so we went down to Huby's to see the paper, he was very disappointed not to find his name among the successful candidates as he was pretty confident he had passed.</p> <p>Poor old Jim Low was killed to-day by Dave Turner's engine. He was crazy with drink and as near as we know jumped in front of the engine before Dave could stop for him, the engine threw him and I think fractured his skull. He died an hour or two afterwards without becoming conscious.</p> <p>Aunty, Enah &amp; Tiddums went visiting this afternoon at the Johnston's and Martin's, Aunty went over to Mrs. McBride's to find out why Frank didn't come to pick cherries but no-one was home. Dick didn't get home till after midnight as he went up to Mrs. Scofields where Ada and the rest were having a dance, Pretty warm to-day.</p> <p>Saturday July 19th</p> <p>Dad went out early as soon as he got up and raked up the alsike, he finished about eight. I got the cows and milked. While Dad. was having his breakfast Ivey's men came and got a load of hay out of the field, after we had cocked up the hay which Dad. didn't finish last night. we went over and started to bunch the alsike, it was pretty dry but did not seem to be shelling out much. It was about ten o'clock when we went out, and as we had quite a lot done by noon, we took the rack back with us after dinner, and when we finished bunching the alsike, put on a load of the old clover &amp; weed hay. It was six when we got it on.</p> <p>When we came up Mrs. McBride was here picking cherries, Frank has run away again they haven't seen him since Wednesday morning, there is a search party composed of Jane on the look out for him now.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Aunty went down this after noon to stay all night. Frank wanted me to go for a swim to-night but it was too late. While I was milking this morning one of the little black kittens crawled up the edg of the pail I had filled and fell in I pulled her out as as soon as I could but was a little doubtful about using the cream from that pail. However we did separate it into a separate dish as we thought there was lots worse things than kitten often coming in contact with cream, and the separator is supposed to take all dirt out of the milk any way.</p> <p>The alsike back there is full of bees' nests. Dad got stung over the eye while he was raking and his face is so swollen up that I believe he would scare some people at first glance for that side of his face is exactly like poor old Simply Jim's. Windy and cool looks rainy.</p> <p>Sunday July 20th</p> <p>The boys went down to church and Sunday school but I went for a swim instead. I went in down below Quanbury's as Chris told me there was a good place. There is a good bottom and you can wade out a long way. Dad. went off without any dinner to take Huby to Jim Low's funeral. It was private but they didn't know it and so were the only ones at it. They didn't get home till late as Huby wanted to go down and see the canning factory's corn field at King's and also Mrs. Bill Oakes to see if she would come and pick cherries. Dad says their corn field is only a few inches high. About four o'clock I dressed up and went down town I intended to get a film for my camera but was too late, so didn't go up town. Dad drove Enah and Tiddums down when he went home and we all stayed at Huby's to tea.</p> <p>Aunty kept Tiddums while Enah and Aunty Maude went to church. I went to church and expected to hear the choir boys sing as they were there this morning but they didn't show up, there was a big crowd there expecting them, thery are camping down here and got fooling around so could get dressed in time to get to church. Instead we had a little shrimp of a lay reader from Vittoria who chewed the rag about some thing or other which was supposed to be a sermon for about three quarters of an hour. After church Dad. drove Enah, Tiddums &amp; Aunty home. I started to walk the same time they did and beat them. They met the Bawlby's with Louise in an automobile on their way home, she expects to be down some time this week. Nice day threatening, and rained quite a shower before tea.</p> <p>Monday July 21st</p> <p>I started to cut the timothy this morning but made</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>so little progress and became so exasperated at old Harry &amp; Joe Walker who were pulling the machine for me that I had turn the job over to Dad. They were driven nearly wild by the flies but that wasn't my fault. Old Joe would walk leisurely along next the standing grass and stop now and then to munch tomothy heads or bite a fly while old Harry at the same time would get a fly chewing him and as he seemed to be of the opinion that he could run out from under the flys if he went fast enough he would everlastingly rip things, however Dad took them and finished the piece soon after six to-night. Frank and I cultivated corn all day we got it done lengthwise from where we left off the other day and crosswise up to the hickory nut tree from the road.</p> <p>Sam Law came over and borrowed our spreader this morning and spread all their pile which they had back in the field they are going to put wheat on. Allan brought it back to-night and said they had lost the crank to wind back the apron Clark Matthews brought Teddy over to pasture this afternoon. He saw Dad yesterday and told him he hadn't a care in the world except his wife a white cat and Teddy, who according to his own assertion knows as much as a man. He is going for a long trip to the coast I think, and is taking his wife with him, I don't know what will become of the white cat, and he wanted to know if Teddy could come over here, so Dad told him if it wouldn't add to his care in stead of lessen it to have him surrounded by barbed wire fences in a very bad state of repair, Teddy might come over and stay with our colts for awhile. Jean and Adelena came over this after noon to stay for a few days.</p> <p>Tonight I went down to band practice, there were only a few of us there as Harry Graham was having a dance over in the pavillion Walt. had some new music there which proved very unpopular and punk. Aunty went down town with me to stay all night, and Dick went to the dance. Cool.</p> <p>Tuesday July 22nd</p> <p>Dad raked up the hay he cut yesterday first thing I hoed potatoes till he got enough to start cocking up then went at that. Frank also started but it got to heavy for him so he hoed some more potatoes. The hay is mostly pretty thin it is not so bad at this end but up at the other end of the field the cocks are few and far between. It is pretty fair hay blue grass &amp; timothy except in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the low holes which Dad. didn't rake. we didn't get finished to-night. This afternoon every body but Dad and I went to the Sunday school picnic. Enah got home about eight, and Frank &amp; the girls about half past nine. Win who got home from Waterford to-day came over with them. Dad. &amp; I quit at five o'clock so as Dad could go to the mill for a bag of flour. just as we were coming up we noticed two men departing in an automobile we supposed it was Walt McCall, whoever it was left two cigars behind on the gate post.</p> <p>Frank McBeed was over this morning to pick black currants but there were none ripe. Isaac Johnston drove a couple over at noon who had a little spaniel with a split toe nail which they had brought over to Dad for advice as to treatment. Dick I guess is working to-night. Cool and windy.</p> <p>Wednesday July 23rd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I went out this morning and finished working up the timothy; we then came in and threw off the load of clover and weeds that was on the rack by hand as we put it over at the barn for the sheep and didn't want to change our car for one load. We went out and got one load before dinner. After dinner we unloaded it and got two more unloaded, one of our sling ropes broke in the middle loop, on the last load we couldn't have got another in to-night anyway.</p> <p>Lila went up in the mow with Frank to-night and while running around up there stepped on a fork full of hay which was lying just over the top of the chute, the hay was loose and she took a drop of about sixteen feet to the cement floor with about a half a forkfull of hay under her which likely came down with her, she cut her tongue and scrapped both thighs a little but was not hurt seriously, it is a wonder she wasn't killed.</p> <p>I went down to band concert to-night, it was raining a little when I went down and they didn't start playing till a while after eight. Louis came to-night, so I stayed down at Huby's till I heard them start so was late. It was raining so hard when I started home that I went down to Huby's and stayed all night. Dick came to the window soon after I got in to bed and said he was going to stay so came around to the back door and crawled in with me.</p> <p>I took the sling rope in to Jim Bannister to-night and he said he would splice it. I saw Vyse sitting out on his veranda and he seems to be in pretty bad shape, he says he is not going to try to do anything for a month. Betty Woodson came over to-day and the girls all went back to the woods with a bottle of hard cider which may account for Lila's conduct. Cool and windy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday July 24th (mistake)</p> <p>Dick and I both got up about six this morning, Dick went around by town to post a letter and I went home. I went through Martin's and got soaked on the long grass Dick beat me home. Huby didn't have to go to work this morning as they laid the whole gang off last night on account of some unbusinesslike bungle, so none of the house hold was up. Aunty came out just as I was leaving to wish me a happy birthday, for it is just eighteen years ago to-day that I first squeaked. Dad. and Frank had the chores nearly done when I got home. I got all sorst of presents from every body. Dad. found my knife the other day that I thought I had lost in the hay, it was not hurt much. Dick did not hear about it till this morning and had bought me a new one but he exchanged it for a necktie before he told me.</p> <p>After breakfast this morning I drove down to bring Aunty and Louise over. Louise was not ready so I took Win. up town to get a plug of tobacco for Dad. before we got back we met Aunty on her way up town so we drove her up to get a tin pail to replace the one the Sunday school lost for us she also got some ice cream but forgot about it till to-night and then it was in rather a mushified condition. Before dinner we ran the binder out of the wood shed and this after noon Dad started to cut wheat he only got a few rounds but it will be a good start for to-morrow. Dick did not get home till late to-night he said the canning factory gang had gone to work again about nine o'clock all except Huby &amp; Bill Oakes who had gone fishing up to Doan's. Louise and Aunty went back to Huby's to-night. After tea Mr. &amp; Mrs. Bob Rankin drove over to have Dad look at their horse who has a few pimples on it in various places. Hot this morning but cooler this afternoon.</p> <p>Friday July 25th</p> <p>We got a pretty early start this morning and finished the wheat field at just six to-night. Dad cut all day and is nearly shaken to pieces from dropping into the ditches. Frank and I shocked up, and we each took one side &amp; one end so by this means kept up with the binder. Jean came out this after noon and helped us for awhile, its a pretty slim crop but won't take long to handle. Louise and Frank went down town after tea to-night. It has been a very nice day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday July 26th</p> <p>We hauled hay to-day, but only got in four loads, we were unloading with the hay fork as the loft is getting too full for the slings to work well. I went down town to-night to get my hair cut. Dad. drove me down and I got a ride home with Tupper and Jonas. Aunty and Louise stayed here all night so Frank and I slept out in the hay. Dick stayed down to the dance and did not get home till late. He got word to-day that he would have a ruise of fifty dollars in his salary. Lovely day.</p> <p>Sunday July 27th</p> <p>I drove Aunty, Jean &amp; Adelena down right after breakfast and they wanted to be down in time to get ready for Sunday school. I started to get ready for church but couldn't get a necktie that would slip through my collar before I got mad so just drove Enah &amp; Louise down and waited for them at Huby's. I tied Joe in front of the gate. Dave Waddle and Harry Battersby came and stayed most of the time I was there. This after noon Frank and I went down to get the scow to go up creek. Huby had just let a couple of the Polocks have it but he whistled for them and they brought it back, Winnie and Lila went up with us, we went up nearly as far as we could and did not get back in time for me to get ready for church. Dick went to church to-night as he slept till to late to go this morning.</p> <p>Mr. Lawrie and Edith came over and spent the afternoon Dad. drove Mr. Lawrie over to see John Wess McBride but he was not at home so they Mr. Blaikie who is helping John Wess this summer. It has been very hot and sultry all day and to-night wound up in a teriffic thunder storm. The rain started with the worst crash of thunder I ever heard. and the only one that ever made me cringe, it rained very hard but I don't think it lasted long.</p> <p>Monday July 28th</p> <p>Owing to the rain last night we were unable to do any thing with the hay, so I drove Aunty and Dick down town this morning and got Joe's shoes set of course it took Butler nearly all the morning but I looked at "The Literary Digest", and listened to Jack Spain talk when I wasn't holding Joe. I had to give her one small licking because she teased Butler to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>much, I went over to Billy Langs while I was there and got a sack of binder twine to be ready for cutting the oats. Aunty came back home with me. Lila is sick to-day and put in a very bad night of it, Huby is still not working, they are having a meeting of the share holders of the canning factory this morning down on the band stand.</p> <p>When we got home about noon Dad. &amp; Frank were out straightening up the wheat sheaves that were down. They had fixed up the hay in the barn ready to put the alsike in. Dad. nearly killed himself while he was trying to tighten up the track in the barn. He had the big monkey wrench and could hardly reach to get it on the nut while working with it, it fell and struck him in the eye with a force which knocked him down and nearly stunned him, it left him with a headache for the rest of the day.</p> <p>This afternoon, he &amp; I went out to finish straightening up the wheat, we didn't bother with the thistly sheaves, we went down to see Alfred for awhile who was cutting grass along the fence in his wheat stubble across the road. We saw that Mr. Fleming was hauing alsike though it can't be fit. He has a lot more dead ripe to cut and his oats ought to be cut so we aren't so very far behind.</p> <p>Frank went over to Martins this after noon and got some more chickens, he also returned Sam Law's binder twine. I had an attack of the blues to-day caused I think from seeing the garden and lawn in such an eye sore state, but we got about half an hour's pulling weeds in the garden this evening so I felt a little better.</p> <p>To-night I drove Louise up to Mr. Frank Bowlby's. She would probably have had to walk from Lynn Valley there if I had not. It was after six when we left and I got back about nine in time to go to band practice Dad and Frank brought my horn down town and took Joe home, I stopped in at the Smyth's on my way home but Pud. was having a swim. I saw signs of the new railroad for the firss time. It has been very hot to day and to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday July 29th</p> <p>We hauled in hay all day but only got in four loads. Dad. &amp; Enah went down to the church concert to-night and Aunty stayed here to mind Tiddums. Frank and I worked in the garden till after dark and to night I am so dead sleepy I can hardly hold my head up. Very hot to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July 30th</p> <p>We hauled wheat to-day. Dad. loaded because he can do it so much faster than I can and I pitched on. We only got in two loads before dinner and at noon I thought I was tuckered out but this afternoon got rested some way by working harder than ever and we got in three loads. This morning I laid them in the mow and Dad. pitched off but after dinner we made a change Dad. could mow them twice as fast as I could so I got on and pitched off. I took my shirt off and left it in the sun to dry and then I everlastingly threw them, I just about covered old Frank up two or three times as I couldn't get time to turn them but we made things hum. The neighbours are hauling in wheat to-day too. Sam Law we thought was going a little faster than we were but he could go from the field right into the barn. Mr. Fleming was going about the same and John Wess was too far away for us to tell....</p> <p>Quint came home last night for a couple of days and this after noon came over here for a little while, he seems to like his job well and is enjoying himself. Tonight I went down to band concert, and didn't get home till about eleven as I went down after wards with Quint to get some ice cream. The canning factory gang are still not at work. They had a meeting of the share holders to-night. It has been terribly hot to-day.</p> <p>Thursday July 31st</p> <p>We got up early this morning to get a good start but were sorely hindered. Dad. noticed strange cows in the lane as soon as he went out and found upon investigation that every heard of Vyse's stock had got in to our place. The horses were way back on the timothy sod near the oats and the cows in the lane although we don't know where they got in, it just took about an hour to get them back, we found the cows had been right through the corn but besides eating thirty or more hills had not done it very much damage. It was really my fault for leaving our wheat field gate open but I never thought a thing about it last night, and the animals had some way got Vyse's gate open about three feet and walked a cross the road into our place. Owing to other small but aggravating delays we didn't get out at all early and just got our wheat in and unloaded</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>by noon, we made two trips of it but could have taken it in one load if we had kneeded to. It just comes up to the first beam in the bit opposite the granary in the old barn and is the smallest wheat crop we ever want to have. We spent all the afternoon getting in the rest of the hay on this side of the gully, there was were just two small loads. It has been pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Friday August 1st</p> <p>We started to haul alsike to-day but although we did our best we only got one load in and un loaded this morning, we got if off about eleven so instead of going back we did up all the chores before dinner and Frank and I planted some turnip seed in the garden. This afternoon we did better, we worked till nearly eight and got in three loads, there is a lot of it but we think we can get it all in to-morrow if we can get out good and early</p> <p>Quint went away this morning so Aunty came over here. Jean &amp; Adelena with the McPherson kids this after noon Dick came home early to go for a swim but as I couldn't go with him, he went back, had a swim at the lake and came back to tea. Nice and cool to-day.</p> <p>Saturday August 2nd</p> <p>We got up before sunrise this morning and for the first time this summer got out at seven. It took us a long time to get the first load this morning as it was miserable stuff to pitch, we just got in two loads this morning and two this after noon, and have all the best of the alsike, there is another load over there but it is very grassy and we did not think it would be worth thrashing especially as we are getting a little cramped for more room, so we shall likely put this over the cow stable. I pitched on both yesterday &amp; today. this. alsike where it is good is very light and easy to pitch and as it has been bunched up so long it lifts nicely.</p> <p>When we came up with the last load the old pig was out in the barn yard evidently looking for a nest as during the night some time a family of fifteen piglets arrived. Frank is going to raise three of them on the bottle owing to lack of lunch counter accommodation on the part of the old sow. Dick was late to-night - dance. Much hotter to-day and very windy.</p> <p>Sunday August 3rd</p> <p>I got up about half past six this morning and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>instead of doing a chore I went down to the stump and had a good swim. I needed it the worst way. Dick and I went to church this morning. Dad &amp; Enah drove down and Aunty minded Tiddums. Frank went to Sunday school but not to church.</p> <p>This after noon I read myself to sleep, and don't know what the rest of the family did except that Dick went down town. I drove Aunty down to church to-night but as I had a little pain I didn't go but after taking Joe over to Silverthorn's took Pud. Slocomb for a drive up the Radical and down the Gravel. Pud has heard that he passed and is going to Normal in Hamilton next month. Gordy failed. Lila came over this morning with Dad. &amp; Enah and is staying here all night, she feels well now but is weak yet. Huby says he has quit the canning factory, and is not going to do anything now, but I think likely he will. It was very hot all day, cooler and threatening rain to-night.</p> <p>Monday August 4th</p> <p>Dad cut oats all day but did not finish the field, it is the one west of the lane next the gully, he had old Joe Walker and Harry, and said he could have finished it if he had had little Joe in stead of Joe Walker. Frank and I shocked up, Frank didn't feel well at all and had to feed his little pigs quite often so we didn't nearly keep up with the binder. I went down to band practice to-night but as Walt. Steele and Bob. Rankin were the only members present we didn't have any - and I came home early. I scared the gizard out of Frank when I got home to-night, they were all sitting tin the parlor where Enah was playing, and I went up and shook the pear tree by the window which Frank was near and as it was a still night old Frankus felt mighty uncomfortable. Mr. Hall, an old friend of Enah's came over to dinner to-day escorted by Cecil McPherson who greatly entertained us with his wonderful fairy tales of his experiences &amp; exploits. The gang at the canning factory went back to work to-day but Huby has quit and I am afraid is not doing anything. Nice day, cool morning and evening.</p> <p>Tuesday August 5th</p> <p>Dad. finished cutting the oats and we got them shocked up by noon. It is a pretty fair crop very good in some spots. This after noon we put off the load of alsike which was on the waggon and went back</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and got all the rest of it except three or four bunches which we will bring up with the hay. It made a tremendous load but we got up safely with it. Frank went back with us to pick blackberries or thimble berries but didn't get many as they are not ripe yet. Harry Battersby came over this after noon to see us as he is leaving tomorrow, Lila went back home with him. Aunty went over to dinner and spent the afternoon at Mrs. Battersby's. Warm day &amp; cool night.</p> <p>Wednesday August 6th</p> <p>We unloaded the load of alsike which we hauled yesterday. It just went in and there was no room to spare. Dad &amp; I had to dig a runway for it first. We then loaded the wire that Robert John bought from Sid McBride a year ago to put up along our woods between him &amp; us on the rack and took it back we rolled it all out flat along the woods and this after noon Frank and I went back and cleared away the old fence and rubbish around it and trimmed the tree branches off so as the wire can be just tacked up temporally till Sid. McBride can come to stretch it as we want to turn the cows in the field which the woods are in.</p> <p>Aunty and I drove down town we got a lot of groceries and I got one of Joe's shoes set which she pulled a couple of nails out of someway. Lila came back with us. Huby has gone back to work again at the canning factory, and we are all very glad of it. I went down to band concert to-night. It has been cloudy and cooler all day and rained a shower before tea.</p> <p>Thursday August 7th</p> <p>Aunty and I got started about nine o'clock for Burford to see Mr. Hanmer and his sheep. We stopped for awhile at St. John's Church which is getting nearly finished and for awhile at Simcoe but arrived in Scotland near where Uncle Robuck lives about two o'clock, we stayed at Uncle Robuck's for dinner and as Aunty and I both went to sleep there we didn't leave for Burford till nearly five. It was about seven miles farther on and we got there about six Mr. Hanmer was just going to dip some sheep that were to be shipped to the other side, he had a government vetinary inspector there and so we saw the whole performance. As we were almost strangers to them we felt a little uncomfortable at paying them such an</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>such an unexpected visit at such a time of day, but they couldn't have been nicer or more hospitable and wouldn't hear of us going elsewhere to spend the night. Before going to bed to-night we found Joe had put her foot through a board in the stable floor and had to be moved. It has seemed to us like a lovely day, it has not been too hot and a little breeze the roads were fine and as we met very few vehicles of any kind were not bothered at all with the dust, the country is very dry though.</p> <p>Friday August 8th</p> <p>I don't know what time I got up this morning but I wandered around out side for a good while before I found anybody, but when I went out to give Josie a cleaning off I found her all cleaned, fed &amp; watered. Mr. Hanmer had tended to her, he thinks a lot of horses and admired Joe very much, he has a nice team of hackneys now and his daughter has taken a good many prizes &amp; ribbons for driving. We didn't have breakfast till rather late and as he had some business to do after wards, I didn't have such a lot of time as I would have liked, however he showed me a good many of his sheep and one ram especially which I may buy, he wants fifty dollars for him so I thought I had better speak to Dad. first. We also saw a few imported sheep which were going through Burford, but Mr. Hanmer thought he had lots that could beat them.</p> <p>As Aunty had said we would be at Uncle Robuck's for dinner we thought we had better go although they pressed us to stay there. We left at twenty minutes to twelve and got to Uncle Robuck's at about twenty five minutes after. We stayed there to dinner and left about three. Harry was off thrashing but came home just before we left. We went home by way of Waterford. and Aunty went to see Mrs. York &amp; Mrs. Boughner there for awhile. We got home before seven and although we enjoyed our drive &amp; visit immensly were very glad to be home again, we had to ask the way a few times but didn't get off the road much, they are fixing a bridge at the bottom of Decou's hill so we had to drive a little way down the fourth concession and get to the third through Sol. Smith's lane.</p> <p>It has been another very nice day, roads fine and quite a breeze in our face. It looked rainy to this morning but seemed to clear off again but to-night it is thundering and shows signs of a big storm. I don't know all that</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad. and Frank did while we were gone but yesterday they tacked up the wire along the edge of the bush enough to keep the cattle out of Robert John's till Sid. McBride can stretch it and turned the cattle in there. To-day Frank took the team and went over all the summer fallow with the disks and Dad. cut weeds and tidied up. Jean &amp; Adelena are over here to-night.</p> <p>Saturday August 9th</p> <p>It rained cats and dog's last night and things are so flooded we can do nothing outdoors. I didn't hear any thingh all night but they said the thunder was terrific. I drove Dick down this morning and didn't do much else all morning as it kept raining a little. It cleared off at noon - and I drove Jean &amp; Adelena down town as Jean's grand mother wanted to see her about something we got some groceries and came home I wrote a letter to Mr. Hanmer telling him that Dad. was willing for me to get his fifty dollar ram, it seems a lot to pay but if we never get any good headers for our flock we will never have any good stock. Frank and I went down to the mill for a bathe after tea and had a good one as there is a big head of water coming over. it began to thunder &amp; lightening &amp; rain heavily again before we went to bed. Dick did not come home at all to-night.</p> <p>Sunday August 10th</p> <p>It rained harder than ever last night and the cannonade of thunder was terrific with a steady blaze of lightening. It didn't bother me any, I don't think I would have wakened at all but Frank was afraid the barns would be struck and got up over me to investigate Aunty also got up to look around. but Dick slept through it.</p> <p>It was too wet for any of us to go to church or Sunday school so we didn't do any thing much all day. I drew a little and Dad went down and drove Dick home to dinner, but he went down again this afternoon as Wiggins wanted him to help him hang pictures in his room. It began to rain again about five to-night so I put on my bathing suit to go after the cows as Dad. couldn't have got them this morning if it had not been for Tige as the stream was so swollen as to be impassable. He found that they had been in John Wess peas the other night so shut them out of the woods. We heard that Joe Long had a horse killed the night before last with the lightening</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 11th</p> <p>Dad. went back to John Wess's first thing this morning to get Frank Faulkner's heifer which had got into John Wess's peas with the rest of the cattle but had not come back with them so was taken by John Wess &amp; put in with his. He was not at home but Blaikie was there so Dad. didn't get back very soon. I cut lawn off and on most of the day, I started to get the part across the the ditch cut as it had grown up pretty long. When Dad came home we started to dig a culvert across the front of the lane but after it was pretty well dug Dad. discovered that we couldn't make a satisfactory job of it with the material we had so we had to fill it in again.</p> <p>Dad. shocked up the oats over again all the after noon he said they were soaked right through and every shock had to be changed he didn't get finished of course. Frank thinned out the carrots this after noon and to-night. he &amp; I went to the moving picture show which wasn't bad. Dad. drove Jean &amp; Adelena &amp; Lila down as the two former are going home on Thursday. Huby &amp; Lila came over about noon. Huby had taken a day off to settle up some insurance business and Aunty went back with him. Mr. Bowby brought Louise down to-night, she was here when Frank &amp; I got home. Dick didn't get home till late, he is kept pretty busy now as Mr. Hobbes is taking his holidays. It has been sunny and very cool to-day. the storm has quite cleared off. To-day's papers are full of the news of great damage to property and general depradation caused by the lightening last Saturday night and the night before, all is not known yet as telegraph &amp; telephone wires are down all over.</p> <p>Tuesday August 12th</p> <p>Frank and I drove down and got Louise's trunk first thing this morning. Frank also got a new carborundum scythe stone which I broke on the scythe in a short time, Dad. sharpened the scythe while we were gone and I started to cut weeds around the fences as soon as I got home, by to-night I had all around the wheat field and on three sides of the summer fallow and corn there was none to cut on the fourth side, but my ribs and back ached so that I could hardly wiggle. It's hard work when one's not used to it. Dad turned nearly all the rest of the oat shocks to-day, he didn't quite finish it's a miserable job I would rather cut weeds even if</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>if it does break my back. Frank picked black currants from the old garden and nursed his young hogs most of the day. Sunny &amp; nice to-day. Vyse was in for quite awhile this morning, he told Dad he was going to sell out entirely and go West for awhile on account of his health. Lila came over for the afternoon. Frank went home with her to-night. Old Jonas was in to-night Ivy's have taken him back.</p> <p>Wednesday August 13th</p> <p>Dad finished turning and setting the oat shocks this morning. I went out and cut all around the field he was working in, and a little around the house, before dinner we put of the load of old hay that was on the rack we put what we could of it over the cow stable and left the rest in the shed, it was after noon when we got through so we got a pretty late start. after dinner Dad started to cut the oats over by the side road, we went out with him but didn't shock any up as we had to wait for quite awhile before there was room and we quit early to go up and do chores as I went down to band concert but Dad. kept on cutting till sundown, the ground is pretty soft, he has to cut around the holes and there is water standing in some of the furrows.</p> <p>Frank went down with me to-night, and got some machine oil and went to see the movies. There was quite an accident downtown to-day, the bridge going over the road into Bucks Park broke with a crowd on it, we don't know very much about it but there were none killed and I don't know that there were any very seriously hurt, but there were a good many bones broken, the canning factory is going full tilt now, Huby and the rest worked till dark to-night. Nice day, cool but sunny.</p> <p>Thursday August 14th</p> <p>Mr. Flemming came over this morning with the woful tidings that he wanted two men to help thrash this after noon, so Frank went over to John Wesses to get Blaikie to come in Dad's place. John Wess was about to start cutting peas but insisted on Mr. Blaikie coming. Dad. cut oats most of the day and finished some time during the after noon. I shocked up a few in the morning and after dinner Mr. Blaikie &amp; I lit out for Flemmings, we got a pretty late start as the machine wasn't there on time so will have to go back in the morning. We got word this after noon that</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>there was sheep down at the station for us we were so busy we couldn't go till night, then Dad. &amp; I went down in the waggon, we picked Huby up who was in a great state of excitement over the ram, (for it proved to be the one I ordered from Mr. Hanmer), if we hadn't come down he was going to have it sent over, he wasn't any the worse for his trip, as all hands at the station had been careful to keep him in the shade. I was very surprised to see him as I under stood Mr. Hanmer to say he wouldn't ship him till after he had been shown at the different fairs, he is certainly a beauty. Hot.</p> <p>Friday August 15th</p> <p>Dad. went with me to Mr. Flemming's this morning we finished there and had our dinner about eleven. Sam Law wanted us to go and help thrash his stuff and as he thrashed his oats out of the field he wanted our team and rack so we went out and put a load of our oats on to take over it wasn't a big load but we got forty seven bushels of good plump oats out of it, which will last us till we have time to thrash. We finished at Sam's a little after six and had our tea there so we were rather late doing our chores. Pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Saturday August 16th</p> <p>Dad. and I went out this morning before the dew was off and turned out every shock of the first cutting of oats, we then went over and shocked up some of the others, we didn't finish but quit at noon and this afternoon hauled the others, we got them all in, there were only four more good sized loads, but it took us till about nine o'clock the last one, it was so dark we could hardly find the shocks, of course we didn't unload this last load. Aunty brought us out a little lunch at six and we had some more when we came in. Very hot and looks like rain soon</p> <p>Sunday August 17th</p> <p>I didn't get up till about nine o'clock this morning and then we three boys all went to the stump and had a good swim, about half the kids in town were down there, and we didn't hurry at all, it was about one when we got home. I didn't do any thing much this after noon but perspire. I started to read but went to sleep, it was too hot to sleep and I started to write but it was too hot to think, so I had to quit that. It rained pretty hard for a short time before tea.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 18th</p> <p>Owing to the little shower we had yesterday it was a little too wet to haul any oats this morning as we had intended, Dad. and Frank took a load of grist to the mill first thing, they waited till it was chopped and then went down to Mrs. Battersbys where Frank Slocomb is laying side walk and got a load of yellow sand from him to put in front of the lane gate where there is such a mud hole, they then went and got a load of rails.</p> <p>I raked up the weeds and chopped the grass with the lawn mower back of the old house and along the east side of it, I worked at it all day and although it looks a lot better there is lots of room for improvement yet. This afternoon Dad. went out and shooked up the rest of the oats. Dr. Hicks &amp; Cousin Willie went out to ask him if he would run against Bob. Taylor in the election for a school trustee next Monday, as he hates to see them so tied up in their business he said he would, but woudn't take time to get out &amp; work at all.</p> <p>Enah and Louise drove Joe down town this afternoon Jean Marks came over to say that she and Louise were wanted in Toronto to help christen Rebecca Lee Scott next Friday. Louise hadn't intended going till next Monday but I guess she will have to go Wednesday now. Aunty thinks she will go down with them. Dad and I went out about six tonight and brought in one load of oats. It has been hot all day cooler to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday August 19th</p> <p>We hauled in oats to-day but as we didn't get out very early and quit early we only got in four loads. We stopped work at five as I had to be down town at seven to accompany the band to a {havana?} social at Port Ryersie. It wasn't a full band as Bob. Rankine had a lame back &amp; Johnny Walker had no one to run his engine at the picture show for him, Miss. Thompson &amp; Old Silverthorne took a load of girls up on the Victoria but the lake was so rough they could hardly land and they would not go back any way but by land so some came in one of the band rigs and Theodore Brown brought the rest down We had a time although the wind was cold and the torches blew so we could hardly see. I got home a little after twelve and Dick who spent the evening at the Hobbes got home soon after. Very cool all day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday August 20th</p> <p>We hauled in all the rest of the oats to-day. There were just two loads and a jag. We brought the jag in about three o'clock and Dad. &amp; Frank pitched it off while I got Joe ready to drive Louise &amp; her trunk to the station. She, Aunty and Jean all got off to-night. While I was down town Dad took the mower out and cut around the holes in the oat field which he couldn't do with the binder on account of them being so wet. I came home around by Huby's to get some peony roots and he was just getting ready to go to work as he is night watchman these days at the works.</p> <p>I went down to band concert to-night, after we got through on the stand Johnny Walker very kindly offerd us each a free ticket to the moving picture show so we all went down, tore off a piece in front of "The Gem" and then went in, he put on the three reels almost solely for our benefit as there were very few others in there. Edith came over this after noon and is going to stay for a few days or a week. Warmer than yesterday but not too hot.</p> <p>Thursday August 21st</p> <p>Dad. and I went out this morning with the rack and got the oats which were around the edge of the water holes and which Dad had cut with the mower, it took along time as Dad. just raked the stuff up in piles with his pitch fork. I set fire to the grass &amp; weeds which I cut the other day between the corn field and the wheat stubble and had to watch it that it didn't do any damage.</p> <p>This after noon Dad went out and rolled the summer fallow but it was very hard and lumpy. Frank and I cleaned all the rubbish and burdocks out of the yard between the horse stable and the hay barn and fixed the fence so that we can turn the old ram out.</p> <p>To-night we printed pictures and got some good ones mostly of Tiddums. Dick did not come home to-night. Nice day not too hot. It got very black this evening and rained a little before tea.</p> <p>Friday August 22nd</p> <p>It began to rain quietly about six this morning but stopped about nine or ten. Dad. patched the roof on the old barn and Frank held on to the rope to which Dad was tied. This after noon it got too windy to shingle so Dad plowed a little more of the old corn stubble. I started to clean up the limbs out of the orchard and got quite a lot done, Frank and I had to go down town to-night about five for groceries. Cloudy and cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August 23rd</p> <p>Dad. plowed at the old corn ground all morning while I worked in the orchard. This after noon Dad took the the team and waggon and we took all the brush and piled &amp; burned it in the north end of the orchard where the little trees are mostly dead, we then took the big limbs and piled them behind the wood shed for storewood it took us all the afternoon but it has made a great improvement in the looks of the orchard.</p> <p>This was Baughner Picnic day but Frank was the only one who celebrated from here. Doctor Hicks &amp; Doctor Cook were over before tea to talk election to Dad. They said things were going pretty well although there are several working against him. Vyse was over this morning to say he wanted us to go &amp; thrash on Monday. Edith left this after noon. Lila came over this morning for her music but didn't stay long None of us went down to meet Aunty to-night as we think likely she will stay ay Huby's to-night. It as been very cool all day and mostly cloudy, regular fall day.</p> <p>Sunday August 24th</p> <p>This was the sunday that they decided to have Tiddums christened. Aunty came over before Sunday school and brought Tiddums a lot of presents she got for him in Toronto and which Vernon and Mrs. Marks sent up. We all went down to church. Dad. drove Enah down and she &amp; Tiddums stayed over at the Harding's till the time of the christening arrived - and then she &amp; Dad. brought him in Huby was the extra godfather, and has been studdying the service up for the last few nights. Tiddums never let a whimper out of him but sat on Dad's hand, and jumped, stared, laughed and crowed a little although they said he was getting sleepy before the end. Dad. &amp; Enah drove right home with him but the rest of us waited for the rest of the service.</p> <p>This after noon Dick and I went down town. I went to see Harry &amp; Mrs. Moon bur they weren't home so after calling at the bank where the whole staff except Mr. Hobbs were hard at work and at Huby's for a minute or two I came home. Dick got back for tea Dad. and Enah drove down to church to-night as Enah had to play the organ for {Elsa?}; when they got home Dick and I drove down to post a couple of letters for Aunty. Cool &amp; windy all day Cold to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 25th</p> <p>Dad. and I both went over to Vyse's to help thrash and were there till noon, although he didn't have much stuff. but it was awkward getting it out and we were late getting started. Dad. made a mistake by going at all for this was election day, when he was running against Bob. Taylor for school trustee, and Vyse sent two of Martin's men home saying he had enough hands, then went down town as soon as we got started and I suppose worked as hard as he could for Taylor.</p> <p>This after noon I went up to the glen with a picnic party of Mrs Hobbe's, Dick got off and went with us we went up in the "Victoria" and had a fine time. We got back a little after dark, and went up to Mrs. Hobbes and danced till about twelve, most of the music was supplied by Col. Smith's gramophone about the first news we heard when we struck town was that Dad. had beaten Taylor by a majority of 9. He was down town all the afternoon and had an exciting time. The school board can now do business as Tibbets and Miller were not disqualified and they will have a majority on their side. Lovely day, cool &amp; sunny.</p> <p>Tuesday August 26th</p> <p>Dad. and I went over to help thrash at Martin's this morning, it didn't take long to thrash their oats out but they had a few interruptions so we just got through about eleven and had our dinner.This after noon Dad disked on the summer fallow, and I cut at the lawn but didn't get much done. Allan Law had to pull Vyse out of a hole to-day, he found him beating his little balky mare unmercifully, because she balked with a load of 16 bags of wheat Vyse told him he would kill her if he had ambition enough. Cool and threatening.</p> <p>Wednesday August 27th</p> <p>Dad. disked and harrowed on the summer fallow all day and I cut the rest of the front lawn this side of the ditch and worked around at other odd jobs. Frank and I fixed a couple of bars at the end of the horse stable to block the yard south and west of the horse stable, and then turned old 4700 out, he spent most of the afternoon under an old door leaning against the fence. Frank noticed today that he is club footed behind, we couldn't see his foot before in the stable. I went down to band concert to-night. It has been a nice sunny day but cool.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday August 28th</p> <p>When Tom Albert came this morning he said there was a loose horse on the road, Dad got her and put her in, she had a halter on but Dad. didn't know her, but we had an idea she belonged to Bill George so when Dick went down he happened to see the above mentioned Bill. and told him whereupon that gentleman came over immediately and took the mare home. We started to haul manure to-day but owing to interuptions such as oiling the spreader and as it was drizzling rain we were undecided whether to go to to work or not; we didn't get started till after ten, we got four loads out and one on the spreader by twelve and one out after dinner, but it started to rain so hard that we put the horses and machine away.</p> <p>I then drove Enah down town to Mrs. {Scobrams?} and had to wait quite awhile for her, we got home at five and I drove Aunty down, she to the old German Roller canary who has not been in a healthy condition for "some time back" down to Mrs. Tusk for repair, she also got a student lamp from Miss Battersby who made a present of it to Dad. It has drizzled nearly all day and to-night another big thunder storm came up with an awful downpour. About ten o'clock Aunty &amp; Dad. noticed fire north of here, where some poor fellow's barn had been struck.</p> <p>Friday August 29</p> <p>It was too wet this morning to work on the land so Dad opened up ditches on the summer fallow and I sawed up the old apple limbs and rubbish behind the wood shed. This afternoon, I went to see if the field next the woods across the gully was fit to plow but found water lying in the furrows and ditches. Frank and Lila went back as far as the gully with me to look for mushrooms. I set out three little rose bushes on the mound just for fun I don't expect them to grow, but the were in the lawn and I didn't know what else to do with them.</p> <p>I took John Wess McBride's rope back to him, which Dad had borrowed the day he brought Frank Faulkner's heifer home. I saw Mr. Blaike and he told me it was Bob. Winter's barn that was burned last night he lives on the townline just north and one lot west of this place. I came home around by R. J. Watson's, and Charlie McQueens. I also went over to Lorne Myers where Geordie Murphy is ditching I got home about four and then Frank &amp; I went down to Martins where Frank got some grit for his chickens and I got some information re planting out straw berries &amp; pruning grape vines from John Quanbury. Dad. had to go to a school board meeting to-night, he hasn't felt very well all the after noon. Frank is better to-day he was quite sick yesterday. Sunny and breezy to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August 30th</p> <p>I spent the whole day working around the garden. I cut the two high patches of weeds and pulled them out as well as I could of the onion bed, This after noon I cut the lawn behind the house and about five drove Enah down town for supplies. We got word to-day that Walter was coming to-night he has been in Toronto for the last few days - and Roy &amp; Vernon may come up with him, if we have been making preparations for them all day.</p> <p>Dad. went over to John Wess McBrides this morning to see his lame cow and get advice about the field back there we were going to put wheat on but there is so much blue grass on it we that we would not likely get half a crop especially now that we wouldn't be able to get in in early, so we thought of fall ploughing it and summer fallowing it then plow in June &amp; put wheat on it next fall, that was just what John Wess said he would do as that will just about fix the blue grass.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad plowed up a strip in the garden where the potatoes were and which I am going to try to work up in shape to set out a few straw berryplants. Dad. and Aunty drove down to-night to meet Walter and the others if they came. They did come but it took about half the night to collect them all. It had been arranged that Vernon would spend the night at the Woodson's - and Walter &amp; Roy would come here, so Dad. drove Vernon over, and then came on home with the impedimenta, leaving Aunty to come home with Walter &amp; Roy. He just nicely got in the lane when Walter came in alone. He had come up town with Dick (who had to work till midnight.) to get some cigarettes and had forgotten whether Roy and Aunty were waiting for him or not and evidently didn't care a hang so came on over by him self - getting information concerning the route from some of the Woodson's who were outside as he came past.</p> <p>We were just about to start off with the lanterns in search of the other two when Roy came up, ignorant of the whereabouts of Aunty saying he had left her in front of the Dominion waiting for Walter while he went down to the canning factory to see Huby, but couldn't find him so came on over, he was very indignant at finding Walter here - and proceded to call him down as he well could and Walter smoked and enjoyed it all as he well could while Dad. and I started to hook Joe up and go in quest of Aunty, however we just nicely got the buggy when</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>poor Aunty came up, she had waited a long time and then went up to the bank and found out from Dick that Walter had gone home, so she followed, when each ones evidence had been given and the mystery of the mix-up unravelled we all had tea - after which we talked till after Dick came home. Nice day, cloudy &amp; cool.</p> <p>Sunday August 31st</p> <p>We all went to church this morning except Dad. who went over to John Wess McBrides to see his lame cow and spent a very enjoyable morning and Enah who had household duties &amp; Tiddums to attend to. I drove Walter &amp; Roy down, as I was supposed to drive Vernon back to dinner but she was booked for dinner at the Woodson's so I drove Aunty and Frank part way home then went back and got Walter &amp; Win who had gone up to see Cousin Bessy for a few minutes. Huby. came over with Roy, as we had a couple of Franks ducks for dinner. He says he was there last night when Walter &amp; Roy paid their separate visits but as they are going to get him a clock to "punch" he has to make the most of his unregistered time unless he can get George Gamble to figure out a scheme to punch the clock all at one time, in all probability George is quite capable of doing such a thing.</p> <p>This afternoon we inspected the livestock, the gully &amp; mound - and such things besides "settin around". Tupper &amp; his Englishman came over &amp; spent the afternoon visiting with Dad. To-night Dad. and Enah drove down to church as Enah had to play the organ. Vernon came over to tea and she &amp; Roy went down to Mrs. Battersby's for awhile. Cool and nice.</p> <p>Monday September 1st</p> <p>Dad's cold was very bad to-day and he felt too rotten to do anything, I didn't do anything to speak of all morning but this afternoon I put some manure on my strawberry bed and chopped it up pretty well with the hoe. Frank chored around all morning and this afternoon went down town with the Ryersie's, he has to go back to school in the morning, poor kid, I feel sorry for him.</p> <p>This being Labor Day the bank was closed but Dick went down and worked for an hour or two this morning and was down town all the after noon. Dad. drove Roy down to the station to-night as he &amp; Vernon couldn't stay away from business &amp; baby (respectively) any longer. Aunty and Walter stayed at Huby's for tea. Cloudy &amp; threatening this forenoon Hot &amp; sunny this afternoon. Old Jonas was</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Duplicated page from previous page (115).</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>over to-night for a long visit during which Queen broke out of the pasture and caused us a lot of trouble getting her in, then I traipsed all over the pasture looking for the others and fearing they were out on the road but at last found them all safe in the pasture. Roy is thinking quite seriously of coming up here and starting a poultry ranch for the city market. I which he would. but.</p> <p>Tuesday September 2th</p> <p>Jonas came over this morning with a basket of tomatoes which he promised us last night. He came before seven but if he had not been in such a hurry and left them to enjoy a few more sunny hours they would have been in much better condition. He also brought a boquet of about three asters, two gladioli &amp; one geranium with one foot in the grave. It was very kind of him though.</p> <p>Poor Frank went back to jail this morning but got out for the afternoon. Dad. &amp; I hauled out manure. We monkeyed around till after ten o'clock so only got out about 10 loads all day. This afternoon Carl Coleman &amp; Perce {Kindren?} came over and got Edmond England's heifer that has been sending the summer with our cows. having crossed the dilapitaded line fence from Ivys where she &amp; three others were boarding, as we didn't have time, means or enough inclination to repair the fence, our gully has furnished her with free board and lodging. I think Walter slept &amp; read most of the day except when he rode out with Dad. on the spreader load. and when Aunty with some difficulty induced him to call on Mrs Battersby with her. Edith came over this after noon to say good bye, as she is going back to Toronto on Thursday.</p> <p>Tiddums has not felt very lively to-day, they think he is enlarging upon his dental equipment. Cecil Lamb has been very ill for a week or more wth typhoid fever and now Dick says they don't expect him to live. Vyse left this morning for the West, I don't know how he expects Dover to exist without him. Very hot &amp; hard to work</p> <p>Wednesday September 3rd</p> <p>Dad. &amp; I pitched manure all day we got out 12 or 13 loads which we thought was pretty good considering the circumstances. we were getting it from between the barn &amp; the stack where we can't get in with the spreader so have to carry it quite a way. We don't think the spreader is sowing it at 16 loads per acre which it is set at. This afternoon Aunty and Walter went down town</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and stayed at Huby's to tea. I went down to band practice to-night and Frank went to the moving pictures. This was the last concert of the season and Walt. was going to treat the boys over at the Dominion afterwards but I came right home with Carl. Coleman, Frank &amp; Jonas. Jonas seemed in a melancholy state of mind to-night. {Sairy?} was sick and had evidently been calling him down about something, anyway he told us he did not lead a happy life and he didn't care who knew it. Very hot &amp; thundery &amp; rainy.</p> <p>Thursday September 4th</p> <p>Dad. and I started to tear up the old stable floor which was half buried in manure so that we could drive right through instead of steering clear of this old rubbish heap, but Dad. felt so rotten we had to quit and he couldn't do any thing all day.</p> <p>This after noon I mussed around a little and cut weeds along the side road, gully and lane fences. Aunty and Walter went down town this afternoon and to-night they went over to see Mrs. Battersby. We were all asleep whent they got home. Aunty has at last decided to go as far as Winnipeg with Walter on her way to Fort Saskatchewan. Very much cooler, fine day to work.</p> <p>Friday September 5th</p> <p>Dad. didn't feel much better to-day but worked all day in spite of his illness, he says his bones ache all over and he is so weak he has to exert himself to double up his fist. This morning we took the team and snaked the sleepers of the old stable out of the manure and piled them up in the yard and out of our way.</p> <p>About eleven o'clock I drove Aunty over to the Shand's as she wanted very much to say good bye to them before she went west and thought she might not get a better chance. we got back about noon, we lost a little time putting John &amp; Snowdrop in the gully as they had got on the road through the culvert. but Joe made up for lost time by the rate she got over the pike. Dad. had two or three more sleepers to get out when I left but he finished all but one which is too deeply buried and not at all in the road so he left it till some other time.</p> <p>This after noon we didn't think it was worthwhile getting started hauling manure as one of us had to drive Walter's suitcase to the station, so Dad. plowed all the afternoon. I was out with him for awhile but about four I drove Aunty and Walter to the station. I hung around till after the train went out and then brought Aunty home with me, she is going to meet Walter in Toronto next Wednesday Tuesday and go west</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>with him, from there as he is going to stay a few days with Roy before he leaves. Very nice day a little warmer We had to shut old 4700 up in the boxstall to stay to day as to-night Dad. noticed he had rubbed a big wad of wool of his shoulder on the bars where he was trying to get through, he aparently enjoys it just as much in confinement as he does when out in the yard where he sees &amp; hears the other sheep.</p> <p>Saturday September 6th</p> <p>Although Dad feels very miserable yet he worked all day, we didn't get a very early start this morning but had Frank nearly all the time to help us and I think we got out 14 loads of manure. We were delayed for awhile this after noon when the spreader was incapacitated through a lot of stuff being jammed between the beater and the comb above it. Dad lost quite a little time adjusting it.</p> <p>Lila has been over all day and has spent nearly the whole time riding Frank's wheel up and down the road, she went down town on it once for Enah. Aunty has been down town nearly all day preparing for her journey. Fine day - pretty warm this afternoon</p> <p>Sunday September 7th</p> <p>Dad. Aunty &amp; Frank left about eight o'clock this morning for Port Rowan as Aunty wanted to say goodbye to Aunt Ida before she left and they took Frank as a part compensation for him missing a trip to the Toronto Exhibition. I finished up the chores and went to church alone as Dick was in bed till noon Lila went down this morning to sunday school but this afternoon does not feel very well so Dick says, due probably to her violent exercise on Frank's wheel yesterday. I slept this after noon for two or three hours and then milked and did chores which aren't much with Josie away and the other horses out.</p> <p>Dick was down town swimming with the girls all the afternoon. Dad. Aunty and Frank got home about nine o'clock. They had quite a day of it, saw Aunt Ida, Clara and the Howe bunch, and Aunty got some rare flowers on the way home. It has been a lovely day but pretty hot.</p> <p>Monday September 8th</p> <p>We hauled out six loads of manure this fore noon but had to go thrashing down at Alfreds, we were there all the afternoon. I stayed {heart shaped ink blot here} tea but Dad. came home to drive Aunty's valise down town, he was gone quite awhile</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>as he got some thing in his eye this afternoon and had to go to the doctors to have it taken out. I had all the cows but the two heifers milked when he and Frank got back so he did up all the rest of the chores while I took Joe and drove Mrs. McBride home, she has been here all day washing and picking plums, she took a lot home with her. Nice day with east wind.</p> <p>Tuesday September 9th</p> <p>We got up extra early this morning and Dad. Frank and I drove down to see Aunty off. Mr. Wiggins was going home on his holidays so she would have company all the way. On our way back we met Tupper who wanted one of us to go and help thrash, he expected the machine there between ten &amp; eleven. I went over about ten but there wasn't a sigh of the machine and Tupper was plowing I hung around till after dinner, they started soon after dinner and didn't stop once till after six, we put through about 650 bushels of oats in the afternoon I was getting pretty well worked out when they stopped, it was Win Law's outfit. Tupper got disgusted with Sam. last year so wouldn't have him again. I got a ride home with Mr. Flemming. Dad plowed all the afternoon and is all finished but about two rounds, it was an awful job when he got into the land next the fence which was plowed up last spring and the weeds were there are four feet high. I feel pretty sick to-night but have to go back in the morning. It has been very cold all day.</p> <p>Wednesday September 10th</p> <p>I was over at Tupper's soon after seven this morning and we started to work soon after I got there and through about half past eleven, we thrashed wheat, and it was an awful mess of thistles, the down was so thick it was as if some one had shaken out a feather pillow. I came home before dinner with Bill Philips was there for Mr Flemming, I was glad to be done as it did me up for most of the afternoon. Dad. went to the mill this morning and got some oats chopped and finished plowing and disked down what he plowed. After dinner we hauled out seven loads of manure, the piece north of the orchard all covered now and we have four loads on the piece east of the orchard.</p> <p>Allan Law was over after dinner and borrowed the roller. they are putting their wheat in. They are working two teams, old Ben, and Bert Monroe's little mare, each with one of the big team, Jonas was over to-night to get some plums and he helped me put in some srawberry plants which Frank got to-night from Jack. Martin. It froze last night but has been warmer to-day Tiddums is not feeling well to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 11th</p> <p>We got a good early start this morning at the manure and broke all previous records, we got out 16 loads, and have got just about all there is that is suitable for top dressing. Allan Law came over this morning and borrowed the waggon and drill, they finished up over there to-night and he brought the things home. Jonas was over again to-night and picked some more plums, he stayed for about an hour telling Frank and me stories of his experiences in a lumber camp. Betty Woodson was also over and brought us another kitten which she got from some kids who were going to drown it. Tiddums seems to be quite well again to-day. Much warmer looks rainy</p> <p>Friday September 12th</p> <p>We got out 16 loads of manure to-day but could have got out another, but as the field was covered all but a little strip we put the spreader away, we didn't put much on the little side hills as the spreader sloughs and does not work well there, Mr. Morgan came over this morning and stayed to dinner.</p> <p>This after noon Winnie came over to borrow some books and Frank's camera, she is not at school as she has hives. Betty &amp; the twins were past here to-day with three hounds and another dog, one of the hounds got in our corn field and they were a long time getting it out. Cloudy and threatening to-day.</p> <p>Saturday September 13th</p> <p>We worked both teams on the land all day and now have the piece between the orchard and the corn in pretty nice shape. I disked all day and Dad rolled &amp; harrowed on both pieces of ground. Frank dug around and mulched some of the peach trees this afternoon. Dick expected Ferdie to-night but I guess he didn't come as he said if he had any luggage he would leave it in the barber shop, for I told him I would be in to get my hair cut. Dad. &amp; I went down to get some groceries but it was so cold I didn't get my locks trimmed, however I went to see if Ferdie's impedimenta was there but it wasn't and there was no sighn of Dick we came home alone I suppose Dick has gone to the dance - the last of the season I think.</p> <p>We saw Huby to-night coming from home where he had been to fill his lantern, he says he has ordered twine but he thinks they can't get anything from the states now. Mrs. McBride was over this morning to pick plums, Very cold wind all day Clear &amp; cold to-night.</p> <p>Sunday September 14th</p> <p>It froze hard enough last night to crimp the tomato tops and corn leaves, but I don't think it will hurt the corn except the leaves for fodder. I didn't get up till late &amp; felt so rotten with a bad cold in my head that I didn't</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>try to do much or go to church. Frank has just the same cold but he went down to Sunday school and church. First thing this morning we put up the little stove in the kitchen and it makes things much more comfortable. Old Jonas came over this afternoon to look at the corn he is going to help cut it but it won't be ready for awhile yet. Johnny Walker also came over to have a look at old Joe. he drove down with Dad. Enah &amp; Tiddums, the two latter stayed at Huby's till church time and Dad. came home to help do chores and then went down again to go to church with Enah. They have heard so much about the famous &amp; rich preacher the same one who was there last Sunday that they thought they would like to hear him so Aunty Maude will keep the baby for them while they are gone.</p> <p>Walt. Steele sent me over ten dollars to-day by Dick which is for my playing with the band all summer, and which I consider easy money. Ferdie didn't come last night Dick got a card from him saying he has lost his job and isn't coming at all I guess. Dick went up the beach to a corn roast last night and has been down town all this afternoon. Dad. turned the old sow out this morning, he is going to wean the little pigs now, he let her in with them again to-night after they had had a good supper so as not to wean them too suddenly. We put poor old Dave in this afternoon and gave him a bath his three white feet are in awful shape all swollen way up his legs and terribly broken out around the feet. The only thing we can think of that can ail him is alsike poisoning which we have heard of before but which Dad never believed in much. Neither Osprey nor Dolly seem affected and they both have white feet.</p> <p>Tiddums didn't stay asleep long down at Huby's during church and when he awoke and found himself among strangers he became homesick and cried so lustily that they were forced to send to church after Enah to come and pacify him.</p> <p>Monday September 15th</p> <p>I finished cross disking on the piece where I left of Saturday and started to roll it all this morning while Dad. harrowed awhile on the other piece and then went with Frank over to John Wess McBride's to get the seed. John Wess has gone to Grand Rapids but Blaikie was there and they cleaned up nearly {21?} bushels, and got back before dinner. Blaikie and Bill Lemons are keeping {batch?} over there.</p> <p>This after noon I finished rolling that piece and then started to disk the other piece deeply, and Dad. &amp; Frank drilled in the small piece they put in about 8 1/2 bushels, they started with the drill set at 2 bus. &amp; a peck but thought it was overrunning so changed it to 2 bus.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Frank stayed home partly on account of his cold and partly to help Dad keep the drill from clogging up on the straw &amp; grass which didn't all work in. Tonight old Jonas came over and stayed about half the night trying to sell Dad some seed oats (heavy yielders). Dad. didn't order any much to the grief of Jonas but promised him he would Dad. bathed and powdered poor Davy's feet to-night, they certainly are in awful shape and he is as thin as a board. I have felt pretty rotten all day.</p> <p>It froze again last night but has been warm and sunny all day. The men struck at the canning factory to-day as they haven't been payed for two pay days or more. Dick said to-night that he heard Harry Graham has failed, and that George Gamble they are afraid has typhoid fever. Gordie Faulkner has it not badly &amp; Cecil Lamb's fever didn't break yesterday when the three weeks was up</p> <p>Tuesday September 16th</p> <p>We both worked on the land all day. I disked all morning and Dad harrowed over the sowed piece and part of the other. It began to drizzle soon after dinner so Dad took my team and ran out the ditches in the sowed field also the cross ditches in the other. I then took little Joe &amp; Belle and began to roll but the earth at last got so wet that about four o'clock I put them in, when Dad. got through with the others team I disked awhile but not long as I began to get too wet for comfort, so I came in Dad. did chores as I felt too tough except to help milk. Franks cold was too bad for him to go to school to-day. this morning he went down and saw the operations of the canning factory, they are working full blast to-day as the men are promised money to-night or tomorrow It didn't freeze last night and looked rainy all morning</p> <p>Saturday Wednesday September 17th</p> <p>I cross disked all morning, Dad. went over and borrowed Ivy's disks and started to cross from the other end we nearly met by noon. It looked so {nebulous?}that Dad thought he would drill it in this after noon though under other circumstances we would have rolled &amp; harrowed it yet. I finished disking while Dad was getting the seed and drill out. and then started to go over the dead furrows lengthways. Dad. got about two or three rounds drilled when it began to rain so hard we were forced put our teams in much to Dad's disgust. as we couldn't do anything but chore the rest of the day and he is afraid we won't be able to get back on the land for quite awhile. Alfred came over</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>just before it began to rain and brought back the old cultivator. I think I forgot to mention at the time but the ice ran out a week or so ago, it lasted pretty well but we think we can make it do better next year by putting in more sawdust and making better drainage Frank stayed home from school again to-day, my cold is better to-night but Dad thinks he is getting another one now. Frank took a boquet of wild flowers down to exhibit at the horticultural show to-morrow night. Cloudy all day, didn't rain very long.</p> <p>Thursday September 18th</p> <p>I haven't done a tap of work all day, I have felt all day like a cake of soap after a hard day's washing and just lay around the house. This morning Dad. thought it was a little too wet to work on the land so after he did chores he went out and got a load of rails and took back Ivey's disks. This after noon he drilled in the rest of the wheat. He ran out of seed when he was within a round or two of finishing and had to go down to Alfred's to get another bag, when he got back it was too late to finish so he will have to wait till morning, he thinks Alfred's wheat a better sample that John Wess's as there is not so much cracked wheat in it.</p> <p>Frank went back to school this morning but Dad. kept him home this afternoon to help him drill. Enah and Tiddums went down to see the flower show, she said it was not as large as other years and that Frank didn't get a prize on his wild flowers. Frank did not go down to see it. Dick did not get home till late as he went to the dance in the pavillion the last of the season. The men and women at the canning factory did not get their wages as they had been promised so have all struck again except Huby &amp; the engineer. It has been a nice day - I think</p> <p>Friday September 19th</p> <p><br />I did not do much more to-day than yesterday. I started to clean out the stables but became so exhausted that I had to give it up and just poke around, this afternoon I read and answered an advertisement I saw in "The Literary Digest" for a fellow who tells how to get strong, if he fails to help me I think I shall take to dressmaking or something of that nature. Dad. finished drilling before Frank went to school this morning and then harrowed the field over, he started to run the furrows before dinner but old Harry &amp; Joe proved so incompetent that it took him the whole after noon to finish the job, the last five of the dead furrows were so crooked that he harrowed them out and ran them over again</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>He intended to go down and help Mr. Flemming this after noon as Alfred told him yesterday that he is far behind with his work having been sick, and unable to work ever since Tupper thrashed, Dad may go down tomorrow if Mr. Flemming wants him. Jonas was over for a short visit to-night. We have had to keep Belle tied up all day as we turned her out twice and she jumped right back in to the lane in front of the house immediately, she &amp; Harry got in the night before last and ate all the Golden Bantam corn down to within a foot of the ground. Dad. had to get up at half past four to shut them in the stable and then he didn't go back to bed again. It has been a nice sunny day. Sun set clear to-night.</p> <p>Saturday September 20th</p> <p>I felt quite a lot better to-day but my throat is still sore I intended to go back and cut the clover seed this morning but there were two rivets that had to be replaced in the pitman rod of the mower before it could be used so I took it down to Butler's for repair. Dad. told me that if no one else was in the shop I might as well get Joe's shoes set, as they needed it badly, I did, so did not get home till after noon This after noon Frank &amp; I cleaned out the stables which haven't been properly cleaned for about a week and then drove down town to get stuff on our way back we stopped at Uncle Wards and he &amp; Frank picked a bushel of tomatoes which we brought home for Enah to do up. He has a good many there going to waste as he put in a lot for the canning factory but they closed down before he got them all picked.</p> <p>It got very black while we were there and just as we left began to sprinkle and just as we got home to rain hard. Dick got in just behind us the first time he has been home so early all summer I believe. It did not rain long nor exra heavily and there was only about one hard crack of thunder, but I don't know whether it is all over yet or not.</p> <p>Dad. has been cleaning ditches all day but has more to do yet. Frank went down this morning to ask Mr. Flemming if Dad. could help him any if he came down but Mr. Flemming said he expected Ern. up and would be through this afternoon. Frank went over to John Wess McBride to return the bags they brought the wheat over in. Blaikie was cutting the buckwheat with a scythe he couldnt manage it with a cradle. Frank saw a black squirrel on the line fence when he was over there Dad and we three boys had a bath to-night, I needed one badly</p> <p>Sunday September 21st</p> <p>I sat around the house all day except to help do chores and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>finished reading Hamlet. I don't want to got to church till I get my hair cut for fear some body taking me for a wild creature would put me out. Enah still having a desire to hear the Irish preacher of the two preceding Sunday's went down driven by Dick. Frank walked down to Sunday school and church Dad. looked after Tiddums and the house. Tiddums has not been himself to day, for some obscure reason. Dick spent the afternoon at home for a change, reading. Cars. Rankin and Arly McCarter drove over this afternoon to have Dad look at Car's horse's foot which got burned on a rope. It has been dull &amp; chilly &amp; wet off &amp; on all day</p> <p>Monday September 22nd</p> <p>It rainded nearly all night and most of the day, the roads being inconsequence in such a condition as to prohibit travel by bicycle, so I drove the boys to the scenes of their labors and as there was nothing pressing in progress here and not knowing when a better oportunity would present itself I put Joe in at Hendersons and proceeded to have, my hair cut, a shave, and my teeth cleaned, this last item I promised Aunty I would have seen to on the first favorable occasion which presented itself.</p> <p>I arrived home after getting a roll of roofing paper to repair the cow shed roof and some other articles a little before noon, we read and did chores most of the remainder of the day, although we did go out for awhile to strengthen the grain barn floor as in one place it is too much decayed to permit the safe passage of the thrashing machine over it, but as from time to time we must go outside and come in contact with the disagreeable weather, there was no pleasure in it so we postponed the duty to a future and fairer day.</p> <p>Mrs McBride was here allday performing her biweekly labors and it being such a 'dirty' night Dad. drove her home while I got the cows. I began to read "The White Company" to-day and I am afraid it will be a hard one to leave at the call of duty. Dick is not expected home to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday September 23rd</p> <p>Sam Law came in this morning and informed us that he was going up to Clarke Matthew's old place to thrash to-day, and would thrash his own three loads of oats on his way back and then come here, Allan came in tonight and told us that they just pulled the machine into their barn to night and would not be over here till noon to-morrow. This morning Dad &amp; I levelled the butt of the old stack and this afternoon we finished fixing the barn floor and sweeping out the granary bins.</p> <p>To-night when Frank got home from school he &amp; I drove down town to purchase provisions and warn out Mr. Fleming &amp; the Martins. Dad. has gone over to Mrs. McBrides to-night to see if he can her to help Enah to-morrow. It has been sunny all day but with a cold wind</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 24th</p> <p>We went over about eight o'clock this morning to help Sam. Law, we thrashed out their three loads in a very short time and then came home and hauled a load of rails and made general preparations for them here. They got here about twelve, and were just about ready to start after dinner Frank stayed home from school and first thing went on his wheel to secure the aid of a man from Tupper's and one from Billy Louis as they promised one when Dad gave them free treatment for their cow. Mr. Fleming himself came and brought Bill Philips. Martin's sent two men and Alfred &amp; Jonas both came so we had plenty of help. Mrs. McBride came to help Enah and Ada came over and looked after Tiddums the whole afternoon.</p> <p>We thrashed out all the oats 513 bushels, and made quite a hole in the wheat which is coming pretty slowly. I helped Bill Philips carry away the oats and they kept us on the hump we got 320 bushels off the 10 acres by the side road and about 240 off the 8 acres back the lane, counting the load we thrashed before over at Sam's, we expect the wheat to go about 10 bushels to the acre.</p> <p>To-night I drove Mrs. McBride and Ada home, it was awfully dark and I nearly ran into a waggon and did run over a log, across the road. Lovely day sunny and warm</p> <p>Thursday September 25th</p> <p>We finished up the wheat about nine o'clock this morning it went better than we expected. 133 bushels and we didn't look for more than 100. It wasn't a very big thrashing but might have been worse. About ten o'clock Jonas and I lit into the corn field, and at noon had 1307 14 shocks put up. Jonas doesn't use a horse but I think he would be better off if he did, as one blows down now and then and takes longer to set it up than it would to move a horse quite a few times. I didn't go out to help him this afternoon but Frank went out some time after dinner with a pail of water for him, and he wasn't there we saw him going up the road afterwards about half past three, but he got ten more shocks cut by six, he said he felt pretty sick after dinner.</p> <p>We trimmed up the sheep and let the old ram out in the orchard. Frank saw when he went after the mail that Butler had the tires on the waggon set so he and Dad went down before tea and brought it home. Cousins Loll &amp; Phoebe were over for awhile this after noon Mrs. Dave Waddle died to-day at five o'clock, she has been sick for a long time but only a few days in bed, she was down town on Monday. It has been hot to-day and hazy looking all around</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday September 26th</p> <p>When Dad. got up this morning he found the old sow had knocked down the orchard gate and let all the ewes out. We got them in with out much difficulty but noticed the ram was up at the north end of the orchard lying down by himself. When we went to look at him we saw at once that he was very sick, so brought him down and put him in his old yard between the drive house and the big barn, he has laid around all day and wont eat or drink, he is not bloated but is quite hollow and does not seem in any pain but now and then stretches out his neck and swells his sides like a dog trying to vomit.</p> <p>Dad. and I went up to Dunkin's this morning to see him as we got a letter from him yesterday morning saying he had a ram he would let us have for awhile not knowing of course that we had one, we expected to be back at noon but it began to rain soon after we got started and kept up so long that we stayed there for dinner and did not get home till half past four, we didn't think his sheep much ahead of ours and his rams not a patch on $4700. When we got home Enah told us the old sow was out and had wandered down the road but Frank brought her home on his way home from school so we shut her up in Queen's boxstall and nailed up the door. To-night the ram got in the barn and we gave him a drench, he does not seem any better but no worse.</p> <p>Jonas cut corn this morning to cut corn and cut till it rained. and this after noon tore down the old fence around the hill, he was over to-night to see if we would haul it for him to morrow Dad. told him he would try to. When I went back after the cows to-night I found Bobby &amp; Fred's calf missing and walked way out to the Winding Hill to see them but when I got back they were standing at the culvert and Dad. &amp; Frank were just going to let them in, the fence was down at the culvert and there was an empty whisky bottle near it.</p> <p>Saturday September 27th</p> <p>When we went out this morning we found the ram had gone out of the barn into the yard and seemed weaker than last night After breakfast we went out and Dad gave him some more dope, but while we were there we tried to get him to stand up but his feet just shook from under him and he stretched out and died we spent the rest of the morning skinning and burying him, we think of it a rough bit of luck but suppose it is all in the game, we will get a lovely mat off him if we can get it tanned right. what through life held his worth after his death will hold another's wealth. Dad held a post mortem on him and found that it was inflamation of the bladder which</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>killed him, we didn't look for any thing like that, and Dad says nothing could have been done for him. This afternoon Dad. &amp; Frank cleaned up some of the wheat and oats that were on the floor and took it down to the mill to be chopped they went down town to take Elva's cream and get stuff. I took Harry &amp; Joe and the hay rack and went down to help old Jonas get some of his fence up as he won't be back to cut corn till it is off the highway, he is so afraid of the law, I only got up two loads as it is hard stuff to load alone and Jonas had Leitch's team and waggon so didn't help me any, and I had to knock half of it to pieces, I did not get home till nearly dark. Lovely fall day.</p> <p>Sunday September 28th</p> <p>Frank was the only member of the family who attended church and Sunday school. I read most of the morning but got dressed up about noon and this afternoon Dick and I went down to Mrs. Waddles funeral. Dad. drove us down and his went down and got Huby &amp; Lila and they drove up to the cemetery. There was an awful crowd at the house and there must have been over a hundred rigs in the procession.</p> <p>Dick and I knocked around town til Dad. got back then I came home with him but Dick stayed down to go to church to-night. When we got home we found Emery &amp; his whole family here as well as Mrs. Smythe with Susie &amp; George. they stayed to tea so we were late getting the chores done. Beautiful day.</p> <p>Monday September 29th</p> <p>Jonas came over to cut corn this morning but after cutting for about an hour came in, in a great state of excitement vowing that he would cut no more corn with a sickle as he had cut an other piece off his finger, and said that if he couldn't a corn hook which he was used to in Dover he would got to Simcoe after one. Dad. put some turpentine on his finger which he said just had the skin nicked, and told me that I might as well drive Jonas to Simcoe and take old 4700's hide up to be tanned, we left here about nine and went about half a dozen places in Simcoe, and got home about half past twelve, Jonas got his corn hook, some stuff at Fall's, some half stake from Billy Barlow's, a drink of beer and a prize list of the Simcoe Fair. I saw Mr. Hogg and gave Mr. Shaver the hide, and went to see Kompart about getting a new crank for the spreader to replace the one Allan Law lost but although all the doors in the place were wide open there wasn't a sign of a living creature around.</p> <p>This after noon I got started to cut clover seed but as I had to grind the knives and get the horses in I didn't get started till after three so only got a little more than seven rounds cut. Dad. cleaned out the ditches in the wheat field and Jonas got in a pretty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>good afternoon cutting corn. George Slocomb Sr. was over this afternoon with a sore shouldered horse. To-night Dad. had to go down to a school board meeting and I guess wished that R. M. Taylor had beaten him on the election It has been cloudy and mild all day and looks like rain</p> <p>Tuesday September 30th</p> <p>I finished cutting the clover seed this afternoon and got two rounds cut in the field next the wood which is all weeds, some of them are up to the horses backs. Dad. helped Jonas cut corn all day and they got a lot done, but Dad. had old Jonas pretty well tired out to-night, Jonas says it is the best corn he ever cut.</p> <p>It has been a nice bright breezy day, doesn't look so rainy. When we got up this morning we found that the old sow had knocked the gate of the orchard down and let the sheep all out, she her self was sleeping peacefully in a comfortable nest in the hay on the big barn floor. The cows cattle all got in through the bars at the end of the orchard and had wandered all through the corn and over the wheat, they were on the oat stubble when Dad. went out this morning, to-night he shut the cows in the horse pasture</p> <p>Wednesday September October 1st</p> <p>The old sow repeated the same performance as last night, but the young stock did not bother the bars at the end of the orchard, but as soon as the cows were turned in with them they went back and broke in through the gully fence and Dad. &amp; Jonas had to stop cutting corn to put them out. Dad. had to stop later on to get Clark Matthews some wheat &amp; oats which he came over to buy for Teddy &amp; his chickens. In spite of these hindrances they got quite a bit cut and had the field half cut at noon.</p> <p>I cut weeds all morning in the back field, I think I could have finished it to-night but Jonas came over at noon to tell us that he had to help Bob. Leitch thrash so I stayed up to help Dad. cut corn we just nicely got started when we had to chase the cattle out of the field again this time we put them all up in the horse pasture but lost quite a lot of time doing it, before we got out again to work Walt. McCall, Mrs. McCall &amp; three kids including Tommy came in, in Al. Faulkners automobile (as Walt has sold his) to see the colts. so it was about the middle of the afternoon when we got settled down to work, then I cut my finger and had to come up to tie it up but Frank came out and helped us a little after school so we got about twenty two or three shocks cut. I cut a poor little half grown rabbits foot nearly off in the mower this morning but did not kill it, because I thought like Niel Elliot's man that life was sweet. Frank caught a broken winged crow on Sunday and is trying to tame it. Nice day, still looks rainy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday October 2nd</p> <p>It began to rain about six o'clock this morning and rained all the first part of the morning and most of the afternoon but isn't raining to-night. I drove Dick down to work first thing as the roads were too bad for him to wheel, I dug up some of the onions when I got home and left them right on the ground till they dry, Dad. cleaned out the pig. pen and Frank who has a holiday to-day on account of the teachers' convention and tomorrow because Mrs. Smith is going to judge at the rural school fall fair which is to be held in the town hall tomorrow.</p> <p>We had dinner about eleven and three of us left as soon as possible after it for Dunkin's to get the ram he told us about. We went past the rail road construction camp which is on the side road on the north of Charlie Dixon's place just as the men and teams were coming in to dinner, they made quite an army. We left Frank on the road about 3/4's of a mile this side of Dunkin's while we went on to get the ram, he is a big heavy fellow and pretty good looking, he looks very long but that is because the fellow Duncan let have him last year did not shear him. It began to rain soon after we left his place and we just nicely got home when it commenced coming down heavily, it was pretty late then so we had an early tea and did chores after. Dad. is going down to Quanbury's to a surprise pedro party for John. He told them he would go but but he would not go through the mud</p> <p>Friday October 3rd</p> <p>We did not get up till seven o'clock this morning as Dad played pedro last night very late and came home at two o'clock this morning with the booby prize, as he is always first up and calls the rest we were late. Jonas came over at seven and cut corn all day I helped him this morning, and we got a shock or two over two rows cut which wasn't so bad considering I did not get out till nine o'clock. Dad. helped him this afternoon and they got another two rows cut. I cut weeds all afternoon in the back field but did not quite finish. Frank and Dad. got a load of rails this morning and repaired the gully fence and turned the cattle back, besides other odd jobs.</p> <p>This afternoon Frank went back to Charlie McQueen's after nuts. Enah &amp; Tiddums went down to see the rural school fair held in Buck's pavillion. She said there was a big exhibit of every thing the shape of farm produce &amp; house keeping all produced &amp; collected by the school children. Lila came back with her to stay all night. Johnny Manning came up to-night from the gully where he had been in quest of mushrooms but failed to discover any. Dick is at a party of Inez Schram's It has been cool and coudy all day but fair. Clear to-night.</p> <p>Saturday October 4th</p> <p>I finished cutting the weeds in the back field a</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>little before noon and brought the mower up. Dad. &amp; Jonas did not get started cutting corn till about half past eight it was so wet from the frost on it thawing, so they did not finish the field till after dinner. When Dad. settled up with him he owed him $7.25 as he paid him at the rate of $1.50 a day for cutting corn and $2.00 for thrashing and as Dad. &amp; Frank went down with the team after they got through to help him haul fence Jonas took $2.50 off for the two quarter days last Saturday and this. They did not get the fence all up.</p> <p>This after noon I cut a little lawn and picked up over two bushels of pears &amp; apples of the lawn and gave them to the chickens. I did not get much done and quit early to do chores. To-night Frank and I drove down town for provisions and I finished reading "The White Company" aloud to Dad. when I got home, very sorry to finish it. Mrs. Woodson &amp; Betty were over for awhile this after noon. Lovely day.</p> <p>Sunday October 5th</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and I drove Enah down to church but as we were as usual late I went up behind the organ, where also was Charlie Martin he having come later even than we. When we came past the Martin's they were all out prepared to drive down to church in Jack's automobile but as the tire was flat they had decided to walk so we brought old Mrs Martin down with us, however they got the tire pumped up afterwards and he stayed long enough to take them down town. The Rev. Mr. Armstrong of Delhi conducted the service while Mr. Johnston was off somewhere else. Johnny Walker sang a solo by way of a special attraction. Dad. stayed home &amp; looked after the house and Tiddums while we were gone and also wrote a poem on the death of 4700 and an epitaph to send to Louise in answer to one she sent us. Dick spent the morning in bed but went down this afternoon and stayed down to tea &amp; church getting home quite late. {Musa?}. Dyer sang a solo to-night in church.</p> <p>This after noon Ed. Moon, Marion &amp; Alice Miller came over and spent the afternoon. Ed. is working already in the mill in Sloan's place but says he will come over some Saturday afternoon and do some fixing up. I was delighted this morning by discovering a book entitled "Sir Nigel" by A Conan Doyle and upon looking into it finding that it dealt with many of the same characters as "The White Company". I began it to-night.</p> <p>Tom Abbot came in this afternoon to inquire whether Jonas was a reliable person to make a business transaction with as he had bargained for some wood and then Jonas showed signs of backing out of his agreement but Dad. reassured Tom. It has been a very nice day, sunny &amp; warm</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday October 6th</p> <p>I went with Jonas right after breakfast to help him take his cows down to the cattle pen where Niel Elliot was shipping. Old {Jug?} at the mill bought them and Niel was going to take them to Jarvis for him in with his stuff that he was shipping. They were back here in Jugs gully and we &amp; Sairy had quite a time catching them but got them down with out much trouble and put them in the pen which was chock full of hogs. Jonas had to squabble with Jug for awhile as he wouldn't take any thing but cash for his cows not even a cheque and then Elliot did not want to take them at all with his hogs but they at last got things smoothed out and Jonas got his money and they tied the cows in the car. It was noon when I got home I had spent most of the morning with Skinny Ryersie who was looking after the stock.</p> <p>Dad. started to rake up the clover seed this afternoon morning and finished this after noon we burned what we could of the weeds &amp; grass in the back field this afternoon and most of it burned but there are patches where the fire did not run, it ran in the grass, along the fence bottom and burned about 1/3 of the posts and stakes it also chased the same little rabbit out into the field whos legs I injured with mowing machine the other day. I brought him up to the barn I suppose he has been along the fence ever since I put him there Nice day but very hot.</p> <p>Tuesday October 7th</p> <p>Dad. and I cocked up all the clover seed this morning except a few cocks which we did yesterday. We intended to haul a load this afternoon but Loyd Ryersie came over at noon to tell Dad. they wanted to see him down town this after noon at four o'clock to interview the High School Inspector. He went down a little late (he took Enah &amp; Tiddums) but said he might as well have stayed home, as it was all over, and they had had it up at the school house the {kid?} told him to go down town, but it wasn't any regular meeting any way. I felt as lazy as a drunk toad this afternoon but managed to get the barn floor pretty well cleared up of the thrashing refuse. Frank helping me when he got home from school.</p> <p>Dick says he is pretty sure he saw old Jonas coming home bozy-eyed last night and nobody but Frank has seen anything of him to-day, but he said last night that he would not be over except to set up some shocks he left down as he was going to buy some figs, and I guess he set up the shocks. It has been a a lovely day a little more breeze and not as hot as yesterday Dick came home before tea to-night and started to clean the buggy he says he is going to finish it in the morning. He wants it on Thursday.</p> <p>Wednesday October 8th</p> <p>We hauled in clover seed all day today but only got</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>in three loads, we did not get out till nearly ten this morning but got one load on and off before dinner, this afternoon we got two loads in and left one unloaded, there is just one more small one out yet. Dad. let poor old Dave back the lane this after noon and he spent the afternoon on top of the hill with the other colts in the boiling sun. Mrs. Art Ryerise paid Enah a visit to-day, she has been over in Chicago for a week or so, she said that {Clipha?} Flemming &amp; Wil{--} Ryersie were to have been married to-day. but as we have heard no other report of it, are not sure about it. Pretty hot.</p> <p>Thursday October 9th</p> <p>We were late on the start this morning, and just as Dad. &amp; I were going out to pitch off the load we left on the barn floor last night we noticed the cattle on the wheat, and all over the oat stubble and clover. It took us quite awhile to get them back in the gully, so by the time we got the load pitched off and the jag that was left back there up to the barn it was noon we burned one or two of the cocks which were composed solely of leaves &amp; dead grass. This afternoon we went back over the gully to burn the rest of the weeds in the back field. We thought they would burn well after all the hot weather but the fire wouldn't burn at all not nearly so well as it did the other day so we just had to carry it around on our forks and by this means got it pretty well cremated but it took us all the afternoon. Jonas husked corn all day to-day and says it goes a little better than before but he says he is not going to make as much money as he expected, he is husking for four cents a bushel. Dick came home at noon to-day and took Joe and went for a drive with some girl down town Enah and Tiddums went down town this afternoon. It has been fine and hot to-day but looks rainy.</p> <p>Friday October 10th</p> <p>We hauled out manure to-day from the horse stable pile and put it on the oat stubble along the side road. It was such a long way to haul it so we did not get on very fast. and as all the top part of the pile was nothing but burned or dry straw - and we wanted to mix rotten stuff with it took us quite awhile to put on a load. We did not get out till ten o'clock this morning and got out nine loads. Jonas husked corn all day but gets on pretty slowly. I had to take some binder twine out to-night and help him put up a couple of shocks. Lila came over to-night to spend the night, on Frank's wheel, he went down after school to get stuff and a bushel basket for which he went in {illegible}, and he walked home. Fine and hot to-day</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 11th</p> <p>It looked so much like rain this morning just before we hooked to the spreader that we decided to hook to the waggon first and get the husked corn, but just as we were about to start it began to rain so we put the horses in again. Old Jonas came in from the field, and entertained us for a while with a wild west personal experience of how he was stranded out west somewhere in Michigan fell in with a gambling cowboy, and {made?} a pile in a hurry &amp; revolvers knives, etc. Jonas has seen some awful times in his day if all accounts are true.</p> <p>We then got the sheep in the barn and marked them all with blue chalk and Dad. put the new tag we got from Dunkin in his sheep's ear and stuck up the tame ones ear with sticking plaster as she caught her tag in some thing the other day and tore her ear the full length. By this time the rain had let up and Jonas gone back to husk so we went out with the waggon and got about a load (21 bushels) but before we came in it was raining hard and we got pretty wet.</p> <p>It rained most of the afternoon, I read a little and the rest of the family cracked hickory nuts, while thus engaged a small yearling heifer with a freshly broken horn and a long thin rope around its neck came into the garden followed by very bedraggled man in hip rubber boots and a small freckle faced youth. I found out that he was the man from whom Jonas had purchased his heifer and that the afore mentioned critter was her. As Dad. had told Jonas that he might turn her in with our cows, Frank and I proceeded tp help him catch her, get the rope off her and put her in the lane, but we found we had undertaken a task which we were incapable of performing, for the heifer was as wild as a deer.</p> <p>The man (Smith his name was) had already chased her over nearly every road between here and Marburg, but she was still very game. First she jumped into the pig yard where I caught the trailing rope, but I might as well have had hold of an engine the rope was so small and wet and she was so small and wild that I was forced to let go, she then leaped over the fence and down the lane toward the road where Dave. the small boy headed her off, I opened the gate into the barn yard, hoping to get her cornered in there but she got from there into the pig yard, then into the wheat field up the wheat field to the gully down the gully fence to the side road. then over the fence into the gully making straigt for the gap into the blue grass field where I headed her off from there and the three of us followed her up to the gully cross fence. (Dave. stayed back in the barn yard), there the man caught the rope but let go again immediately, she jumped back in to the wheat field and ran the while length of both wheat fields</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>down to the little corner of the south east corner of the plum orchard where Frank &amp; I both got a fall in the clay bank in an attemt to get the rope Frank did lay hands on it but she flopped him, after chasing her half way up the lane fence again, we let her go and the last we saw of her she standing in the north east corner of the oat stubble next the gully &amp; side road. We couldn't get her with the other cows with out getting her in the lane as the cows are shut out of the east end of the gully. The man &amp; boy went on down to tell Jonas that he had delivered his heifer and for Jonas to get his rope for him</p> <p>Frank Lila and I drove down town Lila stayed and Frank and I came back with provisions we drove Mr. Blaikie part way home Tonigh I finished reading "Sir Nigel" and "The Iron Trail" aloud.</p> <p>Sunday October 12th</p> <p>Frank rode his wheel down to Sunday school and Dick and I drove down to church. This afternoon Dick went down town and Frank went over to Charlie McQueen's and got some chestnuts, he also got soaking with his best clothes on. I read most of the after noon a great book I found in a box up over the woodshed. It's about an hundred years or so old, and is "Lord Chesterfield's advice to his son", its rich.</p> <p>Jonas came over to look for his heifer but failed to find any trace of her so I suppose she is back at Marburg by this time. Poor Jonas is broken hearted - and wishes he had never bought her, he was very foolish I think to sell his good big three years old for forty dollars and then turn around around and pay twenty for this runt of a yearling what he wants with them any way in his position is more than I can see. Sam Law came in this morning to get Dad. to go over and cut a lump off his calf. It froze last night and was a lovely sunny morning but rained most of the afternoon.</p> <p>Monday October 13th</p> <p>I had to go thrashing down to Flemming's this morning as he came over on Saturday to "warn us out". Tupper's man did not come till late and Walker never came at all so we were a little short handed I was on the table and pitched on to the feeder, after we got well started it kept me pretty busy and to-night I feel stiff and plugged up as they put some of the straw in the barn and made it pretty dusty. He only thrashed his oats and as he only had four hundred and forty something bushels we got through before noon although we got a very late start and stopped several times, it was near enough noon however for us to stay there for dinner.</p> <p>When I got home I found Jonas's mare in the stable and his democrat out side, and Enah said he and Dad. had just gone back the lane in quest of his heifer, which he told Dad he had seen in our back field but when Dad found it, it was in Evan's back field. Dad got home</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>about three o'clock leading the heifer almost tame and Jonas following almost wild behind. They had evidently had just such a chase for her over Evan's place - as we had on Saturday over this place, but they got her cornered at last in Evan's cowshed and Dad. went over and borrowed a rope and humbug from John Wess McBride and once he got the ropes on her he soon mustered her, he broke the little clothes line that was on her a couple of times.</p> <p>He said it was pitiful and laughable to watch old Jonas, every time the heifer would break away from them. Jonas would almost weep and swear he would shoot her if he could get a rifle. Evan's wasn't home and Dad. said they got every loose gate and board around the place to barricade the barn yard but she would break through and once climbed about half way up the straw stack. When they brought her home they put her in with the rest of the cows and although Jonas vowed she would get out she seems to be quite contented. Dad. told him that he would give Jonas $20 for her if she got out and $18 is she stayed in so Jonas said he wouldnt sell her till she got out.</p> <p>I drove Enah &amp; Tiddums down town to Mrs. Schrams this after noon. Belle jumped the fence out by the big barn to-nigh and knocked a couple of panels flat. It froze last night and has been very chilly all day.</p> <p>Tuesday October 14th</p> <p>I greased my old boots this morning and Dad took Mrs. Martin over the pint of cream she spoke for yesterday. We also haulded two loads of loam &amp; sod. from along the road side under the old wild cherry tree in the wheat stubble, and filled in the holes at this end of the lane in the barn yard, where the horses have pawed a hole when they are drinking from the tub in front of the windmill. and under the gate at the north end of the horse stable.</p> <p>This afternoon we hauled out four loads of manure, Walt McCall. Dave Waddle Billy Loan &amp; Tom. McCall came over to-night and we caught Dolly and Dave led her home he put a rope in her mouth although she would have led all right with just a halter and after walking a little way with her got in the automobile, and led her from it.</p> <p>Just about dark to-night Mr. Blaikie came over and got Dad to go over and look at John Wess's cow which was badly bloated and John Wess was away. Dad. went over, stayed to tea and as John Wess got back before he left, he did not get home till about nine o'clock. Frank and I did up the chores. Dad says the cow will get alright. It froze very hard last night but has been a beautiful day, very clear to-night.</p> <p>Wednesday October 15th</p> <p>We hauled out all the rest of the pile of manure at the horse stable and got through a little before four this after noon and took out</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>eight loads, when we put the spreader away we hooked on to the waggon and got in a load of corn (22 bushels), we sorted it in the field and there is some fine looking corn in it, Jonas has been husking all day. At noon he came in and told us he had an awful foolish notion in his head, we wondered if he was just beginning to realize the fact, as there is nothing much else to him but foolishness, but at last when he got courage enough to "spit out" what he wanted, he asked Enah if she would iron a shirt for him to-night to wear to the Simcoe fair to-morrow as he could never get his "woman" to do any thing like that for him. Enah told him she would if he would bring it over to-night but he never showed up at all.</p> <p>Art Ryersie came over just before tea to tell Dad. he had a cow down there which wouldn't attempt to chew her cud and was panting like a lizard, as he considered her a valuable animal he wanted Dad. to go down and see her, so Dad. &amp; Frank have gone down since tea. I cleaned out the cage I have my rabbit in this morning. his feet are nearly healed up and he can hop and jump pretty well. I think I shall let him go soon Enah and Tiddums went down town this after noon and to say goodbye to the Woodson's as they are going next week but no-one was home. It has been a beautiful day. not quite so hot as last week.</p> <p>Thursday October 16th</p> <p>We started from here for Simcoe to attend the fair at about ten this morning and got there just about noon, after driving past the various livery stables in town and finding them all crammed we went back to Yeagers and put Joe in there. Yeager was there and told Dad. she was welcome. The three of us Dad. Frank and I spent the whole after noon on the grounds, but didn't see quite every thing, we didn't see the cattle at all except on parade there wasn't a very big exhibit of sheep or pigs, but the rest of the fair was good. They had a good bunch of horses, especially roadsters.</p> <p>Frank Temmons and Charlie Butler both showed in the carriage horse class but neither got prizes. Yeager took most of the prizes in this class of course. We saw Mr. Hanmer there showing his hackneys but didn't get a chance to speak to him. We saw Harry Langs for a little while. There was an awful crowd on the grounds and about as much fun could be derived from it as any thing else. Yeager had a team of grey mules up there hitched to one of his fancy carriages and driven by King Brown (Theodore's son) in uniform costume who jujding from his countenance was the happiest man in Simcoe, he paraded around in the ring all the afternoon and lined his mules up in every judging class The number of boys on the back of his carriage increased steadily all the after noon and when we left we noticed Frank Temmons was one of them. King's black face shone as brilliantly as</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>it's complexion would let it above a suit of checkered cloth covered with a motley display of ribbons, on one side of his woolly pate was a little flat hat about as big as a post card and each of his mules had a red ticket tied to its their ears. As a winding up feature they had a girl make a balloon ascention. She went up about as far as you could see her and then descended with a parachute, about a half amile away from where he went up, every body wondering whether she would light in a tree mud hole or straddle a fence. I heard one lady exclaim that she wouldnt do that for "nothing.'</p> <p>It must have been nearly five when we left Yeager's and as we were trying to get home before Art Ryersie who we passed and then were passed by just out of Simcoe, we got home about six, but I guess Art beat us and beat us well, he went the back road and we kept the gravel all the way but we didn't see a sign of him after he turned at St. John's. Enah and Tiddums spent the day down town. It looked like rain all morning but faired off into an ideal day.</p> <p>Friday October 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I hauled a load of rails to the house this morning and got about all the good ones there were in the fence bottom running west from the side road along the north end of the wheat stubble We also got a small load of sand to put in front of the north stable door, we then went down to Preston's and got a bushel of potatoes. This after noon we took things pretty easy did chores and Dad. fixed the little ladder goin up into the horse stable loft. which big Joe bumped his head on and broke this morning.</p> <p>Jonas husked corn all morning but as it rained this after noon he spent it trying to build himself a barn to keep his horses and cattle in all winter. He was in a very joyful mood this morning after being at the show and was in a great hurry for Dick to get up as he wanted him to send {illegible} for him, but to-night he is in the worst state of despair as he evidently did not have very much success building his barn out of the old fence rubbish. Dad. told him he was foolish to try and might far better sell his stock and put the money away till he needed it and then have that much more firewood. It has been very cloudy all day drizzling most of the after noon and to-night</p> <p>Saturday October 18th</p> <p>I drove Dick and his bicycle down to the corner this morning and then went down to the mill to get a bag of flour. Old Jonas was working at his barn which is about the size of a big packing box, he only had a few scantlings nailed to-gether for a starter. he said he was nearly wild with apprehension for the coming winter. When I got home Tupper was just</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>leaving, he and Harry his man were going down to fix the hill in front of Preston's and came in to borrow a fork to pitch sods. We didn't do much, this morning we started to fix the old shed next the cow stable as Dad. wants to separate his pigs and put some of them in there, we didn't get much done at it. Lila came over and this afternoon she and I drove down town principally to take Dick's suitcase down as he is going to Toronto to-night. Dad. spent the afternoon cleaning ducks and a chicken. Winnnie came back with Lila and me but didn't stay to tea. Lila is staying all night.</p> <p>This is the fifteenth anniversary of Frank's birthday and he celebrated it by cleaning out and white-washing the chicken house. We put Queen and Ginger in to-night as it is pretty cold out. Queen behaves just as if she was fifty years old. It rained quite hard last night and to day has been muddy, cloudy and cold with a little more rain, very raw wind this afternoon.</p> <p>Sunday October 19th</p> <p>Frank and Lila went down to Sunday school and I drove Enah down for church, we were early for once. Enah expected {Elva?} would be away but she wasn't, enah played the organ any way. This was a children's day and they had the whole contents of the Sunday school in the front seats. As a little extra, Sam Jacques had his baby christened. Mr. Johnson kept referring to it all through the as he or him but its name turned out to be Helen Isabel or something similar.This afternoon Dad. put the saddle on Joe and I went for a ride. She nearly put me off while I was getting on the first time but she didn't and I rode out to the Shands I found them just starting off to the Hares who live on the town-line about three miles this side of Jarvis, to wish old Mrs. Nixon a happy birthday she was 90 years old. Charlie put the saddle on his horse and I went with him, we beat them all of course both coming and going.</p> <p>I got home just about dark and to-night feel pretty stiff I guess Josie is tired too. I lost a nice little tie pin I suppose on the road. Cousin Clare gave it to me and I was very sorry to lose it. It has been cloudy and cold all day, drizzly to-night.</p> <p>Monday October 20th</p> <p>This was Thanksgiving day but has been exceedingly rotten. It rained the greater part of last night and most of the morning and has been cold, raw and muddy. This morning Dad. went down town to ship the barrel of apples to Uncle Hal. and Aunty Alice which he got from Bill Duncan and which have been down at the station since Saturday. He also saw Butler about getting a plow but as he walked down he couldn't bring it home. He is going to get a Cockshutt to try and if we don't like it we will get a Wilkinson. I didn't do any thing much all morning My muscles are all stiff and sore from my ride yesterday</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I guess it was too far when I haven't been used to it, it must have been about fifteen miles. Frank cleaned off the walls of the cow stable and this after noon white washed. it. Dad made a box for the wheel barrow after dinner so that I can carry out a much bigger load of manure. Then he and Frank went and struck out a few loads in the oat stubble while I cleaned out the stables.</p> <p>Belle jumped into the pig yard from the barn yard tonight and when I went to chase her back she jumped the wire fence into the lane, caught her foot in it and bent a panel of it badly. Ginger and Queen both ran back the lane to the gully. Queen came up with Dad. when he went after the cows but Ginger is back there yet with the colts, which she has been trying to get with all summer.</p> <p>To-night Dad. and Frank walked down to meet Dick he said he wouldn't be home till the late train so they were going to the moving picture show. Frank has been coaxing Dad. to go for quite awhile. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday October 21st</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got on pretty well. I did chores and cleaned out the alley way in front of the cows where the calves spent last winter. That took me the biggest part of the day. I spent about half an hour chasing cattle back into their proper quarters after they had jumped over or crawled through the old fence around the barn yard. This morning Bill Stamp came and got four bushels of wheat for this chickens. Aleeta McBride came over this afternoon to iron. Jonas husked corn all day. I felt rather rotten having a sore throat and getting an all around cold. Cold, windy, cloudy &amp; wet.</p> <p>Wednesday October 22nd</p> <p>Dad. plowed all morning, and I did chores and started to clean out the pile of rubbish in the corner of the big barn but the wind got so bad I stopped and came in to the house. This afternoon we went out with the waggon and got alload of corn. We got mostly all Jonas has husked. 26 bushels. We sort it out there and leave the poor stuff to gather up afterwards, there isn't much of it. Niel Elliot came in before dinner to see if we had any cattle for sale but of course we hadn't. Jonas husked all day. It has been a miserable day. It rained this morning and drizzled part of the afternoon, being cold, cloudy, muddy and windy all day. I feel rottener.</p> <p>Thursday October 23rd</p> <p>Dad. lay awake in bed this morning from five to seven thinking from the sound of the wind that it was pouring rain but on getting up found it a beautiful morning. He got out as soon as possible after breakfast and plowed till about eleven.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I did up all the chores and then went out and plowed till noon, while Dad. came up to shave as he had to be bearer at Mrs. Birely's funeral this afternoon, he left a couple of strike oats for me to finish up after dinner and I ran myself out of a job about four o'clock. I left about a round or two on each land for Dad. to finish and as I couldn't strike out I unhooked but when I got to the top of the orchard. I saw Dad. cutting wood so yelled at him and he came out and plowed till dark. Jonas husked corn all day, he is full of an idea now to go south and work for {Eumer?} Johnson, housing niggers working in his orchard. He says they are anxious to have him go and his going to try to get there.</p> <p>Aleta McBride was over ironing again to-day, she minded Tiddums while Enah went down to the funeral after dinner. My little rabbit died yesterday. It has been avery nice day cloudy, but mild, &amp; breezy. Trying to rain to-night.</p> <p>Friday October 24th</p> <p>Since I watered &amp; fed the horses before breakfast this morning I haven't done another {tap?} all day, except read. I had quite a bad pain in my "stumick" this morning and have put in a bad day on account of my cold in my head. It rained steadily all day so I didn't lose much in the way of work. Dad. couldn't do any thing but chores. Mrs. McBride came over this morning according to promise to see if she could do anything towards house cleaning, but of course couldn't.</p> <p>Cars. Rankin drove over this afternoon to have Dad. look at his horse, which Dad. says has nothing the matter with it. He also wanted Dad. to keep it here and fix it up, but as we will be crowded for room this winter for our own horses, he refused.</p> <p>Saturday October 25th</p> <p>As far as work is concerned</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>took the plow out there and unloaded it. Vyse's three horses were on the road this morning and came into our lane, Dad. told him on his way down town so he and little Frank came after them. Allan Law was in to-night and Dad. paid him for thrashing. He told us that Jack Philips was very dangerously ill with typhoid fever. Dick got home fairly early to-night, with the mail, and the news that Mr. &amp; Mrs. Gilbert Lynch are the proud parents of another boy. Dad. heard in town today that some "public spirited citizens of Port Dover are canvassing the town with a petition to have Jack Walker's picture show classed as a public nuisance. Fine &amp; windy, everything very wet.</p> <p>Sunday October 26th</p> <p>Frank went to church and Sunday school, but was the only member of the family who did. I sat around all day and read. the "Literary Digest" for this week, through completely. This after noon the whole family except me went down to wish Lila a happy birthday. Dad. Enah and Tiddums drove down but the latter was too sleepy to enjoy himself, so they didn't stay long but the boys stayed to tea.</p> <p>Jack Walker came over while they were gone and got old Joe, he says he has to have him now as the corn is coming in and one team can't stand it; he says he thinks he could make a dicker with Dad. for him, but as he seems to think old Joe worth $100. I think it very doubtful as Dad wouldn't give more than fifty for him. It has been fair cloudy and raw all day.</p> <p>Monday October 27th</p> <p>Dad. plowed with Harry &amp; Belle all day and got on pretty well, after I got all the chores done up, I started to pick the spies but didn't get on very fast before dinner. It took me all the afternoon to get the rest of the spies and there isn't so very many and they are not sorted yet, I also picked all the Kings but there were only fifteen of them on the tree, I got thirteen of them, one fell off and I bruised another knocking it off with a stick.</p> <p>Tonight Frank and I went down to the concert given by a travelling company for the band, and had a good time, there was a ventriloquist with them who was good, as well as an elocutionist and tenor. They had a dance afterwards and Dick and I stayed till it was over I got home about half past one and Dick a little later as he went home with some girl. Frank waited till it was nearly over but was asleep when I got home. Mr. Hodge came over with the tax notices this morning, they are just about the same as last year. It has been cloudy and threatening all day, and just as I got home to-night I felt a drop or two.</p> <p>Tuesday October 28th</p> <p>When I got up about seven o'clock this morning it was blowing a gale and raining, so after we did the chores we didn't do much else all day, although it didn't rain long</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we didn't even get the stables cleaned out. Alfred came over this morning for awhile. This afternoon I drove Enah down town this afternoon to have her dress fitted at Mrs. Schram's I also practiced a little on my horn, Cloudy, windy and cold.</p> <p>Wednesday October 29th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and is now just half over the oat stubble or just at the pile of stoanes, the top of which just sticks up over the surface of the ground, it took me nearly all day morning to clean out the stables, get in straw and cut wood, but this afternoon I picked apples. First I picked up all the good Canada Red's which blew down in night before last's wind, they blew down more than the others, I put them down cellar in one big box I picked an orange crate of Talman Sweets, which wil be enough for us, the pigs will likely get the rest, they are beauties. I also picked what few sweet russets I could but as they seem to grow mostly on very tips of the limbs I had to shake most of them down, there were very few barely an orange crate full.</p> <p>It began to rain about three o'clock and although it didn't rain hard it was very steady and wet through everything I had to go out and help Jonas put up some of the husked corn, the threw down a lot but as it began to rain didn't get it husked we didn't put it up. Mully got into the east end of the gully to-night and jumped the fence and came right up the wheat to the bars.</p> <p>Thursday October 30th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got on well. Jonas husked all day. I picked apples after I got the chores done. Mrs. McBride was here house cleaning all day so I had to beat carpet at noon. This morning Frank took a sack down to Preston's, and they filled it with potatoes and left it outside the gate, I drove down and got it. Frank went back to look for the turkeys after school, he couldn't find them at their old roost in the gully but he saw R. J. Watson who told him he had seen them Tuesday on the road in front of McQueen's. Dick told us last night that Harry Dyer fell off a scaffold yesterday and broke his ankle. It has been sharper to-day, and rained a little this afternoon. Dad. should have gone down to a school board meeting to-night but it is raining and dark so he isn't going</p> <p>Friday October 31st</p> <p>It froze quite hard last night and snowed a little. Robert John Watson came over this morning just as Dad was getting out to work to get his heifer which had got in with our cows, as I was just going back to fix the fence where Mully and Jim got into the back field where we burned off the grass, I went with him to help him get her home, she was very quiet, so we had no trouble in driving her but it took us all morning to get her to stay in Robert John's place, we got her into Ivey's place but she jumped through the old</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>fence back into our gully, then we drove up along the woods into John Vyse's back field, then into Robert John's field then into his gully from where she ran directly back and jumped into Ivey's again, but we didn't have much trouble getting her from there into his gully again where I left him with her, I then drove Mully &amp; Jim out of the field as they had got in while we were chasing the heifer, and made a good fix on the fence, it was a little after twelve when I got back to the house and Dad. was up with the team.</p> <p>This afternoon we hauled in two loads of corn fifty-two bushels. Jonas was in the seventh heaven odf delighted as he had Jim Law helping him husk. Jim husks about two bushels to Jonas' one and teases the life out of him at the same time. Frank went to look for his turkeys after school to-night, he went to McQueens and Charlie told him there were eight there and had been there with theirs for a month but Frank wasn't sure whether they were his or not and besides there should be eleven and Robert John said he saw that number last Tuesday, on the road, while Sid McBride was doing some other fencing for Robert John they stretched the piece between him and us so we got out of that job. We were reminded of this being Hallowe'en by hearing the school bell ringing to-night. Tiddums was playing on our bed with some blocks this afternoon and crawled off the edge and gave himself a bad bump on his head and cut his eye quite badly, he was up on his hands and knees when Enah found him. Cold and windy all day, two short but blinding snow storms, one this morning, the worst one this afternoon.</p> <p>Saturday November 1st</p> <p>It froze the ground so hard last night that we couldn't haul corn as we intended so Dad. plowed all morning. Frank went after his turkeys and got home with nine of them about noon They were over at McQueens and he thinks the other two must have been shot. I did chores and cleaned some of the boards out of the old shed by the cow stable and piled them in the corner of the barn. I finished the job after dinner while Dad. and Frank went down town, they took some oats to the mill to be chopped. and went on down town to get the mail and some provisions. When they got back about four we all three went out and got the soft corn out of the field. There was nearly a waggon box full of it and it was just about dark when we got up so we just hauled it in on the barn floor.</p> <p>Just as we were starting for the corn field Jonas came along and told Dad. he would like some money. Dad. wanted him to wait till we got the load in but Jonas wanted it right away so Dad went itno the house to get it. Just as he went in he told Jonas he was a darned old nuisance and that he would sooner have a boil on his ear (or words to that effect) than have him around. This Jonas considered an insult and started off for home declaring that he would take no money nor husk any more corn, by the time Dad. came out he was half way home, but Frank went after him and prevailed on him to take the money, he is still pretty mad though. It has been very windy but not very cold all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Duplicate of page 145}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday November 2nd</p> <p>Frank went down to church and Sunday school, nobody else went down this morning. Mr. Buck came over and got Dad to go down and see his cow which he thought was sick but which was quite well when Dad got there. I did chores and Dick slept till dinner. This afternoon Mr. Birely came over ans stayed quite awhile and to-night Dad. and I went down to church, Dick was down to Huby's to tea, and went to church afterwards. We stopped in at Huby's on our way down and took him the "Every body's Magazines" that Aunty Alice has been sending us all year. He said he might be over to husk corn to-morrow.</p> <p>This has been a day of disaster, when Dad. first went out this morning he found one of his pigs all in and the others going for it. He carried it over to the barn and later came to the conclusion that its leg was broken up in the "ham" so will have to kill it to-morrow. He also found the old gobbler sick and diagnosed the case as black-head, he died this afternoon. Enah considered he was worth five dollars. Then we noticed a big hard lump under Queenie's jaw to-night which Dad. says is very like distemper although she has no cough I noticed a small lump there some time ago but thought nothing of it. Lovely day much milder.</p> <p>Monday November 3rd</p> <p>I didn't do any chores before breakfast but wrote to Aunty instead. After breakfast I did up all the chores and about half past eleven went out and plowed a little, Huby came over with his gun before dinner but didn't get a shot at any thing, old Jonas came back again and he &amp; Huby husked all the after noon and got on well. Tom. Abbot said this morning that he might get one of the Bush's to come up and help husk for us. Dad. and I both went out after dinner, and he made two or three strike outs, and then went up to kill his poor little broken legged pig and I kept on plowing we will soon have the oat stubble plowed. Dad. hated to kill his pig but got forty pounds of dressed pork from him besides the jiblets.</p> <p>Jonas came over to-night, he is afraid the money that he sent to Tildson bouy, has gone astray, but Dad. assured him that he wouldn't lose it as he has the receit of his bank money order, he also gave us quite an entertainment on the mouth organ. It was a lovely morning but has been cloudy and rainy all the afternoon</p> <p>Tuesday November 4th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day to-day and is nearly over the road fence, I did chores this morning and transplanted the peony roots which I put in the garden the day Walter went away. This afternoon I pulled all the carrots and beets and nearly all the onions, we piled the carrots and beets in a pile to-night and covered</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>them for fear of frost, there were 6 1/2 bus. of carrots, what we have eaten so far would I think make 7, a yield at the rate of 784.1 busels to the acre. and 4 big bushels of beets on not half the ammout of ground as the carrots were on or a yield of 1102.78 bushels to the acre.*</p> <p>The onions were small and a lot of them soft, I just got a small basket full of them and there is another line to dig yet. Huby has husked all day and Jonas was here all morning but just got here in time to husk a couple of bushels before dark. Huby got a shot at a black duck in one of the holes in the timothy field but was too faraway, he was afraid he scared them away but they were back this afternoon but did not light although he scattered some corn in the swail hole. Dick got home to tea to-night for a change. Cloudy and cold all day looks rainy. *These figures are according to my calculations and may not be absolutely correct.</p> <p>Wednesday November 5th</p> <p>Frank caught a skunk under the cow stable in the trap he set last night. He and Tige are next to impossible to live with. He drove all the kids in school about crazy to-day. The cow stable was so thick aired that it tainted the cream. He skinned him to-night, he says it isn't a very good skin as there is too much white on it. Dad. plowed all day and finished the oat stubble. I went out with him at noon and we put on a load of rails from the gully fence and he hauled them up before he backed to the plow. I unloaded the load of soft corn that was on the waggon (21 bus) this morning and this afternoon I unloaded rhe rails, cut some of them up and sorted the Northern Spys. Huby and Jonas husked all day. It froze quite hard last night but has been a beautiful day. Frank and his Meccano outfit down for Cecil Lamb to play with.</p> <p>Thursday November 6th</p> <p>Dad. set off as soon as he could for Dunkin's with the ram this morning, he took Harry and Belle - and didn't get back till a quarter past two. He brought the imported ram back with him. I started to clean out a canal between one of the water holes in the timothy sod to the one in the oat stubble with the tile under in, I got it pretty well started, but found it would take a very deep ditch to carry it, and as the clay was so stiff I didn't get on very fast, I stopped when Dad. came home to help him unload the ram. and he said there was no use trying to plow the timothy sod this fall. as it is impossible to plow either through or around the water holes and it will waste too much time digging ditches between them so he is going to start on the other side of the gully. D. O. to-morrow and we will try to put tile in there after it freezes up. Huby husked all day but Jonas was only here for an hour or so at noon he has been sick with "information" all day, Huby says he wept bitterly out there for awhile, and then went to see the doctor. Beautiful day. Huby says it is Indian Summer and it certainly looks like it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday November 7th</p> <p>We got out good and early this morning as it didn't freeze at all last night. Dad took the new plow back over the gully and started to plow the field which we cut clover seed off. We got a good day in. Huby was over at seven o'clock this morning and got a full day in, although Jonas never showed up all day. I helped him all the after noon.</p> <p>This morning I carried all the apples amd vegetables down cellar. Lila came over after school to stay all night. Enah and Tiddums went down to see Cousin Clare who came yesterday. Cars. Rankin came over this after noon and took the light saddle and bridle which I am positive I bought from Dick last spring, but Dick evidently thinks he owns them as he sold them to Cars. for six dollars, I don't want tho the saddle particularly only if I have paid for them I would like the money. It has been a beautiful day; mild and sunny but is raining to-night.</p> <p>Saturday November 8th</p> <p>It rained all night and has kept up a steady and soaking in down pour all day with short intervals of no rain but no sunshine at all. After I did up the chores this morning I came in and chopped suet, cleaned lamp chimney's, and tidyed up all the papers which were stacked all around the kitchen. Dad. spent the whole morning in opening up ditches in the field he has plowed, he also paced it off and found it is nearly 10 acres. Frank cleaned the windows in the kitchen and played with Lila. This afternoon we did chores, I read a little and cut a little wood, about five o'clock Arthur Preston came over to inform us that they had our potatoes all and bagged up and could we could get them anytime, so Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger and we went after them. we took Lila down to the corner with us and she walked on home. We got 24 bushels of potatoes and they were 60 cts a bushel Joe &amp; Ginger were feeling pretty good as Joe hasn't been hooked up for over a week and Ginger all summer. Joe was glad to get beside Ginger again and "kissed" her profusely. We saw Jonas on our way home, he looks pretty sick and says the doctor told him he had a cut in his digestion.</p> <p>Sunday November 9th</p> <p>Soon after I got up this morning it began to snow although quite mild not having frozen all night. It turned to rain about noon and kept up all the afternoon with increasing severity, and to-night is terrific, but the snow has nearly all disappeared. Frank went down to church and Sunday school but the rest of us hardly went out of the house, except for Dad. and I to do chores, and this after noon Frank and Dad. went out and drove the sheep from the orchard to the shed at</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the hay barn. Dad. also opened the smoke house door to afford shelter for the old sow, she took advantage of it, and soon made a bed out of the alsike chaff he put in for her, taking the precaution to root the bricks from around the edge into the middle of it. Dad. and Frank also moved Frank's pigs from the old shed where they were about submerged to the barn floor which was dry. Dad. didn't milk to-night and didn't put any of the cows in thinking it would be warmer out around the stack and in the shed than in their stable as the wind coming in above the old barn doors which space has not been boarded up since we thrashed makes it cold and draughty. I read "The Wonders of Science in Modern Life" nearly all day. Dick slept most of the morning, had a bath, this afternoon, wrote to Aunty read and played checkers with Frank.</p> <p>Monday November 10th</p> <p>Soon after breakfast this morning, I went down and got Huby to come over and help up move the cook stove from the woodshed to the inside kitchen, Dad had it all ready to move when we got here so it didn't take long to move it Huby went back home together to dinner As Dad put the little stove up in the dining room as soon as he took it out of the kitchen it was well past into the afternoon when he got both stoves set up and late when we had dinner. After dinner I went down town and got some groceries, but didn't stay long. I read the rest of the time. The old sow broke out of the orchard last night and she and the sheep have been roaming at liberty all day. Art. Walker &amp; Charlie Butler were in with, the cream, can, check and butter saving Tom a trip, the check was $2.47 which was better than we expected as we have sent so little cream and bought all the butter there. It looks as if winter had set in. It has been freezing quite hard all day and snowing with a strong and very cold wind.</p> <p>Tuesday November 11th</p> <p>I cut a good big pile of wood this morning while Dad. was doing chores, we then went out and tore down quite a strip of the gully fence intending to haul it in this afternoon. Huby came over to husk corn soon after dinner. As it snowed most of the afternoon Dad thought he would not take the team out to haul the rails so we pitched off the load of clover seed instead. Dad also shovelled down to see if he could find the hole in the oat bin through which all the grain is escaping, but could find no sign of it. About four Dad. and I went out and helped Huby husk and stayed till a little after five and got four unhusked shocks husked.</p> <p>It was mighty inclement out there but Huby had a very comfortable wind break constructed of sheaves. Frank went to see Jonas to-night and says he is worrying terribly about everything, he wants Frank to feed his mare &amp; colt a little hay and chop once a day, I suppose he expects them to live at that rate</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I started to practice on my horn to-night but found the little nib broken off the second valve. Toaty has fixed it on twice already, so I don't think it is much use taking it to him again. It was nice and sunny this morning but turned cloudy and snowed all the afternoon, cold and windy all day.</p> <p>Wednesday November 12th</p> <p>Huby came over at seven o'clock this morning and husked corn all day, we both went out and helped him as soon as we could so got quite a lot done. Dad. had to go down to Flemming's at noon to see Chris Quanbury's cow which has some swelling on its jaw. I went down town after supper to get some groceries, footwear and my hair cut, Andrews was closed but I did the rest of my errands and took the valve of my horn to Toatys again for repairs. Walt said if I sent it to Whaley Royce &amp; co. it might be three weeks before I could get it again.</p> <p>I went up to the bank and waited there for an hour or two for Dick, he got back from the moving picture show about a quarter to ten and then worked awhile, Hazen was there when I went literally "stripped to the waist" looking for a mistake they made or have been looking for for about a week. Hazen &amp; Wiggins were looking for it when we left. I decorated Hazen's photograph album a little while I was there. Tupper was here while I was in town and wants one of us to go and thrash to-morrow. He ran a nail in his hand, and is just about laid up with it. Very much milder to-day, would have been perfect Indian Summer, but for a cold wind</p> <p>Thursday November 13th</p> <p>It was raining when we got up this morning so we did not hurry to get over to Tupper's. After breakfast it did let up for awhile so I went, it soon began to rain again and we didn't do a thing all morning, except talk, it is the most amusing, entertaining and typical conversation when Bill Donald, Win. Law and Tupper get to-gether. I stayed to dinner and we thrashed all the afternoon as it cleared off quite fine. I came home as far as the corner with Win Law who was driving to town Tupper will have about 60 bushels of alsike seed when he gets through some of it pretty good, he sold it to Green's man to-day for 8.50 cleaned up, he has a very sore hand where re ran the nail in it. I have to go back to-morrow.</p> <p>Huby husked corn this afternoon Dad said he worked out in all the rain and got the cow stable roof well repaired, and the chicken house roof nearly fixed, both with roofing paper, he also did up all the chores and to-night braided what seed corn we have up.</p> <p>Friday November 14th</p> <p>I got over to Tupper's about 8.30 this morning and they had just started when I got there, we finished the alsike just at noon, it was a pretty dirty job even after they put the blower out side before that it was a fright. After dinner we thrashed out his</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>three loads of Hungarian grass with the separator, it didn't take long which was lucky for if it had I for one would have croaked. Art. Walker, Harry &amp; I were in the mow and they had the blower shooting the chaff over our heads, and about as much came back on us as we were pitching out, and the air was full of it. While they ran the separator out and the clover mill in from the far barn I crawled over in the clover seed to enjoy a few minutes of rest, there were only three loads of clover seed and it took an hour and forty minutes to finish it up. I spent that short time in agony. For some reason or other all the muscles in my back and legs ached horribly and I thought they would never throw up the last forkful, I was pitching on the table to Art. Walker. We got through about five and I lit out for home before supper, after they had indulged in a very prolonged and ragtimey whistle to express their joy at being through with that job as they have been there over a week I think.</p> <p>On my way home I came on Sam. and his outfit at the foot of the big hill at the side road, the old engine evidently wouldn't go uphill without sliding so they were just putting the big calks on the wheels. They only had half enoug for one wheel which caused it to slide twice as much as the other and was hard to hold the front wheels in the middle of the road. It was dark when I got to the cornfield but I saw old Nig. in there and after a little hunting found Huby. and waited there with him till six, when I got to the house I was about ready to drop with cold and fatigue so crawled up as close to the stove as possible, I went to bed right after tea. I guess Dad. put in a busy day, he finished fixing the hen house roof, hauled in two loads of rails and a jag of corn. Huby husked from the middle of the forenoon on till six.</p> <p>This storm has been awful in Western Ontario and on the Upper Lakes especially Lake Huron. Over twenty wrecks and over three hunderd lives lost according to the papers which are full of it. We know old Quint is safe though as the Algonquin was reported at Port Coulborne on Monday I think he he has to make one more trip to Montreal before he goes up the lakes, after wheat, that will be the last of the season. In spite of the beautiful night last night it was raining when we got up this morning, but it soon cleared off bright, and is clear and cold to-night.</p> <p>Saturday November 15th</p> <p>We have had a busy day to-day. Huby was over at day break and went back first thing to the gully to see if he could get a shot at a duck, when he got to the top of the gully, he saw one a little way up from where he was but thought he saw another closer so crept up on it, he heard the one up the creek fly but thought he was sure of this one, as it didn't fly till he got so close to it and then discovered it to be a muskrat, he didn't shoot it at such close range for fear of spoiling its skin so came back empty handed and went to husking corn. It was frozen stiff early so</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>we thought it an extra good chance to get in the corn, we put off the jag (18 bush) which Dad. got in yesterday and got in three more before noon averaging 25 bushels apiece. Huby helped us while we were in the field and then went back to husking, so with Frank we got on fast. We brought the soft corn in at the same time in the back of the load it ran about five bushels to the load and we put it up above the pig pen.</p> <p>After dinner Dad. and Frank had to go down town to get coal oil, flour and do some other errands, which took up a lot of valuable time, I cleaned out the horse stables and got load in while they were gone, but when they got back it was snowing, however they got in two more loads, the last one of which they ran into the barn. I only helped get in part of the first load as the sheep got out on the wheat so I stopped to put them in and the last load I spent in putting the cows in and feeding them. Lila came over this morning and went back with Huby to-night.</p> <p>Sunday November 16th</p> <p>We got up very late this morning and Frank went to church and Sunday school and came around by McBains to tend to Jonas's horses. He says Jonas is worse to-day. The indigestion has gone down on his lungs; poor fellow is in bad shape. Dad. and I went down to see Chris Quanbury's cow after we did up the chores but as neither Chris nor Mr. Flemming were home and the cow was out, Dad. couldn't see much. We saw Jack Spain and Vyse on the latter's place and had a talk with them principally about the wrecks on the lake. Vyse says they are getting up a fund to help the widows and orphans of the drowned sailors. This after noon Huby came over with a fish and an awful pile of side line which Dave. Law had given him to make a line for digging and ditch, all the string where the nets were fastened has to be taken off. He and I then went back to the gully where we fell in with Frank who had previously gone back with his book "Trappers Guide" which he got from John {Hallam?}, it is the first thing in the literature line he has ever showed any interest in.</p> <p>Huby scattered corn all along the creek to coax the ducks and then we went back into the woods we saw one rabbit but Huby didn't get a shot at it, he got a lot of moss and ferns and a small bird's nest which he says he is going to use for a hunt {match?} receptacle. Dick went down town this afternoon, stayed to tea at Huby's, went to church and came home right after, he and I then made so much noise that Tiddums and Dad. had much difficulty one in staying asleep and the other in writing a letter to Aunty. Cloudy and raw.</p> <p>Monday November 17th</p> <p>Dad. and I unloaded the load of corn they ran in on the barn floor, Saturday night, it took a very long time as we had to sorted it out of the waggon, we then went after another load. and got it unloaded a little after noon. Huby helped us load and un-</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>load it as the corncrib is getting so full, that I had to stay in there to dump the bushels as far back as possible. This load took nearly all the good there is husked, there is not a load out there now. This after noon Dad. started plowing again over the gully. I cleaned out the cow stables and then helped Huby husk corn till dark. Cold and cloudy with raw wind.</p> <p>Tuesday November 18th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day and got on fairly well. Mr. Blaikie came back and had a visit with him this afternoon. I did chores this morning and braided some corn. I am going to have the drive house beautifully decorated with seed corn when I get it all braided. We were disappointed that Huby didn't show up all morning we don't know just why, but he came over at noon and he and I husked till about five o'clock it was nearly dark then. we got just five shocks husked, Jonas came over this morning, we don't know what his message was, he looks pretty sick and hardly talks above a whisper, but I think that is because he doesn't want to move than because he can't, the old jay has bought eight pigs and has nothing to feed them and is paying a man $2.00 a day to finish building his barn to shelter them. It has been a very disagreeable day, very foggy cloudy and a fine drizzle, one quite hard shower this after noon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>DIARY. 1913</p> <p>T B Barrett,</p> <p>Port Dover, Ontario</p> <p>The Farm</p> <p>From November 19th 1913 to December 31st 1913.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 19th 1913.</p> <p>Dad and I got up pretty early this morning and I braided some corn before breakfast. Huby came over but instead of husking this morning he helped me pick up apples for cider, I shook them down and he gathered them up and carried them over to the waggon which was in the lane as it was too soft to take it into the orchard. There were just enough apples left in the orchard to make the waggon-box full (26 bus) and we took them all except a bushel of Newton Pippins which I picked to put down cellar. Dad thinks we will have too many but Huby and I thought it best to be on the safe side, as we have Huby's two 10 gallon kegs to fill this time besides our 42 gallon barrel. We also scalded out the barrel and kegs, and hung up the braided corn in the drive house, we didn't finish the apples till half past two this afternoon, and then I picked the Newton Pippins cut wood and did chores till six, Huby husked corn till after dark, and just about when I was thinking of going out to see if any thing had happened to him, he came in drenched to the skin, he said he just wanted to finish the shock.</p> <p>He killed one of the drakes after dinner, he is going to get another later. Dad plowed all day and to-night had to go down to a school board meeting although it is a fierce night. I spent the evening braiding a long rope of seed corn. It has been cloudy and raining all day, not steadily nor hard but a kind of half hearted drizzle about every ten minutes, till about five o'clock to-night when it more than poured down and soaked Huby who stayed out in it to finish his shock. Every thing is covered in water. Dad. got back early from the school meeting, we don't know whether Dick will be home to-night or not.</p> <p>Thursday November 20th</p> <p>Dad and I left a little after nine for Walker Waddle's with our apples and got home about one. We had lots of apples, he said he could have filled another keg. He said one bushel of good apples would make about three gallons of cider. and that the sweet ones mixed in with the others would just make the cider right. We drove around by town coming home and left Hubys two kegs down there. Huby was wheeling Tiddums around the yard when we got home so he helped us get the big barrel into the woodshed.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad. drove Enah down town this after. She went to Mrs. Francis Henry Stringer's At Home with Aunty Maude while Dad. kept Tiddums in at Cousin Clare's. Clark Matthew's came over while they were gone and got eight more bushels of oats and four bushels of wheat. He paid me ten dollars for what he got to-day and eight bushels of oats he got the other day. The oats were 35 cts and the wheat 82 cts a bushel. I couldn't find any change in the house for him. I spent the rest of the after noon doing chores. Dad &amp; Enah didn't get back till after six. Huby husked corn all day but says he won't be over in the morning as he has some insurance to look after.</p> <p>We saw Ed. today at noon and he said he would be over to help us on Saturday. They are working short time in the mill now for some reason or other, they only work from eight to five week days and not at all on Saturday. We saw old Jonas when we went past this morning, he looks awful but thinks maybe he will pull through, he wanted {so---?} for his pigs and Dad. said if he had time he would bring him some, we left Tupper talking to him, he may cheer him up a little. Tupper told us he had fired Harry as he was no earthly good to him. It has been a beautiful day, it was quite hot this morning while the sun was shining.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday November 21st</p> <p>Tiddums broke one of the springs in his buggy this morning and as Dick didn't want to take it down I had to take it to Buller to see if he could fix it, he wasn't very sure about making a good job of it. When I got back I went over the gully where Dad. was plowing and threw the sod out of the ditches till noon. Dad. plowed all day and got a nice lot done. Huby didn't come over till noon and brought us a new dog, named Blucher, he is a great big yellow Scotch Collie with a white collar and face, he is a pretty dog and only nine months old which Huby says is the proper time to train him He got him from Bob. Rankin and just paid the taxes on him. Huby says he will train him all he can as soon as he gets so as he will stay here loose and not run to town. I did up all the chores after dinner and then helped Huby husk corn. Dad. was afraid the corn in the crib was getting musty but I dug into it a little and didn't think it was bad. Mr. Brirely was over to-night to buy a couple of ducks he is going to get them tomorrow night. It has been a lovely, sunny mild day like spring. It rained last night during the night.</p> <p>Saturday November 22nd</p> <p>This morning Ed. came over about eight o'clock so he, Huby and I husked corn till noon and got about seventeen shocks husked. Huby went home for dinner as he said he had some more insurance to see to this afternoon so couldn't come over. Ed. and I spent the afternoon tearing down the old windmill, and by to-night Ed. had it all down but the first section and it wont take long to finish it. Getting the big heavy head to the ground without hurting any thing or ourselves was the most ticlish job but we managed all right with a rope and pulley. This morning Dad. and Frank hauled Uncle Ward his ten bushels of corn and Jonas' eleven bushels of soft corn right out of the field. I think he is getting 35 cts a bushel for the good and 20 cts for the poor stuff. He said they dumped Jonas' right in one corner of the house which was in such an unsanitary and uninhabitable a condition as to make Dad sick for the rest of the day, heard Frank saw Allan Law to-night and he was quite uneasy about Jonas as he had told him that he was going to jump in the pond and end his miserable career if he wasn't better or dead in a day or so but I guess he will either forget it or think better of it when the time comes and he sees how wet that pond looks, the poor old fish is in misery though I guess, he looks like it.</p> <p>Dad. and Frank hauled in the rest of the corn that was husked this afternoon, and left it in the waggon box on the barn floor. Dad. and I went down town after tea to-night. I got some stuff and Dad. got his hair cut. Dick came home with us. Mr. Brirely came over to get his ducks to-night. Chris also came over and got a pair. It has been another beautiful mild sunny day windy to-night.</p> <p>Sunday December 23rd</p> <p>Frank went down to Sunday school and church and I drove Enah down to church. Dad. looked after Tiddums and cooked dinner. Dick slept all morning and went down town after dinner and probably to church to-night. This after noon Josie and I had a good ride up the Gravel to the cemetry corner and down the Radical. Frank and Blucher went back to the gully. Dad intended to go to church to-night but didn't get there as he wasted a lot of time going nearly back to the gukly thinking he saw the cattle in on the wheat</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but they were way over on the other side of the gully. and by the time he got settled down he didn't feel like getting fixed up and walking down town through the mud. It has been a nice day with a cold wind. We don't know whether it rained last night or not, Enah is sure she heard it raining in the night and there was a puddle of water on the kitchen floor under the leak, and Frank's coat which he left out all night was wet but the ground and all the boards seemed dry and the ceiling over the pool in the kitchen was perfectly dry. I did a little more drawing to-night.</p> <p>Monday November 24th</p> <p>I spent the whole day in knocking down the rest of the old windmill and clearing up the debris. I am not quite through yet. This afternoon I had to go back and drive Mully, Jim and Snowdrop out of the east end of the gully into the other end through the bluegrass and field where Dad is plowing which is the way they got in. I took the two dogs with me so had quite a time with the cows. Dad. plowed and Huby husked corn all day. Frank brought Tiddum's carriage back mended to-night and he was tickled to death to see it again, and jump in it althoug the spring is stiffer now than it was.</p> <p>Dick sent away for ten books for me to-day called "The Library of Original Sources" which I saw advertised in the "Literary Digest." It is supposed to be a collection of all the documents which have made history and translated. It cost $35.10 cash. I borrowed the money from Dad. It seems a lot to pay in a bunch, but books are mighty nice things to have especially for the long winter evenings on the farm. I suppose if I was town, the same ammount would dribble out in nickels and dimes in the course of a year. Dad. had to go to a school board meeting to-night and Frank went down with him to see the moving picture show. I guess I'll draw a little. It has been colder and very windy with two or three blinding but short snow squalls.</p> <p>Tuesday November 25th</p> <p>After I did the chores up this morning I helped Huby husk all day and by to-night we had only twelve shocks left to husk, we think under favorable circumstances we will be able to finish it to-morrow. Dad. plowed all day and he is nearly through wth that field. John Wess was over talking to him for a long time this morning, telling him about his barn roof. He hasn't paid for it because he is not satisfied and the company are going to sue him. Jonas was over for awhile at noon, he wants Frank to cut wood for him as the doctor has forbidden him to do it.</p> <p>Old Nig and Bluch got into a scrap this morning. Nig got jealous because Huby threw Bluch a corn cob to retrieve after letting Nig do it several times and he piled right into Bluch who would have killed him pretty quickly if Huby had not separated them, he couldn't keep Nig off till he kicked him in the jaw, this broke poor Nig's heart and he was sulky the rest of the morning, his little scrap cleared his old white eye up wonderfully except a little white spot in the middle. Cars. Rankin rode over to-night to see Bluch, who knew him afar off and was crazy to go back with him, Cars says he will bring the saddle back the first time drives over this way.</p> <p>To-nigh Dick and I went down to a dance in the town hall, where we had a good time. I didn't dance much because everytime I got up I would make a worse mess of it than the time before, they quit dancing about one but as they had nothing to eat there Dick, Truman Roadhouse and I went up to Jim Law's lunch counter and had a sanwich apiece after the thing was over, there were quite a few of the other dancers up there, so we didn't get to bed till about two o'clock. It has been bright and sunny all day but a cold breeze, to-night it was drizzling when we came home</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 26th</p> <p>It looked so rainy this morning that insted of plowing Dad. hauled in the rest of the good corn that was husked. It took us till noon as we had to unload the other load that was on the waggon and Dad. also fixed a couple of old crates. We just left this load on the waggon. Huby didn't come over till noon as he thought it was going to rain I helped him this afternoon but we didn't quite finish as there are four more shocks to husk yet. I was cold and didn't husk fast at all.</p> <p>Dad. plowed all the afternoon and has now finished all the field but the head lands, he was delayed as he had to chase the cattle out of the field where we burned the grass off. To-night Frank went down to Confirmation class and I spent the evening writing this and sleeping alternately. Very cloudy all day, drizzled a little but nothing to speak of</p> <p>Thursday November 27th</p> <p>Huby told us he wouldn't be over till about ten o'clock this morning as he was going to get us a long handled shovel to start ditching with. I cut wood and then went back and turned the cattle out of the alsike stubble, when I got back Huby wasn't here so I went out and got two shocks nearly husked by noon. Huby came over to dinner and he and I finished up the corn soon after dinner, we then took Nig, Bluch, and the shotgun back to the woods, we let Bluch loose back there and he behaved excellently, never going far away from us, Huby shot the gun off once accidentally and once on purpose to see what he would do and he wasn't at all frightened, so Huby says there is no danger of him ever being gun-shy now, we didn't get a shot at any thing and got back about four, we chained Bluch up again when we got home. Dad. finished plowing his field at noon and this afternoon did chores and raked the overhanging parts all off the stack. Dick told us that Jack Philips died last night Amy Turner was over to-day collecting for the Bible Society. It has been cold and a raw east wind all day.</p> <p>Friday November 28th</p> <p>We didn't get very much done to-day although we were up good and early. We went back and put the cattle out of the east end of the gully and the plowed field and fixed the fence so that they will have to stay out, we think. When we came up we braided all the rest of the seed corn and I hung it up in the drive-house after dinner, it certainly looks nice. I have driven nails just fifteen inches apart in the back four joists in the drive house, from the south wall over to the cross beam, there are just nine nails in each joist, on the back one I hung nine bunches with twenty or twenty five ears in each, it would look better if they were all the same, about twenty five ears to each, they can hang lower than the corn in front of them on account of being behind the buggy top and they just set the other off. The three front rows I braided into long ropes it would have been too heavy to handle to have braided a rope long enough to hang on the whole nine nails, so I made two ropes for each joist one seventy five inches long which hung on six of the nails and one thirty inches long to hang on three of the nails I tied a loop of binder twine every fifteen inches along the rope and at each end to hang them by, so the weight of the corn just sagged the rope enough between the strings to form a graceful loop. It might have looked better if I had made the two ropes even lengths for each joist say forty five inches long so one would take four nails and leave a row of nails down the middle on this row might be hung short bundles like those at the back only shorter so not to touch the buggy top. After I got through we unloaded the corn that was on the waggon it</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>was a big load, I think there was twenty eight bushels on After this we went and got the last load from the field, it was mostly poor stuff but a big load it was all we could do to pile the last of it on so as it would stay, it was roo late to unload it so we don't know how much there was on To-night I went down to the bankquet in the Sunday school for the men of the church. Dick and Dad were invited but neither of them went. Frank went down to help the ladies. There were two speakers from out of town, one Mr. King of Simcoe and the other Mr. Noble from Hamilton, speaking on "The Layman's Missionary Movement". There was a good many there.</p> <p>Huby came over at noon but didn't feel like working so took Bluch back to the woods, he didn't shoot any thing but an owl. Bluch has been running around here loose a good part of the day. It has been very cloudy all day, but not at all cold, looks stormy.</p> <p>Saturday November 29th</p> <p>Dad. took the plow out and opened out some ditches in the corn stubble this morning and Huby cleaned them out, if it stays fine a little longer we hope to get that plowed yet. I cut a little of the stack while he was out and when he came in, he hooked on to the hay rack and we went out and hauled in some corn stalks. Huby helped pitch on and Frank helped Dad. load so we got in two jags before dinner leaving the second load on the waggon, we didn't haul much at a time as they were a little damp. When they came in with the first load while I was opening the gate, they ran over Frank's smallest pig with both wheels of the waggon; just above the hips, so Dad. had to kill the poor little fellow, he only dressed 30 lbs.</p> <p>Huby went down town this afternoon but Ed. came over, he put in the afternoon fixing up the old house, he put in a window casing to fit two old frames we had, he made it on the north side where we hope to have the bench, he patched the floor and took the siding off the south side which is the wall to the ice house and boarded it up part way with inch stuff so that we can fill the space with saw dust. Dad. had to go down town this afternoon to interview the Council and get a rebate of three dollars on his taxes as they charged him four dollars for one doz. I supposed the mistake happened when Edmund England was assessing last spring Ed. Aikers dog was here Ham Thompson was in this morning to see Dad. about a sick cow. and Mr. Oliver Theshell from Vittoria was here this afternoon to get the recipe of some blister which Dad. told him about for ring bone and he forgot it. It was cloudy and a heavy mist all morning but fine and bright this afternoon, cold wind all day.</p> <p>Sunday November 30th</p> <p>Frank was the only member of the family who went to church this morning. I was too late to get ready so started a letter to Aunty but haven't finished it yet. Ham. Thompson's man came after Dad. to go and see his sick cow. Dad. was gone till noon, and drove Ham's man home to dinner and then went back and spent the whole afternoon, he feels rather sick to-night.</p> <p>Enah and Tiddums and I drove out to Jim Waddle's this afternoon, Jim had gone to town after some bread but the rest of the family was home. We were there quite awhile. Tiddums got hungry and ate up nearly all the bread they had in the house and drank a lot of milk, we got home about dark. Frank went back to the gully and took Blucher back, he came up and got some traps and set them. Dick went down town. I went to church to-night and came home with Dick who was there. Beautiful day, sunny and mild</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday December 1st</p> <p>Huby came over this morning and we hauled corn stalks all day, we had to unload the load in the barn first thing so didn't get a very early start, as the barn was as full as we wanted to put it, we didn't haul any more in but put up some huge shocks on the clover sod, just near the corner of the orchard, we put up six of these big shocks with an average of five shocks in each one, we binded them all up tight with a sling rope before we bound them with sideline or binder twine. we built a small shock on the top of one and think we will top them all out as it will keep the water out much better, we have the field more than half cleared and hope to finish to-morrow if it is a nice day.</p> <p>Blucher was out there with us this after noon and the three dogs did away with three or four big rats and a number of mice. He minds Huby pretty well when he says "Come in" but not so well when he is excited as he chased both Fitz and the sheep. Old Mr Rankin was over to see if he could get some corn but Dad. told him he wasn't going to sell any more. Huby brought word over this morning that Tom Casper and Toad Long Long wanted some. {illegible} sent the money so he will have to get his and Charlie Law will have to have his but we need the rest.</p> <p>John Quanbury was over this evening to see about us subscribing to the church Dad. gave him a little more than he has been giving and I put in a little. Aunty Maude got a card from Quint to-day saying he would be home on Friday. We got a letter from Aunty to-day saying Uncle Hal was pretty sick, having had some kind of a stroke. Mrs. McBride has been here all day, washing. It has been another lovely day cloudy but very mild.</p> <p>Tuesday December 2nd</p> <p>We hauled cornstalks all day and built five more big shocks and topped out two more, we intended to top them all out but found it took to much time. There is just about enough left out there to make another shock and haul a load in the barn. Nig didn't come over to-day but the other dogs caught more rats. Huby gave Bluch another lesson this morning on "Come in" and also to come to heel, he took him him with the sheep and when Bluch came beyond his leg he hit him in the face with a swich and say "heel", it didn't take Bluch long to know what he meant and not bother with the sheep.</p> <p>We had a very entertaining visitation this after noon from three kids. Jimmy Rankin, Jimmy Dickerson and Bobby Low. The two Jimmys were about six or seven and Bobby a year or so younger. They came over to see Bluch and Jimmy Rankin who was spokesman for the party told Huby that May wanted him to steal him and bring him home. He was showing us how he had Bluch trained. He could make him sit still by holding his fore finger up right in front of the dog's eye and then sternly interrogate him "See that finger". They came through the orchard and scared the sheep so Huby easily persuaded them not to go back that way as the old ram and the old sow hid around to-gether watching for little boys, the old ram knocked them down and the old sow came right after him and ate them up, she was just finishing the little fellow they got this morning.</p> <p>Jimmy happened to mention that some one had been stealing their clothes off the line, so Huby told him that as old Tige Anderson had been so keen for them to get rid of Bluch, there was no doubt that he stole the clothes and Huby also told them that he caught him once stealing his clothes, and got the shot gun to shoot him but when he came out he was gone. Jim. then rembered seeing Tige with one of his father's shirts on and Jimmy Dickerson saw him one day stealing their clothes. We took them out to the field and they were just preparing for an exciting rat hunt when Bobby got home sick and the other boys had to go home with him. After tea I went down town to meet Louise. The train</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>wasn't in when I first went there so I walked up town met Hazen, and went into Waddle's store with him, when I came out I heard the train in so started of down street lickety larup, on my way I ran into a very small boy and knocked him flat. I thought he was killed but on picking him up found it to be Jimmy Rankin and had just hurt his knee. Dick was at the station and met Louise and went up to Hubys with her where I met them and walked home with Louise. Dick had to go back to work. Frank went down to some cadet organization of Harry Noon's. They got a card from Aunty saying Uncle Hal. was worse. Anothe nice day cloudy &amp; mild.</p> <p>Wednesday December 3rd</p> <p>Huby didn't get over very early this morning and as old West came over to see if he could get some corn, we didn't get a very early start. Old West is about the worst blow I ever heard I guess Bill. Cooper comes by his lying streak honestly. He was telling all the wonder full stunts he performed when he was young. and he is now nearly 91 and willing to bet any man of his own age ten dollars that he cant beat them in a fast race "wrastle" or fight. He went back the lane from here to John Wess to look for corn and Huby and I saw him down town aparently working at Mrs. Fawcetts house this afternoon.</p> <p>Dad. and I went out and got one load of stalks, and built a shock, then Huby came over and we got the last load up to the barn a little before noon This after noon Huby and I took Joe and Ginger down town and delivered the corn we promised we also had to unload the soft corn which was in the waggon. As near as I can estimate we had about four hundred and forty two bushels of corn, we have about 317 bushels in the crib which wouldn't hold much more than twenty more bushels and trhen be filled to the top. 82 bus. of soft corn {5?} bus. of seed and we have sold 38 bus. Huby and I took Mrs Charlie Law down five bus. and Toad. Long 12 this afternoon at 35 cts a bushel. Jack Martin and Wilson McRhason wanted to get some but we have no more to sell except a little to Uncle Ward. There have been an awful lot after us, we could have sold the whole crop if we had wanted to.</p> <p>Huby and I picked up Jimmy Rankin when we were down there and brought him back with us but he got cold. Dad. started to plow the corn ground when we left but said he couldn't get on well at all with the Peter Hamilton plow as it would turn the furrow over to stay, so when we got home we went back over the gully and got the Cockshutt, which worked much better. After this Huby raked down the stack when we put the horses in and I carried in some bed. It was then dark and Huby took Jim. home. Cousin Clare came over to dinner and Cousin's Loll &amp; Phoebe came over afterwards. Uncle Hal. is about the same. Old Tommy Gilles is very ill, not expected to live It has been a lovely day sunny and very mild considering.</p> <p>Thursday December 4th</p> <p>After I did chores this morning I went back and threw the sod out of the crossditches in the field Dad. plowed across the gully and Huby shovelled them all out. He ditched all the afternoon, but I drove Louise up to the Bowlby's, where she is going to stay till after the opening of St. John's church. Dick went with us and he and I went on into Simcoe where he got a cap and some collars and I got old 4700's hide it just cost $1.50 to have it tanned and it makes a lovely mat, we put Tiddums on it when we got home but he was afraid of it.</p> <p>We went around to Rus. Lamkin's shop to see him about the windmill but there was no one there. We got home a little before six. I let Dick out at the head of Main St. as he expected to have to work. He found there was a dance down at the Rankin's so went to it. Joe didn't go well at all on the way up but much better coming home. We wasted a little time by starting to drive up the new Railway survey from the gravel to the next concession but came to a big gully quite a long way up where they hadn't put the culvert in yet so had to retrace our steps. Dad. got a good early start plowing this morning but didn't get much done as he couldn't get the coulter to work. He put the rolling coulter on but couldn't fasten it properly. till Tupper came along and fixed it for him. Cloudy with raw wind. We had no word about Uncle Hal. to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday December 5th</p> <p>Dad. got another fine start this morning, got out soon after seven and got a nice lot plowed, the corn roots bother a little but every thing else is all right now. I did up about all the chores. Huby came over about nine and wanted to try the hay knife which he sharpened yesterday so we cut a big stripe of the stack, the then went back and shovelled ditches he got pretty well through with the field over the gully and has started in the oat stubble which Dad. plowed next the timothy sod.</p> <p>I went out this morning and tore down a lot more of the old gully fence. Dad. hauled the waggon out there at noon and I loaded it up with rails and he hauled it up to the house to-night. I also worked for a little while at the old house. There was no word from Aunty again to-day. They expected Quint. home to-night but I don't know whether he will get here or not as the last we saw of the Algonquin reported was at Detroit. Beautiful day, sunny and warm.</p> <p>Saturday December 6th</p> <p>Dad. plowed all day but didn't get on very well as it froze hard enough to make the ground sticky when the sun came out and he is in the lowest and wettest part of the field so it was pretty muddy, both he and the horses are tired to-night. After I did up all the chores this morning I gave the hen house a through cleaning and put fresh straw in. I have decided to take the managership of the hens and see if I can make any thing out of them for Frank doesn't seem to be able to, he evidently thinks there is more money in trapping muskrats, and maybe there is but I don't care for the work. I put some manure on the rose bushes, rhubarb and peonys.</p> <p>This afternoon I cleaned up all the chaff and dirt of the hay barn floor and put it over in the chicken yard. Frank did a few chores this morning and spent the rest of the day back in the gully and digging out an empty skunk hole down at the pond on McBains place. Dad. Frank and I caught all the pullets that were rooting around the barn to-night and put them in the chicken yard, there are about 30 white ones besides about a dozen old hens of various breeds. I went to bed soon after tea to-night - bad cold - Another nice mild day not so sunny.</p> <p>Sunday December 7th</p> <p>We didn't get up very early this morning and as I had quite a bad cold I didn't go to church. Dick drove Enah down and Dad looked after Tiddums and cooked dinner. Frank went to Sunday school and church, I put in most of the after noon doing chores and shelling corn for my chickens. Dad. helped me. I got two eggs to-day which is a starter. Dick went down town this after noon and stayed pretty late, he bought a very nice looking watch last night for twelve dollars. Dad. and I went down to church to-night. It rained a little last night and this morning and was very mild till noon but then started to snow a little and got steadily colder all the after noon and to-night it is freezing hard with a cold north wind.</p> <p>Monday December 8th</p> <p>I put in most of the day putting in panes in the cow stable window which I had in the house. Dad. worked out in the barn fixing up the empty space between the granary and cow stable for a calf pen, we are going to floor it if we can. We also did chores and shelled a little corn, we found the bushel of soft corn weighed about 40 lbs and when shelled about thirty. Harry Graham and Charlie McKenzie were over this afternoon to get Bob. Miller's corn they took about 10 bushels but didn't measure it very accurately. Charlie said he would take the turkeys at 18 1/2 cts a pound live weight but that I think is higher than is quoted in the 'Globe'. Jonas came over as we were having tea to-night and helped us eat it. He is feeling very much better but looks pretty fishy yet. He is going to try and get the farm up the Radical where Mrs. Cory lived. He was telling us some of his experiences of the road as he evidently was a pedlar at one time. He has heard that Sairy's rich bachelor brother is very ill and I guess he is expecting a little if he dreeps off.</p> <p>We had a letter from Aunty to-day saying Uncle Hal was still improving and as that was written five days ago we hope he is very much better by this time. Frank. skinned two muskrats to-night and is now playing checkers with Jonas. It has been snowing and blowing all day. the wind is very cold but the sun was out for awhile and was warm in it and out of the wind. The ground is frozen solid so that there is no chance of plowing.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday December 9th</p> <p>Dad. and I went down town with the waggon this morning and got some groceries and 22 twelve foot plank 10 inches wide to put down in the old barn between the granary and the cow stable and from the door to Dreadnought's stall for a floor to the calf pen, we got home about noon. We met Huby &amp; Quint coming over for a shout they stayed to dinner. Quint. got home yesterday noon, and has a lot to twel if he is asked. We talked to them for quite awhile after dinner but Huby said he had to go back to town this afternoon. He said last night just as they were going to bed they heard an awful racket going on and discovered it was a bunch having a shiveree in honor of Gint Rankin who was married about a week ago. Huby and Quint went over and Tom. Low treated the bunch up at Jim's lunch counter where there was a great celebration and concert.</p> <p>Just as we were going to get to work after Quint and Huby. left, Mr. Blaikie came along to overhaul his {chists?} and stayed till it was time to do chores. He has been helping Tupper plow, he was plowing sod yesterday a little and as there is no more sod to plow they can't go on. Mrs. Smythe was in about five to ask Enah and me to stay to dinner at their place on Sunday but I guess we are coming home. I spent quite awhile to-night getting up a time card for the horses. I only got one egg to-day. Frank went down town to-night to go to his cadet class. It has been freezing hard all day but not so windy or cold as yesterday. Cloudy pretty much all day.</p> <p>Wednesday December 10th</p> <p>Jonas came over this morning to take the heifers down to the "Bain" place. Dad. had to go with hm and lead the yearling, they didn't have much trouble I guess. Bessie the calf ran away from Jonas once or twice at which he crew bitterly. It rant into Ivey's the first time but came out when it saw Sairy. I cut some wood while Dad. was gone and started to make a hopper for the chickens, and then did chores till noon When Dad. came home he cleaned a couple of chickens. This afternoon I read quite awhile and puttyed nearly all the glass in an old window frame which we will use for the barn or old house, the glass was all in it but just fastened with carpet tacks, we didn't get much else done. Green's man was in to-night to buy hay but we don't want to sell any, at least not now. It has been cloudy but very much milder to-day snowed a little to-night.</p> <p>Thursday December 11th</p> <p>We didn't get any thing but chores done to-day as Mr. Morgan came over this morning and stayed most of the afternoon. I ordered some trees from him fifty Carolina Poplars and two English Walnuts. - $9.00 Dick came home to tea to-night and went down to the dance. I didn't go. We fed the sheep a few oats this morning and evening for the first. I didn't get any eggs to-day. It has been nice and sunny but freezing hard all day. Clear and cold to-night.</p> <p>Friday December 12th</p> <p>We did up all the chores this morning and I helped Dad nail the boards over the doors on the south side of the old barn, I also made a littlle more of my feed hopper, and Dad killed three nice chickens and plucked them this afternoon he says he will have to clean them to-night. This afternoon I drove Enah down town, and she got a whole buggy load of Christmas groceries and dry goods. I put Joe in at Butler's intending to have her shoes set, but got Butler to fix one of the uprights of the buggy top thinking he would ony be a few minutes, but he put a new piece in and took all the afternoon so than I couldn't have Joe shod.</p> <p>There was a shooting match this afternoon and Huby &amp; Quint got quite a bunch of pigeons between them, Huby gave Enah a couple to bring over he also gave her a fish he said he worked down at the fish shanties till midnight last night helping them take fish out of the nets which were in quite a bad mess with the ice. Jonas was over to-night and he and Frank are playing checkers again I think they are about even tonight. Jonas beat him two games out of three the other night and Frank is the champion player of this family. It has been very much milder to-day, sunny with strong south west by west wind.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday December 13th</p> <p>I went out this morning and tore down a lot more of the gully fence, Dad. cleaned the chickens he killed yesterday and then came out and we put on a load of rails. We unloaded them before dinner and Dad. went down to the mill and got a bag of flour. This afternoon we got all the rails I tore down in two loads then did chores. Frank did a few chores and errands and hunted the rest of the day. He shot a skunk back in Robert John's this after noon and when he went up to it found it caught in a trap. He took it all the same, and brought it home and skinned.</p> <p>Lila was over most of the day she said Quint went over to Erie this morning on the tug. It has been a lovely day, sunny and mild, the frost is nearly all out of the ground. I saw some body over in the alsike stubble this morning with a big white ferret, thinking it might be Quint I went over but found it was Sam. George, he, his father, Harry Burch and Wilson McPherson were all out after rabbits but I didn't hear them shoot much</p> <p>Sunday December 14th</p> <p>Frank went to Sunday school this morning and Enah and I drove up to St. John's. It was the first service in the church since it was burned, but as the Bishop wasn't there they did not dedicate it. The church was packed full and so was the grounds in front I had to tie Joe to a tree but she was all right They had three preacher's. Mr. Evans from Montreal or Ottawa or somewhere down that way, Mr. Edward the regular one and a lay reader. We didn't stay to Communion.</p> <p>After church we drove Louise nearly up to the Bowlby's and then came home by the fourth concession through Lynn Valley, and got home about half past two. Dicky Smith was here after his heifer which he took home this afternoon. I didn't do any thing the rest of the after-noon but shell a little corn and read "The Lady of the Lake." Frank went back to the gully and Dad did chores. Dick didn't get up till noon and then had a {words cut off} his dinner and went down town and is not back yet to-night It barely froze last night and has been thawing all day but was cloudy with a raw west wind. Cars. Rankin and Quint came over with Dick to-night. Quint borrowed Bluch to take to Marhay tomorrow to hunt rabbits. They didn't stay long.</p> <p>Monday December 15th</p> <p>It froze pretty hard last night so Dad. wasnt able to plow as he had hoped. We did chores and Rus. Lampkins drove in soon after breakfast and was here quite awhile till Dad. ordered a windmill, he thought about getting a gasoline engine, and could have got a little 1 1/2 h.p. engine for fifty five dollars but it wouldn't be strong enough to do much more than pump water and one that would do any thing would come about $122. so Dad. thought a $75 windmill would be the best till we get a place rigged to put an engine especially as a windmill is not nearly as liable to get out of repair as an engine and costs nothing whatever to run it.</p> <p>This after noon Dad. and I took the tank off "The Little Giant Sprayer." to have it ready to put in front of the windmill, I took the little two cylinder pump down to the ditch and tried it and and it works fine. Quint brought Bluch back, he said he worked all right but they only got one rabbit. Quint stayed all night he slept on the sofa with all his clothes and boots on. He was cutting some wood for us to-night and the saw broke so he spent half the evening repairing it. I drew all evening and have nearly finished the picture Aunty sent me to draw for Aunt {illegible}. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day and she and Enah have our room fixed up slick as a button with a new carpet it looks fine. Frank brought a cedar waxwing home and put it in the orchard Lloyd Ryersie caught it up at school although there didn't seem anything the matter wth it. It has been a lovely sunny day though freezing in the shade. milder to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday December 16th</p> <p>I went down town as soon after breakfast as possible this morning and got the storm window sash at Stickney's and took them up to Mr James for him to glaze them. I got an old</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>sash down at Huby's than I thought might do for the barn but it is pretty badly smashed. Huby came home with me and has worked all day opening up ditches in the corn stubble. Dad. plowed all day and except for it being a little sticky on the surface and a frozen clod here and there, the ground is drier and in better shape than before it froze up. He got on fairly well but has part of a day to put in yet. I just did chores this afternoon except for a little while I was out in the field. Cousin Clare came over this morning while I was down town and is staying all night. Quint went down with Dick this morning. Very mild but cloudy. Dad. ordered some fence to-night from Sid McBride.</p> <p>Wednesday December 17th</p> <p>Huby was over before daylight this morning and shovelled ditches all morning. This afternoon he cleaned out all the loose straw and sticks out of the old barn between the granary and the cow stable. so as we can lay the floor for the calf pen. Dad. plowed all day and finished up the corn stubble all but the head land, he couldn't get along very fast as it froze a little last night to make it sticky on top. I did chores most of the day and helped Huby a little this afternoon besides cleaning off the dropping boards in the hen house. Cousin Clare went home this afternoon, she is going to Hamilton to-morrow to stay till after New Years. We heard to-day that Mrs. McBride's house caught on fire last night and some one who just happened along the road got it out. Aleta went down town and left the two little kids nailed in the house and they got playing with a stick which was part way out of the stove. It didn't do much damage. Another nice day, windy and inclined to be cloudy.</p> <p>Thursday December 18th</p> <p>I got up a little after four this morning and wrote a letter to Aunty before daylight. Huby put down the floor over in the barn for the calf pen this forenoon and I was over there with him all morning but didn't do very much except clean out the cow stable. Dad. plowed the head land on the corn field and finished up some bits in the other field and plowed out the ditch from the water hole to the gully which Huby is going to put tile in. This afternoon Dad. and Huby cleaned out the ditch for the old drain this afternoon they do think it is going to work all right. I put in the entire afternoon doing chores. To-night Huby stayed to tea and helped us catch the turkeys as we have to take them down to-morrow Dad. caught them out of the tree. and gave them to Huby who handed them over the orchard fence to Frank and me and we put them up over the hog pen, there were nineteen but one was roosting so high up that Dad. couldn't get it, it was a hen and as they wanted to keep three old hens and one young one it didn't matter. One gobbler got away and struck off into the orchard. We followed him up with the lantern and after quite a search found him way and weighed him, he weighed 20 lbs, so we marked him as Henry Odd was over to-night and wanted to buy one. Jack Martin's men are going to give him one for a Christmas present. Tiny and Miss Ethel Phipps were over this afternoon. Snowed a little this morning and has kept groing colder all day. west wind.</p> <p>Friday December 19th</p> <p>We didn't get started very early this morning to get the turkeys loaded and it took us quite awhile to load them as we weighed each one.The heaviest was 20 lbs and the lightest about 12. Jack Martin's shrunk about a pound during the night. We kept 3 old hens for next year, 2 gobblers for Huby and us for Christmas and 2 young hens one for Cousin Loll and one for Jameses so we just took eleven down to Bob. We just tied their feet and put them in the waggon and covered it over with the binder canvas. We got down town about noon and were down about an hour. Bob's weight came to 165 pounds and we made it 171 but with the Old Spring Balance where the ounces aren't marked likely we made a mistake, so we got $30.52 from Bagley and Miller, and Jack Martins came to $3.50 It was about one when we got home, we went around by Huby's and got the little high chair and crib for Tiddums, and a wheel barrow load of cabbages from Uncle Ward. We met Huby coming over on our way down and he finished putting down the floor in the barn. This after noon Dad. and he went down town to get gravel to build the posts for the windmill foundation. Dad. had to go around by the mill with some oats to be chopped, so Huby went right down to the beach to locate some good gravel</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and to see if he could borrow a pick somewhere in case the sand was frozen but he couldn't get one and I guess didn't need it. He couldn't find any gravel on the beach except some piles which Mr. Porter told him Ivey's men had raked up yesterday, so Huby said quoting some Greek Scripture "First come first served" and they took what they wanted of that. Dad said it would have washed away soon any way as the lake was pretty high. They came around by town and got the storm windows and picked Frank up somewhere.</p> <p>I did chores all the afternoon and got three eggs which is the most yet. Mrs. McBride has been here all day and half the night, cleaning the kitchen, picking ducks and a chicken and ironing. To-night I printed pictures and had good luck. Dad. found out this morning that instead of the cistern pump being out of order as we thought yesterday the cistern was dry, so will have to be cleaned out as this is the first time since we have been here that it went dry. Lovely day, froze last night but mild.</p> <p>Saturday December 20th</p> <p>I cleaned all the straw out of the hen house this morning and put fresh in. I had to cut a slice off the stack for straw. Dad. started to put on the storm window but found that Mr. Jones had bored the holes to close to the in side of the sash so the screws wouldnt catch the casing. He then cleaned out the cistern and it took about an hour, we pumped out what little water was in it and then Dad shovelled up quite a few pails full of black muck and pieces of cement. It is a brick cistern with a coat of cement all over the brick and some of the cement was off which caused a leak, so this afternoon Dad went down and got a load of sand and some cement and saw Frank Slocomb who is coming over on Monday morning to fix it up.</p> <p>I did chores all the afternoon. Frank went down town with Dad. and cut wood this morning, he and Lila and Bluch went back to the gully to-night. Charlie Shand was in to-night to see if he could trade off a turkey hen but I said he couldn't as his was a mongrel. but Dad. said he could have had Huby's turkey. This was Tiddums first birthday anniversary. I suppose he will have to be Jim now. Lila was over all day and brought him a great line of toys. Uncle Hal also sent him a pair of overalls and a toy whip. We had a rooster for dinner which Mrs. McBride cleaned and got a pretty fair crop of corn out of it. Beautiful day sunny and fine but cloudy to-night.</p> <p>Sunday December 21st</p> <p>I drove Enah down to church this morning, she had to play the organ. Elva had to stay home to look after her mother who broke her ankle the other day. Frank went down to Sunday School and Church, Dad. stayed home to look after Tiddums and Dick was in bed all morning. This afternoon I went for a ride, I went out to the Shand's first to tell them they could trade turkeys, all but Mr &amp; Mrs Shand had gone to Sunday school. Mr. Shand said he would be in tomorrow afternoon with the turkey and Mrs. Shand gave me some peanuts that her brother had grown in Virginia. I did stay long but went up to the corner and rode west to the next corner which is where the blue line crosses the fourth concession, and down that road to where the new rail road comes out on Tige Anderson's place. I rode down it as far as I could go but as there was a sudden drop and a fence at the end of it I had to come back and go down Ham Thompson's lane to his woods, then had to unwire a piece of fencing to get into his wheat field and a cross his wheat to the gate opening on to the radical road, and home through town, and on the whole spent a very enjoyable afternoon. Dick spent the afternoon down town and Frank prowling around the upper pond. Dad. did the chores. Very mild this morning but turned colder and is freezing hard to-night.</p> <p>Monday December 22nd</p> <p>Frank Slocomb came over this morning to plaster the cistern, he went over the whole thing as so much of it was loose and he thought he could make a better job, he will have to come back again in the morning as there are two or three places where the cement is put on thick that it doesn't stick very well to the brick. Dad. had to watch it and keep it plastered up all day, as Slocomb was only here for an hour or so this morning.</p> <p>Enah went down town this afternoon and Dad. put on another storm window, he is putting them on now with wooden buttons. I did chores, read a good short story and helped him a little. About four o'clock Colin McNeilley came after him to go and see a sick cow so he didn't get back till dark. Mr. &amp; Mrs Shand came in with their turkey to trade and got theres on their way back from town. Mrs</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Shand came to call but no body was home. Dick told Enah that the windmill was here so Dad. went over to Mr. Quanbury's to telephone Rus. Lampkins and he said he would be down tomorrow afternoon to take it off the car. Dick also told her that Louise wanted me to drive up and get her tomorrow. Mr James gave Enah a new rasin seeder tonight that works all right and Frank is busy seeding rasins with it now. Frank got out of school early to-night and doesn't have to go back till after New Year's. Very mild and nice all day but cloudy.</p> <p>Tuesday December 23rd</p> <p>Frank Slocomb came over again and finished the cistern he made a good job of it. and only charged a dollar. I rode Joe down town first thing and got her shod. While Butler was shoeing her, I went up town and did some Christmas shopping - ahem -. I met Huby on my way down with a pickax he had fixed up with a bit which Bill Oakes gave him and a handle he bought and Joe {Hawel?} put it in and sharpened it for him. He came over and helped Dad. pluck the four turkeys.</p> <p>This afternoon he, Dad. and Frank went down with the waggon and got the windmill off the car. Rus. Lampkins was there and said it was alright.I cleaned out the cow stables, shelled corn and read at the same time while they were gone. Huby ground our axe he brought over the other day when they got back, and Frank went back to the gully and caught a muskrat. I intended to go up and get Louise this after noon but it was such a disagreeable afternoon decided to wait till to-morrow and stand a chance of having sleighing but from the looks of things now I would have done better to have gone this afternoon.</p> <p>Vyse was over this morning to settle up with Dad for thrashing and some things that Dad. {used?} him for. Dad. wouldn't take anything for thrashing for him but I got a dollar out of it. Frank and Enah are making candy to-night and Dad is drawing and dressing turkeys. It started to snow soon after breakfast this morning and kept up till noon getting milder all the time till this after noon it turned to rain and the water is running into the cistern yet. Dick told us to-night there was a fire in the Wide Spread to-night. They got it out but were afraid it damaged the machinery considerably. $200.00</p> <p>Wednesday December 24th</p> <p>We all overslept ourselves this morning and so I didn't get started up to the Bowlby's till nearly ten o'clock, however I got Louise and was home by noon. The roads were a little slushy but not bad. Colin McNeilleys came after Dad to go and see his cow again and he got home just before we did. This after noon Dad. and Frank went down town to take the turkeys to Cousin Loll and Mr James and the duck to Ed. and also do some shopping. I fooled around quite a lot and then did chores and shelled corn. It has been very mild all day and the snow is nearly all gone, the cistern has got a good lot of water in it, we just got it fixed in time.</p> <p>Thursday December 25th</p> <p>I was up at about a quarter to six this morning and routed the family out of bed, and Louise, Enah and I drove down to eight o'clock communion, and Dick walked down, after I got home I did chores and Dad. and Frank went down to the eleven o'clock service, Dick came back soon after church and went back to the gully to see if there was any ice but there wasn't. Aunty Maude and Lila drove back with Dad, and Frank, Quint and Win. walked over. Huby never showed up all the afternoon - darn him. We had dinner about two o'clock and as I hadn't had any thing to eat since last night except a piece of bread &amp; butter and nine wintergreens, I stowed away a large quantity of turkey and plum pudding and many other things.</p> <p>After dinner we kicked up a terrible row for about ten minutes while Tiddums tried to go to sleep, we then doled out the presents. I drew a pile of presents, socks heavy and light from Frank and Lila, shirt from Dick, handkerchief from Win, perfume talcum power etc. from Cousin Clare, photograph album from Aunty Maude and Dad. &amp; I got four copies of Punch from Louise, and Ray is sending me a new diary for 1914. After this Dick and Quint went down town and I think Dick went to a dance to-night. Aunty Maude, Lila and Win. went home about dark, we didn't have any tea but gormed Louise's chocolates all evening. Tiddums has been rather all in to-day, we think it may be due to his swallowing a grain of</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>corn yesterday, we don't know that he did swallow one but I gave him a cob to play with while I was shelling it for the chickens and there was a grain off it when I took it away from him, but he hasn't been at all well all day. Raw &amp; cloudy all day but not cold Snowing and blowing to-night.</p> <p>Friday December 26th</p> <p>Dad. lost a considerable ammount of peaceful slumber last night wondering if the stack had blown over as there was quite a wind, at last he got about four o'clock and went and looked, but found it still standing, so went back to bed and didn't get up till after daylight, neither did I, consequence being that we got very little down to-day but chores. I shelled a little corn cut a little wood and read a little. Frank went down town and got the mail and some parcels Roy sent up a bread mixer for Enah which was just what I and somebody else had ordered for her but which hasn't come yet. He also sent me two Diary books like the ones I have used for the last two years. The first one was one of Dad's old veterinary college books and last year I sent to Catona for one but had to pay more than the price of the book in postage. I also got a necktie from Byron and Fred Johnson and another from Aunt Lena. There was also a letter from the University Research Extension Company saying they had shipped "The Library of Original Sources" long ago and that if we don't get them soon they will ship another set and go after the Express company. Dad. &amp; Enah purpose to give me them for a Christmas present but I have set my heart on paying for them myself.</p> <p>To-night Dad. though he would put the calves in so Frank and I went out to help him, after a lot of chasing we succeeded in getting Charlottes calf who is tamest into the barn, then after a lot more chasing Dad. got one of the sling ropes and lassoed Mully's calf first throw, but couldn't manage to rope the other two until he had put out hay for the young stock when he made some very clever throws and caught Spots calf first time around the horns and Bobbies with a little more trouble around the neck we were a little afraid he would get hurt as the others seemed to be hunting him around quite a bit but we left him there We then caught all the rose combed roosters and put them up over the pig pen. To-night we spent a rather hilarious evening as Enah and Louise supplied us with lots of music. Dick came home rather late with more mail from which I drew a necktie from Jean &amp; Adelana and a dandy big pocket book from Grand daddy I have been writing this in spats all the evening and as it is getting on to half past twelve I feel I must get to bed.</p> <p>It froze hard last night and snowed quite a bit and there has been a cold north and west wind all day, but sunny and otherwise not bad. Enah took a picture of Tiddums to-day, she had him all dressed up in a suit of bouncers or rompers or what ever they call it which Aunty Maude gave him and he looked for all the world like Bill George on a small scale, he is so bowl legged. I called Dad in from the woodpile to see him and to insure a speedy answer to my summons, I intimated that there was something the matter wth him, and Dad. seeing a picture in his mind's eye of Tid. in convulsions or the reservoir or something rushed in livid with fear. Tiddums however met him at the door and he was so overcome by laughter and relief that I escaped uninjured.</p> <p>Saturday December 27th</p> <p>It was after daylight again this morning when we got up so put in most of the day doing chores. but this morning we did get one of the big dead apple trees grubbed out but only have a few limbs cut off it. Frank cut at it quite a hit this afternoon, he has been cutting wood nearly all day. This morning he went back to the gully and came up by Alfred's and borrowed his crosscut saw This afternoon Dad killed, plucked and dressed a couple of young roosters (single combed) but they were pretty scrawny yet not being fully grown. I didn't do any thing much but read and fool with young Jim. I was giving him walking lessons and find he can run like a deer much faster than I can keep up with him and hang on to him.</p> <p>I got a letter from Aunty to-day saying she had got the picture which I had sent to Aunt Lena around by Aunty so that she could see whether it was worth sending on or not. As I didn't write till a day or two after I posted it she thought I meant it for her so I started another one to-night to do for her birthday Dick brought home a huge parcel to-night which proved to be rwo pair of lovely balankets and two counterpains from Cousin Clare Herring I think. It has been a beautiful day. It froze very hard (hardest yet I guess) last night but has been very sunny and no wind all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday December 28th</p> <p>We were very late getting up again this morning so none of us but Frank went down to church, he went down to Sunday school and church Dad. and I did chores and read all morning. We let Belle out for a run, which she enjoyed very much and no doubt benefitted by although we did notice that the swelling in her led was reduced much but she didn't show any sign of lameness. This afternoon about half past two I drove Louise up to the Bowlby's again. The roads were good, smooth and hard with no snow to bother so I was home before dark. Jonas climbed in the buggy with me as I passed his place and came up for a visit, to get rid of trouble he said although he didn't seem in a very down cast mood. He has another farm in view now which is owned by to old maids who live on the place, and if he gets it he is to move the first of March and live in half the double house.</p> <p>Dad. and Enah and Tiddums expected to go down to Mrs. Battersby's this afternoon but Tiddums went to sleep and blocked the games. I drew to-night, Dick has been skating on the creek this afternoon, he says the ice is pretty good and for the most part strong. He went to church to-night. Frank I think spent his time back in the gully. Lovely day, no wind and fairly sunny.</p> <p>Monday December 29th</p> <p>We expected Rus. Lampkins down to day to put up the wind mill but he didn't show up at all. We did up all the chores this morning and worked at the old apple tree a little more. This after noon Dad. decided to go down to township nomination. He didn't get started till about a quarter after three but he enjoyed what little oratory he heard. George Hammond took great pleasure in making personal remarks about Jim Waddle till Jim got "frothing at the mouth" mad. George said he admitted that Jim had a better education and more of something else than he had but that he didn't have any more brains that if he had had brains enough to learn anything he would be going to school yet. Both these fellows were too mad at each other to talk sensibly but Sam King's manner was different. although a great many people were very dissatisfied with him as Councilor and had no doubt told him so, but he said if they put him out this election it would not be because he had sat in council and held his peace as was the custom with other councillors it would be because he had been in action all through and had made some showing, he then stated that every job that the present council had done was a permanent job, whereat someone in the audience inquired "What about Lisby's hill?" Mr. King smiled and acknowledged that that wasn't a permanent job but he said we did the best that could be done and the devil himself could do no better {illegible} was his own hill, Then in reference to Lisby's bridge over which there has been a lot of kicking about on account of the cost he said it was the best bridge in the county of Norfolk. At that a small English sparrow jumped up and chirped out "Mr. King, may I ask you a question". "Certainly go ahead" was the reply. "Well will you please tell me what was the use of putting up such a costly bridge at the foot of an almost impassable hill." King smiled again, and replied blandly that they did it simply because they had to, there had to be a bridge there and why not put one that was indestructible and consequently costly as one that would cost less and have to be replaced in a year or two, and so they wrangled and chewed the rag. Dad. was home about dark, and said that Hammond was going to run against Ed. Aikens for reeve.</p> <p>I did up the chores and after tea Frank and I went down to {illegible} nomination, where every thing was very quiet. Vyse was the only one who said much and he just gave an account of his stewardship. and solicited the vote of those present. R. M. Taylor, John R. Davis and Ed. Moon where nominated to run against him and Taylor was the only one who said positively he wouldn't run and the general opinion is that the fight will be between Vyse &amp; Ed. All the old council where nominated and about a dozen others but which ones are going to run I don't know. Dick got home a little before we did to-night, he had been skating on the pond though Dad tried to argue with him that it was unsafe. Inez Schram got in to the creek to-day. Mrs. McBride was here all day working. It has been a very fine day. Mild and pleasant.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday December 30th</p> <p>Sam. Law and Bert Munroe drove in this morning to see if we were ready to thrash yet, but Dad. told him we wanted to get the windmill up first. He said he overheard Rus. Lampkin's telling {Heck?} Henderson last night that he had promised to go some where that day (Sam. didn't hear the name) but that as he couldn't go he would have to go Wednesday. Sam thought that he must have meant here when we told him we expected him as he heard Henderson tell Rus that he could let the boy know, but Dick didn't say anything about it last night but not likely Henderson saw him after that.</p> <p>Allan drove in while Sam was in here and after talking election for awhile they all drove out expecting to thrash some where up the Gravel. I did chores and puttered around most of the morning. and Dad. &amp; Frank cleared up a little around the well so as to be all ready if Rus. Lampkins comes to-morrow. This afternoon they cut up nearly all the apple tree with Alfreds cross cut saw. I raised the nests in the hen house off the floor so the hens wouldn't scratch them full of straw and put fresh straw in. Both Billy Laurises were in to-night to get Dads. advice about a horses leg which has got hurt some way. Very mild and nice all day. When Dick came home to-night he said Henderson did tell him that Rus. Lampkins would be here to-morrow to erect the windmill.</p> <p>Wednesday December 31st</p> <p>I was awakened very early this morning by a great disturbance in the kitchen which I realized after I came to my senses was rat in one of the traps Dad. set last night and trying to get free by dragging himself and the trap all over the place, he was making such a racket and I knew must be putting in such a very disagreeable time of it that I arose and despatched him. It just struck four as I got up and this clock is way over half an hour fast, but as I had my clothes on and was wide awake I decided not to go back to bed again so drew till about half past six and then went out to do chores. I got quite a lot of Aunty's picture done and Dad. thought it was better than the one I did for Aunt Lena. We fully expected Rus. Lampkins this morning so Frank went down after breakfast and brought Huby over but as Lampkins disappointed us again we started on the tile drain we are going to put in along the font of the garden and back of the chicken house, we all four worked at it this morning and Dad. Huby and I this afternoon so we got a nice start at it. Loyd Ryersie came along at noon and Frank went off shooting with him but didn't get any thing. Dad. went down to-night and met Roy who is just going to spend New Years' with us.</p> <p>Jonas came over after supper and wanted Frank and I me to help him fix up a lot of orders that he had got from various farmers for seed potatoes and oats. We did to the best of our ability but I think we had Jonas in a great state of anxiety on account of our pretended carelessness, after that he played two or three games of checkers with Frank. I slept the last couple of hours of the old year but roused up sufficiently to wish the family a Happy New Year and go to bed. Dick was at a dance and didn't get home till about three o'clock in the morning. Beautiful day, mild and pretty sunny.</p> </div> transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/194ec495710aea954b068b863c5ed236.pdf eb1a52df548faa70565905d2e633989e PDF Text Text ����������������������������������������������� https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/17e231b82aa0c9a9d074bc0c2e638ee6.pdf 78161ebf40005ee14ed741b1b2d14c69 PDF Text Text ��������������������������������������������� https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/4bd65e7dad99c28d32f8dcc7f348f7b5.pdf 980129ab92be99d49876ee26252e9dc6 PDF Text Text ����������������������������������������� https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/cf323aec6a71fc43109f9f6daa2ebe0c.pdf aa13ceb356dc78b5f9b3d01ac5b19e1c PDF Text Text Theobald (Toby) Barrett (1895-1969) 1911 Transcribed by Rural Diary Archive volunteers DISCLAIMER: This diary depicts some discriminatory content which some may find offensive. During the diary’s time period, such racial terms and prejudices were commonplace in Canadian society. They are considered wrong today. Sunday May 28th. Went down to Sunday School this morning with Daddy behind Belle and after church drove home with Enah and Daddy. After dinner I walked into town via the stump but did not go in. I went down to the dock and then around by the Morgan's and sat there an hour or two talking to Murray. We thought there was going to be a big thunder storm but it blew over. I came home about five o'clock and lay out on the lawn till supper time. After tea Enah and I walked it to church and were releived to hear Mr. Johnson announce that owing to the intense heat the service would be shortened. There were only thirty-nine there hardly enough to pay expenses. After church we went over and listened to Mr. Lawrie's graphophone which was fine. We got home about 10 o'clock. It is cooler now and there is a slight breeze. The mosquitos were bad at the Lawries. Monday May 29th Got up about seven this morning.I discked the corn field all morning behind Belle and Harry or Joe for we found out that was his name. Bill turned up just after dinner. He and Quint had walked down from Normandale this morning. They never caught a fish. When he came he set to work to make a corn marker and Daddy, Enah and I drove down in the wagon after another load of stuff. We got the sofa the arm-chair and other things. We got back about six and Bill had the corn marker all made ready to put bolts into. After tea Bill Dick and I went back with the rifle to see if we could find and ground hogs but in vain. When we came back Mrs. MacPherson was here, she stayed till Bruce called for her about half past nine. We let Davie out in the orchard to-day Josie saw him going out and has kicked up a fuss all day. It started out this morning nice and cool but got hot again to the middle of the day but cooled down again at night. Tuesday May 30th 1 �After breakfast I sawed enough wood for the day, and then shelled seed corn. Daddy and Bill were back discking and rolling the ground for it. Then I tried to put the shelves in the pantry but they fit too tight. After dinner I went back and watched Bill go a couple of rounds with his corn marker and then started down town to buy a corn planter. I fell in with Chris Quanbury who was going down after eggs for Jack Martin and he offered to drive me down and back. When I got to Andersons I had to wait about ten minutes for Maud Jameison and then Miss Stamp told me they did have any corn planters except an old one that Mr. Anderson had had on the farm which I could have for 50 cts so I took it. Then I pretty nearly lost Chris but at last found him and came home. When I got home I started to cut potatoes and went to sleep. When I woke up I found I had been lying on my arm and put it fast asleep and took me a long time to wake it up. Then Bruce came after his plow and Daddy went down as far as Fleming's with him to borrow another corn-planter. I went on cutting potatoes which to me till tea-time. After tea Daddy wanted to go back and plant some more corn so Dick and I had to do the chores. It took me about half an hour to milk the cow and then she did not give as much as Dad gets. Then I let her go before I took the calf away from the other cow and it scared the cat. Bill rode Old Harry down town for Harry Ansley sent word over at noon that he wanted him back to haul some sand. Daddy and Dick went over to Bannisters to get some setting hens and I saw a section of an old hollow basswood for a nest. When they came back they told us that Mrs. Liddy had a child and was dead. It has been very much cooler to-day with a wind in the east. We left Davie out in the orchard to-night. He seems to be getting over his lonesomeness a little. Wednesday May 31st Got up at a fair hour this morning about 6 o'clock. Right after breakfast Daddy went over to help Frank Vyse spray, and Bill and I went back he to plant corn and I to plant potatoes. We both got through about 10 o'clock and then we started to hook Belle up to the stone boat to draw the brush out of the orchard when we noticed a horse and rider coming up past Mrs. Aruther Battersby's. We then saw that the horse was Old Harry the same which Bill took back last night. We then tried to figure out who the horseman could be. He was so far away we could not tell and he was coming at a very easy walk. As he got nearer Bill said it was Huby and sure enough it was. He reminded one of the pictures in Don Quixote of the little fat man on the knights horse. We learned from him that Daddy had bought old Harry for $115.00 and that Huby had volunteered to ride him over in the saddle. Bill then took Belle and old Harry and went back to roll the oats. I went down as far as Vyse's with Huby to see how Daddy was coming on and found him working for all he was worth at the pump, which 2 �by right ought to have a horse to pump it. About noon it began to thunder and rained a little during which shower we went into Vyse's house and afterwards home while we were at dinner it got very dark and a strong wind got up, and then began to rain and kept on till about three. Bill went down town after dinner and is not back yet. Daddy white washed the kitchen and pantry ceilings and I read a couple of stories. When Dick came home the to cows were up in the barn yard so I put them in. A little while after wards I went out and Frank Vyse's white cow was up but no sign of Bobby, so I went back and found her licking a big bull calf at the top of the hill. Then Daddy and I went back and he steered it to it's supper. After tea I milked Spotty and then went back with Daddy and he milked Bobby. It was pretty hot this morning but is quite cool now after the rain. David is still in the orchard. Thursday June 1st Bill was sick this morning and said he had felt sick all night. He took a dose of salts and did not eat any breakfast. Then he went and lay down in the stable barn in the hay and put a horse blanket over himself and slept there till noon. He would not come in the house to sleep. At noon he felt better and ate his dinner and then went down to see Doc. Hicks who gave him some medicine. He went and saw Huby and then came home and had his tea and went to bed soon afterwards. This morning Daddy, Dick and I went down town in the wagon to get some potatoes and things for the horse. As we were going out the gate we met Bill Donald who was coming to plow for buck wheat. He had the horse with the sore shoulders with him for Dad. to look at again. We went on and got as far as Vyse's and I stayed there to help him fill up his spray barrel and when Dad came back he was going to help him spray Dick could not ride his wheel to school on account of the mud so he rode down with Daddy in the wagon When Daddy came back he and I went over home and he came back with old Harry to pull the pump around the orchard. When I got home I started to cut potatoes and kept on till noon. Daddy never showed up for dinner and after dinner I buried the old skunk and chicken. Then Dad. came and went back and finished rolling the oats, and I planted the potatoes I had cut and another half pail full. Bill Donald went down town with Bill to get his plow shears sharpened. Daddy harrowed in the potatoes after he had rolled the oats. After tea I mowed a little lawn and Daddy went down to get a setting hen for Huby had a gift of ten turkey eggs It has been much cooler to-day with a wind from the nor'west. Friday June 2nd Milked Bobby this morning before breakfast and afterwards sawed some wood and started to cut lawn. Then I went down town and waited at Huby's till Dick came down and he went 3 �up and got a manure fork, and I took it along with our own over. Then Bill loaded up some manure and I went over and spread it which job I have kept all day Old Felix came over to fix the windmill so she will work all right and he fixed it to pump a lot easier. Bob. Law brought a couple of loads of sand to-day for the foundation of the horse-stable when it is moved. Bill Donald has been plowing for buck wheat all-day. It began to rain heavily about five o'clock and kept up till after tea. The were a couple of light showers before and it has been fairly hot all day but a nice breeze. All the school had a holiday this afternoon on account of Mrs. Liddy's funeral. Bill rode old Harry down town to-night. Saturday June 3rd Bill got back about four o'clock this morning. I went out after breakfast to spread manure and got my feet so soaking wet that I came in, and changed my boots and socks and went out and hoed the tomatoes and planted some potatoes Bill Donald came to plow and has been plowing all day. After dinner Bob. Blakie came over to get some of his property that he had lent to William's and talked here for about an hour. Then Daddy and I went back and planted carrot seed all the after noon. Bill hauled manure all day and got out 18 loads. Allan and Harry Batersby drove out for a short visit. After tea Dick and I walked in and went into the stump for a swim and then on down town and I got a film and a collar. We got home about {10?} o'clock This was His Majesty's birthday but it was not celebrated here but the coronation will be. Sunday June 4th Dick and I walked into Sunday School this morning and were about 10 minutes late. I drove back after church with Daddy and Enah who drove Joe and Ginger into church. This afternoon it looked like rain and I walked in to Huby's. It then cleared off and I walked down to the dock and found Dick talking to Art. Smith, Joe and Greenbury. Then Murray and Roy Dell came along in Dell's row boat and Art. Smith and Greenbury and I got in we went out in the lake. Then we came up and I walked up town and then went down to Aunty Maude's for tea. After tea I went up to church and then went for a little walk with Murray but it looked very stormy (and is thundering now) that I came home. Bill was here when I arrived. Huby and Harry Battersby have gone up to Billington's to-day. They did not say what for Monday June 5th Got up with much discomfort being very sleepy this morning a little after six. I sawed some wood before breakfast and a little afterwards. We hooked Joe and Ginger up to the wagon 4 �and went down town and got all the stuff out of Enah's & Daddy's room which took us all the morning as we had to take up the carpet. Dick drove down with us and took his dinner to school as it was too muddy to ride his wheel. When we got back Bill was working spreading the manure he hauled out Saturday and it was to wet around the manure pile to haul out any more and any way Faulkner had come and taken his wagon. Bill Donald was ploughing and Davie was having a good time in the orchard. After dinner Bill started to fix a solid place in the wood shed to put the Cream separator on, and Daddy and I put the wardrobe to-gether in Dick's room. I lay down on Dick's bed and finding it very comfortable fell asleep. I was soon aroused from my slumbers by Enah who informed me Daddy was trying to catch Davie in the orchard as he was in Bill's road who had old Harry hooked on to the stone-boat hauling brush up to the other end of the orchard. We got Davie stowed away in one of the boxstalls and then prepared for another journey to town. Herb Lawrie was here after the hay he bought from William's. We got back here with another load and Dick about six o'clock. While unloading I noticed one of the young pigeons had got down with the chickens and they were chasing it around and picking at it. I went over and found it dying from a wound in its neck where they had picked it. It died in a few minutes and I hung it up down cellar for Bill to eat as it had been well bled. The chickens had another old fellow who can't fly up in the corner too but he escaped with his life. Dick and Bill went down town to-night after tea, and I think I hear them coming back now (9.30). I went out and milked Bobby to-night and then mowed the lawn. George Slocomb came over to-night to see if he could put his pony colt in the pasture and Dad decided to let him for $1.50 a week month. He will let Davie back with him and he won't be so lonesome. It has been pretty hot to-day threatening rain several times. Tuesday June 6th I was wrong last night when I thought I heard Dick and Bill coming last night for Dick did not get home till 10 o'clock with news of Dover's defeat in base ball Dover vs. Simcoe. Bill got home sometime in the small hours of the morning and slept out in the hay. Enah went to an Auxillary tea-shine in Waterford this morning with a load driven by Johnny Walker and hauled by Faulkner's Arabs. She got back to-night a little after nine earlier than she expected. We could hear Mrs Skey and Miss Wheeler yelling way down at Mrs. Battersby's corner. I hoed the tomatoes all up this morning and cut all the burdocks I could find. I demolished about 100 stocks. Then I sawed the lims off the old willow that obstructed the passage of carriages. Bill hauled manure all day and got 16 or 17 loads out. After Dinner Daddy and I went out and spread all Bill had hauled out. Then we came in with the intention 5 �of going down town after some oats but after ripping down the old wall at the end of the horstall building found it was too late in the day to make the trip. After tea Bill went back down town but got back at 945. I milked Bobby and then came in and started to read "Peck's Bad Boy". The same which Dick is reading now. It was pretty cool this morning but is not so cold now. It has been fine all day. Wednesday June 7th Very sleepy when Dad. called me this morning about six but managed to get up about a quarter of an hour afterwards. I sawed some wood after breakfast and then Daddy and I went in to town with Joe and Ginger on foot to hook on to Faulkner's wagon. I went over to Billy Laing's with Daddy (after we had put the horses in the barn) and held sacks for him to fill with oats for us and then sat there while Daddy went up to get his hair cut. Then we went up and got the wagon and saw Faulkners new bus it is a dandy. We got the oats and some things from the house including Huby who stayed over all day and hauled manure while Bill pitched on the empty wagon. Huby is getting to be a great horse man he was driving Belle and Harry all day to-day. After dinner I chased the cows back the lane as they had come up and not got any farther than the end of the cornfield hill they were back again so I drove them back once more and this time got all the way to the barn and looked and they were half way down the lane so then Bill Donald who has been ploughing went back with me and we put a bar across the lane. Tige is getting pretty good with them. We then went down town in search of Johnny Walker to bring the big bits of furniture over. I nearly went to sleep on the way down. Daddy and Enah came down later and got the things ready. I first went down to the station and had a visit with Joe whom I found fast asleep in the ware house on a pile of salt in sack, while I was there a wedding party drove in to go out on the 3.20 the happy couple being Will McNeily and Olive Long. Then Johnny Walker came along and I delivered my message and he said he would come around about four o'clock. I waited around a while and then went back. on my way went through Mrs. J. S. Allen's new house which is pretty nice. I then went into Mr. Jaques which is nice too but not like Mrs. Allen's. When I got to the house I heard the agent from Simcoe of the International Harvesting Co. try for about half an hour to sell Dad a manure spreader or other implement but he failed. By that time Johnny Walker was there Cruise came around and Daddy paid him for the road work. Daddy and I went over on the load and Enah rode here wheel over. After tea I partly milked Bobby and carried the stuff we brought over from town into the house. It was very misty and damp early this morning but got finer afterwards although cloudy all day. Bill and Huby went down town after tea. Bill said they were going to a ball 6 �that Bill Barlow was giving for a fare well, but I guess they didn't for Bill got home before mid night. Bill Barlow has left Bagley and Miller's and is going to work in Lea's pickle factory in Simcoe. Thursday June 8th I was very sleepy this morning when Dad called me and have been sleepy all day. After break fast I sawed enough wood for the day, and then went out and spread manure. I only got one row spread to-day and had several rests and one or two naps. Daddy pitched on to-day and Bill hauled out Huby has not been over at all to-day. After dinner I lay down on the sofa to read "Peck's Bad Boy" and went to sleep and remaind in that state till two o'clock, when I went out and spread after dumping Enah's wash water out of the machine. I quit about four and went to rest under an elm back in the gulsh. I could hear them yelling over at the school-house where they were playing baseball - Dover vs. Simcoe return game. About five I went up with Bill and cleaned out the horse stable. When Dick came home he informed us that Simcoe had beat by some strange kind of luck the score being 9 - 4. He said that their playing was very bad and Dover's pretty good. - but - After tea I milked Bobby and tried to feed the kittens but they would wallow around in the milk and upset it. Bill and Dick have gone down town to-night. It has been pretty warm all day to-day but not too hot and there has been a nice breeze and a few clouds. It is now nine o'clock and time for me to retire. I'll see if an hour more of slumber will make me feel better on the morrow Friday June 9th Was not so sleepy this morning and have felt better all day. Last night after I went to bed Skinny Ryrsie and Lorne Hasted came over with Faulkner's team to get his wagon to haul some timber out of the bush to-day so as we only had the one wagon Daddy came out and helped spread and Bill hauled out. After breakfast I sawed up all the pieces of wood in the wood shed I could find and then went over to Blakie's to borrow a scoop-shovel for Bill and after lugging it over here he said it was no good and he would not use it but he changed his mind later when he found there was no better. Then I watched Dad try to churn in a two- quart self sealer. He churned to lots of cream but the butter was pretty soft. Enah worked it up this after noon and we had it for tea, and it was pretty good. We went out about ten o'clock and spread manure till noon and after dinner till four when it began to rain. It rained till six, during which time we cleaned up the wood-shed and now it looks as slick as the inside of a wallnut when the meat is all out. After tea I milked Bobby and Mr. Shand came 7 �after Daddy to see a sick lame horse -(Dads has quit the practice)- I then fed the pigs and tried to feed the kittens but they spilt all the milk by trying to get what was in the opposite side of the saucer, consequentley it was neccessary for them to crawl in it. Bill went off with the rifle after tea The corn is coming up nicely and the crows are right on the spot. We have about 100 loads of manure out now. Saturday June 10th After breakfast this morning I went back and hoed the mangles and the corn all morning and most of the after noon. I hoed three rows of corn before dinner and four after. Bill Donald has been harrowing his buckwheat ground to-day and Daddy spreading manure. Bill, Dick and Quint drove old Harry up to Normandale this after-noon they were going to have a trout fish. I quit about four and went over and got enough strawberries for tea then I rode Dick's wheel down and left it in the school house porch while I went down to the stump and had a good swim. After tea we put Ginger and Joe in the orchard and took Davie out. Then we went back to the corn field and put out a few newspapers to scare the crows and then came in and sat around till bedtime. It has been pretty hot and close all day and threatens rain to-night. Our wheat east of the orchard is full of smut and Bill Donald showed us the hessian fly in it. Sunday June 11th Daddy, Enah and I drove Ginger and Joe down this morning, and I went to Sunday School and they went and stayed down at Huby's till church-time. I found a lot of books waiting for me and Miss Battersby was just going to start in on them thinking I had jumped my job. I went to church and drove home with Daddy and Enah after wards. After dinner we drove out to the Shand's and stayed there all the afternoon. Daddy drove Enah and I me down to Huby's for tea and he went home and stayed there all alone for tea. I went up to church with Enah and Ada but din't go in but went up the beach with Murray. I was to have gone right home with Enah but went down to the dock with Murray and saw a bunch down there and did not get home till nearly ten. It has been extremely hot to-day and threatened a thunder-shower but that is as far as it got. It was a lovely sun-set, and rather queer looking. There was a bunch out in the "Cygnet" to-day including Joe, Murray and some others and when they were coming in they accidentally ran into the "Vigilant" and broke the tiller and Mrs. Roy Silver Thorne hurt her hand quite badly. Monday June 12th 8 �Dick and Quint drove old Harry back alone last night. Bill stayed up there and said he thought that Daddy knew he was going to stay although he told him he was coming back last night. This morning Daddy and Enah drove down town in the buggy and stayed all morning. Daddy had to have Joe and Ginger shod and Enah had to do some shopping. I hoed corn till ten o'clock when there came up a terrible thunder storm which started about three quarters of an hour or more. Bill Donald who had been working his buckwheat sat in the old house and told me of all the damage done by lightning around here in the last 10 years. Daddy came back after the storm was over about noon and after dinner he and I drove Joe and Belle and up to Yeagar's. We had a lovely drive and got home about six. We came home around by Lynn Valley. We saw Marshall and Gilbert on our way up and Marshall said he could let us have two sticks of timber the length we wanted for the stable if Bill would come up and cut and hew them. Then we went into Shepard's where Gilbert was raising a barn and he said he could be down here by the end of this week. Just before tea Mr. Miller came up to place the cream separator. He said Bruce told him we wanted him although how he found out is a mystery. He stayed to tea and fixed it up afterwards and skimmed a pail of milk and took the thing all apart and washed it and showed Enah how to put it to-gether again to be ready for the morning. It was very windy this after noon and rained a little in the evening. Yeager just got back from Galt to-day where he took a lot of prizes and sold four horses. He bought as many new ones to bring home with him. Several farmers were cutting hay but some of it looked pretty green. Tuesday June 13th We put our milk through the separator all right this morning as it was all to-gether. There was no sign of Bill here all day to-day but Dick and Bob Law both saw him down town and he said he was coming home to-night After breakfast I drove Belle down to Greenbury's to get her shod and when I came back it was kind of drizzle Daddy and Enah were laying the parlor carpet. After I put Belle away I went back and started to plant corn where the crow's had pulled it up. After dinner Daddy went over to a barn raising at Fleming's and did not get back till dark. I planted corn most of the afternoon, then I watered the horses and gave them hay. I miked after tea and fed the calves and kittens. Then I came in and started to put the milk through the separator and found all kinds of things wrong. First the washer was under the wood bush in stead of over it and that made an awful rattle. Then the rubber on the tube did not go in the hole and we squirted milk all over the floor. After that was remedied the cream started going into the milk vessel and visa versa. But at last we got it all through and are now at peace and hope to be till to-morrow morning. It has been cold 9 �and rather windy all day to-day. Rather cloudy and inclined to rain. Dick got a lot of strawberries over in the garden to-day. Wednesday June 14th This morning I sawed quite a lot of wood and then went back and nearly finished planting the corn that the crows got. Daddy and Bill drove up to Marshall's to get the timber. Daddy came back at noon and left Bill there to hew the stick. After dinner I painted the pantry door and Enah started on the whole kitchen while Daddy went down to Vyse's to borrow a cultivator. Then we went back and he cultivated the corn while I hoed around the hills. About four o'clock we started off to get Bill and the timber, he had one stick nearly done so we waited and after quite a lot of fixing got it fastened to the wagon and started for home. I sat behind and tried to steer the thing and Daddy drove Bill walked most of the way. We reached home about eight, and unloaded our timber and had tea We got the chores finished about a quarter to ten. It has been fairly warm to-day and a little windy Thursday June 15 Bill went up to the bush this morning to hew his other stick of timber and Daddy and I went back to the corn-field. He cultivated with Belle and I hoed. We worked till noon and had got it all cultivated one way. I tried to rig up a scare-crow but did not make a very good one. After dinner Daddy churned and then went up to the woods after Bill about 2 o'clock. I hoed till about half-past five and then I went up to the house and found nobody home so I stayed there till six and then got some more material for my scare-crow including a stuffed sack for a stomach and a couple of sticks for legs and went back and fixed up a fairly good one. While I was back there I saw Daddy and Bill coming home with the timber and as I was coming up to the house I met Dick going to get some strawberries I went over with him and we got enough for tea. After tea I cut a little lawn till it got dark. It would have been hot today If there had not been such a cool breeze. Dick and Bill went down town after tea and Dick got our new strainer pail which Hugh has been making for the last two or three days. Friday June 16th Bill started to plow this morning where we hauled out the manure. I cut up some wood and then went back to hoe corn while Daddy went over to Sol. Smith's to see when Gilbert could come to move the barn. She said he would come to-night and move it to-morrow, so Daddy ran around to see if he could get men to help him and he got four or five. When he came back I cut a lot more wood to cook the meals with and Daddy went back and hoed 10 �corn till noon. After dinner Daddy and I hooked up Ginger and Joe to the wagon and took Vyse's cultivator (which we are not done with) and Fleming's chain back to the owners. Then we came back and hauled posts from the corn and wheat fields which were in the old line fence. We thought the would do to block up the building with. We stayed at this job till half past four. While we were at it Chess. Robinson came after a setting of eggs. We went down town after this to get a supply of provisions. Enah went with us and we got Huby and all the men he can get to come over to-morrow. Daddy and Dick went over to Blakie's to get a setting hen to put on some duck eggs that he gave us this morning. Bill went down town and I cut more lawn till dark. The cows got into the wheat fields to-night There has been a pretty nice breeze all day to-day but fairly hot. Gilbert drove in here with his aparatus about 10 o'clock to-night and is going to stay all night. Saturday June 17th This morning we had quite a hustle. Gilbert got started early to work on the horse-stable and we got a good crowd of Men viz: Huby Alfred Ryersie, Jim Blakie and Frank Vyse besides our selves. All came that had promised except Dad. Haymaker; and Walt. McCall the two that Huby had got. Dick went down early to meet a bunch that were going to drive up to the glen for a picnic. He was gone all day and was pretty tired when he reached home althoug he caught two trout and had a good time. I Rode Enah's wheel down the first time when Dick went down to get some spikes and just got back and found I had to go again after nails. Quint and Eri Brown came over with some cherries - Olivets the first I have tasted this year - and stayed till the middle of the afternoon. He picked the pigeon that the chickens had killed yesterday. We worked away all day at the building with out any adventure or mishap (except the escapes of several getting bogged in the manure) and at six o'clock had her all blocked up and sills put under and moved about 3 feet. After tea all the members of our party dispersed to their respective homes. Bill hired Geordie Lawries horse and rig and drove home and Gilbert took the old buggy and drove his team to Delhi. Then Daddy and I drove Belle down to the station to meet Roy. He had the squab Quint picked for his supper and found the crop in it. Dick got home about 10 o'clock and we all went to bed. Sunday June 18th I walked down to Sunday School this morning and was not late which broke the record for the first time since we have been on the farm. Dick not get up in time to go. He, Enah and Roy came down to church but Daddy whent back to the farm and met us all at Huby's 11 �where we dined. In the after noon I went out in the boat a little way and then went up town and took a few pictures. First I went up to the Smith's to see if I could see Bruce but could not but Mrs. Smith said she would tell him to come over to-morrow if he came up. I went down to the dock and saw the launch "Miriam" of the C.Y.C. come in. Joe was out in the "Pilot" and Mid. in the Cygnet and there was hardly enough wind for them to get in. Joe and I were going up Main street about five o'clock and we saw a big smoke up the street. Joe had his wheel and he rode up. I went up as far as Maneer's corner and did not see much smoke and only a few people so I thought there was nothing in it but found out afterwards that McBains old barn burnt down up by Bob Leitches. I met Roy going over to the Woodsons for tea when I was going home and went over that far with him. After tea I went down to church alone and went behind the organ with Wiser who wanted to get off early. After church I saw Egg Thompson and {Runk?} and went up as far as Old Walkeis straw berry patch with them and then on home. (It was too dark to find the berries well.). Mr. Johnson and Murray went up to Port Ryersie in the farmer's gasoline launch and broke down on the way home. Haymaker towed them home and I guess Mr. Johnson had to preach on an empty stomach. Pretty hot to-day, but nice breeze. {Pen sketch of farming apparatus at the top of the page} Monday June 19th This morning all the men Daddy had asked come and help finish the moving turned up. Bill Donald, Frank Vyse and Charlie Butler all turned up early. Then Gilbert himself came and got every body started to work and the Bruce and his boy Fred George came. Huby could not come to-day as he had promised Mr. Hobbes to go trout fishing. We got the stable all moved and leveled about noon. After dinner we started in at the old house and got it in place behind the wood shed about four or five. Then we moved the pig house back the length of itself into the orchard. There were "Thaiousands and thaiousands of rats" under this building and quite a fraction of them were executed. It was in an awful state underneath. We got all through about six o'clock. After tea we loaded Gilbert's stuff on his wagon and started him for Vyse's where he is going to move another barn to-morrow. {There is a torn scrap of newspaper on this page placed in the margin as a bookmark.} Roy got off this morning and we all hurried for fear he would miss the train, but him and he said our clock was five minutes fast and would not start till the last minute but was in time. Bob. Law brought three loads of sand to-day. It has been pretty hot and sunny. 12 �Tuesday June 20th It is just one month ago to-night that we slept over here for the first time. Things look a lot different than they did then but have to change a lot more before they look at all decent. Before we finished breakfast this morning Bill Donald came to see if Dad wanted a ride over to Vyse's. So Daddy and Bill both went over to give them a hand with the building moving. They got back about three o'clock this after noon. I sawed some wood and hoed the potatoes and corn out in the garden by the barn while they were gone. When they came back we went down town to get our three wire gates and a hay rake that was down in the car. We got back about five and hung one of the gates ant the head of the lane before tea. After tea we milked and separated the cream which we do all righ now and Miss Phipp and Mrs. Martin came and have just gone now (9.15) It has been hot to-day but a stiff breeze. Bob Law brought 3 or 4 more loads today Wednesday June 21st This morning I was aroused from a very peaceful slumber by the sound of many voices mostly dog's. I grew more consious and distinguished Bill's voice informing Daddy that Frank Vyse was here. Then that gentle man declared that Fleming's cow was nearly dead. Daddy gave orders for Belle to be hitched and in a short time he went away with Vyse after first telling me to get up. I said I would and then went back to sleep. In about half an hour Enah came and bothered me till I had to get up. I milked Bobby and Bill milked Spotty. We separated the milk, fed the calves and had breakfast. Then Daddy came and told us he had treated the cow for milk fever but did not know (and aparantly did not care) whether the cow would die or not. He brough home a hoe from Vyse's and Bill and I went back to the corn field to hoe while Dad drove Belle up to Yeager's. He stopped into Flemings on his way back and the cow was up and eating. It was Earne's cow and when he came over this morning he fainted and fell right into the old cow. He has not been very well and jumped right on his wheel out of bed and the consequence was as has been stated above Bill and I got sixteen rows hoed by noon. After dinner Bill plowed with Old Harry and Belle and Daddy and I took Josie to break her in on the cultivator. Talk about stepping high wide and fancy Joe certainly took the cake she stepped all over every hill she could see and got her legs over the traces and every other agravating act She could think of. She could not see the sense of walking up and down the field lugging the old rattly long cultivator behind her. She quieted down after a while and we kept on there till six Daddy driving and I steering the machine. Fred Coleman was raking and cocking hay in the field next us and Mr Prestonic in the field next that was moing About five we heard the train kicking up a racket and Fred 13 �saing that Miss Henderson was married. Some Dr. Frizzle from Owen Sound got her. After tea Dick and I played with the dogs quite a while and scared the pup till he could hardly see several times. Dick milked about a pail full to-night out of Bobby. Enah has the kitchen all fixed up fancy all the wood work painted a decent color over the bright blue and the margins on the floor yellow with a linoleaum in the middle. A cloth on the table. (Fancy looking farm house kitchen). It would have been pretty unpleasantly warm to-day but for a nice breeze. The days begin to get shorter now. Thursday June 22nd His Majesty King George V was crowned to-day and the school and all business places had a holiday, but Dick stayed home and drew all day. Bill plowed all day, Daddy and I went back and cultivated corn till ten o'clock Joe went a good deal better. Then I went over and spread manure till noon as Bill had caught up in the plowing. Vyse came over and he and Daddy put the rake to-gether. I got quite a nice bunch of straw berries over in our patch. After dinner I had a pretty good rest and then went back and hoed potatoes till about 4.30 p.m. I slaughtered a great number of potato bugs. They are chewing The plants all to pieces. I went bare footed with one foot for a while my toe was so sore. Daddy spread manure till Sam Law came after him to see his cow which he thought was sick. Then he came and told me I could go for a swim and then went and rolled what Bill had plowed and Bill spread manure. Dick and I went down to the stump and had a dandy swim. The first I have had for nearly two weeks (Dirt well I guess) Tony Bannister came over in a scow and it sunk before he got over, but he was prepared. Dick churned after tea and got so much butter that the butter bowl would hardly hold it. It has been and is now hot enough to cook eggs to-day in spite of a nice westerly breeze. Friday June 23rd I hoed corn all day to-day and Daddy cultivated till about five when he had to take Vyse's cultivator. He cultivated what potatoes we could see Bill plowed all day. After tea he and Dick went down. Dick was going to see the Jessie James show on the {flat iron?}. A little while after I went down to get my hair cut. While I was waiting Bill came in and then Huby came to get his razor honed. He started to shave himself to-day for the first time in ten years but had to quit when he got to his chin. I think the last time that razor was used Dick and I tried to shave the hair off our legs but did not make a very good job of it. I went down and got the laundry and then went home about half past nine. I was asleep before Dick got 14 �home. It was warm to-day but a fresh breeze There was quite a cool easterly breeze when I came home and it looked like rain a little. Saturday June 24th Daddy went over to borrow Chris. Quanberry's cultivator this morning to finish cultivating the corn length wise and I sawed some wood and sharpened the hoe while he was gone. Then we went back and I hoed and Daddy cultivated all morning. Joe goes fine now. About 10 o'clock Dick came out and told us all about the show. He said he never laughed so much in all his life. Bill plowed all morning but had to go this after noon. He said he was going up with Haymaker in his boat if it was not blowing to hard. Dick went down to meet Ferdie and he came out and stayed to tea. Right after dinner Daddy and I wrote a letter to John Miller of Brougham Ont inquiring about sheep. Then we went over to Blakie's with his cross cut saw and talked to him for an hour. Jim has gone to New Ontario. We walked around the gully and had a look at our alsike and oats the former is a splendid crop and the latter is pretty good considering when they were put in). We got back about four and did a few things around and then Daddy and Enah went over to the McPhersons to see if Emery could come and fix up the Stable. Dick and Ferdie shot all the shells they had away but never got any thing. They saw an owl one that Daddy and I nearly stepped on over in the clover. The also found a hen's nest in the orchard with fourteen eggs in it and an old hen sitting on them. They were all good. I fixed my toe up which was pretty sore and went barefoot till Enah came and gave me a clean pair of socks. After tea Dick and Ferdie went down town and I read a story in the strand. It has been very much cooler to-day with a wind from the east. Some prophesy rain. Sunday June 25th Walked down to Sunday School and church and Dick rode his wheel. Daddy and Enah were coming down but Vyse came after Daddy to see his colt and so neither of them came down. Daddy worked with the colt all day but says there is very little hope for him. It rained a little right after dinner but Dick rode down to see the oddfellow's parade to the cemitary. I wrote a letter to Aunty and then walked down town. I went over to the park and found. Punk. Wiser, Stuffy and others at the gate. They told me it would cost a nickel to get in but I thought they were fooling and walked in with out much trouble. I after wards found when two or three fellows came and paid for admittance that Punk was getting all he could make there to-day. He has got the job of gate keeper for Buck all summer. Wiser and I went up town after a while and he told me I could have the job of ringing the bell and pumping every 15 �Sunday morning through the summer as he has to go down to the boats at that time. I saw Roy Dell up town and talked to him for a while and then he got his father and we went out in their gasoline launch around by the reef and then up the shore to near Hay Creek and back. We saw John Gordon out in the " I T. " We got back about 5.30 and watched Ivey's try to make their engine go for about half an hour. They have one of the boats {Keileg?} built and put the engine Mid. had in the "Cygnet" in her and she won't go. I went over to Huby's for tea and Enah came down soon after. Cousin Loll and Cousin Willie had been over there and had just left. They told Enah that Henry Reeve's had bought the grocery department of Seafield's out. Enah and I went to church, and I pumped for Wiser, as he had to go and see his girl. They had a special sermon and service for the coronation and it took a little longer just before it was over it began to rain and when church was over it was pouring. Enah and I waited in the church porch for a long time with Aunty Maude and Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs. An able-seaman off the "Vigilant" came in for a while. Mr Hobbs and Mr. Morgan got some coats and umberellas and we thought we would wait till it was over but after waiting a long time we decided to skim for home. We went down to Huby's and Enah was going to stay there all night and I was going home to tell Daddy when he came in attired in a rubber coat and sou'wester off Vyse's. He stayed for a while and then went home and Enah and I stayed at Huby's all night. I slept with Quint. Monday June 26th There was another heavy shower this morning. When we got up Enah started to get the books ready for Johnny Walker to get this after noon. Quint and I fooled around till Daddy and Dick came down. Quint was going to mould a lead anchor in a flower pot. Lila was sick this morning. Quint and Dick did not have to go to school this fore noon they are going to start their exams this after noon. Quint is going to quit school if he passes but will have to go another term if he fails. When Daddy came down we went over and saw our rack at the Wide spread it was only about half done. Then Daddy went up to see if he could get Dave Waddle to come and shingle the barn. Then I put on Huby's old oil skin coat which stuck to me so tight I could hardly get it on and went over to Tommy's to get a load of shingles. We got six thousand and started for home. Daddy and I had dinner all alone, after dinner I slept till about four o'clock, and then we hooked up Harry and Belle to get some more shingles and nails. We got as far as Vyse's and Daddy thought he would go and see Stanley the colt that he would not give 10 cts for yesterday but which under his administration is now as good as new. I was waiting on the road for him when Johnny Walker came with the stuff. We then had to go all the way back home to help him unload. We piled the stuff in the wood 16 �shed and then there was not time to go down town. After tea Daddy and I carried in most of the books and set them in the hall. Dick came home supperless about 9 o'clock and said Huby had got the boat house moved at last. He got Dave Waddle and some fishermen and Bill. Bill never showed up at all to-day. It looked to much like rain. Tuesday June 27th This morning Bill and I started to put up the scaffold in case any one did come to lay shingles and pretty soon Clair Dell and Dave Waddle came followed shortly by Frank Vyse and Earne Flemming. They soon had the shingles off and started at the shingling. Bill Donald came to run furrows and disk and was working here all day. I sawed some wood and then went down cellar and found Dick looking very tired and acting more so over the churn which he had been working at for halfanhour. I relieved him as I thought and churned till the butter came I afterwards learned though that he was not a bit tired but thought I wanted to churn. (I won't be so easily fooled next time). Then I went down to the stump for a dip and got back just at dinner time. After dinner Daddy and I went down and got another thousand of shingles and some oil for the mower. {Some numerical calculations written at the top of the page} Then Daddy went down to Vyse's and got that same implemen and cut the lawn in front of the house and started in the plum orchard. The shingler's got done about four o'clock and went to work about the inside of the building Enah could not get the butter to mix up properly this time It has been pretty mucky to-day with one shower this after noon. {Some numerical calculations written at the top of the page} A.D. Sept 9th /11 I, Theobald, Butler, Barrett promise to ps permit, those present at the said date, to read this my diary, ten years from now, no matter at what point of the compass they should be residing, unless I should be dead broke or shovelled off the mortal coil. Signed per {written at the top of a vertical line on the left side of the following signatures} Beatrice Kaias 17 �Dick Barrett Edith Lawrie Hattie M. Barrett The Head of the house being in gentle repose on the sofa (snoring) is not able to put add his disired signature to this list. All persons having in their possession at any time this volume will kindly return to me. {Long arrow pointing to the next sentence which is written in the left margin} - Each person after reading will deliver the said document to the proceeding person on the list and return when finished to the myself. the same not later than six months before Sept 9th. A D 1921 Saturday July 1st 1911 Since I finished the book that I have been recording events in up to June 27th we have got quite a few things done. On Wednesday Bill cut hay and I worked in the mangles. Thursday Bill and Enah went down town in the wagon. They got the hay-rack and just about all that was left of the furniture. Daddy raked hay and I cocked up. When Bill came home about five he went out and finished mowing in the east corner field which took him till seven. Yester day I churned for an hour and a half and then thinking there was nothing coming I left it and went and cocked hay the rest of the day, but Enah got the butter to come. We got all the hay cocked that was ready. Roy came up last night and Dick was at the station to meet him. This morning being Dominion Day Dick went down town to celebrated and did not get back home till about 10 p.m. Bill, Daddy and I went out and cocked all the hay there was cut. Then we hauled in what was in the plum orchard and on the lawn in front of the house. In the after noon Bill and I went down town to see the "doins". Bill was going to see his fatherin-law to see what he could let us have some sheep for. I had a letter from John Miller Esq. and he said he would let have them for $20 a piece, but we thought if we could get some any cheaper it would be better to grade up. I saw Hazen and Mousie Thompson and Skinny Ryersie down town. It was very hot. I went home at six o'clock after seeing the usual races, water sports and steeple chase which Billy Couper won again this year. When I was going down at noon I went in to tell Frank Vyse that his heifer had a calf and found him suffering severly from sciatica but he is better to night. After tea Daddy Enah and I went down to the park and watched the dancers and fire works till about 10 o'clock and the went home to bed. {Sketches of some fireworks and a canoe with paddle on this page} 18 �Sunday July 2nd Walked into sunday school this morning and rang the bells and pumped for church. There were only a few in Sunday school consequently few books and I had a pretty cool time out under the trees. We all went down to Aunty Maude's to dinner. After dinner Roy, Quint, Huby, Lila and I went in for a swim in the creek. When we got through and went up to the house Lorn Milman came and stayed till about five o'clock and then I went home. I did not go down to church but went down after wards and stayed till about nine o'clock. I got to bed about ten p.m.. It has been extremely hot to-day. In Toronto it was the hottest day on record. In 1854 it was 99.2 in the shade but to-day was 101. Monday July 3rd This morning we got up fairly early and Daddy drove Roy down to the train. He came back with Bill Huby and Lila who is going to stay out here a week. We moved away the load of hay we drew in Saturday and then Huby and I pitched out the old clover chaff which Williams had left where we wanted to put the hay while Bill and Daddy and Bill went to get on a load of hay. After that Huby and I went out and Huby loaded, Bill and Daddy pitched on and I drove. We got in six big loads. Huby took of his shirt early in the day and then his under shirt got so wet he took it off to dry it and mowed away one load naked from his waist up in dread all the time lest some lady would pitch thistles against him. It has been very hot today but there has been a nice breeze all the time Tuesday July 4th Daddy had much difficulty in getting me out of bed this morning for he waked me once and I went to sleep and dreampt I got up but at last I did a rouse. After breakfast Dick did not want to churn but said if I would he would go and mow away hay. This bargain was soon settled and I churned for about half an hour and got a nice lot of butter. The cream was good and cool as it had been down the well all night. Huby came over about the time I finished churning and we all went out to the field for a load of hay. We worked the same as yesterday. The first load (40 cocks) we took over to Mrs. Arthur Battersbys where we had a nice warm time. The next forty one cocks went to John Quanbury's loft which was about twice as hot as Mrs. Battersby's. We got home from there about noon. Lila thought she would go home with Huby this after noon to have a swim. She thought she might come back about Thursday. After dinner we went and got another load on for John. We got over all right but as we were going to back up in front of the door we went down a little grade 19 �when Huby yelled to me to look out I looked and saw the load at about 80° from the perpendicular. The next thing I knew I was crawling out of the hay but not a bit hurt. Huby was crawling out beside me and remarking that Bill was killed. Then I heard Bill say "No I haint." and saw him making his way out. We three were the only ones on the load for a wonder were not hurt, for we went right up against a fence. We then pulle the rack out and put it on the wagon and found it was very slightly damaged. We then proceeded to put it (the hay not the rack in the mow John and I got up in the loft to mow away. I had not been up there very long when I began to feel faint and could not breathe very well. I kept on a little longer (I was back in the mow) and then I could not stand it any more so I went to the window but felt no better. Then they told me to come down and I had a wash and Mrs. Quanbury who was just about scared to death at the sight of the upset brought us out some raspberry vinegar and cookies. I went and lay out under the tree while the finished Huby took my place but did not stay there long. I felt quite a lot better when we started for home. We got what was left in the field (22 cocks) and took it into the barn and left it there waiting for the Sam Robinson to bring the fork and slings. He came to night with the sling ropes but the rest has not come yet. When we got through with the hay Bill and Daddy went back over the gulch to mow the clover, and I drove Huby and Lila down home with Joe. I took Huby up to get a setting of Rhode Island Reds eggs "off" Mrs. Mat. Wilson. I got home about six and raced Dick on his wheel from Martin's. He kept a little ahead and made old Joe trot. It has been terribly hot to-day There is a heat wave passing over us they say. The forest fires are raging up around Porcupine. Wednesday July 5th Bill went back and mowed first thing this morning and Enah and I went out and picked all the cherries. We got about ten quarts. of Daddy went out and fixed the wind mill and hoed some of the garden and then went over to Vyse's and got another piece of chain for the well and a pair of double treels. When we got through with the cherries I went out and hoed the rest of the garden which looks fine. Then I went and started to rake up and mow the lawn that Daddy cut the hay off of the other day but it will have to be snipped of with the sythe. After dinner Bill raked up and Daddy and I cocked up and it was awfully hot. I raked for a while when we got on the level. It has been another very hot day, but a nice breeze. Dick went down town to-night and got a fancy pair of shoes. He says that Huby nearly collapsed with the heat and had to get Dick Faulmary to bring him home but after undressing and lying in the grass for a couple of hours and having a swim recovered and is coming over to-morrrow. 20 �Thursday July 6th When I got up this morning I went up to Blakie's to ask him if he would keep his cows in his own pasture so as we could leave the gates open into the hay field. After breakfast I chased the calves all over the orchard to feed them, and then Huby came and we pitched off the load that was in the barn and then went out to the field to get another load. Huby and I bunched up the winrows where they wanted to load. Daddy and Bill took the load over to Mrs. Battersby's and Huby and I went on cocking up what was on the level. They got back about eleven and put on another load. Huby and I went up to the barn and I hauled some water for the horses. The pump is broken and Dick went down to ask "Physicks" to come over. he said he would but never turned up. After dinner I went down to borrow Vyse's icecream freezer while Bill Daddy and Huby went over to get a load. When I came back we started to make some ice-cream. Then they came back with the load and I helped mow it away. It had rained a little and looked like more so they decided to wait and see before they went back for another load. Finally they did and just got back at six. Huby did not go but roamed around the farm and I helped Enah put some of the books away. Then Huby and I went out and tried to mow a little lawn. The ice-cream was fine and we had some of it for tea. After tea Dick Huby and I drove Joe down town and went in for a swim Bill and Lila were in too and Bill thought the water was fine It has not been so hot to-day. There was a cool breeze this morning and the rain moderated the heat as it is quite cool to-night. There have been 33 deaths in Toronto since Sunday from the heat. Friday July 7th This was Daddy's birthday and he celebrated by hauling in hay. He, Bill and I went out and Bill raked up and we hauled in a load and put half a load which was weedy in on top of "Tituse's". Old "Physicks" was here working at the pump when we came in and I stayed to help him and Dick. Huby never turned up to-day. Felix stayed to dinner. After dinner Bill went out and started to mow the timothy Daddy and I Paris greened the spuds and then Daddy whent to relieve Bill while he came up and sharpened the mower knife I peddled the grind stone for him. Daddy stayed out till about eight o'clock Sam Robinson brought the rest of the hay unloading rig to-night. We churned to-day but it was not very good although it was cool and breezy to-day. Saturday July 8th 21 �Huby came over before I was up this morning and had his breakfast here. He brought me over a pair of white pants to work in the hay with. After breakfast we went out in the timothy field and Bill started to rake up and then I raked and Bill, Huby and Daddy cocked up. I got through raking about eleven and then Daddy and I went up with the rake and team and then went back and cocked up till noon when we were half through. After dinner we went out and finished cocking up about three o'clock. I took a picture of the field and Huby & Dad. Bill Huby and Daddy started to fix the hay fork and pulleys in the track. I went down town around by the stump. I had a fine swim the water was very low and warm. I went down to the lake and got home about 6.30. Pretty hot again but fresh breeze. Sunday July 9th Enah and Daddy had intended to go to Port Rowan to-day, but as it looked felt as if was going to be an "old scorcher" decided to stay to home. They did not go away all day and got a lot of little jobs done around the house. Dick and I both went down to church and Sunday-School. We went down to Huby's for dinner. {Orm?} and Ade Millman and Shandy were just out of the creek. After dinner I went up to Miss Battersby's and got some stationery and went over and copied out a list of the books in the library in the Sunday School. I went to Huby's for tea and as Wiser had asked me to ring and pump I started for church but was a little late. I was just at Main street when it struck seven and the church bell began to toll. I didn't know what was going on. Poor old Wiser who was sick was going for all he was worth down past the Dominion Before I got there the bell was ringing all right and I found Fatty Turner with the rope. He said some of the girls started ring and got the wrong rope. I pumped Quint went off with Fatty some where and Wiser left before church was over. I went down to the dock and sat there till about 9.30 talking to Harry Moon Alfy Dell and Murray. When I got home I found Alland and the Millmans who had been here to tea. The went soon after I came home. Very hot to-day. Monday July 10th Bill did not get back to-day till about 2.30 p.m. This morning Daddy and Dick and I got the loft over the horse stable ready to receive the hay. Dick went down town and got the hooks for the hay fork pulleys and Daddy braced the bottom part of the barn. Then we pitched off the load that was in the barn. After dinner as Bill had not showed up, we came to the conclusion he was not going to and Daddy felt rather badly about it as Bill knew what state we were in. However he and I went out and got a small load on thinking we would do the best we could with the fork alone. When we got up to the barn we found Huby. Bill and 22 �Quint there getting ready for us. Huby said Bill had walked down from Normandale and was nearly "all in" when he got to his place. Hence the delay on Bill's part. We soon got that load off Huby and I in the mow Bill on the load and Daddy with the team. We got on fine and Sam. Robinson drove in just as we were going to put up the first forkfull and corrected a few errors in the putting up. This load off all hands went to the field and we got in three loads before tea. After tea I did the chores and Daddy and Bill went and got on another load while Huby mowed away what was left from before tea. I helped after I got through and then we put off the load they brought in for the field but did not mow it away. We all sat out on the grass and talked awhile and heard a very noisome shivaree which we thought was one of the effects of the marriage between Mrs. Jackman and Joe Clark, a turkey point fisherman. Quint and Huby went home and Bill and the rest of us retired. It has been nice to day a strong sou'west wind all day. Tuesday July 11th Huby was over before breakfast this morning. He and I went out right after breakfast and mowed away the load they put in last night. We have to do this as there is not time to do it while they are putting it off. Bill and Daddy went and got another load and when Huby and I got done in the mow we went out in front and worked at the lawn till they brought the load in and then we took about half an hour to mow it away. Then we went out and got a big block of lawn mowed. Huby cut the grass with the syche and lawn mower and I raked. The next load and last that was cut they left in the big barn, and Bill took the horses and went out and mowed till noon. Daddy drove Huby down home and got back at noon with some oats and binder twine. After dinner Bill went out and raked up what he cut this morning and Daddy took Ginger and Joe out and mowed. Bill and I cocked up. About three Huby came out. It looked very stormy and and sprinkled a little so Daddy cocked up some and then thought he would cut it any way and if it rained we could shake it up. We went on cocking up and finished all that was ready about five. Bill mowed with Harry and Belle till after tea and then Daddy went out and is there yet (about dark). Huby and I walked up the fence along the gully and he figured on where to plant some trees next spring. Then we came up and he sat out in front with his feet in the pear tree watching for a rig to take him home but as none passed he stayed to tea and went down with Bill after wards. Dick and I did the chores to-night as Daddy was mowing. I got a letter from Aunty to-day. Bill got one from Jack Paine telling him he wanted him at the Point from Friday till Monday. Of course he will go. It has been cooler to-day souwest wind changing to nor'west. Wednesday July 12th 23 �We expected Huby out early this morning but he did not come till late so Daddy and I went out and cocked up while Bill mowed the rest of the timothy. Huby arrived about 9 o'clock and said he had had trouble with a sitting hen and so could not get here before. He has an awful time with {?} stock). We cocked up all that was ready and then went and pitched off the load in the horse-stable. After dinner Huby and I cocked up till tea time. I raked up all the hay that Bill mowed this morning. After four o'clock Bill and Daddy took a load over to Martin's. To-night Bill had to go up home to get Jack Paine's stuff read for him as it was at his house. and so I went with him. We drove Ginger and Joe and started about 7.30. We took Huby down town, and went straight out and were out of Port Ryersie before sundown. He stopped at his father-in-laws {name?} and got his wife. She went on up to Normandale with him to get the stuff for Bill's mother to give to Paine's man when he called for it. I stayed with his father-in-law till he came back. I saw his sheep and was going to buy some but he did not want to sell them very badly. I went into the house and waited for Bill. He arrived about 10.30 (the time he said he would be home) and we got right in and came home. I drove home from there. It was a beautiful night, moonlight and cold. Bill dozed all the way down. We got home just as the clock struck twelve and put our auto-mobile away and were in bed by 12.30 with out waking any bod except Nig (who would sooner stay here all night than walk home) Tige and the Grey kitten. Windy and cool to-day. Thursday July 13th I slept an hour late this morning on account of being up late last night. {(Stan)?} Just as I got through my breakfast Daddy and Bill came past with a load bound for Martin's, so I went out and helped Huby cock up. We were all through about noon and we came up and did the chores. Daddy saw Wyatt Parsons who is cutting Alfred Ryerse's wheat and he said he would be over to cut ours this after noon. This afternoon Huby and I went out and sat on the lawn for awhile and Daddy and Bill hauled the rest of Martin's hay. I cut some weeds till the sythe got dull and Huby went to sleep and dreampt he was in heaven but Bill came and woke him up fast as he was going in and he thought he had made a mistake and got into the wrong {few?}. We fooled around for awhile and then I went over to Martin's to see how they were getting on with the hay and Huby went and pruned up all the trees he could find along the fences, several wild cherries among them and one elm. I thought I saw Mr Parsons coming with his binder so Daddy told me I had better come over but I did not see any thing of him here but after awhile I saw him out cutting the wheat. I went over and found Huby pruning his trees and then we came back and he trimmed a few peach trees. Then Bill and Daddy came with a load and we mowed it and then it was six but they went back to the 24 �field after another load and put it off before tea. It was nearly eight o'clock when we got through tea and after doing chores we went to bed. Mrs. Perkins came over, to see if she could get any butter. Phelix had highly recommended it and as she was expected boarders she wanted good butter. She must have quit making it. Windy and cool to-day. Rainy looking in spots. Terrible fire raging up north Cochrane and South Porcupine wiped off the map. Three hundred lives reported to be lost. Friday July 14th Huby came over just as we finished breakfast and when Daddy and Bill went out to get another load Huby smoked awhile and then we went up and mowed away the load they put in last night. They just got in with the load as we got through. Enah took a picture of a big fork full going up. We mowed this load away and while they got another {illegible} out and raked up the dry grass on the lawn and Huby started to fix me a rig to burn worm's nests in the apple trees. Mr. Parsons came to cut the wheat. Just as they got the next load off it began to look very black. A souwester came up and blew a lot of smoke into us. Then it begant to sprinkle but they thought they would go out and try to get one of the two remaining loads, but it began to rain so hard they had to come in with only half a load. Mr. Parsons had to come in too. Huby and I finished mowing away an then I came in the house. Pretty soon all the rest of them came in and we had dinner. Then Bill ground the mower knife and Wyatt Parsons ground the binder knife. Then Bill and Huby went down town. Bill is going to the Point to-morrow and aparently feels like a kitten. Daddy and Dick went down town about four to get some shorts and the mail and Enah made some fudge. About five o'clock Daddy Dick and I went out and shocked wheat. We got a row all around the field about 6.30. It began to thunder and lightning at a great rate about half past eight. There were some very vivid flashes of lightning and I went out and tried taking a lightning flashlight of Daddy and Dick. The fellow got all the wheat cut in the one field to-day. Saturday July 15th As every thing out doors was soaking wet Daddy thought it would be a good idea to cut the alsike. He took Joe and Belle. I went over with him and went around the field. I came back by the lane. Young Parsins was in the wheat when I came up. I went around once behind the binder and threw the sheaves out of his road, then I got old Harry for him to put on with his team as one was a colt. Then I cleane off Ginger as she was lonesome and went out and shocked wheat till noon. Daddy did not come up for dinner so I did the chores. When he had his dinner we went out and finished shocking wheat in the east field. Huby was to have 25 �come over but he thought it was too wet. Nearly all the wheat is cut now. After tea Dick and I went down to the stump and it rained a little coming back Except for that the day has been fine. Sunday July 16th It was raining when I got up this morning but cleared off and then began to rain again. So Dick and I went down to Sunday-school. I took a pint of cream to Miss Phipps on my way down, and found Mr. Johnsons dog there where it had spent the night. Daddy and Enah drove Ginger and Joe down to church as Enah had to play the accompanyment for Miss Hunt who sang a solo. After church all Huby's family and we went to Henderson's for dinner (Dad's treat). I knocked around with Hazen and Murray all the after noon and went to Huby's for tea. I went off and and did Wiser's chores at the church for him as he wanted to go to church with his girl. Dick and I walked home in the mud and rain after church. It rained hard all through church. Hot the rest of the day. Huby made me a thing to burn worm's nests with. {The next several sentences are partially obscured by a torn piece of newspaper placed in the margin as a bookmark.} {M}onday July 17th {I} did not get up till half past seven this {m}orning as it was raining. It soon {c}leared off and Daddy and I went out {and} tighened up the track in the big barn. {Th}en Daddy rode old Harry and led Belle {writing clear again} down to the black smith's. The poor horses were nearly drowned last night out in the old stable. I took Ginger and Joe out and put them in the big barn and just as I came out it began to rain. It rained till noon and I wrote a letter to Aunty as I could not do any thing outside. Charlie Martin came over and stayed about an hour. Daddy did not get back till after dinner and he had John McCoy with him to lance a horses jaw. Then I went to cut thistles in the old garden and I started to burn worm's nests. Mr. Johnson and {Murry?} drove out. They were making a tour notifying the agriculturists in the district of the coming Sunday school picnic. Daddy and Enah picked quite a few raspberries over in the old garden. When I ran out of fuel for my worm's nest, I came in the house and ate oat cakes that Enah had made this morning. Daddy and I drove the little team down after some oats and got back a little after six. Huby could not come over today as he was bearer at old Manning's funeral they took him way up above Simcoe to some Catholic cemetary. He could not have done any thing any way as the wheat was to went to 26 �shock up No more was cut to-day but young Lambkins came to see about getting the piece of weedy hay over next the birch. It was fine all the after noon and looks as if the rain was over. Tuesday July 18th Bill did not show up all day to-day. We think he did not come home from the point as nobody had seen him around town although Jack Paine went off this morning. Daddy and I started to shock wheat in the field west of the lane this morning and finished all that was cut, some of it was hardly worth cutting with a binder it was so short. It was too wet to cut any more. We got through about three and came up to the house I had a snooze for the space of 15 minutes. Then we went out and turned over some of the wet hay cocks. We then wed mangles till supper time. Bill Lemons came through and told us all the news there was. After tea Felix came after his butter and then Jim Waddle and his family came in and stayed till dark. (Then milking) Enah churned this morning and this p.m. went down and picked raspberries at Huby's she got a nice lot. Nice and cool to-day probs. say local showers but it does not look like it here Wednesday July 19th Dad woke me at five o'clock this morning and I got up at 5.30. It looked like rain and as Bill was not here we wanted to get started early to get the remains of the hay. Dick went down to get Huby and I went back after the cows. I tramped around in the wet grass in the gully for about half an hour and at last got them started. Huby came over for breakfast and we went right afterwards to pitch of the half load on the rack. Huby mowed it away while Daddy Dick and I went out and got a load. It took us a very long time to put this load off Daddy on the load I driving Dick holding the rope and Huby in the mow. We got the other half load in the field and put it off by one o'clock. In the after noon Dick went down to the Sunday school picnic and Huby Dad and I went out and got on a load of wheat. We took it into the barn and Daddy and Huby put it off and I went down to the picnic. I got there about four o'clock. They had Langdon's Ivey's big launch just at "The Bucket of Blood" on its way to be launched. I had a pretty good time at the picnic. It began to rain about six and raind till about seven or half past. I watched them dance for a while and then lit out for home while it was not raining. It began to rain as I got near Huby's so I went in and got his rubber coat and an umbrella. and started for home. It did not rain all the way home but started soon afterwards. Bill got home to-night and will likely be free in the morning if not 27 �too wet. Huby got home just as I got to his place. They got in three loads and pitched off two. Nice and cool to-day, cloudy Thursday July 20th Bill came back about five o'clock this morning and as it was too wet to draw in wheat he went at the plowing of the wheat ground. I sawed quite a lot of wood and cut some lawn. Then Daddy and I went out and ripped down the fence around the old garden as it was in Bill's road. We got all down but the west side by noon and we left it because there are berry bushes along it that we did not want plowed up. Daddy and I pitched off the load of wheat right after dinner. I mowed away. Then we greased the wagon and Daddy took Joe and Ginger over to borrow Vyse's roller. We shocked up all the wheat that was cut yesterday. Then Enah and I went over to the old garden to pick raspberries and got through at six. Daddy came over and rolled down what Bill had plowed. Bill has nearly a whole land plowed in the old garden now. We are going to plow it all up except the peach trees and berry & currant bushes. After tea I went back to the gully with Daddy and Enah to get the cows. After we milked I went over and planted some radich and lettuce seed by the tomatoes. Dick went down town to see what band was playing he found out it was the Simcoe band and Bob. Rankin playing in it. It sounds very nice from here. It has been pretty fairly warm to-day, with a windy looking sky to-night. Friday July 21st Daddy got up some time during the night and wet out and raked up the alsike "while the dew was on". He got through and came up for his breakfast about eight o'clock leaving the rake back there for Lambkin's. I was not waked till after six and did not get up till half past. Bill had the cows in when I went out and was milking Spotty. I milked Bobby but left the milk to separate after breakfast. Bill changed the car and hay fork from the drive house into the barn. When Daddy got through his breakfast we went out and bunched up the alsike. The ground was covered with husks and the stuff was soaking wet, but we bunched up bunches thick all over the field and were up at the house at 11.15. Then Bill and Daddy went out and got on a load of wheat before dinner. I sawed some wood mowed lawn and watered Joe and Ginger while they were gone. They hauled wheat all the afternoon 9 out of the east field and one out of the west. I just helped them pitch off and hoed corn and read while they were out. I felt a little sick the second load and just lay around till the last when I hoed some corn. I turned the sheaves for Daddy to mow away. When we came out after tea we found Vyse's little sow and all her pigs out in the back yard. Then Dick and I undertook to get them 28 �home. We got them down pretty well as far as Bannisters and there the sow went through a hole in the fence and the two Bannister's Carson Rankin and Paul Lee Woodson helped us chase her out of there Dick and the Bannister's chased her through Vyse's mangle's and corn into the barn yard. Paul Lee and Cars went off to look for corn for a corn-roast and I went over to Vyse's. Then Dick and I went off in search of the little ones. We at last found them in Vyse's hay field and chased them up. Then Vyse and I went back his lane to look for his boar. We found the Banisters back there. We found his boar in his wheat field and headed him off and then came home. I got home about dark. Thus ended that boar hunt. Huby could not come over to-day as he had some insurance to look after but he was represented by Nig. who spent the day, and went home with Bill to-night He comes over every day now. Pretty fairly hot to-day nice wind, may rain before long Sun set clear tonight sure sign it will rain before Monday. Saturday July 22nd We all got up pretty early this morning. First of all we went out and pitched off the load of wheat in the barn. Then we went over to the alsike field. We met Judge Wells taking his morning ride and he grew very excited when he saw Tige and raised his whip and made a great pass but Tige did not pay any attention. I helped pitch on a load and we put it off with the fork. I mowed it away while they were gone an then hoed in the garden. Huby came over about eleven and they got another load in the barn before dinner. We were a long time getting the car fixed on the track. Huby and I did not go out to the field at all this after noon we just mowed away it was very much easier than the timothy, being light and short. While they were gone I cut some weeds with the scythe and helped Huby trim thorn trees over on Coleman's line. We got in five loads altogether to-day and left one in the barn. There is a little over a load out in the field yet. Ferdie was over with Dick most of the after noon. We were very late to-night with the chores as the last load was late coming in It has been pretty fairly warm to-day but cloudy and windy a lot of the time. It looks a little like rain but we do not know when it will come and hope not for awhile. We got a letter from Aunty today. Sunday July 23rd Got up about half past seven this morning and helped Daddy with the chores, then got fixed up and went down to Sunday School and church. Nothing unusual happened. I went home with Daddy and Enah who drove Joe and Ginger down. I read "Pepy's Diary" till about three o'clock, when I went down town with the intention of going in for a swim but as there 29 �was nobody around I did not go in but went up to the park and walked up the beach a little way with Hazen and Stubbon Brock. Then sat in the square a little while with Egg Thompson and Billy Miller. Then I went down to Huby's for tea, thence to church and pumped for Wiser. I came home soon afterwards as it looked rainy. It has all day and is just sprinkling a little. Bill has just come in. He did not go home at all. Monday July 24th All hands wished me a happy birthday this morning, this being the sixteenth anniversary of the day when I first made my appearance in the world. On my plate I found piled at breakfast a nice pair of pants from Enah and just about all the contents of a barber shop from Daddy and Dick. A razor and brush from the former and soap and strop from the latter. All that is required now is a few whiskers to try them on. It was very windy this morning too windy to draw alsike so Bill plowed all morning. I picked up all the broken glass that had been under the old house and Daddy and Dick went down town to get some oats and feed. This after noon Huby and Mr. Winky Smith came over. Mr. Smith took a look at the house and sized it up for painting. We hauled wheat all the afternoon and got it all in but a little more than a load. Huby trimmed trees over by Coleman's while they were putting on a load and I cut some lawn and botherd Enah. Dick went down to the lake for a swim as the waves were so big. When he came back he brought me two nice letters. One from Roy containing all kinds of good wishes and some pictures he had taken when he was up. The other was a good fat one with epistles from Aunty Win and Aunty Alice with a dollar bill from both Aunty and Aunty Alice. I got a ring and a nickel out of the cake to-night. Vyse came up after his cow and calf to-night. Enah, Daddy and Dick have gone over to Martin's to look at a piano to-night so Tige and I are the only ones home. There has been a strong and quite cold sou'west wind since last mid-night and it seems just as strong as ever tonight. Daddy said he was awake most of the night last night shutting doors and windows. Huby said he never saw the water so high in the marsh this time of year. Tuesday July 25th First thing this morning we put off the load that was in the barn and then Bill and Daddy hauled in the rest of the wheat. They brought it in in two jags. They put it over the granary so Huby and I did not have to help them. I tore down the fence in front of the drive shed and cut it up, while Huby and Dick went back the lane to trim the trees we put out last spring after first helping me to mow away the alsike. After the wheat was in they hauled in the remaining two jags of alsike. They got through a little after noon. Mr Smith came over 30 �and started at the house this afternoon alone. Quint came over and stayed all the afternoon. When the alsike was put away we went and cleared up where the old Horse stable was and got enough wood for thashing. We also hauled the big stones away from there and put them up against the big barn. Quint and I fooled around shooting arrows till we broke or lost them all. After tea Bob. Blakie came over and gave Dad some money for the pasture and Emery McPherson came and said he start work on the Drive house in the morning. Then Enah and I printed some pictures we had eleven good prints and only spoilt one. The Martins brought the piano this morning and Enah has been trying it off and on all day We all like it very much. (Huby and Bill very much). Huby and Dick were all through the woods at the back of the place this morning picking out trees and trimming them to plant out next spring. There was the same cold wind to-day as yesterday calming completely tonight. Wednesday July 26th I slept late this morning as Daddy promised me when all the work was done I could sleep in the first morning. Both Mr. Smith and Emery McPherson were here before I got up and before we had breakfast. Mr. Smith brough Art. over with him to-day. Bill plowed all day and is nearly through. We worked around the horse stable all day Daddy and Emery dug the trench for the foundation and got all the lumber straightened around inside. Dick went down town this morning and Byron Johnston came back with him. I foole around with him and watched the painters a lot to-day. All the men and Byron were here to dinner and although the Smiths nor Byron were here to tea Mrs. Lawrie and Miss Low were. It has been pretty cool to-day but not so windy. Bill Donald came in before tea and looked at his buck wheat and gathered up his borrowed implements. Dick has the names of those who passed to-day. Quint passed but he (Dick did not but "got put through". Neither Art Smith nor {Lopsy?} passed. She went past here to-day and Art lost about half an hours work Daddy has just driven Mrs Lawrie and Miss Low home behind Joe & Ginger Half an hours music and to bed. Thursday July 27th Bill was not here this morning when I got up but came soon after wards. Our men were here before we sat down to breakfast. Art did not come this morning, he got tired yesterday. Bill finished the plowing a little after noon to-day. Mr. Smith got the first coat on all over the house and a coat of oil on the west side of the wood shed, that is the only side of it we will have painted. Dick and Daddy took Joe and Ginger and the hay rack down to get the 31 �cement and a few other things They did not get back till noon. They brought Lila back with them who is going to stay until she gets homesick again I worked around the drive shed all the morning. This after noon they started to put the wall in under the building and I kept them supplied with water and had the rest of the time to my self. I spent most of it lying around in their way. The cows were up early to-night so we got through early. I started to make a milk stool whether I will get it done or not remains to be seen. Dick and Bill went down town to-night to hear the band. Bill took Enah's wheel down to be fixed. There was an excursion from Norwich in town to-day. Miss Phipps came over to-night I suppose for some cream. It has been very sunny to-day but quite cool. At noon it was very dark and raine a few drops but soon cleared off. The pigs are having a fine time in the orchard now plagueing the life out of poor Davie who is to polite to say any thing Friday July 28th This morning got up with out waking Lila about 5.40, milked Bobby and shivered around till breakfast. Mr. Smith did not turn up to-day so we surmised he could not get a man to help him. Emery came a little while after with Leon. When Lila got up she showed him all over the farm and. then Dick got up and tried to beat Lila waiting on Leon, who tore all over jabbering a blue streak all the time. Daddy went up to Stan. Thompson's after break fast and I finished making my milk stool. It is not right yet though. About eleven Daddy and I drove Joe down to the mill to get a jack screw to work on the stable. I hoed mangles all the afternoon. Emery and Leon went home to night as he wanted to cut his oats to-morrow. Bill said he could stay next week he thought and help with the stable. Lamkin's came to-night and paid Dad fifteen dollars for the hay on the back field making $100 revenue from the farm so far. Daddy drove Enah and Dick down town to-night. Enah has to play on Sunday for Miss Hunt. Daddy is coming right back and Dick with Enah. Fairly warm to-day. Saturday July 29th I raked up the lawn this morning and Daddy and Bill worked at the foundation of the drive house. I took the old lilac bush that Mr. Smith cut down and cut it up for firewood. I shovelled a little grout got some stone for them and fooled around till dinner. Harry Battersby and Clayton Ansby came over for a while this morning. Bill went home this afternoon, but expected to be back on Monday. This afternoon Dick went down town and stayed all the afternoon. Daddy and I went over the gully with the mower and I mowed the weeds that Lamkins left. It was the first time I ever mowed any thing and it was not so badly done. After that I went down to the stump for a swim and only had two dives. The water 32 �was about 20 above freeze. Daddy brought up the rake which was across the gully too. Dick went down town after tea & stayed till dark. Enah is now playing toe-ticklers on the piano so I will have to quit. Cool and Cloudy. Threatening rain wind seems to be getting up. They had a shooting match and Quint beat all but old Dad Hamaker. He got 19 out of 25 and just missed throug carelessness There were a lot of American crack shots there that only got 13 or 14. Sunday July 30th Did not get up till nearly eight this morning and of course all the chores were done by this time. Went down to Sunday School and pumped in church. I nearly turned the old bell over, I think Wiser must have greased it up. Another Miss Hunt sang a solo to-day. This one is soprano and older than the other one. We went down to Huby's to dinner and saw all the young walnuts he has ready to plant out over here next spring. He intended to go up creek to get some young butternuts. We all came home but Dick right after dinner and I fooled around and wrote a letter to "The Patch" and one to Roy, and read a little. Daddy tinkered around at odd jobs and I guess Enah slept or watched Daddy. To-night we milked and Daddy fixed better legs in my milk stool and Enah found a hen's nest of ten eggs in the orchard. I picked some plaster off the old house and pasted a paper face on a green tomato to see if it will color around it. It has been pretty warm and sultry to-day. Monday July 31st Mr. Smith and his new man (Mr. Collins from Hamilton or someplace) came this morning to put on the second coat and do the glazing. Emery and Bill both turned up too. They worked at the cement wall all day. Dick got up early this morning for a change and also to pick a bushel of harvest apples to sell to Ed. Moon. Daddy went down town with the big team and hay rack and got thirty more bags of cement and also took Dick and his apples down. He got the glass for the windows and Mr. Smith put them in. Dick went down town this afternoon and stayed all the afternoon. He brought a letter from Grand daddy saying he expected to send Frank here about September 1st. I did not do any thing in particular today. This morning I raked up the rest of the front lawn and piled the rakings in a heap to be burned. I cut some lawn and sawed a little wood. Then I cleared up the broken glass and mess that Mr. Smith had made and worked around the horse-stable the rest of the day. Huby and Harry Battersby drove Dave's horse over this after noon and Huby made out some insurance policys Mrs. & Miss Dixon were here to-night. Bill thought to-day he would keep away from town this week, but he is down to-night just the same. We have the west 33 �side wall of the stable finished now and well started on the north end. It has been pretty hot to-day. A thrashing out-fit has just gone past. Parliament dissolved (Saturday). The dates of the new election are set. Nomination Sept 12, and polling Sept 21st. The Globe says this is the most important election campaign in Canadian history as Reciprocity is the issue. Tuesday August 1st Very tired when Daddy woke me this morning at 5.30 and did not get up till six. Emery walked over via the gully and lane before we finished breakfast and Mr. Smith came after wards but his man did not turn up which provoked him. He did not come all day at all and Mr. Smith's plans for work were all changed. Bill did not feel very well to-day but worked with Daddy and Emery all day. They have the walls all up now all but except where the blocking which Gilbert put under the sill is. I fooled around with them till about 9 o'clock and then went out and pulled weeds in the mangles till noon. This after noon I was setting out in their road while they were mixing cement and I saw some yellow specks in the bottom of the water pail. They all had a look at it and we decided there must be a gold mine at the bottom of the old well. We were thinking what we would do with all the money when I saw some of it floating around, so I went out and wed the rest of the mangles, which took me about an hour and then I came up and fooled around in the road till six thinking about building one of the "hell-cracker" barns that Sandy Leitch was telling Huby about. It was very hot to-day till about 3 o'clock when it got awful dark and dirty looking over head and an awful wind came up for a little while and cooled things off. It still looks rainy. Bill for a wonder did not go down town to-night first time he has missed for a month I guess Wednesday July August 2nd This morning the cows got the gate open and ate all the sweet corn and then went into their proper places in the cow stable without doing any more damage excep stepping on some of the radishes and lettuce. I think this was the last blow for the corn. First Joe got at it then Vyse's pigs and the cows have finished it. Mr. Smith and his man both came this morning and they finished the house all but one side about four o'clock. I don't know why he did not do it unless he forgot Bill and Daddy hauled brick bats from the brick yard all fore noon to put on the stable floor to lay the cement on. They got three loads and Emery and I spread most of them around and did other things out there to get ready for putting in the stalls. This afternoon I went down with Bill to get the brick bats and got two loads by four o'clock. Daddy and Emery put the post for the stalls in while we were gone. After we got the last load off we took Mr. Smith, his man and stuff down to Walt Steels where he is going to 34 �paint their house. Bill went up town to get some tar paper for the stable and I went over to Huby's where I found nobody at home and got the bathtub and a couple of planes to bring over here. Then Bill mixed a little cement to fill in some places in the wall and by this time it was tea time. It has been pretty hot all day and rained a little to-night making in very sultry and as the windows are all wet paint we can't open them all fixecated to-night for us. Bill went down town to-night. Hamilton asylum burned yesterday 8 deaths. Thursday August 3rd Got a little wood cut right after break fast and then went out and laid brick bats around in the stable. We were all working out there this morning (even Dick who came out about 9 o'clock), just at odd jobs around. About three or four o'clock we started to lay the cement for the floor. Dick went down town and got some tacks, candy stuff for tea, "Farmer Advocate," and some the Cement books Huby sent fore. I read them from then till tea time. Enah went down to Mrs. Hobbs to a tea party so Dick got tea and did fine. After tea he rode down and Bill went down with Emery to hear the band. Daddy and I after doing chores hooked up Joe and Ginger and went down after Enah. Had quite a time finding her I looked all through the park as Allan (on his way over the hill) told us she was there, and at las found at Cousin Lolls. Daddy encountered to automobillys and had quite a time with the team. I got some postcards at Billy Gordon's and came right home with them. Dover played bowls with {---ville?} to-day and won Score 27-7. They are doing better this year Friday August 4th Bill got home about five o'clock this a.m. Emery came and brought Cecil with him he is as sharp as a steel trap and just about as mischevious as Leon. I went down town right after breakfast on Enah's wheel to get my hair cut. I went over Brant Hill to take Mr. Smith his cheque and went down and stayed a little while with Joe. I also went down to Huby's but none of them were up. I came back, doffed my good clothes and worked around the stable till noon. We started to make some concrete nest eggs for Huby. This afternoon Bill and I hauled three more loads of brick bats for which they tax us $1.00 a load. Cecil went with us for two loads and Dick one. They got all the cement in the stalls. Emery went home to-night and Bill bid us a last fare well he expects to start for the West on the next Harvestr Excursion August 13. The report of the successful candidates trying for entrance into Normal came out to-day with Marj. Clarke (honors) and Edny Sidway. The latter has only been in the third form one year. Mrs. & Miss McPherson were here this p.m. and Miss Phipps is here to-night. Hot all day no sign of rain 35 �Saturday August 5th As none of our men were here we did not do any thing in particular to-day. I went back the gully first thing this morning to see if the cows had any water and found one pool at the extreme end of the pasture. They were all three standing in it. Daddy took Joe and Ginger down this rnorning to get them shod and brought Greenbury back to trim Davy's feet. Davy kicked up quite a row. Daddy is afraid he is getting ring bone. Daddy was gone nearly all fore noon I sawed wood till my saw horse broke and puttered at odd jobs. Dick was down town all day and is down to-night. He brought back at noon a letters from Roy Auny and Granddaddy. The Latter said he expected to have Frank start East from Sycamoose on the 17th of August. I tried my new razor to-day noon and it worked fine, it made my face as smooth as any thing and I never cut myself once. Daddy and I went down town about four o'clock to get some oats. I got off at Allan's corner on the way home and went up to the Stump and had a good swim and got home by six. Daddy and Enah drove Joe down town to-night to meet Roy as he said in his letter he expected to come, so Tige and I are keeping house. It has been very hot to-day, and close. The Allan's were going to have a sale to-day, so said "The Maple Leaf," but we saw no signs of one when we went past this after noon. I was fast asleep on the sofa when Enah and Roy came in about 10.30 and we did not get to bed till late. Sunday August 6th Got up late this morning after all the chores were done and had breakfast alone as the rest were waiting tll Roy got up and I did not want to be late ringing the bell. However I did not go down till they were half throug breakfast and then got down about 9.35. I cleaned the cobwebs I could reach out of the windows. We stayed in to communion and then Daddy Enah and I went up to see Cousin Clare. We went down to Huby's for dinner, Daddy did not want to stay but as dinner was just ready Aunty Maude wanted him to. Harry Battersby was there. Daddy and Enah went home and I stayed at Hubys a little while till Huby took Lila (in her bathing suit) down to jump off the dock, then I went up town and sat in the market square awhile with Fat Turner and then came over to the bottom of Brent's place and eat apples for about a quarter on an hour with Murray. It looked a little thundery so Murray went up to the {Brea..?} and I went home throug Bannister's I found Dad just emerging from the bath tub in the wood shed and Enah in a light dressing-gown. We sat around and read and Enah played a while and then all of us including Tige and the grey kitten went back the gully. Enah and the kitten stayed on the top of the hill while Daddy Tige and I went down and fixed the fence over the creek going into Colemans as Bobby got out there to-day. Tige 36 �and I strolled clear arond John Thomas Watson's and down the McQueen's gully. Daddy went over to see the oats and thinks they will be all right pretty good after all. We brought the cows up with us and milked before tea. The flys were awful. Dick was here when we came up. We had a late tea and Daddy tended to the horses after wards. We have not seen a sign of Roy since church except we saw him with Livy going into the drugstore after films to take {illegible} kid on as it has been taken about a dozen times before by amateurs but none turned out. This was just after we came out of Cousin Clare's. It has been awfully hot to-day but is cooler to-night. Old Nigger dog has been over here all day, Quint went up to Normandale with Bill and Hugh McQueen in the latter's launch about two or three o'clock this a.m. Monday August 7th Daddy had to start off early after breakfast to thrash at Flemming's and was gone all day. I mended my saw horse, cut some wood and started to cut burdocks in the orchard After dinner I finished cutting burdocks in the orchard and walked back to the gully with Roy. Roy went down town about thee o'clock. I cleaned up a little behind the wood shed Then Enah and I drove Joe down to Huby's and we went on down to the station to see Roy off and to take his grip. This being Toronto's civic holiday he stayed all day here. We did not get home till six as Enah had to go a few places (about three) and only stayed a "minute" at each. She also saw Cousin Loll which took a little more time. They were just coming out of Flemming's with the machine when we came past and Tige was just seeing Daddy safley over Bannister's fence when we got home Dick was down town all the after noon. It has been hotter than ...... it was Saturday to-day. Tuesday August 8th Emery came this morning while we were at breakfast and he has got quite a bit done at the stable. Daddy went down soon after break fast and got Vyse's disk but could not find the seat. I disked till noon on the wheat ground and got my foot pretty tired. Daddy and Dick drove Joe down town right after dinner and got a seat for the disc and some cow spray and a sprayer. We sprayed all the horses and other animals that would stand for it around the stable. Then I went and discked till six. We sprayed the cows after tea and it killed all the flies. All the family including Tige except Enah went down to Wyatt Parsons after tea and found he could come and cut the oats tomorrow He was coming any way We got back about ten o clock. It has been cool and windy to-day. Lovely night (full moon The old wind 37 �mill pumped all the vessles around the place that would hold water "chuck a block" to-day and then ran over into the well. Wednesday August 9th Daddy had to go at half past seven this morning to Meet Wyatt Parsons at Blakie's corner to show him over the gulsh to the oats. He stayed shocking up till noon. I sawed some wood, cleaned the horses and helped Emery at the stable this fore noon, besides digging some potatoes for dinner. This afternoon I went back with them and tried to shock up oats but I had no gloves and they were pretty thistly so I did not get much done. I went over to John Wessly McBrides after a pail of water and saw the celebrated barn. The oats are down pretty much and on one side the sheaves are all shapes and have to be piled in heaps instead of shocks. He got through cutting about five and then he and Daddy measured the field. We are a little more than half through shocking We let the cows in the field that Lambkins took the hay off to-day. It has not been hot to-day. The wind mill pumped about as much to-day as yesterday. Dick went down to the station to see if Uncle Ward came tonight. Thursday August 10th Worked around the stable all day with Emery. We got all the side boards up Daddy worked around there too most of the time but Wyatt Parsons came to measure the grain fields. He measured it with a tape line so it took a long time and Daddy had to help him. Cousin Clare came over this morning and stayed all day. About four o'clock Daddy and Dick went over and shocked up the rest of the oats. We all went down to-night to hear the band. Dick rode his wheel and I walked, Daddy and Enah drove Cousin Clare down with Joe. I went over to the park to watch the dance for a while got some post cards talked with Roy Dell a while and then went down to Mrs. Davie Moore's corner and met Daddy and Enah and drove home about half past nine. Hot To-day Daddy and Enah saw old Bill down town he is says he is going to start West tomorrow stay with Jack Pane in Toronto to-morrow and start Saturday. He said it was breaking up home as his wife was so opposed to the trip. She nor the rest of his relations thought he was in earnest till this morning and when they found out he was the kicked up quite a fuss Friday August 11th We all worked at the stable this morning. We sawed the timber sill off in the drive way which took about half an hour with Blakie's cross cut and got quite a bit of cement laid in 38 �the alley-way. I disked all the afternoon on the wheat ground and finished it. They got the rest of the cement laid in the alley way. After the chores were done to-night Daddy saddled Joe and I had a nice ride around Flemming's block. Then Dick got on but could not reach the stirrups so he asked Daddy to get on and he rode down the lane and back for our benifit. Dick knocked the old wooden trough at the wind mill to pieces and we are going to put up the concrete one as soon as possible. It rained early this morning and has been cool and cloudy the rest of the day. Saturday August 12th Emery, Dick and I worked at the stable to-night all day, and got the stalls pretty well boarded up. We had quite a time foraging for boards Daddy took Joe and Ginger and rolled some of the wheat ground and then Vyse came over to ask him to go over to help him bring in his oats this after noon so Daddy came up before noon and put the rack on the wagon. Art. Brown was here with a lame horse and a medicine agent trying to sell us some wonderful compound which would cure any thing in the shape of aches or pain warranted not to rip tear {?} and turn up at the toes etc etc. He was not very persistent though. Dad was gone all the afternoon Vyse had three teams and six men in the field and got all his oats in. Enah went down and stayed till tea Dick and I both went down after tea and saw Uncle Ward conversing with Nicky Luce in front of Taylor's Dick expected Ade Millman but he did not come. Sunday August 13th Got up very late this morning and Daddy did all the chores. Went down to church and Sunday school as usual and stayed to Huby's for dinner Daddy and Enah came down but did not stay. Huby and Dave drove the latter's horse over here and I hung arond up at Waddle's with Hazen all the after noon and had tea at Hubys and Quint and I went to church. After church I hung around the pier about an hour and then came home I saw Dick going home just at Allan's corner. Dick McBain drove me over as far as Woodson's. I picked Tige up at Vyse's. When I got home I found Dick all alone and a note on the table saying the family had gone down to Uncle Ward's for tea. We fooled around a while and then went to bed before the folks got home. Pretty hot to-day. Monday August 14th Emery came this morning and worked awhile at the stable but Daddy asked him to help with the oats so he said he would. Daddy and I went over about half past nine and started 39 �to load up. Vyse and Emery came over and loaded a load before we did I was loading ours. We got three loads off before dinner, two of Vyses and one of ours. After dinner Daddy and Emery went out and I waited for Vyse. I pitched on this time and we got three loads and finished. Then Vyse went home and we got a little hay over for the horses and Emery worked awhile at the stable. When we were taking Harry and Belle through the narrow alley way in the stable the both got out and caused some trouble, then after tea Coleman's colts got into the wheat stable and we chased them about half and hour to shake down our supper. Emery built a duck pen and put our four in it as he thought they ought to have good water. He went home to night and will not be back till Thursday as to morrow he intends to go to Simcoe to hear Sir Wilfred and Wednesday his Sunday School picnic. Pretty hot today. Tuesday August 15th It was very cloudy and thundery when we got up this morning and when we got through milking it began to rain. It poured like cats & dogs for about two hours and just rained after that for half an hour. Daddy and I climbed all over the garret hunting for leaks before breakfast. After breakfast Dick Daddy and I moved all the horses over into the big barn and then begant to clean off the floor off the same building, and found it very poor. I churned this morning and Enah who felt poorly baked. We cleaned up a little around the horse stable and after dinner Daddy Dick and I drove down town in the rack and I got a pair of heavy boots and did some other shopping for the house. Every body was in Simcoe to-day to hear Sir Wilfred Laurier. {K.C.P.M.?} except Andrew Innes. Dick and I went for a swim, he at the rail way bridge and I at the boat house. Lila came and fed the ducks and said Huby and Quint had gone to Simcoe. We got home about six o'clock and got some tomatoes at Mrs. Battersby's on our way back. We got the planks for the stable floor at the Wide spread. I cut some lawn after tea. Wednesday August 16th I chopped up some wood while Daddy went over to see if he could get a roll of wire fence from Mr. Flemming. When he came back we hooked up and he Dick, and I went down to get the wire. Then we went over with it to Coleman's line and ripped down some of the old rail fence and piled it on the rack and Daddy and Dick took it over to the barn to pile it in a convenient place for thrashing wood. It begant to rain as they left and they said they would be back presently with a coat for me as I had to stay and see that Coleman's cattle did not get in. I sought shelter under a tree and waited patiently for about an hour. It was pouring 40 �when they arrived and I was about frozen. It soon cleared off and we started erected the wire and tacked it to a few posts good enough to keep the cattle out. Then it began to rain again and we went up for dinner. We found Edith Lawrie and B. Kanes (or Kains or what you please) up at the house come to spend the day. They had been all over the place inspecting the stock. After dinner I went over to borrow Vyse's post hole auger. When I came back Daddy and I cleaned the stuff off the big barn floor out to the rack and took it over in the field to burn. We also hauled the brush Huby and I cut off the trees and put it in the same heap. Dick did not come over this after noon but stayed and entertained the girls. Daddy and I put up the wire as far as the rails went and ripped a few more rails down. We were soaking wet when we came up at six as it rained most of the afternoon. It is so wet tonight the girls have to stay all night. They are all kicking up a row in the parlor now. Bob. Law hauled a couple more loads of sand to-day. Thursday August 17th Emery did not come to-day so Daddy and I worked around cleaning up all day. This morning we got some lumber out of the old box stall doors to make mangers with and after dinner we hauled out a lot of the old shingles & rubbish in front of the horse stable and piled it out with the brush to burn. We also put in a few more posts for the fence and got another load of rails. The old wind mill came uncoupled some where down in the well last night and Dick went down with Edith & B this morning to get Felix but he could not come to-day as he was going up to hear Mr. Borden spout to-night. Allan and Miss Brent came over this afternoon for awhile. Dick went down to-night to hear the band but it did not play as it was playing for Mr. Borden, it will likely be here to-morrow. Dick said there was a great crowd went up on the the special to hear Borden to-night. Pretty fairly warm but nice breeze. Friday August 18th Emery came this morning and we worked all day with the cement floor in the horse stable and now have it nearly done. Felix came over and it took him till seven o'clock to-night to get the pump fixed. He put in another length of pipe. We had a lot of fun with him. It rained for awhile this morning and he gave us a great speech He is so against Laurier and reciprocity. I nearly burst laughing at him. Ace Williams was here this afternoon as he thought we were thrashing. He is now the father of a week old daughter. I was at the back end of the place to-night after the cows which Tige chased back. When we came in from milking about eight o'clock to-night we found Mrs. James Enah's sister-in-law and her three 41 �children here. Dick went down town to hear the band but I guess it did not play to night again. Windy. Saturday August 19th This is the great Boughner picnic day to-day and rigs of all kinds have been flocking in along the side road all day. Dick went down early this morning and stayed till late to-night only coming back with the mail about 1 or 2 o'clock. I don't know what he did with him-self all day. He was checking parcels to-night and made fifty cents. Emery and I worked around the stable all day Emery was finishing up and flooring the stalls and I was painting window shashes and doing odd jobs for Emery. Daddy was disking the wheat ground all day and found my old knife which I thought was gone for sure this time. Mrs. McPherson Enah's sister came over with Emery this morning and stayed awhile talking to Mrs. James whom she was very surprised to see and came back this after noon and took the whole {ging-lang?} {illegible} except Enah and Jean who walked down to the picnic Enah, Jean and Cecil came back ther to tea and the rest stayed at James's. Dad teased Cecil till he had him as mad as a wet hen and as saucy as as a sparrow. After tea Daddy and I did the chores and Emery took Enah Cecil and Jean down town and Daddy and I drove down about 9 o'clock. We intended going over to the park to watch them dance but seeing a fire in the glue room in the Wide spread the same place it was before we went up and informed Mr. Denly who by the look of things was about to retire but had to jump on his wheel and go down We meet Emery and Doc. Jolley's corner and made plans for going home and executed them in short order. Emery and I walked out and Daddy took half the crowd and Mrs McPherson the other half out home and then Daddy drove her and Cecil down till he met Emery and then he drove her out to his fathers. We saw Mr. Denly coming back on his wheel while we were at Jolley's corner and he said there was no fire there at all when he went down. So we did not get over to the park after awhile all. Cool and pleasant to-day. nice breeze Sunday August 20th Daddy drove me down to Sunday School this morning as he wanted to see if he could take Aunty Maude and Lila back to dinner with him and have Huby and Quint walk out but they could not come I pumped as usual and Quint went up behind the organ with me. I walked home to dinner where was assembled all of Emery's family in addition to the others all trying to squeeze up to the kitchen table. After dinner Emery discovered an oil hole in the old wind mill head which when Dad oiled up the old thing went like a charm. Daddy was bringing Ginger out to water and she jumped away from him into the old {?} beam and 42 �conked herself quite badly besides wrenching off a shoe. Daddy Emery Cecil Tige and the grey kitten and I all went back to the gulch to hunt for the spring Blakey was tilling as about but could not find it. Then we went up to the mound where there was a ground hog's hole and Emery while digging around found an old double spring trap attatched to a {illegible} with a ring in it. He said he had often thought of digging out the mound when he was a boy as he thought there were treasures there. I went up a little wa with Cecil and him and then came home and took the cows up with me. Mrs. McPherson was just starting off with the bunch and two valises. Mr. & Mrs H. Shand where here for awhile before tea. I rode Enah's wheel down to post a couple of letters to-night. Monday August 21st Emery came this morning and He & I worked to-gether all day. We put the door on the boxstall and end door on the horse stable. I painted more window sashes and swept down some of the cobwebs of the ceiling in the stable. We also put a new piece on the {jerk?} rod of the wind mill in place of a rickety old eyesore, which caused the mill to lose half a stroke. Daddy disked the remainder of the wheat ground this morning and went over it with the smoothing harrower this after noon. I had a snooze for about an hour this after noon and then wrote a little to Roy for his birthday to-morrow. Vyse came over this morning to bring us some sweet corn and again this after noon to tell Daddy the thrashers would if all's well be at his place to-morrow. I rode Enah's wheel back after the cows to-night. Prett warm today. Got a card from E. Dewar to-day. Tuesday August 22nd This morning I cleaned up the floor in the other barn and the granaries and also nailed up some rat-holes. I just put the chaff in a big heap on the barn-floor. Daddy and Emery fixed some posts that were rotted off over the cow stable. Dick churned and got a nice mess of good butter. About ten o'clock, Sam Law got his machine at Vyse's so Daddy went over to help thrash. Emery took the big team back with the plow to start work on the oat stubble and alsike ground for wheat. Belle fell down going down the hill at the end of the lane so Emery took two or three furrows off that which made it much better. We plowed till noon. I plowed a couple of furrows in the easy ground and did not do so badly considering I did not have the wheel on. Old Harry fell down once too at the side of a ditch in where the alsike was. After dinner Daddy came over after me to go and help thrash as they were short handed. Paul Lee Woodson Hugh Bannister and I were in the mow all the time and Daddy helped us now and then. Cass Rankin came over and worked for about five minutes. Dick 43 �helped for awhile but found a nest of mice about a day or so old and it took him all his time looking after them he took the home in his hat when he went home for tea. Louis Woodson was running the blower. Mr. Blakie and Old Wells on the stack. Mr. Flemming carraying awaw grain Vyse feeding and Bench all her cutting bands besides the three men with the machine. Vyse had {690?} bushles of grain allto gether. We had tea about five o'clock and the worked till dark and finished. I went home soon after six and did the chores Emery helped me. Not too hot to-day Wednesday August 23rd Got up fairly early this morning and found it pretty cool. Daddy, Tige, Marshalls two kittens, and the old grey cat Williams left and I went way back the gulch after the cows. We found them in the wood and the cats followed us all the way. Daddy went over to Blakie's to thrash and stayed all day there. Dick went over but came back to dinner, but went right back again. He ran the blower this morning. Blakie thrashed 640 barrels all to-gether. I sawed a lot of wood up and threw out the chaff I raked up in the barn yesterday. I got some tomatoes and a potatoes. Emery was plowing all day I took him some water a coupe of times but did not stay. This After noon Enah and I drove Joe down town and got the buggy chuck full of grub for the threshers. Mrs. Flemming gave us about a bushel of vegetables. I We thought we dropped a cabbage and we went all the way back to Bannister's but did not find it. Dick and Paul Lee Woodson came in about six from Blakies and I went down with them to Woodson's for a swim and very nearly froze. We swam out to the island under water. I had my tea after I came home about eight o'clock. Cool to-day. Thursday August 24th Emery plowed all morning and Daddy and Dick thrashed over at Alfred Ryersie's. I worked out in the barn to prepare for the threshers this after noon. Dick and Daddy got home about noon and said they had had their dinner so Enah, Emery and I dined together. The threshing outfit came while we were at dinner. Hannah Flemming came over to help Enah. Huby came over with Earny Skey. It took quite a while for them to get started and we boys, Paul Lee, Cars. Rankin Tony Bannister, Dick and I fooled around, but when the did start they put us at the muzzle of the machine and we stood there chewing dust most of the after noon. We filled the hay the other side of the cow stable wth straw and it took a lot of men to push the straw over. Daddy, Frank Vyse, Tony and I in concecutive order pushing straw to Earny, Huby, Paul Lee, Cars, and Dick who were in the mow, Earny got called away to the telephone Paul Lee went to help in the mow. Cars. got a head ache and Tony skinned out so 44 �there was after awhile only Huby and Dick in the mow and Frank Vyse and I & Daddy shoving straw. I stood in one place for two or three hours with the balmy breath of the blower on my cheek and dust from the same about an inch thick (more or less) down my throat and larynx. When we filled up all over the cow stable we went out and Vyse took the blower and Huby, Daddy, and I stayed in the big bay. I came out of there about five and did not do anything after that but gasp for breath. Huby and Daddy stayed with it to the bitter end and when they came out they looked like niggers. Huby had his hat off all the afternoon and his hair was as he {?} creped it like a wool mat. After tea Emery milked for me as I felt rotten, my head felt like a boiled cabbage. And I was shivering at one time and then would about roast. I had a few swallows of wine and then went to bed. Dick went down town to check parcels at the {bank?}. There has been a drizzle-drazzle rain all day till about five o'clock this afternoon. Friday August 25 I slept late this morning after dreaming I was threshing all night and just before I got up I heard one of the little chickens sqeal and looking out saw a big rat had one by the leg. Dad came to kill it but it got away and the chicken died soon after. I was very late with my breakfast. Daddy, Emery and Dick went down town this morning with the rack and got back about noon with lumber for the stable door and glass for the stable windows and a few other things. Ace Williams came after his wheat and I helped him all day with it He took one load to mill before dinner and three after Dick went the first time and Lila and I the second and the last he went alone. Emery made the door for the drive house this afternoon and hung it. Daddy rolled the wheat ground that Emery plowed with Joe and Belle. Cousin Clare came over this morning and stayed all day. Lila came over with Emery and Daddy and stayed all night and Allan & Kathleen Millman came over and stayed to tea. It has been pretty cool all day to-day. Monday August 28th Emery, Jean and Cecil came this morning about seven o'clock with Joe. Daddy went back to plow but came back before noon on account of the rain, he plowed into a couple of bee's nests and got stung three times on the arm. I started to paint the hay rack but in began to rain so we took it in the barn and I did not get any more than part of the bed piece. Emery got the glass in the windows all put in and most of them hung up. This afternoon as it still rained hard Daddy and I white washed four of the stalls with brooms. It cleared off about three o'clock and Daddy saddled Joe in the new stable (she was the first one in) and I rode 45 �down to post some letters and got the mail. I found when I got home that one of the stirrup straps was broken just from disuse and want of oil. Daddy felt pretty badly about. After I got home we brought all the horse over into the new stable and they looked so nice and comfortable that Daddy almost hated to leave them to come to tea. Cecil has been having a fine time to-day in the mud puddles and scrapping with Dad. Tuesday August 29th This morning Cecil and I drove down town to do a few errands but principally to get Quint to come out and shoot crows in the cornfield. He came out a little while after with George Brown {..?} having jumped on behind the old buggy and ridden over. Of course he did not get any crows as he went over to the woods (when he found none in the cornfield. Emery worked at the stable all day and I helped him and painted at the rack. Lila came over and stayed all day. Daddy plowed all day. About five o'clock Emery and I drove Joe down town to get some stuff for the mail. We did not get back till after six Emery and Cecil walke home by the gully to-night. After the chores were done to-night Jean & Lila went to bed and Enah, Daddy and I went over to Mrs. Battersby's for the evening. The Woodson's, Miss Hudson, Miss Robinson, Miss Brent & Mr. Jack Martin were there and we had a lot of lovely music, most of it furnished my Miss Robinson who is a lovely pianist and Miss Draton. Miss Woodson and Miss Robinson amused Dad. very much by their conversation of which he could understand about half. It has been pretty cool all day to-day and is quite cold tonight. Emery fixed a patent ladder in the stable to-day which runs by pulleys & weights up into the loft when not in use. Wednesday August 30th Daddy plowed all morning and Emery fixed the steps going up over the wood-shed and then ripped down a partition in the floor in the old house where we are going to have the ice house. He sharpened my buck-saw yesterday so I cut wood nearly all morning and got almost all the pile of rails cut I also helped him a little at the old house. This afternoon Mrs. McPherson & Leon came down to get Emery. Daddy helped him awhile and then went and plowed and Enah and Mrs. McPherson drove down town with Emery's horse. Emery made a corn horse and he and I went back to cut corn, it is not ripe but he was just going to show me how to do it. We went up about about five and were going to get Quint's gun which we expected Enah would bring over and shoot crows but Enah would not get it so we painted the rest of the bed of the hay rack. It has been quite cool all day and was cold this morning and to night. Jean went back to St. Williams to-night with Emery. Tonight Daddy and I drove 46 �down town with Joe to see if Quint would come over to-morrow to shoot crows. He said he would and mabee Huby and Earny. Thursday August 31st This morning I started to paint the rack and got part of one of the wings painted when Quint came with his gun. Huby and Earny did not come. I went back with Quint & and then over where Dad was and had a fine plowing lesson. When I came back Quint was wandering around and not a crow showed up nor did they all day. I helped him rob a bees nest but there was no honey. Then I came up and painted. Quint shot a grey squirrel over in the woods. I painted quite a lot this after noon and then Enah Lila and I went down town. Enah stayed at the church practising with Miss Draton till six o'clock We brought Kathleen Millman back home with us to stay a few days. We got the cows up and milked milk before tea. Quint went back with me to get the cows and shot a dove and a hawk. Enah and Lila picked about two bushels of plums to-day & we took a bushel down with us and sold as to Mrs. Brown. Quint went home to-night and left his gun and ammunition here as he expects to be back in the morning. It has been pretty cool to-day, but is not so cold to-night as last night. Friday September 1st This morning Daddy drove Joe down to Walk. Wells to put a blister on his horse. I painted at the rack till he came back and then Kathleen & I drove Joe down to get some meat. We came back by the mill and I went on painting. Daddy went back & plowed. Quint came out and Huby and Earny were out have come while we were down town. They had taken Quints gun and gone all over the farm but not shot any thing. Quint caught one of Huby's white chickens with nice yellow legs and I painted them red which made it look very pretty, but it rubbed most of it off in the grass. Cousin Clare came out this morning and stayed all day. I rode Dick's wheel down and got the mail and took Enah's hit book down to Bessie Lawrie. I gave most of the drive house door a second coat and got the cows about half past five and we milked before tea. About nine o'clock the whole four of us set out for the Shands. Daddy & I saw all over the barn and then went into the house where we found a bunch of young ladies who had been having a card party. We stayed till after eleven and after the others had gone. Daddy got them to fix a night (Tuesday) when he could bring out the Woodson's and Miss Robinson to have some music. Saturday September 2nd 47 �I felt a little sick this morning. I think from some plums I ate last night at the Sh{ands}. I painted the rest of the rack and did a few chores around. In the after noon I gave the rest of the stable door a second coat and started to tidy up around the drive house. It got very dark and lighening vividly Daddy came up with the team. It rained pretty hard but soon stopped. Daddy got ready to go back but it began to sprinkle again so he did not go back all the afternoon. About four o'clock I drove Enah and Kathleen down as Kathleen was going back to-night. We got here suit case at the Tibbets and took her down to the station. After tea Daddy drove down to meet Dick & Roy and I went to sleep about eight o'clock & stayed there till they came. We did not get to bed till midnight and had a great rat hunt just before but did not catch again. Sunday September 3rd Arose late as is the custom on the Sabbath and husstled my self to get down and ring the bells - but Wiser was there so it did not matter. Dick did not get up till after I left so of course did not come down. I came out of Sunday School a little early and found Faulkner beating the starch out of one of his Arabs with a whip because it would not stand still to get its forelock clipped. I went home to dinner as we had a couple of young roosters and Roy stayed down to Huby's. After dinner I started to read " A Houseboat on the Styx".. Huby Roy and Aunty Maude came over about three and we all went back to the gully. Huby took the gun back which Daddy got last night but did not see any thing to shoot at. Daddy shot a couple of times at a crow this morning but missed him. I brought the cows up as it was about five and went into the house for a short time and when I came out they were just disappearing at the end of the lane. So Tige & I went back again and Tige got ahead of me and chased them up to the far end of the gully so I had to go after them. When we did get them milke the separator packed and we had to take it all apart and then only got very little cream. However we got down to church Huby went home to tea and Roy down to Woodsons. After church Enah went by to Cousin Bessie's to {writing off the page} a supper {writing off the page} and is going {writing off the page} to walk. Some we {writing off the page} Roy. Dick came home to tea but went down after ward and got home shortly after we did. Daddy and I drove down to Huby's {writing off the page} got the big picture of "The {Village?} Blacksmith" and hung it in the kitchen. Very cool to-day. Monday September 4th Daddy went back to plow and I started to clean up around the drive-shed Huby and Lila came over about nine o'clock to get their chickens. I helped them catch all we could find 48 �and then drove them down and got back about noon. Dick went back with Daddy and they were going to take Mr. Vyse's roller back Dick rode on Dad's lap and they were just driving under the tree where the roller was when they hit an old stump. The tongue of the roller snapped off. The frame dropped down and they both fell off. Daddy hurt his thigh pretty badly and Dick was scared. We did not have dinner till late and I went back with Dad and had quite a plowing lesson. Roy went down town town at noon but said he would be back again and come over and say goodbye so I thought I would wait over there till he came and then go up with him and drive him down to the station. I went up to the house about 3.30 and got a spade and a drink of water and came out and began to dig up a stone where Dad was plowing. I was thus employed when Roy came back in great haste and informed me it was 20 to five. I hustled out of that and found Dick's wheel at the head of the lane where Roy had left it for me and when I got up I found Dick had the harness on Joe I got Roy to the train in time There was a big {bunch?} at the station I guess they cleared out most of the summer bugs as they had an extra coach or two on. This being {illegible} day had something to do with it. I got the cows up and nearly milked by the time Dad had the horses put away and we sat down to tea by seven o'clock. Hot to-day. Tuesday September 5th Dick got up extra early this morning and struck out for school in good time so as to get a good seat. Daddy went back to plow and I sawed all the wood left in the pile and then went back about nine o'clock to where Dad was with a handspike to get that big stone out Daddy helped me and we rolled it down into the bush. I had a long plowing lesson and came up about eleven and got some potatoes and then went down town and got some meat & groceries. I got home about noon. Dick got home at noon and did not go back. This after noon although it rained all the time Daddy plowed till five o'clock and is now nearly done. I did some cleaning up around the stable and chores. Dick went down for the mail and found out from Mrs Woodson (before it began to rain) that she and the rest would go out to the Shand's to-night, but it rained so hard we could not go, although when it slacked up a little after tea we began to get ready, but it started up again and we gave up the idea and it certainly would have been a rotten drive in a {open?} wagon. We all wrote Bill to-night and Dick gave us a grand con{cert} on his squeaking symplophone. Wednesday September 6th I cleaned up and worked around the stable till ten o'clock this morning and then went back to the field with Dad. The flies were very bad and the horses about crazy. He finished the 49 �plowing soon after I got there and then hooked on the harrows and I harrowed till noon. After dinner Daddy took Joe and Ginger down and got Vyse's disc and I lay around till he got back and then we took both teams out and he disked and I harrowed all the after noon. The soles of my feet got pretty tired and poor Ginger got pretty disgusted but we got a nice lot done. I quit a little after five and went up and gave the horses {feed?} while Dick went and got the cows. We milked before tea. Mrs. Ross and Bob were here for tea and Daddy has just driven them home. They are staying at Jim. McQueen's. Dick went down with them to get some school books from Murray. Daddy and I expect to go to the Toronto exibition to-morrow so will have to get up extra early. Huby said he would come over & do chores close this morning but nice breeze & cool this aft. Thursday September 7th Daddy got me up about five o'clock and we did the chores. Then we hussled for all we were worth throug breakfast and down to the train. We thought we were going to miss it but when we got there we watied about five or ten minutes before she started. We arrived at the Exibition grounds about 10 or 11 and were on the dead run about, all day till 3.30 p.m., and then did not see nearly all the stuff. But what we did see was great. The Widespred had a very fine exhibit of crates chests and wardrobes. There was a very large number of cattle on show. We got home about half past nine and were about frozen. It rained quite hard here about six so they tell us. Huby was to have come over here and milked but he did not get over till after six and Dick had the cows nearly milked. The trains were very crowded but we managed to get seats all {the} way. Every body on the way up was talking reciprocity and there {were} very few that seemed to be for it and they did not seem very shure whether they ought to be or not. Nice cool day. and a little rain about half past three on. Friday September 8th Got up fairly early and I worked around the house chopping wood till noon. Went over a little before to see if we could get Mr. Vyses disk this after noon. Dad wanted to get it this morning but Vyse was not through with it. After dinner I waited around till Dad took Harry & Bill over and got the disk and then went back with him and disked on the oat stubble alsike sod all the after noon He had Joe & Ginger on the harrows, and Lee Woodson came over about six and helped us put the box on the wagon. After tea Daddy & Dick hooked up the little team to the wagon and drove down to the Woodsons while Enah & I got fixed up. He was soon back and the whole bunch of us drove out to the Shand's. We had a great time. Paul Lee Dick, Charlie Shand & I playing games out in another room & outside (full moon) 50 �while Miss Robinson & Mis Drayton entertained the bunch in the other room. We got home about one o'clock. Paul Lee & I walked quite a lot of the way as we were pulling each other out of the wagon all the way home to try and get a roomyer seat. Quite cool to-night & all day. Saturday September 9th We got up very late this morning I disked all morning with the big team and Daddy had the little team on the harrows. It was very hot and I was about half asleep and the blooming thing seemed to go all wrong. Dad went over this morning to see if he could borrow Mr. Vyse's roller but Mr. Flemming had it, so he went over to Mr. McBride's at noon and borrowed his. This afternoon it was cooler with a little breeze and I finished disking and Daddy rolled with the little team till about four o'clock and then we put the big team on the roller and I took the little team up the poor little things were pretty tired and ringing wet. I did the chores up before tea. Edith and B. Kain were here to tea. After tea we fooled around (see inside front of cover of this book). Enah and I went down as far as Martin's hen pens with them & Daddy went to sleep. Lila and Dorothy McCall were over too this after noon but did not stay to tea. Mr. Skey who had a stroke the other day and has been rapidly sinking died this after noon about half past five. Sunday September 10th Had a good sleep this morning and went down to church and Sunday School but do not have to go early now as Mr. Wiser is back on the job, by the way he has not paid me yet, two spot coming from that direction. Stayed at Aunty Maude's to dinner and then went up town and fooled around with Murray who is greatly exercised over the report that Perce Brook & Lena Gilbert are married having been hitched in Simcoe last night. He came over here and we roamed around and he inspected the piano & cream separator and stayed to tea. We walked down to church after tea and Daddy and Enah drove down. Mr. Johnson had to bring his dog out during service as it came up the isle and to the pulpit. It came up this morning near the end of the service. Mr. Davis patted it for awhile and then it went over and lay on the register till church got out. I was helping the organ with Wiser and after church Murray and I walked down to the pier where we found Hazen and Roy & all we sat there for awhile till all the people left and then they walked up to the head of Main St with me and I came home for tea. It has been pretty hot to-day. The population of Dover is increasing. Liz. Jackson {nee Cooper?} had twins lately and Stan {Brock?} I believe has been made father to a day for {illegible}.. Tige was not here to-night when we all came home and has not 51 �turned up yet. Daddy killed a crow to-day he just had the gun at his hip and {happened to pull the trigger as the crow flew away?} Monday September 11th Tige was here this morning when we got about six o'clock. Daddy and I went back this morning and I harrowed with {illegible due to faint ink} he rolled with the little team. I finished harrowing this after noon about half past two and I brought Joe & Ginger up while Dad rolled what I had been working on with the big team till six. I did the chores and milked Bobby before tea. I cleaned up a little around the stable and the barn floor to clean the wheat on. Daddy finished rolling and took back the roller after breaking Mrs. McBride's neck yoke. He thinks that field is now ready to sow if it does not rain. {George?} Holden & his brother were over here to see the apples to-night. Mr. Vyse came over after tea and is talking to Dad now. He was telling us about poor Tom Fawset who is in an very bad shape. Mr. Alex. McCall is I suppose spouting in the hall to-night I would like to hear him but I am too tired to go down. It was very hot this morning but there was a nice breeze this afternoon we never had any water back with us this morning. Dad said he was not thirsty but I just about {flooded?} out my stomach when I came up at noon. I was so dry I could not spit. Had a hot bath and went to bed early. First {illegible} I have had of any kind for about a month. Tuesday September 12th Got up pretty fairly early this morning. After breakfast Daddy and I went down to Blakie's and got some oats and borrowed his fanning mill and cultivator. Mr Vyse was here when we got back and he and I put about fifty bushles throug the mill for seed which took us till nearly noon. Daddy cultivated on the wheat ground this side of the gully. I lay down at noon and went to sleep when I woke up it was about half past two and Bill Barlow was here talking to Enah. He came down to the meeting last night and missed his train this morning. Enah and I were going town this afternoon so we to Bill down to catch the 3.15 after he had had a little talk with Dad on reciprocity but there was no chance for an argue. I had to get Joe shod and I took Enah around to the Greenhouse to get some flowers for the Skey's. We did not get home till after five as Greenbury had to put new shoes on all Joes feet. We met Evan's Johnson who said he had just driven Russ. Skey out home. Russ took the gun out and shot a hawk and fired a couple at a crow but he was too far away. When Dad came up he took Blakie's fanning mill back and I did most of the chores. Russ stayed to tea but went right down afterwards as he expected Douglass on the eight train. It is very cold to-night. 52 �Wednesday September 13th Went and started to cut corn this morning. Daddy kept on cultivating all morning. The drill came up to-day and Vyse sowed his wheat this morning. I went over and he said he would draw it up in the field over the gully after dinner. So this after noon Daddy took weat over in the wagon and I went with him. Vyse got there at the same time. The automobilly belonging to the Norfolk Gas Co. was busted and pulled up in the gate way. They had to {illegible} of the road and shortly afterwards Johnny Walker and Albert Mc{illegible} came along on Johnny's trap and they towed it home. Daddy kept on sowing till after six. I stayed with him for a round and then went on cutting corn till about five when I came up and did the chores. I got about 14 shocks cut. Daddy got about 12 bushels of wheat sowed. It has been very cool all day and is quite cold to-night. The thermometer marked freezing last night but we don't know whether it did freeze or not. Thursday September 14th Got up good and early and then found the blooming cows had gone back and {had made?} their way over in the sod the other side of the wheat ground across the gully. {illegible words due to faint ink} in to the gully. It would take to much time and space and I might swear if I told of my chase But I got them up with the help of Daddy and we got them milked soon after {illegible}. Daddy finished sowing the wheat this morning and I got a line of shocks right through to the fence. This after noon I cut some wood cleaned the {gun?} hunted for a rasp to sharpen my hoe with for about half an hour and then went back to cut corn. Daddy was runing out furrows and ditches all the afternoon till dark. Mr. Blakie came over and helped him most of the after noon. I only got two shocks made this after noon as it was so late when I started. It began to rain about five o'clock so I came up and did the chores. Mr. & Mrs. Laurie were over. {missing word} took the gun back this afternoon but did not get a shot. It has been cool all day their was a white frost last night but it is raining and warm to night. Friday September 15th It rained so hard last night that the ground was too wet to work on all day. I went back for the cows and had a far worse tramp than yesterday morning although they were right in the woods but lying down so I did not see them When I had been back quite a while, Daddy came back and we tramped way over into Watsons and he at last found them in our woods. Tige found a ground hog back there and was afraid to go right up and kill it but held it at 53 �bay till I {battered it?} with a club. About ten o'clock Daddy and I took Belle down to get her front shoes set as their were a lot in the shop he stayed with {Billy?} and talked reciprocity while I went and got my hair cut. I also went into the printing office and had a look at Manager's apparatus. We got home just about noon. Dick took his dinner to-day. this afternoon I read for awhile in "The Millionaire Baby" and then Daddy and I went and socked up the wheat on the barn floor. Daddy killed a couple of roosters and he & Enah drove down town Dad got his hair cut and Enah stayed to tea down town and was going to the flower choir to-night. I was going down to-night to come home with her but did not feel very well so Dick went instead. I spent most of the evening on the sofa and Daddy cleaned the roosters. It has been cool and rather cloudy all day. I have felt kind of rotten all day. We got a letter from Aunty to-day describing their trip to Banff Walter took her and Winnie there for a couple of days and they had a fine time. Auntie evidently thought the mountains were grand. Saturday August September 16th Stayed in bed this morning till about half past eight as I was not very well. I lay around all morning reading "The Millionaire Baby". Dick went down town and made a dollar peddling grit bills, Daddy went back and shovelled ditches. This afternoon Dick, Ferdie and Lissy went back shooting with the shot gun and a rifle but they did not shoot anybody, strange to say. Daddy and Enah went down to Mr. Skey's funeral. One of us ought to {have?} gone over to Bannister's to thrash this afternoon but under the circumstances could not. Mr. Highland was here again to buy the blue grass seed and offered Dad. sixty-five dollar. He said he would come again on Monday. Warm and nice to-day. Sunday September 17th Daddy and Enah lit out for St. Williams this morning and Dick went down to church and Sunday School and stayed all day till five o'clock. I took a dose of salts this morning. The first I have ever taken I think. I stayed home from school once a long time ago to take one but got out of it after nine o'clock. I read and drew pictures most of the day, doing the chores by degrees. Al. Faulkner was over to borrow the double harness, but as Dad had it with him he said it did not matter. It is the first time Dad has used it for a month or two. Charlie Ferris and the two Quanberry's came through from the lane. They had been taking pictures. Tige and I had a very enjoyable day of it. I ate {illegible} dinner or lunch I wanted down cellar as I came to it, and Dick and I had our Tea to-gether upstairs. They came home just as we got through with a good supply of peaches. They had some hicory nuts which 54 �they said were ripening up to eat. Emery fixed up a hoe and sent it to me to cut corn with. They said it was hot to-day. It may have been, but I was not. Monday September 18th Got up very late this morning. Dad worked on the {wheat?} ground all morning but had a few interruptions. Watson's cattle {illegible} the fence with ours but we let this go and they went back again before night. Mr Langdon {surname?} came over this morning wanting to buy some of the manure but Daddy would not listen then he wanted by ten acres of soil without success then he wanted to know if the apples were sold and when Dad told him they were he went. The Mr. Highland and Huby came over. I went out with the team while Daddy came in and sold the blue grass seed to him for seventy-five dollars, Dad's price less the freight to farm. I chored around all morning. After dinner Daddy and I took the blue grass down and Highland gave him cash in full at the Commercial Hotel and of course he had to treat the boys. To-night Daddy and I went down to hear Mr. Charlton spout but we all did not know what he was talking about and I guess he didn't either. There was a big crowd there nevertheless. Jim Law was there having a fine time till Geo. Hammond tried to put him down {stage?} and then he promised to be good. We did not stay long {rest of sentence obscured}. Tuesday September 19th Up good and early this morning but it looked very rainy. Daddy and I took both teams out. I rolled and he harrowed. Mr. Vyse came over and disked. We were at till about nine when it began to rain and we had to come in. It rained like fun for about an hour making the ground un-fit for work to work on for a couple of days. I read till it stopped raining and then Daddy cut wood till noon and I took it in. This afternoon Dad went back and fixed the line fence between us and Watsons where the cows get over and then shovelled ditches. I cut the lawns cleaned out the stables and cut wood. There was somebody shooting over at Bannister's and the shot was rattling around on the barns where I was cutting wood so I thought I would quit as {thought?} it would tickle. After tea I went over and and got a ball of binder twine to bind corn with to-morrow. I tried the stalks but they break to easily and it takes so long to pick good ones out. Nice and warm. Miss McBain, Miss Law and Edith Laurie call to-night and scared us all. I thought it was Dick and yelled at them to come in. Wednesday September 20th 55 �I cut corn all morning and got cut a great deal faster with the binder twine. Daddy finished shovelling out the ditches (on the other side of the gully. Huby came over and brought Bill with him. We were very surprised to see him. He left the West last Friday night and got home last night. He says he had a very fine trip. He could have stayed longer and had work but he wanted to get here in time to vote for McCall. I cut corn all afternoon till six. Dick came back about five and cut while I went up and got a drink. Then he went over to look at the chestnuts but he says they are not much good. We did not get through chores till late to-night because I did not quit soon enough and get the cows up. I made 29 shocks all told to-day. The land was dry enough for Daddy to cultivate and harrow on the summer fallow this afternoon. Pretty cool this morning but got hotter in the day. The was a touch of frost in the gully last night but not on the level. Thursday September 21st Cut corn this morning and Daddy worked on the wheat ground. Mr Vyse came over for a little while He has a boil on his hand and his arm is in a sling. Watson's cattle got into our place this morning and I had to take them out. Spotty got with them as I was not quick enough to head her off. I could not get her separated so she stayed over there and Daddy got her to-night with a lot of trouble. This after noon Daddy Enah and I drove down town. It was sprinkling a little and we could not work. Daddy went up to the school house and voted and Enah got the books out of our pew in church. They are fixing the church all different inside. About half the population of Dover was Drunk to-day. I suppose because the bars are all supposed to be closed. There have been two or three election fights and a lot of money bet. Dick and I went down town to-night to hear the returns of the election. We were surprised on reaching town to hear that Charlton had been elected by {181?} majority and only two places to hear from. We went up a total of {illegible} and heard the encouraging reports for torys. There were three grits on the platform reading out the lists as Dick brought them in from the telegraph office. Their faces grew blacker although they tried to smile every minute as the majority for the torys rose. We came home about ten o'clock as we told Dad we would be home at 9.30 but found he had gone out to look at Webster's cow which had choked on an apple and when they tried to shove it down with a stick broke it off. Dad had a doose of a time. Jim Law was up having a fine time to-night and disgusting poor grits and {illegible} Hooray For Borden {written in larger, bold text} Friday September 22nd 56 �Cut corn all day. Dad worked on the wheat ground all day. He took the little team out this morning as he thought I would be working the big team but he found the ground on this side was too wet where he wanted me to disk so kept on with them till noon. Dick came home at noon with the tidings that Borden was in with 43 majority. He also had the Globe which of all particulars. The liberals were just simply skunked owing to reciprocity. If they had never got it into politics they would more than likely be in power now. Most of the cabinet ministers were defeated including Fielding, Paterson, Graham, Sir Fredrick Borden and Wm. McKenzie King. Manitoba did not send one Liberal candidate but Alberta and Saskatchewan both went Liberal. Nova Scotia New Brunswick and Quebec went Liberal and Ontario and British Columbia were conservative by very large majority and P.E. Island was a tie two of each. There were seventeen nationalists elected in {total?}. It went very different from what we expected as we thought Alex McCall was sure to be returned and and there was no chance for Borden Very nice day. Dick told us tonight that Mrs Joe. Jacques died this morning Daddy does not feel very well to-night. Canada is saved from Yankee dom. {written in larger, bold text} Saturday September 23rd We got up fairly early this morning but did not get started to work very early Daddy and I disked all morning and got the wheat ground all gone over. He got Blakie's cultivator disk with the little team I cut corn from 2.30 till 4.00 this p.m. Mr. Blakie came over and helped Dad run out the cross ditches in the wheat field. About four o'clock Daddy came back and he and I went to separate our cattle from Watson's and fix the fence where they got in but we found they were not to-gether so we did not bother putting Watson's out as it is his fence that has to be fixed any way Coleman's colt was in our side this aft. but we could not find where he got in but we think it was through the barb. wire. Jim Bannister and another fellow were down in Coleman's gully and had quite a lot of mushrooms. Mr. Larry came over this morning with decoy crows and a crow call but only got two. I took the gun back this afternoon. and nearly dislocumbusted my shoulder shooting at a hawk and of course missed him. If I had not it would be about the first time I ever killed with a gun. I shot a kingfisher once but he was sitting still in the corner of the {boat house?}. I am not very blood thirsty. Bill Donald was in to night but says the buck wheat is not quite ready yet to cut. Blakie told us that Lambkins sold after thrashing the blue grass hay he got from us for $50. He also says there is another gas company out leasing land. Pretty hot to-day. Looks like more rain. 57 �Tuesday September 26th Got up good and early this morning and after doing most of the chores drove down with Daddy for him to catch the train. I looked all over town for Bill to come out and run the long furrows in the wheat-field but could not find him. He was at the Dominion Hotel but his name was not on the register, so the English man thought he was not there. {?} corn most of the day. Dick got a basket full of hickory nuts and said there were twice as many down. I came up about half past four and did chores. Dick and I drove down about seven to meet Daddy and Frank. Lila was all reade to go with us. Bill was at Huby's and said he was coming over to morrow. He had toothache to day and was going up to have a tooth pulled. The train did not get in till nearly nine. We got home about eleven ten with Frank bag and baggage.They had supper and it was after eleven when we got to bed. Fine and warm today. The Mr. Taylor that Frank came home with was a presbyterian minister but not the one we supposed. He was Mr. Willie Taylor from here, Dean's brother. Frank went in to get his teeth fixed and Deans was the dentist. He knew Frank was a Barrett and when he found he wanted to come East took him to Sycamous to meet his brother who he knew was coming East to be married. Frank said Deans was pretty homesick and wished he was coming. He assured Frank he would like it better here. Wednesday September 27th It began to rain soon after we got up and there was a terrific gale. Dad. went out to plough some of the furrows in the wheat field but only got six done when it got too wet. It rained most of the morning Dick had to walk to school and took his dinner. I fooled around with Frank and Dad made a scraper for the stable. This after noon it dried out a little and Frank and I picked hickory nuts. We got about a quarter of bushel. Allan and Miss Brent came over for a while with a bunch of kids. Quint came over after school with Dick and they went back shooting with Frank who has a 22 rifle. Quint stayed to tea, Bill came over after tea and got booked for a wh cutting corn. Quint went home with Bill. We played cards and Fox & Geese with marbles to-night The two remaining kittens of the old white cat were dead this morning. The poor little things were probably starved to death.The old brute of a mother did not look after them at all. Daddy forgot and left the gate open into the wheat field and the {blamed?} cows came up and went in. The first time they have come up by themselves for about a month. Dick said {first name?} Varey and Miss Langs were married to-day and went to Simcoe with a big "just married" sign on the back of the automobile. Thursday September 28th 58 �Did not get up very early and it was colder than, I can't think of anything just now. I cut a little wood to get warm and when Bill came I went back and cut corn with him. We got on famously but Frank came back about ten and I went up to take Enah and him down town. Miss Phipps was here then. We got home about noon About a dozen people (most of them related) came while Enah was off some place to inspect Frank and ask him the usual number of questions. We got some cartriges and we drove around a little. I cut corn with Bill all the after noon and we can easily finish the piece tomorrow going at the same rate as today. Frank came back with his rifle and Bill gave him a few hints about shooting. Daddy got all the furrows run and cleaned to-day. He was planning a lot for to-morrow but Mrs. Cruise came and invited him over to thrash - and he accepted the invitation. Cool all day. Cloudy to-night. Dick went down to confirmation class to-night. Friday September 29th It rained hard during the night so I did not get up very early. A lot of plaster fell in the clothes room last night and burst the window. Dad went over to Cruises to thrash when it cleared off a little. Dick had to walk to school this morning and took his dinner. Frank and I fooled around till about eleven when Bill came over to cut corn. I thought it was too wet but was just right. We worked till dinner and till about four o'clock when it began to rain and we had to leave about an hours job. I had the chores all done and the cows nearly milked when Daddy got home. After tea I just about freeze and Dick and Frank played checkers and marbles. Frank got some pretty fair sized potatoes. Bill cannot come back now so Dad and I will have to finish the corn. Cool all day. Saturday September 30th Did not get up early as I did not feel very well. Corby came before breakfast and Dick and Frank went off with him after chest nuts. They did not get back till after dark. They said they had good luck, they went to one place Corby paid the man a quarter for the tree and stayed there all day. It was up near the Glen. They saw old Bill walking home Daddy and I went over and put a post in for the fence between the far wheat field and the gully. Then we went back about half past ten and and started to cut corn We cut till dinner and finished the field this afternoon. Dad let Belle and Old Harry in the lane before noon and after dinner we found her with her leg caught in the wire which she had done by rolling. We had quite a time getting her out and had to cut one of the upright wires, but she was not hurt badly. Dad killed a couple of young Plymouth roosters for {part of the text from September 28 is visible along the top margin} to-morrow. Allan Law came after Dad to go 59 �to Edward England to see a sick mare but Dad told him to go to {illegible} Simcoe and get another man so he went to telephone. Then we all went down town in the lumber wagon with Ginger and Joe. Lila and Dorothy McCall came over and went down with {us?}. We got a stove off Cousin Loll and put it up to-night. Daddy and I walked down to meet Roy tonight and did not get to bed till late. Sunday September October 1st It was raining hard when I woke up this morning and it rained all morning. I did not get up till very late and none of us but Enah and Roy went down to church. Dad drove them down but it was raining too hard to walk. We read and slept till they came home and then we read and starved till about four o'clock when had dinner Huby Lila and Quint came over after and Huby Roy and the four of we boys went back the lane with the gun after mushrooms but did not fin any. Dick, Frank and Quint went back in the woods. (I thought it would be too wet) and got a wood cock, hawk and a big puff ball. Clark Matthews was here for a while. Roy went down with Huby and Lila and is not back yet (10 o'clock). Quint came stayed here till about six o'clock and then went down to church with us boys. It was in the town-hall and they had it decorated for harvest home. Frank and I got reserved seats and Dick went under the gallery with Jim Law. We came home nearly right after Monday October 2nd Dad drove Roy down to the station first thing this morning. I had my breakfast with Roy before going for the cows and then milked them. Frank and I went out after hickory nuts but there were not many down and the wind was cold so we came in and shelled some of the chest nuts they got Saturday as Daddy broug them over this morning. Daddy shovelled some ditches and things and then hitched up the team and He, Frank and I went over to Blakie's and got some oats and the fanning mill. After dinner Enah & Daddy drove down to Mr. Matthew Martin's funeral and I sawed wood. Frank tried to shoot some bird's but failed in the attempt. Daddy left Enah at Woodson's and came back and got Frank and took him down to see Mr. Smith and aranged to have him start to school in his room to-morrow. They got back with Dick about five and Enah walked home. Then Dick and Frank went and rolled wheel down the hill into the gally. After tea we all played a game called "Pit" which is meant to imitate the "Board of Trade" the principal object seems to be for each person to make as much noise as possible in as short a time as possible. Then Frank and I had a bath and Dick his feet. Quite chilly all day. Cloudy. I started reading "The Old Curiosity Shop" where I left off last {spring?}. 60 �Tuesday October 3rd I got up late this morning with a bad cold. Frank started school this morning with Dick. They both took their dinners I sawed quite a litle bit of wood and Daddy fixed up the corn crib temporarily Then he pitched the cornstalks that William's left over the orchard fence and I spread them under the trees. This after noon Daddy, Enah and I went up to the cemetary with the lumberwagon and tools & material, and Daddy fixed things up nicely there. The old man up there who was in there with his kid was giving Dad an account of all his troubles with the society. I guess the kid has a fine time in there. The squirrels are so thick and he has a fine plase to practice jumping and leap-frog. We got home about five and Dick and Frank got home about the same time. It began to rain before we got home and rained quite hard. We got the ferns from Mrs. Battersby about the same time. I read "The Old Curiosity Shop" all evening. Wednesday October 4th It rained hard last night and this morning is blowing to beat (I can't think of anything just now) all day. Daddy and I went out and had a look at the wheat and Dad thought he would run some ditches Then we went back and He dug a basket full of potatoes and we husked a couple of shocks of corn. We got a bit over a bushel. We wanted it for the pigs. Then we cleaned up till noon. We worked all the afternoon back of the old house tidying up the rubbish so Dad can "plow" it. Mr. Vyse was over this after noon trying to persuade Dad to cut the clover of the corner field for seed. Dad went over with him but says he wont bother with it as it is not worth while. He said the Woodson's had a great time getting off this morning. Frank and Dick came home with a cauliflower and some celery from Mr. Smith. After tea Daddy spent in teaching or trying to teach Frank his spelling. As it has been a sou'west wind, it has been quite warm all day, but to-night the wind is veering. Daddy milked Fred to-day (and kept the calf away but she gave so little that he thought it would be better to let her raise the calf which she is making a fine job off. She put up an awful fuss all day. Thursday October 5th Dad. and I loaded up the wagon with the rubbish around this morning and took it down to the marsh. We went around by town and got some meat and a film. We brought Huby over with us as he wanted to go with Dad to Old Mr. McBride's funeral this after noon. They left right after dinner and Dad got back about four having left Huby down town. Then He took 61 �Enah over to the McPhersons to see about getting a barrel of apples I sawed wood and broke and made annother leg on my saw-horse this after noon. Frank and Dick did not get home till late to-night as Frank had to go to the dentist. Dick went down to Confirmation class to-night and Frank is having more fun with his spelling. Daddy has a very lame hip and back to-day. Huby was telling us to-day that Mrs. Gerard's husband has come back and she is troting him around as proud as a peacock. He has been married and had five children since he left her. He also said that Mrs. Ferris had eloped. Friday October 6th Dad's hip has been very lame all day. This morning he ploughed the piece back of the old house which we are going to try to put in garden next year, as it is no good at all where it is and is lovely soil. I cleaned up a little around the yard. Daddy got through about noon. After dinner it began to rain and rained like "cats and dogs" all the after noon. I read "The Old Curiosity Shop" all aft. about and Daddy wrote to Aunty. About half past three he hooked up the little team and got Dick and Frank. He got the cows as he was all wet and I helped milk. He got the lock of the trunk we have worked so much at open to-day. I went to sleep reading to-night but they woke me up to play "Pit". I got even on them by winning two games. Frank found out to-day that he had spent about an hour last night learning the wrong spelling lesson. Just the same as I used too. {Facing page is overexposed. Faint lines and a dotted circle are suggest it had a sketch and possibly text.} Jim Blakie, Frank Wiser, Katie Spain's husband and I were crowded into the back seat. Charlie Martin and Miss McCoy had the seat ahead. We went in and saw the church and it looks pretty fancy. They are painting a high pattern around the wall as high as high wainscotting would be and trimming around the windows and little round pictures all around the walls. After church Frank and I went down to the dock and he stayed down to Huby's for dinner and so did Dick. I went home to dinner. After dinner I went back and took a picture of the mound and after a while Daddy Tige the grey kitten and I went back to John Wess McBrides and Dad took him a neck yoke for the one he broke We had a look all over the new barn. There was no-body around. We came back by our woods and wheat field. Dick got home about half past five and Frank about six Frank went up creek with Quint and walked home from Black Creek Bridge. Daddy, Enah and I walked down to church. Nothing much doing {?} except for Mr. Hobbs who spent most of his time trying to keep the 62 �preacher's dog out. I hung around awhile after wards but soon came home. Frank was greatly taken with the full moon to-night He never saw it so big Monday October 9th I sawed wood most of the morning. Daddy drove Dick and Frank down to school and got a barrel from Old Maneer to pack apples for Uncle Hal. He is going to get them from Mr. Vyse. Lila came over this morning with a fat collie pup which came to them this morning. She thought it would be a fine farm dog but about noon a woman came and got it. This afternoon Daddy and I finished cleaning up the wheat. Then we went out and ran some cross ditches in the corner field where Daddy is going to plow. After tea Daddy and Dick drove Enah down to the A.G.P.A. shine and they got a wheel for the plow and then drove around town. Frank and I kept rough house but went to bed long before they got home. There was a caterpillar a red one with black ends in my boot this morning and I did not discover him till he had shed most of his pretty coat into my foot and it hurts like fun tonight. Froze hard last night and night before. Tuesday October 10th Got up fairly early this morning and went out with Dad and we ran the rest of the cross ditches. Then Dad ploughed the rest of the day. I went over to Blakie's to see when he could husk some corn. Then I went over to Vyse's and helped him sort some of the apples for Uncle Hall. I came home at noon and picked some Tolman Sweets off our own trees for Mr. Campbell to go in Uncle Hal's barrel. After dinner I went back to Vyse's and he packed and leaded the barrel. I came back home and then went down town to get a rig to take the apples down with. I found Huby and Lila down there and he went with me and got Faulkner's dray and I went over and got them and took them down. Huby went down to see about them but Tasker could not find the rates. It began to rain about four but did not rain much. Frank got his wheel to-day and rode home. Lila has not been to school the last two days as Miss Skelby has a {poisoned?} face. Wednesday October 11th Got up early again this morning. Dick and Frank rode their wheels to school this morning. I went out with Dad and pitched some sods out of the ditches that he had to plow across. I got my feet soaking wet and my foot got sore where the caterpillar slept in my boot all night so I came up and changed boot and socks Then I went out and husked a shock of corn before dinner. I picked apples all the afternoon and got all the Northern Spies that I 63 �could reach with the step ladder and climbing off one of the trees. George Holden borrowed our ladder about a month ago and has not brought it back yet and not likely he will. Dad got it from him last spring but did not pay for it as Holden had borrowed it from Old Maneer in the first place. When the boys came home we picked more apples and Frank worked at his wheel and then went to look for potatoes in the jungle but only got a few. Mr. Blakie came over this after noon and husked fifteen shocks of corn. Dad. has 6 lands out of 40 plowed. Enah went down town this after noon to auxillary or some thing but found remembered when she got down that it was not till to-morrow. She heard that Hannah Flemming and Lloyd Crysler were married yesterday, and also that Mrs. Ferris was back with her family again not likely she ever left. Thursday October 12th Went out again this morning and dug mud out of the ditches where Dad is plowing. Then I came up to the house, did a few chores around, and Frank and I opend up some ditches, one out of the buck wheat field which is full of water. Frank did not have to go to school today as it was Teacher's Convention. This after noon I went over to Bannister's and borrowed a ladder to pick the rest of the Northern Spies. I got a little over a bushel off the two trees. Frank wrote letters all the afternoon and about four o'clock went down to the dentist's and got his tooth finished up. We all went down to-night to hear the Polmatics sisters whom the orchestra got to come. They were fine for instrumental music but not much for singers, a fine cornet player and violinist. Another played all sorts of things such as, Tuberphone and Xylophone, which were played with hammers same principle as bells. Fine day to-day. Blakie husked more corn. Friday October 13th Sawed a little wood and cleaned up the stables. Bill Donald came at last this morning to cut the buck wheat, he had a pretty bad time some places for the mud. I went out with him and went around the first time to throw the sheaves out. About eleven his wife and daughter came over with his dinner and they stayed all day and shocked it up for him. There were a couple of places he could not cut wth the binder but will have to take the scythe to them on Monday. I cleaned out the corn crib and Frank and I fixed it a little, and Dad finished it after dinner. This after noon Daddy, Frank and I went out with Harry and Belle and got the corn that Blakie had husked. We got all we could pile on the wagon-box which was over 27 bus. from thirty shocks. Bob Miller came over and invited Dad to go and see a heifer he had at the slaughter house at 7 am. to-morrow. Frank and Dad. went out about five and helped 64 �them shock up a little. Dick has been away all day with Ferdie as this is Civic holiday and school is closed. He was going to Simcoe to see a foot ball match between Dover and Simcoe but he could not get a ride with any one who was coming home by six so did not go. To-night we all went over to Blakie's and played Pit. Had a great time teaching them the game. Saturday October 14th Dad went over to the slaughter-house this morning to see about the heifer that Bob told him about last night. He arranged to take it for a load of hay and the calf they got last spring. Dad only got a little spelling plowing done this morning and none at all this after noon as Bannister came over this morning to get him to go over there to see their pigs. Frank and I cleared up a little around and did chores. I got one foot in up above my shoe tops in a hole of old barn-yard-extract of manure (sweet). This after noon we boys were all going to husk corn but Mr. Vyse came over after the mower and invited Frank and I over to his buckwheat field where we spent a very enjoyable afternoon pitching buckwheat out of the road of the mower. Mr. Vyse mowed part of the time and then Mr. Fawset the rest. The field was very wet and muddy and Mr. Vyse gave Frank a quarter to clean it off. yets When we came home we all went back and got antother load of corn. Edith Lawrie was over here to tea and after tea all the choir came out and spent the evening. We all played Pit most of the evening while ones that did not like it sang and played. Hot time. Sunday October 15th We all got up this morning about 10 oclock except Dad who got up early and did the chores. We had breakfast or dinner I just forget now which we decided to call it about eleven. After that Frank and I went for a drive with Josie down the lake shore to the school house arond by black creek and home via the mill. When we came home we fooled around looking for hickory nuts and one thing and another till tea time. After tea I went down town but did not stay late but came home as far as he came with Art. Quanberry. I stayed around the Methodist Sunday School most of the time. Dad, Dick and Frank went down to Sam. Law's to night to see when he could come to thrash but no-body was home. Dick was down town wth Ferdie all afternoon. None of us were at church to-day. Dick said Aunty Maude told him Mr. Johnson was very disappointed that there were so few kids in church as this was childrens day. Monday October 16th 65 �This morning Dad went down to Sam. Law's again but he was not home but he found out tht Vyse had been down and seen him any way. I did chores around and cleand up all I could find between the horse stable and the big barn. George Holden came about ten o'clock to pick the apples. His gang consisted of Hilt, Moor, Wiser and Billy Loan. They were here all day and got eight bbls {barrels} all together. Six of Canada Red's, 1 1/2 of Seek no furthers, and 1/2 bbl of Spies. I gathered up all their culls I could this after noon. I also took a picture of the bunch. Cousin Loll and Cousin Bessy were out this after noon. Dick went down to Anderson's sale this after noon. Dad. got a good lot plowed to-day. Mr. Blakie husked some more corn this morning. Bagly and Miller's butcher, Mr. Tuck brought the heifer out to-night. Mr. Johnson was out to-night I guess on business. Daddy, Dick and I went out after tea tonight and picked up more apples. Tuesday October 17th Got up at the usual hour this morning with out being called, first time I have done such a thing since we have been on the farm. It looked so much like rain that Daddy and I went back after breakfast and got the corn Blakie husked yesterday. It began to rain while we were back there and has kept it up all day, and is raining yet. We just left the corn in the wagon and put Holden's apples in the barn as he had just left them in the old shed We also took the knife out of the mower which took us quite awhile. Then we started to fix the pig pen floor and finished it after dinner. I spent most of the after noon in watching mud - not a very cheerful occupation but there was nothing else to do. The boys took their dinner to school but got pretty wet. This was the first day of the Simcoe Fair, I hope they had a nice time Beautiful Day - Slush {written in a larger, decorative text} Wednesday October 18th It was too wet for Daddy to plow this morning so he opened some ditches in the wheat field. I fooled around and helped Dad do some little things we had left for a rainy day. Enah went down town to get some things for Frank, as this is his birthday. We celebrated it tonight at supper. I got a nickel out of his cake. This afternoon Dad plowed all the after noon and I got the apples that were on the lawn crated. I also sawed wood and did the chores. I took a picture of the interior of the horse stable but I could not keep the horses from switching their tails so I don't suppose it will be any good. Dick and Frank rode their wheels to-day but took them through Martins. We three boys think we will go to Simcoe Fair to- 66 �morrow. The High School petitioned for a holiday but Mr. Liddy said he would {keep?} school for those who wanted to go come but he did not object to any staying away to go to the fair. Thursday October 19 Frank, Dick and I started out for Simcoe with Joe about 9 o'clock this morning. We left her at Mr. Frank Bawlby's where Mrs. Bawlby said she would be looked after we walked on in to the fairground and got there about eleven. We went through the buildings first and saw the usual collection of fruit, vegetables, grain, fancy work stock implements etc. Then we just wandered along Frank and I spent most of our time watching a fellow who had a cage of bees. The things were crawling all over every body around but would not sting The fellow was right in with them and would scoop them out of the hive by the hand full and rub them over his face without being hurt. We also saw a review of Boy Scouts which was very poor. Doug Henderson was Scout Master, but not the only one. We left the grounds about three and went to Dreamland where they had on a couple of pretty good comedy films. We got home about six. Joe behaving her self pretty well except she shied nearly into the ditch at a cone and she did not go very well. {word off the page - Daddy?} had plowed all day and evidently got on very well Bill Donald cut the rest of the buckwheat. If all is well Aunty will be starting from Fort Saskatchewan for Dover in about three or four hours. Friday October 20th Dick was sick last night. Simcoe was too much for him. He did not go to school all day but is a little better to-night. I sawed a lot of wood and finished up my wood pile. Then I cleaned out the stables and rubbed down Joe & Ginger Then I picked up the good pears under Titus' favorite tree. I picked apples all the afternoon, and got all off one Tollman Sweet tree and all that were on a Spittsonburg but there were only a few. Frank got quite a few hickory nuts this afternoon. Daddy plowed and got quite a lot done. The two Miss Haldings Miss. Morgan and Miss Buckwell drove Isacks pacer over this afternoon. Mr. Barwell was in tonight to see Dad about leasing {for grass?}. Miss Philip was over this morning to get some more butter as she said she liked the last very much. Saturday October 21st Dad went over to Vyse's this morning after some sacks to pack up the wheat and I got some wood and cleaned the stables When he came back we hooked up Harry and Belle to the wagon dumped the corn that was in it and Frank Daddy and I went and got two loads 67 �more before dinner and left one to unload. This after noon we sacked up the rest wheat that we could. I say we but I did very little of it. Frank started to hold the sacks for Dad then he went to gather hickory nuts and I held them for awhile and then Dick came out and finished and I slept I guess in the hay with Tige. They got twenty sacks and there is quite a bit left. Daddy and I went out and got the rest of the corn which was not quite a wagon box full. We did not get through chores till quite late to-night. Lila came over this afternoon and she & Frank went out and got a lot of hickory nuts. Dick is quite a lot better to-day but not well yet. I guess we are in for a bath to-night, may get out of it though Sunday October 22nd All except Dick went down to church this morning. Frank and I went down first to Sunday School or what was meant to be Sunday school but was really just a practice for Children's day which is to be held again in two weeks at the reopening of the church. It was sprinkling whent we got out of church and was raining hard by the time we got home. Frank wanted to go and see Mr. Taylor about his bees but I persuaded him not to, on account of the rain. It rained till about two or three o'clock and began to blow like fun and is yet. I wrote a letter about the first thing after dinner, then went in the parlour where the rest of the family were gathered and enjoyed some music. About four o'clock I went out and fooled around and went back after the cows. Frank and I went down after five to post my letter. The creek was so high that Frank thought he would go down to the dock. The waves were not extra high but he was delighted with them. We got home soon after dark. No body went down to church to night. Dick is still feeling {sore?} but is better. Saturday Monday October 23rd I woke up myself this morning and got up before Dad. Frank also got up early and stubbed his toe which has been very sore all day. Daddy went over to Blakie's first thing this morning and sacked up a lot of oats. I got some wood of different kinds for a collection and also cut a little. Dad got back about 10.30 and we hooked up to the wagon and went over and got the oats. Daddy also helped Blakie with his pigs for quite awhile. We got back quite a bit after noon. Mr. Vyse was over for awhile after dinner. Daddy and I went after dinner down to the mill with the wheat we had sacked up and got some bran. Dad went home and got a wagon load of rails and I took Mr. Vyse's bags back to him. Mr. Holden came over when we came up to the house with the rails and took the apples down and also paid Dad $12 for them. I went back after the cows to-night and just about got drowned with rain going back & it also hailed and was colder than {Toby has drawn a wee sketch here}. Stan was in to- 68 �night before tea and says they are getting on fine down there. He is up on a little excursion buying hay for some big company down there. It has been very windy to-day and dark and cloudy for the bigger part of the day. Tuesday 24th October Beautiful day. Dad plowed all day and I messed around. Frank's toe was so sore he could not go to school to-day but stayed home and wrote letters and ate cookies that Enah was making. I fooled around and did chores and such as that. This afternoon I picked apples. Dick went to school to-day. We all quit early so as to get a good start to the station to meet Aunty & Win. The cows came up of their own {illegible} accord to celebrate the occasion. Frank drove down with Daddy & Enah on account of his sore toe and Dick and I went on foot. We left at the same time but Dick and I beat. We waited till about half past nine for the train. Cousin Clare and Huby were on with Aunty. We went up to Huby's where Aunty is to stay for a day or so and stayed till about eleven ten o'clock. Wednesday October 25th It looked very rainy this mornig and Dad. was going to haul in the corn but he thought he would plow till noon. I cleaned up a little around the {door?} yard. Frank did not go to school to-day either. This afternoon Dad just went out to finish a land that he had struck out very crooked before any one went along the road. I went out with him and opened up a ditch. Then I came back and bummed around with Frank, for Enah had gone down town to see Aunty and get some presents for Lila. She said she would be home at half past four, and did pretty well by being home a little after six and with {neuralgia?} at that. Dad came up about three o'clock and we went back and got a load of corn but did not have time to unload it and had to leave some in the field. I spent most of the evening in writing this thing which I think I have kept about long enough now that Aunty is home. Then Enah got think she was funny and poured about a dipper full of water on me and then on my diary on purpose. {illegible} whats the use Thursday October 26th Did not do any thing much but the usual chores. Aunty & Win came over about ten and I stayed around with them till noon. Dad. plowed all day. Frank went to school to-day although his toe was pretty sore. This afternoon Vyse hauled his buckwheat. He had Jim Blakie helping him I helped them mow it away when they brought it. He put it the hay to thrash here when Bill Donald thrashes his. While they were getting loads I did nothing much 69 �but read & finished "The Old Curiosity Shop". Dick and I went down to Huby's to-night for tea as it is Lila's birthday. Frank went there right after school & stayed all night. We came home about nine or half-past. Russel Shay was down for a little while. He is just been having his holidays. Huby was at a political meeting in St. Williams, nominating for the Provincial elections in December. Old Quint did the carving on a chicken and had it all over the place. It has been a beautiful day to-day. Friday October 27th I spent most of the morning in sawing wood and finished up my pile. It was very cold all day. It snowed a little last night and was drizzling rain this morning. Daddy plowed all morning and finished soon after dinner. Then we got a load of corn and just left it in the wagon by the corn crib. I threw out most of what was in the wagon while Dad finished plowing the field. The boys' both took their dinners. Frank got home about about five but Dick did not get home till six. He was down watching a foot ball game between Dover & Simcoe. The score was 0-0. Blakie has all our corn husked now and there is about a load more in the field. Dad. went down town to see Aunty to-night. I sat around most of the evening and got warm and listened to Enah teaching Frank all sorts of things which he was supposed to think was geography but he did not think any thing about it. I think guess. Saturday October 28th It froze the hardest yet last night ice 1/4 inch thick, but was a beautiful day. We had planned to do all kinds of things to-day but Mr. Flemming came over this morning and gave Dad a bid to his thrashing this afternoon. We spent most of the morning in getting in the rest of the corn, and finished We have about 900 bushels. Frank helped us Dick was down town after some stuff. This afternoon Dad of course put in at the Flemmings and Dick went down and got the mail and then helped Frank get hickory nuts. Enah went down town this after noon. I went over right after dinner to Bill Donald's to see what about the buckwheat as Sam Law said he could thrash it on Monday but Bill was in Brantford and will not be back until Monday any way. I did not do any thing else much but the chores. Dad got home about six. He and Dick have gone down to night to meet Roy and they have not got back yet as the train is just in (9 o'clock). Sunday October 29th Did not get up till late this morning and did not go down to Sunday School, but Dick and Frank went down. They were going to have church in the town hall again but, George Steel 70 �did not light the furnace and the door was locked into the cellar so they got frozen out and had to ajourn to the Sunday School where it was just as hot as the other was cold. I stayed at Huby's for dinner with Dick and Frank and Aunty and Roy went over home. We fooled around with the football for awhile after dinner and then Warren Skey came down and Dick, Frank and I went for a walk with him down the lake shore. When we got back Frank and I went over to Mr. Taylor's where we found Mr. & Mrs. Willie Taylor. When we were coming home we met Daddy and Aunty who had been at the cemetry and Aunty was just coming back to Huby's. I went home with Daddy and helped him do the chores and walked down to church again after tea with Roy. After tea church I went down to Huby's where most of the Mr. J. Skey's family were assembled. He has been up preaching to-day. He, Warren & Jim were arranging for a hunt to-morrow. Monday October 30th This being Thanksgiving Day Roy did not have to catch the train as he usually does on Monday morning but stayed in bed till dinner time then went down town and came back with Aunty about four o'clock to say good-bye. Vyse came over this morning and he and Dad put the rack on the wagon and hauled in the buck wheat. I did not help in the field only for one load when Vyse went home for dinner but after the first load helped in the mow and did chores and fooled around in the mean time. Bill Donald came in about five and Vyse went home and he took his place. They worked till quite a while after dark but got it all in. I milked and had an awful time with the calf as she got loose and pull me all arond at last I tied her up to the fence but she ripped a board off that and then went in. Frank went down to a shine in the Sunday School and I went down with him and stayed at Huby's with Aunty and Quint till he and Dick came home about eleven. Dick went down this after noon. They had a shooting match to-day and Frank caught a wounded pigeon that sought refuge over here. Beautiful day this forenoon but rainy to-night. Tuesday October 31st It rained last night quite a lot and there is nothing this morning but a cold fog and sweet, mushy mud. Bill Donald came over soon after breakfast which we had late and he hooked his team up to the wagon and we unloaded the jag of loose stuff they put on last night in the dark. Then we went back and got a load of rails I cleanded the stables and did chores while they unloade and got another load of rails one they put up near the house the other out at the farm for the thrashers He brought over this morning some squash, potatoes and cabbages for the thrashers but much more that they would eat. After dinner he helped 71 �clear up the yard and then went up to see Sam Law. and Dad sawed some wood and I just fooled around and got warm and in Enah's road, at least tried to. When Bill came back he said Sam Law would not be here to-morrow so we don't know nor don't care much about it. Jim Blake was over with a sick mar. It has been rotten all day and is in that state to-night so we celebrated Hallowe'en by settin' round the stove. Wednesday November 1st It was very cold this morning and pretty chilly all day. We didn't do much this morning. About eleven o'clock we hooked up Joe and Ginger & went down town after a few household requisites. We were going to bring Aunty over with us to stay but she was looking after the place for Aunty Maude who had to be up at the store. Frank & Dick could not ride to-day so had their dinner at Huby's. After dinner Dad & I went over to Cruise's sale and hung around till after four o'clock, without bidding on any thing. They were only about half through when we left, selling the house stuff. When we came home Dad hooked up the team again and went down and got Aunty. I went to water old Harry and the big fool jumped away and kicked and ran out back of the barn where he got his chain twisted around his leg. I tried to get him but could not so left him there. Dick Quint & Frank came over and Dick got him. Quint stayed to tea but as it was raining or snowing or something he went home right after supper. Thursday November 2nd Dad and I were roaming about the house last night. Dad to fasten banging doors as the wind was terrific then and I to see what Tige was barking at. but it was too cold to bother although she kept up off and on for about half an hour. It froze very hard last night and has been cold with a little snow & biting west wind all day. Dad and I cleaned up over in the big barn this morning prepairing for the threshers. This after noon we cut quite a lot of wood and titied up the old house a little and {have blocked?} all the openings to keep any ordinary chicken out but two or three fiends in the shape of black minorca hens got in despite all our pains. Then we worked around doing our chores {illegible}. Sam Law came to-night and said he would be here about ten o'clock to-morrow. It is very cold to night and will unless something very strange happens freeze like frost to-night. More fun with Frank and his lessons after tea. Aunty is after him {next?}. Friday November 3rd 72 �First thing this morning I went over to Bill Donald's to tell them about the thrasher. He had not got back from his sister's funeral yet but Mrs. Donald said she would send word to the men. I came through Cruise's but did not see any thing of him. I also told Louis's. I got home a little before the machine came. I did not do a thing all day except a few chores. I haven't had a better day all summer for although there have been lots of days when I have not done any more but have not had the pleasure of seeing the others work so hard. We got all the buck wheat threshed but it did not turn out very well only 70 bushels and got started on the alsike. We will finish it up to-morrow. Bill Donald got home at noon and helped us till night. Mrs. Donald also came over to help Enah and so did Mrs. Vyse. It was a fine day today cold but not as bad as yesterday and is milder to-night. Aunty went down to Huby's for tea and Huby came over with her after tea. Saturday November 4th Got up before day light this morning and we got started with the machines in good time. Did not have so easy a time this morning. Was in the mow pitching alsike with Billy Louis and Mr. Flemming till we got it nearly all threshed then Bill Donald came. Dad was on the stack and nearly made it fall against the barn as he went by what different ones told him was in the mow he started to top it out two or three times and then had to built it out again. We got over four bushels of alsike and it is now worth $10 a {box?}. We got two loads of oats thrashed before dinner and finished soon after. Dick and I and Mr. Flemming were in the mow before dinner and Mr. Blakie helped us after. Bill Donald ran the blower and we put the straw in the mow so nobody had to be in there with it. we go 120 bushels of oats but they were very late. We did not do anything the rest of the after noon except hang around and watch Sam Law clean out the engine which he left here together with the clover mill till Monday. Dick went down town with Bill Donald who was going to get his horses shod. He came in and got his buckwheat on his way home. I feel rather plugged up with dust to-night but not near so bad as the last time we thrashed. I guess we are all in for a bath to-night. I don't see much chance of getting out of it. Sunday November 5th We got up late this morning and as there was no Sunday School this morning took our time going to church. We three boys walked down first and Aunty, Daddy and Enah came down later. The church was reopened this morning and looked fine. The bishop was to have been there but could not come so sent his man. He dedicated the three memorial pieces that had been put in The pulpit in memoriam of Bishop Baldwin, the brass desk of Mr. Skey and 73 �the prayer desk of {Fa?}. Daddy and Enah went home for dinner and but the rest of us stayed at Huby's. We went up to church at thee o'clock with Aunty to a Children's Day service. After that Frank and I walked up the beach and stayed to Huby's again for tea. Aunty went over to Mrs. Battersby's for tea and Dick came home. I went up to church after tea but was so late that I went behind the organ. I really did not intend to go at all. I found Fatty Turner and Wiser there who said Dad had come down with Enah but had gone off again to kill Holden's old mare. He and Dick came in before church was out. After church I waited quite a while with Aunty for Aunty Maude who was at Miss Battersby's but as She did not come Aunty went down with Daddy and I went down and came home with Frank soon after ward. We went to bed by moonlight as Daddy, Enah and Dick stopped into Mrs. Battersby's on their way home to see Mr. {Gasnon?} who is going away soon. Aunty stayed down to-night as she wants to see about some things to-morrow. It has been a beautiful day and is a beautiful night. Monday November 6th It started to rain soon after we got up this morning and rained all day. It has stopped now and is quite mild. Sam Law came this morning with his man to get his engine he worked around for quite awhile but it was too wet to take it. I went down to Vyse's to borrow his post auger as we intended to fix up the barn yard fence if it cleared off and found him getting ready to come after his buckwheat, so I got a ride. He also brought our cultivator teeth that go on the drill and some {punkins?}. After dinner we cut a little wood and braided corn and sat around reading and watching it rain till it was time to do chores. We also put in the piece that fits in over the doors in the loft of the horse stable and nailed on the boards that the threshers knocked off this morning. I have had a sore throat ever since the thrashing and to night I am getting a cold and my throat is getting better. I spent most of the evening drawing a picture from "Punch" Tuesday November 7th It has been blowing a North West wind good and strong all day. We did not get any thing done at all to-day. Sam and Alan Law and young Philip were here all day working with their engine as something has gone bust on it. The boiler was leaking. We were going to take the wagon down and get our potatoes from Bob Law, but he did not like to leave the men there with the engine for fear of fire. I fooled around in the house most of the morning. This after noon I cut some wood and went down town with Enah. I got my cheque from Ottawa at the Post Office and deposited it in the Crown. I have it all in there now and have $98.98. Then I 74 �got my hair cut and went down to wait at Huby's for Enah who was at Auxillary. I waited with Nig. till Quint and Frank came and fooled around and at last went home with Dick who came soon after and left Frank to wait for Enah. Bill Oaks was over this morning and got booked for a job whenever he was wanted and also some money from Dad as he says he has a chance to buy a home and wants to make a first payment. Aunty hasn't come home yet and says she won't be back till Thursday. Wednesday November 8th The men came this morning and got their engine and out fit and took it away at last. They evidently had some more trouble with it at the top of the hill out here. Guy {Tuple?} came before they were gone to see what was the matter with them I suppose. Dad and I wasted most of the fore noon, trying to raise the rack of the wagon up on the beam after a lot of trouble with the Hay fork ropes and Stan's heel windlass we took the wings off and and got it off in pieces. Then it was about eleven o'clock and too late to go down town so we went and pulled mangles till noon and got the biggest part of them up. This after noon we went down with Harry and Belle and went to get the potatoes but they were not sorted and we didn't have time so we said we would be down Saturday. So we got some groceries and Dad paid his taxes and we got the cider press for Frank. We got John Quanbury and took him home. We also saw Bob Blakie and he said he would meet us but he didn't. We got our mangles when we got home and put them down cellar and then did {illegible}. It has been a beautiful day and looks like Indian Summer coming. Thursday November 9th Dad and I both went back for the plow this morning after cutting enoug wood till noon. We spent a lot of time when we got over in the field while Lambkins took the hay off striking out head land furrows and dead furrows and as old Harry was kittenish and Belle was mean from being in so long. However we got on fairley well. I had a good plowing lesson. We had a great deal of trouble after dinner getting Charlotte back into the orchard as she had broken the fence. Dad. then went back and plowed and I did up chores ready for night and then went back with the shovel and opened up some ditches out of the field Dad was plowing in Then the cows went up so I had to go up and put them in, so I stayed and did the rest of the chores. Enah went down town to a tea meeting or something this afternoon and Aunty came back with her. We did not get through tea till late. Another beautiful day. Friday November 10th 75 �It rained hard last night so we could not plow till this afternoon and then it was pretty mucky. We did the chores up and I cleaned out the pigeon pens. Dad piled a lot of straw in front of the cow stable which made thing's much better as it would "bog a duck" (as Dad say's) before. We piled the potatoes we got from Chris Quanbury down cellar. Enah went down to her sister's Mrs MacPherson's and spent the day. Aunty looked after things here for her. Dad went back to plow right after dinner. I went back after I cut some wood and done up the stables It was too muddy for me to have a satisfactory lesson so I dug ditches. I came up and brougt the cows about five and did chores and helped Frank get a few apples to make cider. Lila and Margaret McCall were over this afternoon impersonating Mrs. Gerard and Rina Turner just got married to Mr. Hamaker, {respectively?} Aunty went down with them as Huby wanted her to go down, and stay all night as he and Aunty Maud were invited to the Harding's. Saturday November 11th Dad hooked the big teams on to the lumber wagon and he, Dick, Frank and I went down town We went to Huby's first and got a wagon load of boxes and other things. Then we went up to Bob Law's to sort out the potatoes. We got about four or five bushels out of them. We got home about noon. We found Edith Lawrie here with Nipper who was sick and shut up in the stable so he would not fight Tige. She brought him over for Dad to look at. Dad plowed all the after noon. I helped Frank make cider most of the after noon we got quite a lot. Ferdie came over about noon and he and Dick went down town. Dick got home about dark ringing the old cow bell which Aunty had found while cleaning out the store room down home. Dad was afraid it was lost as we looked for it last spring and could not find it. He felt badly about it as it has been down home so long, ke knew it as soon as he heard it. Charlie Shand was over to-day to see Dad about a sick dog too. It has been a beautiful day, but there seems to be a wind getting up to-night. There is thunder and ligning also to-night which they say at this season is a token of mild weather we will see if all's {illegible}. Sunday November 12th It was raining "cats and dogs" when we awoke this morning and evedently had been performing in the same manner most of the night. None of us went to Sunday school but all began to prepare for church but me. But as the time drew nigh to start it was snowing so hard and looked so rotten out that Dad and Enah thought better of it and decided to stay "to home". Dick and Frank however bundled up and went down. It began to be very cold 76 �about this time and Dad went out to get the calves out of the orchard and just about fainted from getting his hands so cold, as he had no gloves in. However he got the calves comfortably housed in the old stable. I read all morning "The Dragon and the Raven". It stopped snowing about one o'clock and I went down town soon after. It was freezing but was still muddy. The wind was still very strong as it had been all day but was veering from S.W. to W. The creek was very high all over the marsh. I went into Hubys and then down to the docks accompanied by Quint, Frank and Dick. The wind was enough to blow a fellow off especially as the ice on the pier made it hard to maintain a foothold. Huby came down soon afterwards to see if we were all right. We did not stay there long but went over on the beach where we fooled around till my ears got cold and Quint got ready for home and we went up in the park for a while and then home. Frank went home with me and and Dick went in search of Ferdy and got home not long after we did. We stayed "to home" all evening reading playing the mouth organ and such and listening to the wind which is kicking up a glorious rumpus. Monday November 13th When the house was aroused this morning all were surprised to find any water left in the kitchen was frozen. The water in the bird cage was frozen, and the lillie in the hall was toughed. Although this was the state of things in the house, the water in the horse stable was not frozen. It was very cold outside and was made more intense by as strong wind. I started to saw wood and Daddy and Enah began to get the stoves ready to move. I broke the frame of my saw which was not much account anyway, so I went down to Huby's to get his saw and also to get him to come and help us move the stove. We spent the rest of the morning getting the stove up. We moved the big stove into the inside kitchen and the little stove in the hall. We did not do any thing much but chores and I cut wood. It has been exceedingly cold all day. And it heopes feels as if it would be a cold night. Tuesday November 14th It was a great deal milder to-day than yesterday. Old Bill turned up about seven o'clock as he had stayed down at Huby's all night. We started to work first thing on the winter pen for the chickens {illegible the?} on the big barn. We covered the top with the old hay that Titus had left in the other end of the shed which we intend using for a calf and sheep pen. We were nearly all morning at this and we did the same to the calf pen with the remainder of the hay. This after noon we fixed up a coop for the chickens to roost in one corner of the shed with a couple of big doors of the horse stable before it was fixed up. Dad went down 77 �town about five o'clock after tar paper and poultry netting to enclose the shed. He met the boys on their way home from school and Dick went back with him and helped him bring home his purchases. I did chores and Bill helped me milk. It began to snow quite hard tonight and Bill thought he would be able to follow the track of a fox he had seen signs of yesterday on his way down so Dad said he would spare him tomorrow morning and he went down to Huby's to stay to-night as he had left his gun there and wanted to get an early start. Wednesday November 15 Dad and I worked all morning putting up the wire around the new chicken pen. We also put up more tar paper in the pen and put boards around the top and bottom of the wire. While I was in the barn this morning I saw the old grey cat that Williams left catch a great big rat and eat it. This afternoon we hung the door to the chicken pen and finished it up. About three o'clock Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger and went down to get Aunty and Lila came back with them. I cleaned out the stable while they were gone and then sawed wood. Dad did the chores and I helped milk. To-night Dad. Lila and Dick are out to catch the chickens and put them in their new pen Lila is holding the light for them and is enjoying herself immensely Aunty said Bill and Quint started off this morning after the fox. They got as far as Wally's and saw the fox with a chicken, so Bill went on after him and Quint came on home. It snowed a good inch last night and there were bob sleighs out this morning. The sun was very bright and it thawed a lot all day, but it is colder to-night. Thursday November 16th Bill came in this morning before any of us were up. He said he shot the fox yesterday and sold the skin to a fellow from Simcoe as soon as he shot it. There were three Simcoe fellows with a hound after it. We put the rack on the wagon and Dad and Bill went after a load of rails to fix the barn yard fence while I sawed some wood. Phil. Shaver came after Dad while they were out there. I helped them unload. Bill started to work at the fence and Dad and I got a load of poor rails to saw up for fire wood. Bill hung some gates this afternoon and Dad helped him and I just fooled around and took about al half an hour to get my feet warm and dry. When they got through with the gates, Dad went down to the mill with Joe and Ginger to get a bag of flour and Bill cut a good pile of wood. I did a few chores. Aunty and Enah went down town this after noon. Lila spent most of her time feeding the chickens and sleigh riding. She went all the way down town after her sleigh and every body around was looking for her. It was a lot warmer to-day but is cold now. Poor Mickey Law had his leg nearly cut 78 �off to-day while he was working down at the fish shanties. We don't know exactly how it happened but the freight car ran over him and they don't expect him to live. November 17th Friday Dad was awakened this morning about four o'clock by the piteous cries of his little pet canary, the wild one. He came out and found a rat, the rat we have all been plotting agains and trying catch for the last two or three weeks chewing the little canary's leg. He scared it into the pantry and blocaded the door and then broke the old wooden spoon that Mr. Moon made killing the rat but he did kill it. He let it, the canary go till noon and then found that its leg was broken right off so he had to kill it. Bill and Lila Dad and I went out and got a hauled corn stalks. We got three loads jags in and unloaded by noon and there is about another jag standing and the rest are all down and too wet to bring in. It began to sleet about noon and soon turned into rain. It rained all the after noon and is yet and much milder to-night. All the snow has vanished and given place to - mud. Bill went down town this afternoon. Dad and I did not do much but chores this after noon. I read "The O' Ruddy" most of the time and find it is an excellent book. Saturday November 18th It was a brute of a day - rain, sleet and wind. and to-night it is blowing and freezing. I spent about an hour this morning greasing up my old boots. Then I went out and helped Frank get in Dad's road while he was trying to put a window in his new chicken coop so the feathered fools could see to go to roost. I went over to Vyse's about noon with a buck-saw blade to get him to set it. Dick and Lila went down town this morning to wish Aunty Maude a happy birthday and Lila of course stayed. Dad, Frank and Dick went back to where Dad. was plowing to open a ditch. When they came back Dick went down town and Frank and I played hide and seek in the old barn all afternoon. I wanted to see how it would work to {illegible} a hole I made yesterday in the straw right on to the {goal?}. Dad. did the work. I read "The O' Ruddy" to-night. I seen no possible chance of getting out of having a bath tonight as Dick is catching it now. Sunday November 19th Snowed first thing this morning till the ground was covered and then stopped and remained cold for the rest of the day. Aunty and we three boys went down to Sunday school and Dad and Enah came down to church. It was hot enough in church to cook eggs and the smell of paint is still strong. Mr. Johnson preached an awfully long sermon. All 79 �stayed to Huby's for dinner except Dad., who went home to do chores. I stayed with Frank there most of the afternoon fooling around with Quint. We came home about half past four and went down to Sam Law's to look for a little hickory nut tree. Dick went off right after dinner with Ferdie but just got home after tea. I read a little out of "The O' Ruddy" and then Enah read the rest of the evening a continued story of the Sunday School magazine which was very interesting but annoying because it came to a stop in an exciting place. Monday November 20th Dad went over to Mr. Vyse's this morning to see if he had the saw sharpened but found he had gone down to see Mickey Law as they had sent for him for because they did not expect Mickey to live. I piled a lot of rails in the wood shed while he was gone. {En.?} Lambert came after him and I told him he was at Vyses, but he missed him. Dad said he didn't care unless the fellow wanted to pay his bill which was unlikely as he had owed it for three or four years. I went over to Vyse's after dinner but he could not sharpen the saw for a day or so so lent me his saw. It was good and sharp so I used it for quite a while after I got back. Dad worked out at the old chicken house. I got the job later in the day preventing cookies from burning which I did but stuffed my self so chuck full I thought I'd burst. I read "The O' Ruddy" all evening and found it was gitting better. It has snowed all day to day but is quite mild. Poor old Tige has sneaked in the last two nights behind the kitchen stove and stayed till Dad takes her out to the stable when he goes. Tuesday November 21st Did the chores all up then I went and soaked my sore toe and finished "The O' Ruddy" which I was very loathe to do. Dad put on a new piece of roofing paper in place of the one that blew off the chicken house the other night. We also let Davy out for a little run this morning. Did not do anything much this after noon but chores and sawed some wood. Enah went down town to see if they had heard how her sister Mrs. Johnson was but I guess they hadn't. When Dick came home he told me that poor Mickey Law died this morning. He also said that Al. Faulkner was hurt badly by falling off the bus and it ran over his chest and broke three ribs. The horses ran way up Main Street and then Bobby Sinclair who was inside the bus but had not noticed that Faulkner was not there got the lines and stopped them. It has been much milder today. Wednesday November 22nd 80 �It froze hard last night but has not been very cold all day although freezing again to-night. Dad and I got the rails out of the barn yard that had been left from threshing and put them in the wood shed. We also threw down a lot of the old straw stack for the cattle to tramp under. Enah went over to the Martin's this morning to telephone down town to inquire after her sister and heard she was doing fine. Charlie Butler was in just before dinner to get some information from Dad about canaries as his wife had a pair given her. We went out this after noon and stood up most of the corn that had blown down and there was quite a lot of it. Dad said he would give Frank a quarter this morning if he had no mistakes in spelling and was greatly surprised to find that he had to cough it up. Ben Walker was ploughing to-day. Dad thinks he may go on to-morrow if he can. I started to read "Ivanhoe" to-night. Thursday November 23rd Dad went back and ploughed this morning as it was quite mild and thawed during the night. I did a few chores and then went back with him. He said it was very bat at first as it was frozen hard along the ploughed ground but as he got into the sod it got easier I cleane the sods out of the ditches and then had a good lesson. It began to rain at noon and kept up till night preventing us from doing anything but chores. Carl Coleman came to get Dad to kill their old horse after dinner but Dad had nothing to do it with told them leave him. I read all the after noon and Dad read James Whitcomb Riley. To night after their lessons, the boys gave an exhibition of their strength and acrobatic feats also vieing with each other in making the biggest noise while I was trying to read and Dad to sleep. Friday November 24th It snowed a little last night and as it did not freeze is very muddy but Dad. went back to plow. He plowed all day and it was easy enough but he was mud "up to his eyes" more or less. I did the chores and spent the rest of the morning cutting fine rails. Mr. Duncan was here to see Dad. He went back to find him but returned soon and said he could not swim the stream in the gully. I went back with Dad this after noon. I took a rail with me to put across the creek as Dad told me he had to jump and got in up to his knees. I shovelled ditches all after noon. It was pretty cold wind and began to freeze about half past four so we came up by five. Tige and the grey kitten went back with me. I thought the kitten went back in the middle of the after noon but when we were coming up we picked it up in the gully. Enah went down town this after noon. It promises to be a very cold night. Saturday November 25th 81 �It froze too hard for Dad to plow this day so we did not do any thing much. Louise came along this morning about half past ten Mr. Bawlby had to come down to a council meeting and he brought her down and said he would call for her to night. About eleven o'clock we three boys went back to the gully to have some fun. We slid on all the ice we could find that would hold us at all and tried to on a lot that would not hold us and consequently got our feet good and wet. Dad had to go over to Vyse's to see a sick hose or rather a horse that got its foot hurt. This after noon Frank and Dick went down town this after noon and got the boxing gloves Enah and Louise also went down. Aunty was over for a few minutes this after noon (Dad and I sawed wood most of the after noon We waited up till all hours to-night as Louise expected Mr. Bawlby We boys went to bed about ten o'clock. He came about midnight and just as Louise got to bed but she did not go with him. Sunday November 26 I got up this morning of my own accord for a change and helped Dad to chores. We three boys went down to Sunday school and Daddy Enah and Louise came to church After church I arranged with Bob Miller to go up to Carpenters with him and get my sheep. Dad and Dick went up to Val. Leary's and fixed old Dandy's teeth We all came home to dinner (a couple of fat roosters dying yesterday had something to do with it), Aunty too. Miss Bawlby came for Louise just before dinner and they went just after. We did not get through dinner till about three o'clock and no chores were done. I did them up and because Dad had to go down and bandage Vyse's horse's foot. The horses were about starved Old Harry especially. Dick and Frank went down with Dad and Dick went on down town. To night Daddy and Enah went down to church to-night and left us here alone We were very good. Aunty went down town town this after noon to have tea at the Lawries. It has been a beautiful day to day. Monday November 27th I went down with the boys this morning and went with Bob. Miller up to Carpenters to get my lambs. We did not get back till about half past ten and as the old horse went so slow. I got four very nice looking Shropshire lambs and Bob. charged me $6 a piece. I wet around the orchard fence as we put them in the orchard and fixed a little arond it to keep them in. Gus. Stringer was here when we got back with a couple of teams getting what hay that was any good at all and he seemed to be having his hans full sorting it. I did the some of the chores up before noon. This after noon I went back with Dad for a little while to throw sods out of the ditches he {illegible} out this morning. He got quite a lot done. Every body was plowing to day it seemed as Robert John Watson was yelling at a great rate just the other 82 �side of the woods. I went over to see what he was doing. He asked me if I was lost and I told him I was just looking for rabbit holes and then I had quite a talk with him. He was plowing with a gang plow and did not seem to be holding it at all. I came up early to do chores. Aunty came over with the boys from school. It has been a beautiful mild day. It seems to be the general opinion that we are going to have Indian Summer now. The sap is running today. Tuesday November 28th We got up before day light this morning so Dad could get a good start at plowing but it got began to rain early and kept up all day so we could do nothing but run around in the mud or stay inside. Dad hooked up Joe and Ginger and drove the boys down to school and then went around to inquire after Miss McPherson and found she was a little better. I cleane out the stables and cut wood while he was gone. I read Ivanhoe most of the afternoon. Bill Donald came after Dad. to go and see his grey mare which was broken out in several places. He had been reading up doctor books and was afraid it was some awful disease. I forget the name of it. Aunty went down town this afternoon and did not get back till dark. I churned for about an hour and a half this afternoon after Enah had been at it for about as long and Dad finished it tonight after churning for about a couple of hours, but there was a big lot of magnificent butter. Aunty read to us all some more Wednesday November 29th It turned much colder during the night and froze and thawed snowed a little. Dad did not go back to plow this morning as it was so disagreeable and he did not get an early start but went over in the corner fild he plowed first and shovelled ditches. I sawed a little wood. Gus. Smith was over this morning to see Dad. Frank Vyse also came over to get Dad to put another bandage on his mare's foot I cleaned out Titus' old chicken hous and knocked a couple of boards of the back of it so the sheep could get in from the orchard on bad nights. I tried to coax them in but did not succeed although they are fairly tame. I went over to the field where Dad was digging mud, for awhile this after noon and then came up and read till the cows (which we sent back in the gully for a drink) came up and then I did chores and Dad came in. Aunty went over to Mrs. Arthur Battersby's this after noon. April to June 83 �15. Life history of the frog 45 - 50 16. How birds obtain their food, utility, etc 44 17. The nesting of birds 18. Life history and habits of any common economic insect as tent-catipillar, cabbage butterfly, the 10 - 11, 25 - 27 lady bird etc. 19 Familiarity with names and general appearance of the common fishes frogs 45 - 50 newts lizards turtles snakes 20 Millipeds 30 84 �21 22 Butterflies 1. Monarch butterfly 9 - 10 2. Cabbage butterfly 10 - 11 Moths 1. Sphinx moth 11 - 12 2. polyphemos moth 13 - 14 3. Coddeling moth 14. Thursday November 30th 1911. from the midrib Dad went back to plow this morning but it was frozen too hard and he had to come back. We cut up the apple branches that were left in the orchard most of the morning. We put wire up around the top of the chicken run this afternoon to keep them from flying over Aunty and Enah went down town to Bible Class or something this afternoon. Enah stayed down at her sister's to tea and went to choir practice. Charlie Shand came home with Dick and got him to go over home with him to stay all night. After tea Dad, went down town to choir practice and did not get back till late. I finished notes "Ivanhoe" to-night and went to sleep reading the notes on it. Cold and windy to-day. December 1st Friday Dad and I went back and set up the corn shocks that had blown down. Tige and two cats went with us. The black one and Tige caught about all the mice in sight but the grey one didn't catch many but took them away from the black. Aunty went down to Mr. Bert's funeral this morning and came back about three o'clock. She thought she forgot to take Roy's letter down and came back after it but when she could not find it she came to the 85 �conclusion she posted it. Dad fixed the cow stable door this after noon and I watched cookies from burning. Dad and I went over to Vyse's with the wheel-barrow and got a lamb from him of Bob Miller's that Bob told us to keep for awhile. To-night Frank and I went down to post a letter Aunty wrote to Roy to make shure he would get one. Killed a couple of roosters this morning. Much milder to-day looks like rain. Saturday NovDecember 2nd Gus. Stringer and his men came and got two more loads of Titus' old hay. One of them a Scotchman and a expert sheep man had a look at our sheep and told us a lot about them. He also clipped the wool around their eyes as he said it was too long. We had a great time catching them. I cut up rails most of the morning but did not cut many. Dick and Frank cracked hickory nuts and I ate all I could get of them. Aunty, Dick and Frank went down to the greenhouse this after noon as Frank had never seen in them I fooled around. Dad fixed a window in the chicken house so they could see to go to roost. I started to read "The White Plumes of Navarre" to-night. Bath to-night sure. Sunday NovDecember 3rd It was very cold all day to-day. Aunty and we boys went down to Sunday school as usual, and Dad and Enah came down to church. The Bishop was there and they had confirmation. It was a very long service. Aunty stayed down to Huby's but the rest of us came home. I read most of the afternoon and evening too. We had dinner about three o'clock and supper about seven. It is freezing very hard to-night. Dad coaxed the sheep into the old chicken house for shelter this afternoon We could not get them in before. Monday December 4th It froze hard last night but has been milder to-day. It froze in the horse stable for the first time. Dad went down town this morning for stove pipe and a few other things. I sawed wood most of the morning and did chores. This afternoon we put up the box stove in the dining room. We also battoned up the cracks in the cow-stables which made things much more comfortable in that quarter. Sam. Law moved his clover mill down to Bob. Blakie's to night so Dad expects an invite. Allan came in to night after his box which he left here when he thrashed here. Dad is thinking of getting a horse that Harry Ansley told him about that Mr. Finkle of Woodstock has and wants to put in good hands as it is an old but good driver. Tuesday NovDecember 5th 86 �It was quite mild to-day and a lovely sunny day. Dad and I went out with the rack this morning and got the rest of the rails which came out of the old garden fence, in to small loads. Then we went out and got a load of corn stalks before dinner, but did not unload them, Bill Duncan was here when we came up and wanted to know more about the same horse he was asking about last time. He talked for a quarter of an hour or so to Dad about his troubles with Stan Lawrie and every other subject. This after noon we unloade the load of cornstalks we hauled this morning and went out and got another - the last and brought them in. We had an awful time loading them it was so windy. We got up about four and spent the rest of the time doing chores. It was a moonlight night to-night and Dick and Frank ran about the house for awhile. Wednesday December 6th Dad and I went over to Blakie's this morning and Dad and he talked around for about an hour. He thrashed yesterday and so was not feeling very skookum. He says he is going to leave in the spring and want to sell Dad several things over there. When we came home we fixed the manger in the cow stable so they could not throw their food out. This after noon Dad and Enah went down town with the fern after dinner. They took it to Cousin Loll's as she is going to keep it for the winter. Aunty came over with Dick to-night. Huby, Quint and the kids went to Simcoe this after noon. It was full moon to-night and so we all three went out and played hide & go seek for about an hour. Thursday December 7th I went over around Art. Ryersie's fields this morning in quest of bitter hickory. I looked at every tree nearly in his gully land tasted the nuts under every hickory I could find and thought I could not find it when I saw a tree that I did not think worth while looking at but went over and found it bitter hickory. This afternoon Dad drove Enah and Aunty down to auxiliary and then to Joe and Ginger to be shod. He had to go to Butler's as Greenbury sold out the other day to Bobby McMillan and Dad did not know what Bobby was like. He did not get back till dark although he left right after dinner. I wrote a letter and did chores. To-night we three boys went down to a Magic Lantern show which was rotten and very late. A beautiful day to-day. Friday December 8th It seemed such a beautiful day to-day that Dad went back and plowed and got a good day in. I was back most of the day with him and had a good lesson. I drove and plowed at the 87 �same time and this after noon did not do so badly. I came up about four o'clock but Huby and Al Faulkner drove in Huby with three geese he got for us some place. I was going down to-night to see Walt. McCall about getting his colts but did not Aunty went down this after noon. It has been very much like Indian summer to-day but not as much as yesterday because it was cloudy a lot and rained a little. Saturday December 9th Dad got up before day light this morning to get a good start at the plowing. I did the chores. The geese dissappeared during the night, but Dick and Frank went out after break fast and found them in Bannisters field. Mr. Vyse was over this morning to get Dad to go over and help him do something with his horses foot. We three boys and Aunty went down town this morning. I saw Walt. McCall and he said I could take the colts when ever it was handy. Aunty and Frank went over and saw the cedar chests at the Widespread. Aunty stayed down. I sawed wood and did chors all afternoon. Dad got a dandy day in plowing and a lot done. Dick and Frank were down town all the afternoon and got their hair cut. We had an interesting game of guessing after tea. Disagreeable day. Not cold but very foggy and awful muddy on account of a rain last night. Sunday December 10th We three boys went to Sunday school and Dad and Enah came down to church. Dad stopped in at Vyse's on his way home. I came home and did some chores. Frank stayed down town to dinner and wrote to Grand daddy. Mr. Jacques came over after dinner and Dick and I went downtown. Dad. wrote a letter to Yeager for more particulars of Miss Baker. Dick went downtown and I went over Brant Hill and met Huby. Aunty, Frank, Win & Lila down the beach. I came home with them and went up town to post Dad's letter met Dick went down to the dock with him to see Harry Ansley's old rig came around by Huby's got Frank and went home. Fooled around most of the evening. Magnificent day, couldn't be beat. Monday December 11th Dad went back early to plow again this morning. It begant to rain during the forenoon, and was pouring by noon. But he kept on till noon and got a good lot done, he said he could finish in another day. It rained hard all the afternoon. I read all the after noon, and Dad worked out side opening ditches around the barn yard and such things. There is mud about up to the eyes more or less around the barns. Aunty came over this after noon I think to tell 88 �Enah that her sister Mrs. McPherson had another boy this morning. She went back again in the rain. Tuesday December 12th Dad went back to plow again this morning. He plowed till one o'clock as he did not hear the whistle blow and although it rained quite a lot rushed back and finished the field by a little after four. I went back with him this morning and put a rail across the creek as it was swollen by yesterday's rain. Then I came back and did chores and went back with the shovell but did not stay long as it began to rain. Enah went down this morning to see her sister's baby and of course he is the biggest, fattest, prettiest, good-naturedest baby ever born. It rained a lot to-day. but not very hard. I slopped around in the mud doing chores part of the time and spent the rest of the time bothering Enah who was making mince meat. Wednesday December 13th Dad and I drove Aunty up to Vittoria this morning to catch the train for Pt. Rowan as she was going to see Aunty Ida. The roads were awful except in a few sandy places. We got home about one. There were a lot of people plowing along the road. Mr. Bawlby drove Louise down this afternoon but she had to meet him at half past four down town. Enah went down town with her and got back about six with the boys. Dad went back and shovelled ditches all the after noon. I hung around not doing anything but chores. It snowed last night a little and was cloudy and cold this morning but turned out a lovely day (above the mud level) and is quite mild to-night. Thursday December 14th Froze a little last night, beautiful morning but got colder towards evening and is snowing tonight and making things sloppier than ever. I sawed wood all morning and Dad did chores. Didn't do any thing much this afternoon, felt rotten, my shoulder hurt me all day and I was cold. Dad did various things around out side. Friday December 15th Did not do any thing much this morning. Dad cleaned chickens all morning. I went back to the gully which is all flooded. The heat is going to beat the cars, as it rained hard last night. Dad. and Enah went down town this afternoon. Dad wanted to get Belle shod. He was going 89 �up to the school house as all the rate payers were asked to go up and inspect the undesirable condition of the school house but Dad did not go up. They got back after five. I did chores and milked. This I have not done since last Sunday morning. Saturday December 16th It began to rain this morning and rained hard nearly all morning. We got some rails in to the wood shed, and I sawed wood and fooled all fore noon. Dad did chores and Frank and Dick were in the house looking at post cards and things. About two o'clock Dad & Dick started off to Vittoria for Aunty. Frank and I did chores. and went back to the gully, for awhile. Dad got home about dark. Sunday December 17th We three boys went down to Sunday school and church. Mr Johnstone is off at Barrie where they have him up for some scrape he got into last summer so I hear but it is with out doubt stretched. They made arrangements with a lay reader from Nanticoke but he never turned up so it is supposed he got stuck in the mud which is likely right for it must be a fright down on the clay, so Cousin Willie do the deed and he cut it very short. Read most of after noon and evening and we all wrote to Aunty Alice. Dick was down town all after noon. Froze a little last night and looks like rain now. Monday December 18th I got in a lot of wood and sawed it up which took me most of the morning and then did chores till noon. Dad. went back to open up some ditches in the field he just finished plowing. We fed the lambs some chopped up mangles and they were very hungry for it. We also gave them a lot of hay to-day. This after noon, Dad and Enah and I drove Joe and Ginger down town. We left Enah down there to do shopping and such and Dad and I came home by the mill and got a bag of flour. We also went up to Old Mr. Muller's and Dad. {dickered?} with Mrs. Muller for a Black Minorca rooster. Sam and Allan Law came over and took a load of the alsike straw and there is not much left now. Enah did not get back till late and we had a boxing contest all arond had knocked me galley west and Dick and I and Dick and Frank had some. We also had some Jiu Jitsu exercises after tea. It froze a little last night and has been chilly to-day. Snowed a little to-night freezing a little also. Tuesday December 19th 90 �Went down town this morning with Dad and got the colts at Walt. McCall's and got them home without any trouble. We put them in the box stall to-gether with Davy. We stopped in at Vyse's and Dad arranged with him to come over in the morning and help kill pigs. We also stopped in at the Wide spred to ask Emery how Mrs McPherson was and in home. This after noon we hooked up Harry and Belle to the rack and went down to Hubys and got one of the rain barrell's to scald the pigs in to-morrow and a box. Dad also got the turkey from Huby this morning Auntie got a letter from Miss Water's telling about the squabs. Wednesday December 20th Frank stayed home this forenoon to help kill pigs. He went down to Vyse's first thing to get some gamble sticks. We were not sure whether Vyse would be home yet as he was going last night to Ed. Moon's banquet in Simcoe, but he was lucky enoug to get a ride with Jack Martin and got back about four a.m. We shot the two pigs and had them all cleaned and every thing {bookmark obscuring words} noon. Blakie and Alfred Ryersie came over {bookmark obscuring words} the morning and the farmer brightened the scene by a few pig sticking anecdotes besides other yarns. This afternoon we had quite a time getting the colts into the orchard we thought they would follow Davy in but they ran down the road instead, and I had to go hot foot through Martin's to head them off. We did ordinary chores and I sawed some wood and just before dark had a great boxing bout with Dick. We also blew up a bladder which we kicked around awhile. To night I went down town with Enah to choir practice, bummed around town, went into the library and then over and pumped the organ till they quit about ten o'clock. Went down to Hubys and got home a little before eleven. Beautiful day. Frozen hard and shunshiny. Thursday December 21st I cut up rails this morning besides doing usual chores. Dad cut up one of the pigs and Enah cut up dough and made cookies. Enah went down town in the after noon and Dad and I worked at getting board from the roof of the old stable and started to fix up the chicken house. Aunty came over to-night with Dick. This evening Frank and I went down to the Presbyterian concert in the hall and had a pretty good time. They had a great bunch of little kids in the thing. We got home about ten. Dad went over to Martin's too this morning to see how they were going to vote on the school question. It has been a rotten day. It sleeted this morning and made every thing slippery and was cloudy and wet and cold and rotten the rest of the day. 91 �Friday December 22nd We killed and plucked the turkey this morning. Louise came and stayed till the middle of the afternoon. Dad cut up the other pig and Aunty went down town to meet Roy but he didn't come so he won't be here all this Christmas as he is going South.Dad took the cleets off the stable roof. Aunty, Enah and Louise went down town this aft. and Aunty & Louise did not come back. I slept most of the after noon. Frank got home early. I was going down to school this afternoon but it was a miserable day, wet and foggy. Saturday December 23rd Sawed wood and did chores all morning. Daddy Dick and Frank went down town and Dick did not come back to dinner. Frank and I went down this afternoon and fell in with Dick and Quint and we all went up to buy Christmas presents. Then we went over to the church and Sunday School where Aunty was making wreaths for decoration. Frank and I hung around all after noon, and came home with Dick at 6. Dad had to go to a School Board meeting tonight and the Lays went with him. Enah and I made chocolate fudge. Another dark damp day freezing a little to-night. Sunday December 24th We boys went down to Sunday School and Dad and Enah came to church. Frank and I went down after church and had a look at the gas well they are boring down at the beach, Aunty came home with us to dinner. We all stayed home this afternoon but Dick who was gone till tea-time downtown. I read most of the afternoon. Aunty got tea and Enah went down about five to go to her sister's to tea. Dad went down after tea to church to come home with Enah. Aunty read to us after supper and we worked at puzzles & things. A very nice mild day but very muddy. Christmas Day Dad did all the chores this morning and cut enoug wood to lost all day. We all went down to church at eleven. After church Aunty and I went up and called for Cousin Clare who came over with us and stayed all day and is going to stay al night. All of Huby's family came over to dinner which we had about three o'clock and where I increased my waist measure nearly to bust measure on the turkey plum pudding, mince pie and home made candy. Then we got the presents. We were all led to believe that there would be no presents this year, but I did not notice any difference. I got a good many things to numerous to mention. We four 92 �boys went down about half past five after the mail and Quint did not come back with us. We met Huby and the rest of his family homeward bond on our way back. We spent the evening he admiring presents and music etc. thus ending the first Christmas on the Farm. Very mild and muddy Xmas. December 26th Tuesday I did not do much this morning except saw wood. Dad fixed the style on {surname?} fence and Aunty and I went down and watched. I put some manure on the rhubarb bed. Frank dug putty out of old window sash and painted others and for the chicken house. Frank and I spent all the afternoon surveing the orchard and staking out the places for the young trees. Dad dug more straw of the old horse stable roof to get boards out for the chicken house. Every body else went down town. Aunty and Cousin Clair did not come back and Enah not till Dad went after about eight o'clock to-night. We spent a very peaceful evening while he was gone. I wrote to Aunty Alice and read Shakespeare while the feathers were settling. Barely freezing to-day. Wednesday December 27th It was very blustery all day to-day. Snowed a little and foze quite hard at night. Frank and I went out first thing and dug the holes for the little trees in the orchard. Then we got in rails for wood before dinner. We had dinner at about eleven as Dad and Enah had to get to a funeral. (Mrs. Thompson). Dick went down and pumped the organ, and Frank & I did Chores. Frank wrote a letter to Aunty {Ruby?}. When Dick came home we went out and played Hide & seek in the barn till supper. Thursday December 28th It froze very hard last night and there was a cold nor'west wind so we did not get up extra early Dick and I went down town about ten o'clock. I wanted to change a pair of jack boots Dad got for me yesterday and {illegible} but Andrew was not there. We called in and got Cecil McPherson who went over home with Dick and I waited for Aunty. The boys went back to the gully after dinner and came back with the report that there was a place big enough to skate on Enah went down soon after dinner and to Cecil with her. We played Hide & seek in the barn all after noon. Dad went down to tea at the McPherson's and is going to a meeting in the town hall to discuss the school question. As Aunty was here to help me I started to draw a picture to-night. 93 �{Some arithmetic figures at top of this page} 34 Modification of plants invironment. 35 Plants {?} and different localities. 36 Identification of plants with regular flowers. 37 (Other experiments. 2526. Friday December 29th I sawed wood most of the morning. Vyse came over and talked to Dad till nearly noon. I think he wanted Dad to go and get votes for him. Murray Dillon & May Perry spent most of the morning walking up and down the road out here for their health I suppose. This afternoon Dad had to go to Mrs. Jim Allen's funeral and got back about five. Dick and Frank helped me a little after dinner and then we all went back the gully to skate. We had a fine time skated way up the south creek and I got my feet soaked two or three times. We also had quite a time chasing a poor old muskrat which was under the ice and would have caught him if he hadn't got away. We came up about four as Frank had to go down and meet Aunty to go to see Mr. Willie Taylor. Dick made chocolate fudge but it didn't get hard. After tea Daddy and Aunty had quite a time convincing Frank that they could make him find {illegible - words caught in page fold} animal magnetism and they did alright. Then he and I drew till bedtime and Aunty read to us. It was a very sunny beautiful day. 1 The structure and functions of: (a) flower 1-14, 16-17, 20, 21-22, 36-58 (b) leaf 1-14, 21, 24-25, 48-56 94 �(c) stem 1-14, 27 (d) root 1-14, 23-24, 32-37 2 Organs of the flower 58-61, 61-62 3 Functions of the organs 4 Pollination 41-43 5 Fertilization 39-41 6 Uses of (a) {hairs?} (b) spines (c) pricles (d) tendrils (e) petioles 7 Simpler fruits 8 Means of dispersion of seeds 9 Formation of tree buds 10 Preparation of buds for winter 11 (a) annuals 43-48 95 �(b) Biennialls (c) Pernialls 12 The fall fruit and leaves of deciduous and evergreen trees Saturday December 30th Did a few chores then Dick and I went down town about eleven. I got my hair cut and a pair of jack boots from Andrew. The pond seemed quite safe but we didn't go out and there were several skating on the creek up by Krell's. Ferdie came over this after-noon and we all went back skating again we went up as far as McPhersons on the north creek but it was not so good as the other. It began to snow and we came up and played hide and seek in the barn the rest of the afternoon. I sawed a little wood before tea. Dick lost his knife in the straw. I drew most of the evening. Dark cloudy Day and snowed a lot and is snowing tonight. Frank found two or three dandelions out to-day which we thought very strange Sunday December 31st Snowed a lot during the night but rained and froze before morning. We boys and Aunty went down to church & Sunday-school, Dad and Enah did not come down. Aunty did not come back. We all stayed home this after noon. I drew a little and started to read "Never too late to Mend," which I read all evening. There was no service at seven to-night but will be at mid-night. It rained a lot to-day and is blowing up a ferocious gale to night. (rotten {wind?}) For more information on Theobald (Toby) Barrett, check out the “Meet the Diarists” section under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca 96 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1911-1925 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1913 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1914 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1915 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1916 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1917 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1918 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1919 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1920-1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1921 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1925-1926 Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1926-1927 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary & Transcription, 1911 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Theobald "Toby" Barrett Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 28 to December 31, 1911 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 20th Century, Norfolk County, Woodhouse Township, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. May 28, 1911 Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Scanned Manuscript & Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done Scripto Transcription A written representation of a document. <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday May 28th.</p> <p>Went down to Sunday School this morning with Daddy behind Belle and after church drove home with Enah and Daddy. After dinner I walked into town via the stump but did not go in. I went down to the dock and then around by the Morgan's and sat there an hour or two talking to Murray. We thought there was going to be a big thunder storm but it blew over. I came home about five o'clock and lay out on the lawn till supper time. After tea Enah and I walked it to church and were releived to hear Mr. Johnson announce that owing to the intense heat the service would be shortened. There were only thirty-nine there hardly enough to pay expenses.</p> <p>After church we went over and listened to Mr. Lawrie's graphophone which was fine. We got home about 10 o'clock. It is cooler now and there is a slight breeze. The mosquitos were bad at the Lawries.</p> <p>Monday May 29th</p> <p>Got up about seven this morning.I discked the corn field all morning behind Belle and Harry or Joe for we found out that was his name.</p> <p>Bill turned up just after dinner. He and Quint had walked down from Normandale this morning. They never caught a fish.</p> <p>When he came he set to work to make a corn marker and Daddy, Enah and I drove down in the wagon after another load of stuff. We got the sofa the arm-chair and other things. We got back about six and Bill had the corn marker all made ready to put bolts into.</p> <p>After tea Bill Dick and I went back with the rifle to see if we could find and ground hogs but in vain. When we came back Mrs. MacPherson was here, she stayed till Bruce called for her about half past nine.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We let Davie out in the orchard to-day Josie saw him going out and has kicked up a fuss all day. It started out this morning nice and cool but got hot again to the middle of the day but cooled down again at night.</p> <p>Tuesday May 30th</p> <p>After breakfast I sawed enough wood for the day, and then shelled seed corn. Daddy and Bill were back discking and rolling the ground for it.</p> <p>Then I tried to put the shelves in the pantry but they fit too tight. After dinner I went back and watched Bill go a couple of rounds with his corn marker and then started down town to buy a corn planter. I fell in with Chris Owanbury who was going down after eggs for Jack Martin and he offered to drive me down and back. When I got to Andersons I had to wait about ten minutes for Maud Jameison and then Miss Stamp told me they did have any corn planters except an old one that Mr. Anderson had had on the farm which I could have for 50cts so I took it. Then I pretty nearly lost Chris. but at last found him and came home. When I got home I started to cut potatoes and went to sleep. When I woke up I found I had been lying on my arm and put it fast asleep and took me a long time to wake it up. Then Bruce came after his plow and Daddy went down as far as Fleming's with him to borrow another corn-planter. I went on cutting potatoes which to me till tea-time. After tea Daddy wanted to go back and plant some more corn so Dick and I had to do the chores. It took me about half an hour</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to milk the cow and then she did not give as much as Dad gets. Then I let her go before I took the calf away from the other cow and it scared the calf. Bill rode Old Harry down town for Harry Ansley sent word over at noon that he wanted him back to haul some sand.</p> <p>Daddy and Dick went over to Bannisters to get some setting hens and I saw a section of an old hollow basswood for a nest. When they came back they told us that Mrs. Liddy had a child and was dead.</p> <p>It has been very much cooler to-day with a wind in the east.</p> <p>We left Davie out in the orchard to-night. He seems to be getting over his lonesomeness a little.</p> <p>Wednesday May 31st</p> <p>Got up at a fair hour this morning about 6 o'clock.</p> <p>Right after breakfast Daddy went over to help Frank Vyse spray, and Bill and I went back he to plant corn and I to plant potatoes. We both got through about 10 o'clock and then we started to hook Belle up to the stone boat to draw the brush out of the orchard when we noticed a horse and rider coming up past Mrs. Aruther Battersby's. We then saw that the horse was Old Harry the same which Bill took back last night. We then tried to figure out who the horseman could be. He was so far away we could not tell and he was coming at a very easy walk. As he got nearer Bill said it was Huby and sure enough it was. He reminded one of the pictures in Don Quixote of the little fat man on the knights horse.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We learned from him that Daddy had bought old Harry for $115.00 and that Huby had volunteered to ride him over in the saddle. Bill then took Belle and old Harry and went back to roll the oats. I went down as far as Vyse's with Huby to see how Daddy was coming on and found him working for all he was worth at the pump. which by right ought to have a horse to pump it.</p> <p>About noon it began to thunder and rained a little during which shower we went into Vyse's house and afterwards home while we were at dinner it got very dark and a strong wind got up. and then began to rain and kept on till about three.</p> <p>Bill went down town after dinner and is not back yet. Daddy white washed the kitchen and pantry ceilings and I read a couple of stories. When Dick came home the to cows were up in the barn yard so I put them in. A little while after wards I went out and Frank Vyse's white cow was up but no sign of Bobby, so I went back and found her licking a big bull calf at the top of the hill. Then Daddy and I went back and he steered it to it's supper.</p> <p>After tea I milked Spotty and then went back with Daddy and he milked Bobby.</p> <p>It was pretty hot this morning but is quite cool now after the rain. David is still in the orchard.</p> <p>Thursday June 1st</p> <p>Bill was sick this morning and said he had felt sick all night. He took a dose of salts and did not eat any breakfast. Then he went and lay down in the stable barn in the hay and put a horse blanket over himself and slept there till noon. He would not come in the house to sleep. At noon he felt better and ate his dinner and then went down to see Doc. Hicks who gave him some</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>medicine. He went and saw Huby and then came home and had his tea and went to bed soon afterwards.</p> <p>This morning Daddy, Dick and I went down town in the wagon to get some potatoes and things for the horse. As we were going out the gate we met Bill Donald who was coming to plow for buck wheat. He had the horse with the sore shoulders with him for Dad to look at again.</p> <p>We went on and got as far as Vyse's and I stayed there to help him fill up his spray barrel and when Dad came back he was going to help him spray Dick could not ride his wheel to school on account of the mud so he rode down with Daddy in the wagon When Daddy came back he and I went over home and he came back with old Harry to pull the pump around the orchard. When I got home I started to cut potatoes and kept on till noon. Daddy never showed up for dinner and after dinner I buried the old skunk and chicken. Then Dad came and went back and finished rolling the oats and I planted the potatoes I had cut and another half pail full. Bill Donald went down town with Bill to get his plow-shears sharpened. Daddy harrowed in the potatoes after he had rolled the oats. After tea I mowed a little lawn and Daddy went down to get a setting hen for Huby had a gift of ten turkey eggs It has been much cooler to-day with a wind from the nor'west.</p> <p>Friday June 2nd</p> <p>Milked Bobby this morning before breakfast and afterwards sawed some wood and started to cut lawn. Then I went down town and waited at Huby's till Dick came down and he went up and got a manure fork</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and I took it along with our own over. Then Bill loaded up some manure and I went over and spread it which job I have kept all day Old Felix came over to fix the windmill so she will work all right and he fixed it to pump a lot easier. Bob Law brought a couple of loads of sand to-day for the foundation of the horse-stable when it is moved.</p> <p>Bill Donald has been plowing for buck wheat all-day.</p> <p>It began to rain heavily about five o'clock and kept up till after tea. The were a couple of light showers before and it has been fairly hot all day but a nice breeze.</p> <p>All the school had a holiday this afternoon on account of Mrs Liddy's funeral.</p> <p>Bill rode old Harry down town to-night.</p> <p>Saturday June 3rd</p> <p>Bill got back about four o'clock this morning.</p> <p>I went out after breakfast to spread manure and got my feet so soaking wet that I came in, and changed my boots and socks and went out and hoed the tomatoes and planted some potatoes Bill Donald came to plow and has been plowing all day.</p> <p>After dinner Bob Blakie came over to get some of his property that he had lent to William's and talked here for about an hour. Then Daddy and I went back and planted carrot seed all the after noon. Bill hauled manure all day and got out 18 loads. Allan and Harry Batersby drove out for a short visit.</p> <p>After tea Dick and I walked in and went into the stump for a swim and then on down town and I got a film and a collar. We got home about {10?} o'clock This was His Majesty's birthday but it was not celebrated here but the coronation will be.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday June 4th</p> <p>Dick and I walked into Sunday School this morning and were about 10 minutes late. I drove back after church with Daddy and Enah who drove Joe and Ginger into church.</p> <p>This after-noon it looked like rain and I walked in to Huby's. It then cleared off and I walked down to the dock and found Dick talking to Art. Smith, Joe and Greenbury. Then Murray and Roy Dell came along in Dell's row boat and Art. Smith and Greenbury and I got in we went out in the lake. Then we came up and I walked up town and then went down to Aunty Maude's for tea.</p> <p>After tea I went up to church and then went for a little walk with Murray but it looked very stormy (and is thundery now) that I came home. Bill was here when I arrived.</p> <p>Huby and Harry Battersby have gone up to Billington's to-day. They did not say what for</p> <p>Monday June 5th</p> <p>Got up with much discomfort being very sleepy this morning a little after six.</p> <p>I sawed some wood before breakfast and a little afterwards.</p> <p>We hooked Joe and Ginger up to the wagon and went down town and got all the stuff out of Enah's &amp; Daddy's room which took us all the morning as we had to take up the carpet. Dick drove down with us and took his dinner to school as it was too muddy to ride his wheel.</p> <p>When we got back Bill was working spreading the manure he hauled out Saturday and it was to wet around the manure pile to haul out any more and any way Faulkner had come and taken his wagon.</p> <p>Bill Donald was ploughing and Davie was having a good time in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the orchard. After dinner Bill started to fix a solid place in the wood shed to put the Cream separator on, and Daddy and I put the wardrobe to-gether in Dick's room. I lay down on Dick's bed and finding it very comfortable fell asleep. I was soon aroused from my slumbers by Enah who informed me Daddy was trying to catch Davie in the orchard as he was in Bill's road who had old Harry hooked on to the stone-boat hauling brush up to the other end of the orchard. We got Davie stowed away in one of the boxstalls and then prepared for another journey to town. Herb Lawrie was here after the hay he bought from William's.</p> <p>We got back here with another load and Dick about six o'clock.</p> <p>While unloading I noticed one of the young pigeons had got down with the chickens and they were chasing it around and picking at it. I went over and found it dying from a wound in its neck where they had picked it. It died in a few minutes and I hung it up down for Bill to eat as it had been well bled. The chickens had another old fellow who can't fly up in the corner too but he escaped with his life.</p> <p>Dick and Bill went down town to-night after tea, and I think I hear them coming back now (9.30). I went out and milked Bobby to-night and then mowed the lawn.</p> <p>George Slocomb came over to-night to see if he could put his pony colt in the pasture and Dad decided to let him for $1.50 a week month. He will let Davie back with him and he won't be so lonesome.</p> <p>It has been pretty hot to-day threatening rain several times.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday June 6th</p> <p>I was wrong last night when I thought I heard Dick and Bill coming last night for Dick did not get home till 10 o'clock with news of Dover's defeat in baseball Dover vs. Simcoe. Bill got home sometime in the small hours of the morning and slept out in the hay.</p> <p>Enah went to an Auxillary tea-shine in Waterford this morning with a load driven by Johnny Walker and hauled by Faulkner's Arabs. She got back to-night a little after nine earlier than she expected. We could hear Mrs Skey and Miss {Whelan?} yelling way down at Mrs. Battersby's corner.</p> <p>I hoed the tomatoes all up this morning and cut all the burdocks I could find. I demolished about 100 stocks. Then I sawed the lims off the old willow that obstructed the passage of carriages. Bill hauled manure all day and got 16 or 17 loads out. After Dinner Daddy and I went out and spread all Bill had hauled out. Then we came in with the intention of going down town after some oats but after ripping down the old wall at the end of the horstall building found it was too late in the day to make the trip.</p> <p>After tea Bill went back down town but got back at 945.</p> <p>I milked Bobby and then came in and started to read "Peck's Bad Boy". The same which Dick is reading now. It was pretty cool this morning but is not so cold now. It has been fine all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 7th</p> <p>Very sleepy when Dad called me this morning about six but managed to get up about a quarter of an hour afterwards.</p> <p>I sawed some wood after breakfast and then Daddy and I went in to town with Joe and Ginger on foot to hook on to Faulkner's wagon. I went over to Billy Laing's with Daddy (after we had put the horses in the barn) and held sacks for him to fill with oats for us and then sat there while Daddy went up to get his hair cut.</p> <p>Then we went up and got the wagon and saw Faulkners new bus it is a dandy.</p> <p>We got the oats and some things from the house including Huby who stayed over all day and hauled manure while Bill pitched on the empty wagon. Huby is getting to be a great horseman he was driving Belle and Harry all day today.</p> <p>After dinner I chased the cows back the lane as they had come up and not got any farther than the end of the cornfield hill they were back again so I drove them back once more and this time got all the way to the barn and looked and they were half way down the lane so then Bill Donald who has been ploughing went back with me and we put a bar across the lane. Tige is getting pretty good with them.</p> <p>We then went down town in search of Johnny Walker to bring the big bits of furniture over. I nearly went to sleep on the way down. Daddy and Enah came down later and got the things ready.</p> <p>I first went down to the station and had a visit with Joe whom I found fast asleep in the ware</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>house on a pile of salt in sack. while I was there a wedding party drove in to go out on the 3.20 the happy couple being Will McNeily and Olive Long.</p> <p>Then Johnny Walker came along and I delivered my message and he said he would come around about four o'clock.</p> <p>I waited around a while and then went back. on my way went through Mrs. J.S. Allen's new house which is pretty nice. Then went into Mr. Jaques which is nice too but not like Mrs. Allen's. When I got to the house I heard the agent from Simcoe of the International Harvesting Co. try for about half an hour to sell Dad a manure spreader or other implement but he failed. By that time Johnny Walker was there Cruise came around and Daddy paid him for the road work.</p> <p>Daddy and I went over on the load and Enah rode her wheel over.</p> <p>After tea I partly milked Bobby and carried the stuff we brought over from town into the house. It was very misty and damp early this morning but got finer afterwards although cloudy all day.</p> <p>Bill and Huby went down town after tea. Bill said they were going to a ball that Bill Barlow was giving for a farewell but I guess they didn't for Bill got home before midnight. Bill Barlow has left Bagley and Miller's and is going to work in Lea's pickle factory in Simcoe.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday June 8th</p> <p>I was very sleepy this morning when Dad called me and have been sleepy all day.</p> <p>After breakfast I sawed enough wood for the day, and then went out and spread manure. I only got one row spread to-day and had several rests and one or two naps. Daddy pitched on to-day and Bill hauled out Huby has not been over at all to-day.</p> <p>After dinner I lay down on the sofa to read "Peck's Bad Boy" and went to sleep and remaind in that state till two o'clock, when I went out and spread after dumping Enah's wash water out of the machine. I quit about four and went to rest under an elm back in the gulsh. I could hear them yelling over at the school-house where they were playing baseball. Dover vs. Simcoe return game.</p> <p>About five I went up with Bill and cleaned out the horse stable. When Dick came home he in formed us that Simcoe had beat by some strange kind of luck the score being 9 - 4 He said that their playing was very bad and Dover's pretty good. - but - After tea I milked Bobby and tried to feed the kittens but they would wallow around in the milk and upset it. Bill and Dick have gone down town to-night.</p> <p>It has been pretty warm all day to-day but not too hot and there has been a nice breeze and a few clouds. It is now nine o'clock and time for me to retire. I'll see if {I c}an have more of slumber will {it} make me feel better on the morrow</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 9th</p> <p>Was not so sleepy this morning and have felt better all day. Last night after I went to bed Skinny Ryrsie and Lorne Hasted came over with Faulkner's team to get his wagon to haul some timber out of the bush to-day so as we only had the one wagon Daddy came out and helped spread and Bill hauled out.</p> <p>After breakfast I sawed up all the pieces of wood in the wood shed I could find and then went over to Blakie's to borrow a scoop-shovel for Bill and after lugging it over here he said it was no good and he would not use it but he changed his mind later when he found there was no better. Then I watched Dad try to churn in a two-quart self sealer. He churned to lots of cream but the butter was pretty soft. Enah worked it up this after noon and we had it for tea, and it was pretty good.</p> <p>We went out about ten o'clock and spread manure till noon and after dinner till four when it began to rain.</p> <p>It rained till six, during which time we cleaned up the wood-shed and now it looks as slick as the inside of a wallnut when the meat is all out.</p> <p>After tea I milked Bobby and Mr. Shand came after Daddy to see a sick lame horse -(Daddy has quit the practice)- I then fed the pigs and tried to feed the kittens but they spilt all the milk by trying to get what was in the opposite side of the saucer, consequentley it was neccessary for them to crawl in it. Bill went off with the rifle after tea The corn is coming up nicely and the crows are right on the spot.</p> <p>We have about 100 loads of manure out now.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday June 10th</p> <p>After breakfast this morning I went back and hoed the mangles and the corn all morning and most of the after noon. I hoed three rows of corn before dinner and four after. Bill Donald has been harrowing his buckwheat ground to-day and Daddy spreading manure.</p> <p>Bill, Dick and Quint drove old Harry up to Normandale this after-noon they were going to have a trout fish.</p> <p>I quit about four and went over and got enough strawberries for tea then I rode Dick's wheel down and left it in the school house porch while I went down to the stump and had a good swim.</p> <p>After tea we put Ginger and Joe in the orchard and took Davie out. Then we went back to the corn field and put out a few newspapers to scare the crows and then came in and sat around till bedtime.</p> <p>It has been pretty hot and close all day and threatens rain to-night. Our wheat east of the orchard is full of smut and Bill Donald showed us the hessian fly in it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday June 11th</p> <p>Daddy, Enah and I drove Ginger and Joe down this morning, and I went to Sunday School and they went and stayed down at Huby's till church-time. I found a lot of books waiting for me and Miss Battersby was just going to start in on them thinking I had jumped my job. I went to church and drove home with Daddy and Enah afterwards. After dinner we drove out to the Shand's and stayed there all the afternoon. Daddy drove Enah and I me down to Huby's for tea and he went home and stayed there all alone for tea.</p> <p>I went up to church with Enah and Ada but din't go in but went up the beach with Murray.</p> <p>I was to have gone right home with Enah but went down to the dock with Murray and saw a bunch down there and did not get home till nearly ten. It has been extremely hot to-day and threatened a thunder-shower but that is as far as it got. It was a lovely sun-set, and rather queer looking. There was a bunch out in the "Cygnet" to-day including Joe, Murray and some others and when they were coming in they accidentally ran into the "Vigilant" and broke the tiller and Mrs. Roy Silver Thorne hurt her hand quite badly.</p> <p>Monday June 12th</p> <p>Dick and Quint drove old Harry back alone last night. Bill stayed up there and said he thought that Daddy knew he was going to stay although he told him he was coming back last night.</p> <p>This morning Daddy and Enah drove down town in the buggy and stayed all morning. Daddy had to have Joe and Ginger shod and Enah had to do some shopping. I hoed corn till ten o'clock when there came up a terrible thunder storm which started about</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>three quarters of an hour or more. Bill Donald who had been working his buckwheat sat in the old house and told me of all the damage done by lightning around here in the last 10 years. Daddy came back after the storm was over about noon and after dinner he and I drove Joe and Belle and up to Yeagar's. We had a lovely drive and got home about six. We came home around by Lynn Valley. We saw Marshall and Gilbert on our way up and Marshall said he could let us have two sticks of timber the length we wanted for the stable if Bill would come up and cut and hew them. Then we went into Shepard's where Gilbert was raising a barn and he said he could be down here by the end of this week. Just before tea Mr. Miller came up to place the cream separator. He said Bruce told him we wanted him although how he found out is a mystery. He stayed to tea and fixed it up afterwards and skimmed a pail of milk and took the thing all apart and washed it and showed Enah how to put it to-gether again to be ready for the morning.</p> <p>It was very windy this after noon and rained a little in the evening. Yeager just got back from Galt to-day where he took a lot of prizes and sold four horses. He bought as many new ones to bring home with him. Several farmers were cutting hay but some of it looked pretty green.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday June 13th</p> <p>We put our milk through the separator all right this morning as it was all to-gether.</p> <p>There was no sign of Bill here all day to-day but Dick and Bob Law both saw him down town and he said he was coming home to-night.</p> <p>After breakfast I drove Belle down to Greenbury's to get her shod and when I came back it was kind of drizzle Daddy and Enah were laying the parlor carpet. After I put Belle away I went back and started to plant corn where the crow's had pulled it up. After dinner Daddy went over to a barn raising at Fleming's and did not get back till dark. I planted corn most of the afternoon, then I watered the horses and gave them hay. I miked after tea and fed the calves and kittens.</p> <p>Then I came in and started to put the milk through the separator and found all kinds of things wrong. First the washer was under the wood bush in stead of over it and that made an awful rattle. Then the rubber on the tube did not go in the hole and we squirted milk all over the floor. After that was remedied the cream started going into the milk vessel and visa versa. But at last we got it all through and are now at peace and hope to be till to-morrow morning.</p> <p>It has been cold and rather windy all day to-day. Rather cloudy and inclined to rain.</p> <p>Dick got a lot of straw-berries over in the garden to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday June 14th</p> <p>This morning I sawed quite a lot of wood and then went back and nearly finished planting the corn that the crows got.</p> <p>Daddy and Bill drove up to Marshall's to get the timber. Daddy came back at noon and left Bill there to hew the stick. After dinner I painted the pantry door and Enah started on the whole kitchen while Daddy went down to Vyse's to borrow a cultivator. Then we went back and he cultivated the corn while I hoed around the hills.</p> <p>About four o'clock we started off to get Bill and the timber, he had one stick nearly done so we waited and after quite a lot of fixing got it fastened to the wagon and started for home. I sat behind and tried to steer the thing and Daddy drove Bill walked most of the way. We reached home about eight, and unloaded our timber and had tea We got the chores finished about a quarter to ten.</p> <p>It has been fairly warm to-day and a little windy</p> <p>Thursday June 15th</p> <p>Bill went up to the bush this morning to hew his other stick of timber and Daddy and I went back to the corn-field. He cultivated with Belle and I hoed. We worked till noon and had got it all cultivated one way. I tried to rig up a scare-crow but did not make a very good one.</p> <p>After dinner Daddy churned and then went up to the woods after Bill about 2 o'clock. I hoed till about half past five and then I went up to the house and found nobody home so I stayed there till six and then got some more material for my scare-crow including a stuffed sack for a stomach and a couple of sticks for legs and went back and fixed up a fairly good one. While I was back there I saw Daddy and Bill coming home with the timber and as I was coming up to the house I met Dick going to get some strawberries</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I went over with him and we got enough for tea. After tea I cut a little lawn till it got dark.</p> <p>It would have been hot to-day If there had not been such a cool breeze. Dick and Bill went down town after tea and Dick got our new strainer pail which Hugh has been making for the last two or three days.</p> <p>Friday June 16th</p> <p>Bill started to plow this morning where we hauled out the manure.</p> <p>I cut up some wood and then went back to hoe corn while Daddy went over to Lol. Smith's to see when Gilbert could come to move the barn. She said he would come to-night and move it to-morrow, so Daddy ran around to see if he could get men to help him and he got four or five.</p> <p>When he came back I cut a lot more wood to cook the meals with and Daddy went back and hoed corn till noon.</p> <p>After dinner Daddy and I hooked up Ginger and Joe to the wagon and took Vyse's cultivator (which we are not done with) and Fleming's chain back to the owners. Then we came back and hauled posts from the corn and wheat fields which were in the old line fence. We thought the would do to block up the building with. We stayed at this job till half past four. While we were at it Chess Robinson came after a setting of eggs. We went down town after this to get a supply of provisions. Enah went with us and we got Huby and all the men he can get to come over to-morrow. Daddy and Dick went over to Blakie's to get a setting hen to put on some duck eggs that he gave us this morning.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Bill went down town and I cut more lawn till dark. The cows got into the wheat fields to-night. There has been a pretty nice breeze all day to-day but fairly hot.</p> <p>Gilbert drove in here with his aparatus about 10 o'clock to-night and is going to stay all night.</p> <p>Saturday June 17th</p> <p>This morning we had quite a hustle. Gilbert got started early to work on the horse-stable and we got a good crowd of Men viz: Huby, Alfred Ryersie, Jim Blakie and Frank Vyse besides ourselves. All came that had promised except Dad. Haymaker; and Walt. McCall the two that Huby had got.</p> <p>Dick went down early to meet a bunch that were going to drive up to the glen for a picnic. He was gone all day and was pretty tired when he reached home although he caught two trout and had a good time.</p> <p>I Rode Enah's wheel down the first time when Dick went down to get some spikes and just got back and found I had to go again after nails.</p> <p>Quint and (Evi?} Brown came over with some cherries - Olivets the first I have tasted this year. - and stayed till the middle of the afternoon. He picked the pigeon that the chickens had killed yesterday. We worked away all day at the building with out any adventure or mishap (except the escapes of several getting bogged in the manure) and at six o'clock had her all blocked up and sills put under and moved about 3 feet.</p> <p>After tea all the members of our party dispersed to their respective homes. Bill hired Geordie Lawries horse and rig and drove home and Gilbert took the old buggy and drove his team to Delhi.</p> <p>Then Daddy and I drove Belle down to the station to meet Roy. He had the squab Quint picked for his supper and</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>found the crop in it. Dick got home about 10 o'clock and we all went to bed.</p> <p>Sunday June 18th</p> <p>I walked down to Sunday School this morning and was not late which broke the record for the first time since we have been on the farm. Dick not get up in time to go. He, Enah and Roy came down to church but Daddy whent back to the farm and met us all at Huby's where we dined. In the after noon I went out in the boat a little way and then went up town and took a few pictures. First I went up to the Smith's to see if I could see Bruce but could not but Mrs. Smith said she would tell him to come over to-morrow if he came up. I went down to the dock and saw the launch "Miriam" of the C.Y.C. come in. Joe was out in the "Pilot" and Mid. in the Cygnet and there was hardly enough wind for them to get in.</p> <p>Joe and I were going up Main street about five o'clock and we saw a big smoke up the street. Joe had his wheel and he rode up. I went up as far as Maneer's? corner and did not see much smoke and only a few people so I thought there was nothing in it but found out afterwards that McBains old barn burnt down up by Bob Leitches. I met Roy going over to the Woodsons for tea when I was going home and went over that far with him.</p> <p>After tea I went down to church alone and went behind the organ with Wiser who wanted to get off early. After church I saw Egg Thompson and {Rurk?} and went up as far as Old Walkeis strawberry patch with them and then on home. (It was too dark to find the berries well.).</p> <p>Mr. Johnson and Murray went up to Port Ryersie in the farmer's gasoline launch and broke down on the way home. Haymaker towed them home and I guess Mr. Johnson had to preach on an empty stomach. Pretty hot to-day, but nice breeze.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Pen sketch of farming apparatus at the top of the page}</p> <p>Monday June 19th</p> <p>This morning all the men Daddy had asked come and help finish the moving turned up. Bill Donald, Frank Vyse and Charlie Butler all turned up early. Then Gilbert himself came and got every body started to work and the Bruce and his boy Fred George came. Huby could not come to-day as he had promised Mr. Hobbes to go trout fishing.</p> <p>We got the stable all moved and leveled about noon.</p> <p>After dinner we started in at the old house and got it in place behind the wood shed about four or five. Then we moved the pig house back the length of itself into the orchard. There were "Thaiousands and thaiousands of rats" under this building and quite a fraction of them were executed. It was in an awful state underneath. We got all through about six o'clock. After tea we loaded Gilbert's stuff on his wagon and started him for Vyse's where he is going to move another barn to-morrow.</p> <p>{There is a scrap of a newspaper cutting on this page.}</p> <p>Roy got off this morning and we all hurried for fear he would miss the train, but him and he said our clock was five minutes fast and would not start till the last minute but was in time.</p> <p>Bob. Law brought three loads of sand to-day.</p> <p>It has been pretty hot and sunny.</p> <p>Tuesday June 20th</p> <p>It is just one month ago to-night that we slept over here for the first time. Things look a lot different than they did then but have to change a lot more before they look at all decent.</p> <p>Before we finished breakfast this morning Bill Donald came to see if Dad wanted a ride over to Vyse's. So Daddy and Bill both went over to give them a hand with the building moving.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>They got back about three o'clock this after noon.</p> <p>I sawed some wood and hoed the potatoes and corn out in the garden by the barn while they were gone.</p> <p>When they came back we went down town to get our three wire gates and a hay rake that was down in the car. We got back about five and hung one of the gates ant the head of the lane before tea.</p> <p>After tea we milked and separated the cream which we do all right now and Miss Phipp and Mrs. Martin came and have just gone now (9.15) It has been hot to-day but a stiff breeze.</p> <p>Bob Law brought 3 or 4 more loads today</p> <p>Wednesday June 21st</p> <p>This morning I was aroused from a very peaceful slumber by the sound of many voices mostly dog's. I grew more consious and distinguished Bill's voice informing Daddy that Frank Vyse was here. Then that gentle man declared that Fleming's cow was nearly dead. Daddy gave orders for Belle to be hitched and in a short time he went away with Vyse after first telling me to get up. I said I would and then went back to sleep. In about half an hour Enah came and bothered me till I had to get up. I milked Bobby and Bill milked Spotty. We separated the milk, fed the calves and had breakfast. Then Daddy came and told us he had treated the cow for milk fever but did not know (and aparantly did not care) whether the cow would die or not. He brough home a hoe from Vyse's and Bill and I went back to the corn field to hoe while</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Dad drove Belle up to Yeager's. He stopped into Flemings on his way back and the cow was up and eating. It was Earne's cow and when he came over this morning he fainted and fell right into the old cow. He has not been very well and jumped right on his wheel out of bed and the consequence was as has been stated above Bill and I got sixteen rows hoed by noon.</p> <p>After dinner Bill plowed with Old Harry and Belle and Daddy and I took Josie to break her in on the cultivator. Talk about stepping high wide and fancy Joe certainly took the cake she stepped all over every hill she could see and got her legs over the traces and every other agravating act She could think of. She could not see the sense of walking up and down the field lugging the old rattly long cultivator behind her.</p> <p>She quieted down after a while and we kept on there till six Daddy driving and I steering the machine. Fred Coleman was raking and cocking hay in the field next us and Mr Prestonic in the field next that was moing. About five we heard the train kicking up a racket and Fred saing that Miss Henderson was married. Some Dr. Frizzle from Owen Sound got her. After tea Dick and I played with the dogs quite a while and scared the pup till he could hardly see several times. Dick milked about a pail full to-night out of Bobby.</p> <p>Enah has the kitchen all fixed up fancy all the wood work painted a decent color over the bright blue and the margins on the floor yellow with a linoleaum in the middle. A cloth on the table. (Fancy looking farm house kitchen).</p> <p>It would have been pretty unpleasantly warm to-day but for a nice breeze. The days begin to get shorter now.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday June 22nd</p> <p>His Majesty King George V was crowned to-day and the school and all business places had a holiday, but Dick stayed home and drew all day.</p> <p>Bill plowed all day, Daddy and I went back and cultivated corn till ten o'clock Joe went a good deal better.</p> <p>Then I went over and spread manure till noon as Bill had caught up in the plowing. Vyse came over and he and Daddy put the rake to-gether. I got quite a nice bunch of straw berries over in our patch.</p> <p>After dinner I had a pretty good rest and then went back and hoed potatoes till about 4.30 p.m. I slaughtered a great number of potato bugs. They are chewing The plants all to pieces. I went bare footed with one foot for a while my toe was so sore.</p> <p>Daddy spread manure till Sam Law came after him to see his cow which he thought was sick. Then he came and told me I could go for a swim and then went and rolled what Bill had plowed and Bill spread manure.</p> <p>Dick and I went down to the stump and had a dandy swim. The first I have had for nearly two weeks {(Dirt well I guess)?}</p> <p>Tony Bannister came over in a scow and it sunk before he got over, but he was prepared.</p> <p>Dick churned after tea and got so much butter that the butter {holder?} would hardly hold it.</p> <p>It has been and is now hot enough to cook eggs to-day in spite of a nice westerly breeze.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday June 23rd</p> <p>I hoed corn all day to-day and Daddy cultivated till about five when he had to take Vyse's cultivator. He cultivated what potatoes we could see.</p> <p>Bill plowed all day. After tea he and Dick went down. Dick was going to see the Jessie James show on the {flat iron?}. A little while after I went down to get my hair cut. While I was waiting Bill came in and then Huby came to get his razor honed. He started to shave himself to-day for the first time in ten years but had to quit when he got to his chin. I think the last time that razor was used Dick and I tried to shave the hair off our legs but did not make a very good job of it. I went down and got the laundry and then went home about half past nine. I was asleep before Dick got home.</p> <p>It was warm to-day but a fresh breeze There was quite a cool easterly breeze when I came home and it looked like rain a little.</p> <p>Saturday June 24th</p> <p>Daddy went over to borrow Chris. Quanberry's cultivator this morning to finish cultivating the corn length wise and I sawed some wood and sharpened the hoe while he was gone. Then we went back and I hoed and Daddy cultivated all morning. Joe goes fine now. About 10 o'clock Dick came out and told us all about the show. He said he never laughed so much in all his life.</p> <p>Bill plowed all morning but had to go this after noon. He said he was going up with Haymaker in his boat if it was not blowing to hard.</p> <p>Dick went down to meet Ferdie and he came out and stayed to tea.</p> <p>Right after dinner Daddy and I wrote a letter to John Miller of Brougham Ont inquiring about sheep.</p> <p>Then we went over to Blakie's with his cross cut saw and talked to him for an hour. Jim has gone to New Ontario.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We walked around the gully and had a look at our alsike and oats the former is a splendid crop and the latter is pretty good considering when they were put in. We got back about four and did a few things around and then Daddy and Enah went over to the McPhersons to see if Emery could come and fix up the Stable. Dick and Ferdie shot all the shells they had away but never got any thing. They saw an owl one that Daddy and I nearly stepped on over in the clover. The also found a hen's nest in the orchard with fourteen eggs in it and an old hen sitting on them. They were all good. I fixed my toe up which was pretty sore and went barefoot till Enah came and gave me a clean pair of socks.</p> <p>After tea Dick and Ferdie went down town and I read a story in the strand.</p> <p>It has been very much cooler to-day with a wind from the east. Some prophesy rain.</p> <p>Sunday June 25th</p> <p>Walked down to Sunday School and church and Dick rode his wheel. Daddy and Enah were coming down but Vyse came after Daddy to see his colt and so neither of them came down.</p> <p>Daddy worked with the colt all day but says there is very little hope for him.</p> <p>It rained a little right after dinner but Dick rode down to see the odd fellow's parade to the cemitary. I wrote a letter to Aunty and then walked down town. I went over to the park and found. Punk. Wiser, Stuffy and others at the gate. They told me it would cost a nickel to get in but I thought they were fooling and walked in without much trouble. I afterwards found when two or three fellows came and paid for admittance that Punk was getting all he could make there to-day. He has got the job of gate keeper for Buck all summer. Wiser and I went up town</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>after a while and he told me I could have the job of ringing the bell and pumping every Sunday morning through the summer as he has to go down to the boats at that time. I saw Roy Dell up town and talked to him for a while and then he got his father and we went out in their gasoline launch around by the reef and then up the shore to near Hay Creek and back. We saw John Gordon out in the " I T ". We got back about 5.30 and watched Ivey's try to make their engine go for about half an hour. They have one of the boats {Kileg?} built and put the engine Mid had in the "Cygnet" in her and she won't go. I went over to Huby's for tea and Enah came down soon after. Cousin Loll and Cousin Willie had been over there and had just left. They told Enah that Henry Reeve's had bought the grocery department of Seafield's out. Enah and I went to church, and I pumped for Wiser, as he had to go and see his girl. They had a special sermon and service for the coronation and it took a little longer just before it was over it began to rain and when church was over it was pouring. Enah and I waited in the church porch for a long time with Aunty Maude and Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs. An able-seaman off the "Vigilant" came in for a while.</p> <p>Mr Hobbs and Mr. Morgan got some coats and umberellas and we thought we would wait till it was over but after waiting a long time we decided to skim for home. We went down to Huby's and Enah was going to stay there all night and I was going home to tell Daddy when he came in attired in a rubber coat and sou'wester off Vyse's. He stayed for a while and then went home and Enah and I stayed at Huby's all night. I slept with Quint.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday June 26th</p> <p>There was another heavy shower this morning. When we got up Enah started to get the hooks ready for Johnny Walker to get this after noon.</p> <p>Quint and I fooled around till Daddy and Dick came down. Quint was going to mould a lead anchor in a flower pot.</p> <p>Lila was sick this morning. Quint and Dick did not have to go to school this fore noon they are going to start their exams this after noon. Quint is going to quit school if he passes but will have to go another term if he fails.</p> <p>When Daddy came down we went over and saw our rack at the Wide spread it was only about half done. Then Daddy went up to see if he could get Dave Waddle to come and shingle the barn. Then I put on Huby's old oil skin coat which stuck to me so tight I could hardly get it on and went over to Tommy's to get a load of shingles. We got six thousand and started for home. Daddy and I had dinner all alone, after dinner I slept till about four o'clock, and then we hooked up Harry and Belle to get some more shingles and nails. We got as far as Vyse's and Daddy thought he would go and see Stanley the colt that he would not give 10 cts for yesterday but which under his administration is now as good as new. I was waiting on the road for him when Johnny Walker came with the stuff. We then had to go all the way back home to help him unload. We piled the stuff in the wood shed and then there was not time to go down town. After tea Daddy and I carried in most of the hooks and set them in the hall.</p> <p>Dick came home supperless about 9 o'clock and said Huby had got the boat house moved at last. He got Dave Waddle and some fishermen and Bill. Bill never showed up at all to-day. It looked to much like rain.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday June 27th</p> <p>This morning Bill and I started to put up the scaffold in case any one did come to lay shingles and pretty soon Clair Dell and Dave Waddle came followed shortly by Frank Vyse and Earne Flemming.</p> <p>They soon had the shingles off and started at the shingling. Bill Donald came to run furrows and disk and was working here all day. I sawed some wood and then went down cellar and found Dick looking very tired and acting more so over the churn which he had been working at for halfahour. I relieved him as I thought and churned till the butter came I afterwards learned though that he was not a bit tired but thought I wanted to churn. (I won't be so easily fooled next time). Then I went down to the stump for a dip and got back just at dinner time. After dinner Daddy and I went down and got another thousand of shingles and some oil for the mower</p> <p>{Some numbers written at the top of the page}</p> <p>Then Daddy went down to Vyse's and got that same implement and cut the lawn in front of the house and started in the plum orchard.</p> <p>The shingler's got done about four o'clock and went to work about the inside of the building</p> <p>Enah could not get the butter to mix up properly this time</p> <p>It has been pretty mucky to-day with one shower this after noon.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Some numbers written at the top of the page}</p> <p>A.D. Sept 9th /11</p> <p>I, Theobald, Butler Barrett promise to permit, those present at the said date, to read this my diary, ten years from now, no matter at what point of the compass they should be residing, unless I should be dead broke or shovelled off the mortal coil.</p> <p>Signed</p> <p>Beatrice Kaias</p> <p>Dick Barrett</p> <p>Edith Lawrie</p> <p>Hattie M. Barrett</p> <p>The Head of the house being in gentle repose on the sofa (snoring) is not able to put add his disired signature to this list. All persons having in their possession at any time this volume will kindly return to me.</p> <p>{Written in the margin} - Each person after reading will deliver the said document to the proceeding person on the list and return when finished to myself. the same not later than six months before Sept 9th. A D 1921</p> <p>Saturday July 1st 1911</p> <p>Since I finished the book that I have been recording events in up to June 27th we have got quite a few things done. On Wednesday Bill cut hay and I worked in the mangles.</p> <p>Thursday Bill and Enah went down town in the wagon. They got the hay-rack and just about all that was left of the furniture. Daddy raked hay and I cocked up. When Bill came home about five he went out and finished mowing in the east corner field which took him till seven. Yesterday I churned for an hour and a half and then thinking there was nothing coming I left it and went and cocked hay the rest of the day, but Enah got the butter to come. We got all the hay cocked that was ready. Roy came up last night and Dick was at the station to meet him.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>This morning being Dominion Day Dick went down town to celebrated and did not get back home till about 10 p.m.</p> <p>Bill, Daddy and I went out and cocked all the hay there was cut. Then we hauled in what was in the plum orchard and on the lawn in front of the house. In the after noon Bill and I went down town to see the "doins". Bill was going to see his father-in-law to see what he could let us have some sheep for. I had a letter from John Miller Esq. and he said he would let have them for $20 a piece. but we thought if we could get some any cheaper it would be better to grade up.</p> <p>I saw Hazen and Mousie Thompson and Skinny Ryersie down town. It was very hot. I went home at six o'clock after seeing the usual races, water sports and steeple chase which Billy Couper won again this year.</p> <p>When I was going down at noon I went in to tell Frank Vyse that his heifer had a calf and found him suffering severly from sciatica but he is better to night.</p> <p>After tea Daddy Enah and I went down to the park and watched the dancers and fire works will about 10 o'clock and the went home to bed.</p> <p>{Sketches of some fireworks on this page}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 2nd</p> <p>Walked into sunday school this morning and rang the bells and pumped for church. There were only a few in sunday school consequently few books and I had a pretty cool time out under the trees. We all went down to Aunty Maude's to dinner.</p> <p>After dinner Roy, Quint, Huby, Lila and I went in for a swim in the creek. When we got through and went up to the house Lom Milman came and stayed till about five o'clock and then I went home. I did not go down to church but went down after wards and stayed till about nine o'clock. I got to bed about ten p.m.</p> <p>It has been extremely hot to-day. In Toronto it was the hottest day on record. In 1854 it was 99.2 in the shade but to-day was 101.</p> <p>Monday July 3rd</p> <p>This morning we got up fairly early and Daddy drove Roy down to the train. He came back with Bill Huby and Lila who is going to stay out here a week.</p> <p>We moved away the load of hay we drew in Saturday and then Huby and I pitched out the old clover chaff which Williams had left where we wanted to put the hay while Bill and Daddy and Bill went to get on a load of hay. After that Huby and I went out and Huby loaded, Bill and Daddy pitched on and I drove. We got in six big loads.</p> <p>Huby took of his shirt early in the day and then his under shirt got so wet he took it off to dry it and mowed away one load naked from his waist up in dread all the time lest some lady would pitch thistles against him.</p> <p>It has been very hot to-day but there has been a nice breeze all the time</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 4th</p> <p>Daddy had much difficulty in getting me out of bed this morning for he waked me once and I went to sleep and dreampt I got up but at last I did a rouse.</p> <p>After breakfast Dick did not want to churn but said if I would he would go and mow away hay. This bargain was soon settled and I churned for about half an hour and got a nice lot of butter. The cream was good and cool as it had been down the well all night.</p> <p>Huby came over about the time I finished churning and we all went out to the field for a load of hay. We worked the same as yesterday. The first load (40 cocks) we took over to Mrs. Arthur Battersbys where we had a nice warm time. The next forty one cocks went to John Quanbury's loft which was about twice as hot as Mrs. Battersby's. We got home from there about noon.</p> <p>Lila thought she would go home with Huby this after noon to have a swim. She thought she might come back about Thursday.</p> <p>After dinner we went and got another load on for John. We got over all right but as we were going to back up in front of the door we went down a little grade when Huby yelled to me to look out I looked and saw the load at about 80 from the perpendicular. The next thing I knew I was crawling out of the hay but not a bit hurt. Huby was crawling out beside me and remarking that Bill was killed. Then I heard Bill say "No I haint." and saw him making his way out. We three were the only ones on the load</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>for a wonder were not hurt, for we went right up against a fence. We then pulle the rack out and put it on the wagon and found it was very slightly damaged. We then proceeded to put it (the hay not the rack) in the mow John and I got up in the loft to mow away. I had not been up there very long when I began to feel faint and could not breathe very well. I kept on a little longer (I was back in the mow) and then I could not stand it any more so I went to the window but felt no better. Then they told me to come down and I had a wash and Mrs. Quanbury who was just about scared to death at the sight of the upset brought us out some raspberry vinegar and cookie. I went and lay out under the tree while the finished Huby took my place but did not stay there long. I felt quite a lot better when we started for home. We got what was left in the field (22 cocks) and took it into the barn and left it there waiting for the Sam Robinson to bring the fork and slings. He came to night with the sling ropes but the rest has not come yet.</p> <p>When we got through with the hay Bill and Daddy went back over the gulch to mow the clover, and I drove Huby and Lila down home with Joe. I took Huby up to get a setting of Rhode Island Reds eggs off Mrs. Mat. Wilson. I got home about six and raced Dick on his wheel from Martin's. He kept a little ahead and made old Joe trot.</p> <p>It has been terribly hot to-day There is a heat wave passing over us they say. The forest fires are raging up around Porcupine.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July 5th</p> <p>Bill went back and mowed first thing this morning and Enah and I went out and picked all the cherries. We got about ten quarts. of</p> <p>Daddy went out and fixed the windmill and hoed some of the garden and then went over to Vyse's and got another piece of chain for the well and a pair of double {treds?}. When we got through with the cherries I went out and hoed the rest of the garden which looks fine. Then I went and started to rake up and mow the lawn that Daddy cut the hay off the other day but it will have to be snipped of with the sythe.</p> <p>After dinner Bill raked up and Daddy and I cocked up and it was awfully hot. I raked for a while when we got on the level.</p> <p>It has been another very hot day, but a nice breeze. Dick went down town to-night and got a fancy pair of shoes. He says that Huby nearly collapsed with the heat and had to get Dick Faulmary to bring him home but after undressing and lying in the grass for a couple of hours and having a swim recovered and is coming over to-morrrow.</p> <p>Thursday July 6th</p> <p>When I got up this morning I went up to Blakie's to ask him if he would keep his cows in his own pasture so as we could leave the gates open into the hay field.</p> <p>After breakfast I chased the calves all over the orchard to feed them, and then Huby came and we pitched off the load that was in the barn and then went out to the field to get another load. Huby and I bunched up the winrows where they wanted to load. Daddy and Bill took the load over to Mrs. Battersby's and Huby and I went on cocking up what was on the level. They got back about eleven and put on another load. Huby and I went up to the barn and I hauled some water for the horses. The pump is broken and Dick went down to ask "Physicks" to come over.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>he said he would but never turned up. After dinner I went down to borrow Vyse's ice-cream freezer while Bill Daddy and Huby went over to get a load. When I came back we started to make some ice-cream. Then they came back with the load and I helped mow it away. It had rained a little and looked like more so they decided to wait and see before they went back for another load. Finally they did and just got back at six. Huby did not go but roamed around the farm and I helped Enah put some of the hooks away. Then Huby and I went out and tried to mow a little lawn. The ice-cream was fine and we had some of it for tea.</p> <p>After tea Dick Huby and I drove Joe down town and went in for a swim Bill and Lila were in too and Bill thought the water was fine</p> <p>It has not been so hot to-day. There was a cool breeze this morning and the rain moderated the heat as it is quite cool to-night. There have been 33 deaths in Toronto since Sunday from the heat.</p> <p>Friday July 7th</p> <p>This was Daddy's birthday and he celebrated by hauling in hay. He, Bill and I went out and Bill raked up and we hauled in a load and put half a load which was weedy in on top of "Tituse's". Old "Physicks" was here working at the pump when we came in and I stayed to help him and Dick. Huby never turned up to-day. Felix stayed to dinner. After dinner Bill went out and started to mow the timothy Daddy and I {....?} greened the spuds and then Daddy whent to relieve Bill while he came up and sharpened the mower knife I peddled the grind stone for him. Daddy stayed out till about eight o'clock Sam Robinson brought the rest of the hay unloading rig to-night. We churned to-day but it was not very good although it was cool and breezy to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday July 8th</p> <p>Huby came over before I was up this morning and had his breakfast here. He brought me over a pair of white pants to work in the hay with. After breakfast we went out in the timothy field and Bill started to rake up and then I raked and Bill, Huby and Daddy cocked up. I got through raking about eleven and then Daddy and I went up with the rake and team and then went back and cocked up till noon when we were half through. After dinner we went out and finished cocking up about three o'clock. I took a picture of the field and Huby &amp; Daddy. Bill Huby and Daddy started to fix the hay fork and pulleys in the track. I went down town around by the stump. I had a fine swim the water was very low and warm. I went down to the lake and got home about 6.30. Pretty hot again but fresh breeze.</p> <p>Sunday July 9th</p> <p>Enah and Daddy had intended to go to Port Rowan to-day, but as it looked felt as if was going to be an "old scorcher" decided to stay to home. They did not go away all day and got a lot of little jobs done around the house. Dick and I both went down to church and Sunday School. We went down to Huby's for dinner. {Orm?} and Ade Millman and Shandy were just out of the creek.</p> <p>After dinner I went up to Miss Battersby's and got some stationery and went over and copied out a list of the books in the library in the Sunday School.</p> <p>I went to Huby's for tea and as Wiser had asked me to ring and pump I started for church but was a little late. I was just at Allain street when it struck seven and the church bell began to toll. I didn't know what was going on. Poor old</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wiser who was sick was going for all he was worth down past the Dominion Before I got there the bell was ringing all right and I found Fatty Turner with the rope. He said some of the girls started ring and got the wrong rope. I pumped Quint went off with Fatty somewhere and Wiser left before church was over. I went down to the dock and sat there till about 9.30 talking to Harry Lom Alfy Dell and Murray. When I got home I found Allan and the Millmans who had been here to tea. The went soon after I came home.</p> <p>Very hot to-day.</p> <p>Monday July 10th</p> <p>Bill did not get back to-day till about 2.30 p.m.</p> <p>This morning Daddy and Dick and I got the loft over the horse stable ready to receive the hay. Dick went down town and got the hooks for the hay fork pulleys and Daddy braced the bottom part of the barn. Then we pitched off the load that was in the barn.</p> <p>After dinner as Bill had not showed up, we came to the conclusion he was not going to and Daddy felt rather badly about it as Bill knew what state we were in. However he and I went out and got a small load on thinking we would do the best we could with the fork alone. When we got up to the barn we found Huby. Bill and Quint there getting ready for us.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Huby said Bill had walked down from Normandale and was nearly "all in" when he got to his place. Hence the delay on Bill's part. We soon got that load off Huby and I in the mow Bill on the load and Daddy with the team. We got on fine and Sam. Robinson drove in just as we were going to put up the first forkfull and corrected a fenderross in the putting up. This load off all hands went to the field and we got in three loads before tea. After tea I did the chores and Daddy and Bill went and got on another load while Huby mowed away what was left from before tea. I helped after I got through and then we put off the load they brought in for the field but did not mow it away. We all sat out on the grass and talked awhile and heard a very noisome shivaree which we thought was one of the effects of the marriage between Mrs. Jackman and Joe Clark, a turkey point fisherman. Quint and Huby went home and Bill and the rest of us retired. It has been nice to day a strong sou'west wind all day.</p> <p>Tuesday July 11th</p> <p>Huby was over before breakfast this morning. He and I went out right after breakfast and mowed away the load they put in last night. We have to do this as there is not time to do it while they are putting it off. Bill and Daddy went and got another load and when Huby and I got done in the mow we went out in front and worked at the lawn till they brought the load in and then we took about half an hour to mow it away. Then we went out and got a big block of lawn mowed. Huby cut the grass with the syche and lawn mower and I raked. The next load and last that was cut they left in the big barn, and Bill took the horses and went out and mowed till noon. Daddy drove Huby down home and got back at noon with some oats and binder twine. After dinner Bill went out and raked up what he cut this morning</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and Daddy took Ginger and Joe out and mowed. Bill and I cocked up. About three Huby came out. It looked very stormy and and sprinkled a little so Daddy cocked up some and then thought he would cut it any way and if it rained we could shake it up. We went on cocking up and finished all that was ready about five. Bill mowed with Harry and Belle till after tea and then Daddy went out and is there yet. (about dark). Huby and I walked up the fence along the gully and he figured on where to plant some trees next spring. Then we came up and he sat out in front with his feet in the pear tree watching for a rig to take him home but as none passed he stayed to tea and went down with Bill after wards.</p> <p>Dick and I did the chores to-night as Daddy was mowing. I got a letter from Aunty to-day. Bill got one from Jack Paine telling him he wanted him at the Point from. Friday till Monday. Of course he will go.</p> <p>It has been cooler to-day souwest wind changing to nor'west.</p> <p>Wednesday July 12th</p> <p>We expected Huby out early this morning but he did not come till late so Daddy and I went out and cocked up while Bill mowed the rest of the timothy. Huby arrived about 9 o'clock and said he had had trouble with a sitting hen and so could not get here before. He has an awful time with his stock. We cocked up all that was ready and then went and pitched off the load in the horse-stable. After dinner Huby and I cocked up till tea time. I raked up all the hay that Bill mowed this morning. After four o'clock Bill and Daddy took a load over to Martin's.</p> <p>To-night Bill had to go up home to get Jack Paine's stuff read for him as it was at his house. and so I went with him. We drove Ginger and Joe and started about 7.30. We took Huby down town, and went straight out and were out of Port Ryersie before sundown. He stopped at his father-in-laws {Abl Quigley?}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>and got his wife. She went on up to Normandale with him to get the stuff for Bill's mother to give to Paine's man when he called for it. I stayed with his father-in-law till he came back. I saw his sheep and was going to buy some. but he did not want to sell them very badly. I went into the house and waited for Bill. He arrived about 10.30 (the time he said he would be home) and we got right in and came home. I drove home from there. It was a beautiful night, moonlight and cold. Bill dozed all the way down. We got home just as the clock struck twelve and put our auto-mobile away and were in bed by 12.30 with out waking any bod except Nig (who would sooner stay here all night than walk home) Tige and the Grey kitten.</p> <p>Windy and cool to-day.</p> <p>Thursday July 13th</p> <p>I slept an hour late this morning on account of being up late last night. (Stan)?} Just as I got through my breakfast Daddy and Bill came past with a load bound for Martin's. so I went out and helped Huby cock up. We were all through about noon and we came up and did the chores.</p> <p>Daddy saw Wyatt Parsons who is cutting Alfred Ryersie's wheat and he said he would be over to cut ours this after noon.</p> <p>This afternoon Huby and I went out and sat on the lawn for awhile and Daddy and Bill hauled the rest of Martin's hay. I cut some weeds till the sythe got dull and Huby went to sleep and dreampt he was in heaven but Bill came and woke him up fast as he was going in and he thought he had made a mistake and got into the wrong {few?}. We fooled around for awhile and then I went over to</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Martin's to see how they were getting on with the hay and Huby went and pruned up all the trees he could find along the fences, several wild cherries among them and one elm. I thought I saw Mr Parsons coming with his binder so Daddy told me I had better come over but I did not see any thing of him here but after awhile I saw him out cutting the wheat. I went over and found Huby pruning his trees and then we came back and he trimmed a few peach trees. Then Bill and Daddy came with a load and we mowed it and then it was six but they went back to the field after another load and put it off before tea. It was nearly eight o'clock when we got through tea and after doing chores we went to bed.</p> <p>Mrs. Perkins came over, to see if she could get any butter. Phelix had highly recommended it and as she was expected boarders she wanted good butter. She must have quit making it.</p> <p>Windy and cool to-day. Rainy looking in spots. Terrible fire raging up north Cochrane and South Porcupine wiped off the map. Three hundred lives reported to be lost.</p> <p>Friday July 14th</p> <p>Huby came over just as we finished breakfast and when Daddy and Bill went out to get another load Huby smoked awhile and then we went up and mowed away the load they put in last night. They just got in with the load as we got through. Enah took a picture of a big fork full going up. We mowed this load away and while they got another {illegible} out and raked up the dry grass on the lawn and Huby started to fix me a rig to burn worm's nests in the apple trees. Mr. Parsons came to cut the wheat. Just as they got the next load off it began to look very black. A souwester came up and blew a lot of smoke into us. Then it began to sprinkle but they thought they would go out and try to get one of the two remaining loads, but it began to rain so hard they had to come in with only half a load. Mr. Parsons</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>had to come in too. Huby and I finished mowing away an then I came in the house. Pretty soon all the rest of them came in and we had dinner. Then Bill ground the mower knife and Wyatt Parsons ground the binder knife. Then Bill and Huby went down town. Bill is going to the Point to-morrow and aparently feels like a kitten. Daddy and Dick went down town about four to get some shorts and the mail and Enah made some fudge. About five o'clock Daddy Dick and I went out and shocked wheat. We got a row all around the field about 6.30. It began to thunder and lightning at a great rate about half past eight. There were some very vivid flashes of lightning and I went out and tried taking a lightning flashlight of Daddy and Dick. The fellow got all the wheat cut in the one field to-day.</p> <p>Saturday July 15th</p> <p>As every thing out doors was soaking wet Daddy thought it would be a good idea to cut the alsike. He took Joe and Belle. I went over with him and went around the field. I came back by the lane. Young Parsons was in the wheat when I came up. I went around once behind the binder and threw the sheaves out of his road, then I got old Harry for him to put on with his team as one was a colt. Then I clean off Ginger as she was lonesome and went out and shocked wheat till noon. Daddy did not come up for dinner so I did the chores. When he had his dinner we went out and finished shocking wheat in the east field. Huby was to have come over but he thought it was too wet. Nearly all the wheat is cut now. After tea Dick and I went down to the stump and it rained a little coming back Except for that the day has been fine,</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday July 16th</p> <p>It was raining when I got up this morning but cleared off and then began to rain again. So Dick and I went down to Sunday-school. I took a pint of cream to Miss Phipps on my way down, and found Mr. Johnsons dog there where it had spent the night. Daddy and Enah drove Ginger and Joe down to church as Enah had to play the accompanyment for Miss Hunt who sang a solo. After church all Huby's family and we went to Hendersons for dinner (Dad's treat). I knocked around with {Hazen?} and Murray all the after noon and went to Huby's for tea. I went off and and did Wiser's chores at the church for him as he wanted to go to church with his girl. Dick and I walked home in the mud and rain after church. It rained hard all through church. Hot the rest of the day. Huby made me a thing to burn worm's nests with.</p> <p>{The next piece of writing is obscured by a torn off piece of newspaper} Monday July 17th</p> <p>{I} did not get up till half past seven this {m}orning as it was raining. It soon {c}leared off and Daddy and I went out {and} tighened up the track in the big barn. {Th}en Daddy rode old Harry and led Belle {writing clear again} down to the black smith's. The poor horses were nearly drowned last night out in the old stable. I took Ginger and Joe out and put them in the big barn and just as I came out it began to rain. It rained till noon and I wrote a letter to Aunty as I could not do any thing outside. Charlie Martin came over and stayed about an hour. Daddy did not get back till after dinner and he had John McCoy with him to lance a horses jaw. Then I went to cut thistles in the old garden and I started to burn worm's nests. Mr. Johnson and {Murry?} drove out. They were making a tour notifying</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the agriculturists in the district of the coming Sunday school picnic. Daddy and Enah picked quite a few raspberries over in the old garden. When I ran out of fuel for my worm's nest I came in the house and ate oat cakes that Enah had made this morning.</p> <p>Daddy and I drove the little team down after some oats and got back a little after six.</p> <p>Huby could not come over to-day as he was bearer at old Manning's funeral they took him way up above Simcoe to some Catholic cemetary. He could not have done any thing any way as the wheat was to wet to shock up no more was cut to-day but young Lambkins came to see about getting the piece of weedy hay over next the buck.</p> <p>It was fine all the after noon and looks as if the rain was over.</p> <p>Tuesday July 18th</p> <p>Bill did not show up all day to-day. We think he did not come home from the Point as nobody had seen him around town although Jack Paine went off this morning. Daddy and I started to shock wheat in the field west of the lane this morning and finished all that was cut, some of it was hardly worth cutting with a binder it was so short. It was too wet to cut any more. We got through about three and came up to the house I had a snooze for the space of 15 minutes. Then we went out and turned over some of the wet hay cocks. We then wed mangles till supper time. Bill Temons came through and told us all the news there was.</p> <p>After tea Felix came after his butter and then Jim Waddle and his family came in and stayed till dark. (Then milking) Enah churned this morning and this p.m. went down and picked raspberries at Huby's she got a nice lot.</p> <p>Nice and cool to-day probs. say local showers but it does not look like it here</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July 19th</p> <p>Dad woke me at five o'clock this morning and I got up at 5.30. It looked like rain and as Bill was not here we wanted to get started early to get the remains of the hay. Dick went down to get Huby and I went back after the cows. I tramped around in the wet grass in the gully for about half an hour and at last got them started. Huby came over for breakfast and we went right afterwards to pitch of the half load on the rack. Huby mowed it away while Daddy Dick and I went out and got a load. It took us a very long time to put this load off Daddy on the load I driving Dick holding the rake and Huby in the mow. We got the other half load in the field and put it off by one o'clock.</p> <p>In the after noon Dick went down to the Sunday school picnic and Huby Dad and I went out and got on a load of wheat. We took it into the barn and Daddy and Huby put it off and I went down to the picnic. I got there about four o'clock. They had Langdon's Ivey's big launch just at "The Bucket of Blood" on its way to be launched. I had a pretty good time at the picnic. It began to rain about six and rained till about seven or half past. I watched them dance for a while and then lit out for home while it was not raining. It began to rain as I got near Huby's so I went in and got his rubber coat and an umbrella. and started for home. It did not rain all the way home but started soon afterwards.</p> <p>Bill got home to-night and will likely be free in the morning if not too wet. Huby got home just as I got to his place. They got in three loads and pitched off two.</p> <p>Nice and cool to-day, cloudy</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday July 20th</p> <p>Bill came back about five o'clock this morning and as it was too wet to draw in wheat he went at the plowing of the wheat ground. I sawed quite a lot of wood and cut some lawn. Then Daddy and I went out and ripped down the fence around the old garden as it was in Bill's road. We got all down but the west side by noon and we left it because there are berry bushes along it that we did not want plowed up.</p> <p>Daddy and I pitched off the load of wheat right after dinner. I mowed away. Then we greased the wagon and Daddy took Joe and Ginger over to borrow Vyse's roller. We shocked up all the wheat that was cut yesterday. Then Enah and I went over to the old garden to pick raspberries and got through at six. Daddy came over and rolled down what Bill had plowed. Bill has nearly a whole land plowed in the old garden now. We are going to plow it all up except the peach trees and berry &amp; currant bushes. After tea I went back to the gully with Daddy and Enah to get the cows.</p> <p>After we milked I went over and planted some radich and lettuce seed by the tomatoes.</p> <p>Dick went down town to see what band was playing he found out it was the Simcoe band and Bob. Rankin playing in it. It sounds very nice from here.</p> <p>It has been pretty fairly warm to-day. with a windy looking sky to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday July 21st</p> <p>Daddy got up some time during the night and wet out and raked up the alsike "while the dew was on". He got through and came up for his breakfast about eight o'clock leaving the rake back there for Lambkin's. I was not waked till after six and did not get up till half past. Bill had the cows in when I went out and was milking Spotty. I milked Bobby but left the milk to separate after breakfast. Bill changed the car and hay fork from the drive house into the barn. When Daddy got through his breakfast we went out and bunched up the alsike. The ground was covered with husks and the stuff was soaking wet. but we bunched up bunches thick all over the field and were up at the house at 11.15. Then Bill and Daddy went out and got on a load of wheat before dinner. I sawed some wood mowed lawn and watered Joe and Ginger while they were gone. They hauled wheat all the afternoon 9 out of the east field and one out of the west. I just helped them pitch off and hoed corn and read while they were out. I felt a little sick the second load and just lay around till the last when I hoed some corn. I turned the sheaves for Daddy to mow away.</p> <p>When we came out after tea we found Vyse's little sow and all her pigs out in the back yard. Then Dick and I undertook to get them home. We got them down pretty well as far as Bannisters and there the sow went through a hole in the fence and the two Bannister's Carson Rankin and Paul Lee Woodson helped us chase her out of there Dick and the Bannister's chased</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>her through Vyse's mangle's and corn into the farmyard. Paul Lee and Cars went off to look for corn for a corn-roast and I went over to Vyse's. Then Dick and I went off in search of the little ones. We at last found them in Vyse's hay field and chased them up. Then Vyse and I went back his lane to look for his boar. We found the Banisters back there. We found his boar in his wheat field and headed him off and then came home. I got home about dark. Thus ended that boar hunt.</p> <p>Huby could not come over to-day as he had some insurance to look after but he was represented by Nig. who spent the day, and went home with Bill to-night He comes over every day now.</p> <p>Pretty fairly hot to-day nice wind, may rain before long Sun set clear to-night sure sign it will rain before Monday.</p> <p>Saturday July 22nd</p> <p>We all got up pretty early this morning. First of all we went out and pitched off the load of wheat in the barn. Then we went over to the alsike field. We met Judge Wells taking his morning ride and he grew very excited when he saw Tige and raised his whip and made a great pass but Tige did not pay any attention. I helped pitch on a load and we put it off with the fork. I mowed it away while they were gone an then hoed in the garden. Huby came over about eleven and they got another load in the barn before dinner. We were a long time getting the car fixed on the track. Huby and I did not go out to the field at all this after noon we just mowed away it was very much easier than the timothy, being light and short.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>while they were gone I cut some weeds with the scythe and helped Huby trim thorn trees over on Coleman's line. We got in five loads altogether to-day and left one in the barn. There is a little over a load out in the field yet.</p> <p>Ferdie was over with Dick most of the after noon.</p> <p>We were very late to-night with the chores as the last load was late coming in</p> <p>It has been pretty fairly warm to-day but cloudy and windy a lot of the time. It looks a little like rain but we do not know when it will come and hope not for awhile. We got a letter from Aunty to-day.</p> <p>Sunday July 23rd</p> <p>Got up about half past seven this morning and helped Daddy with the chores, then got fixed up and went down to Sunday School and church. Nothing unusual happened. I went home with Daddy and Enah who drove Joe and Ginger down. I read "Pepy's Diary" till about three o'clock, when I went down town with the intention of going in for a swim but as there was nobody around I did not go in but went up to the park and walked up the beach a little way with Hazen and Stubbon Brock. Then sat in the square a little while with Egg Thompson and Billy Miller. Then I went down to Huby's for tea, thence to church and pumped for Wiser. I came home soon afterwards as it looked rainy. It has all day and is just sprinkling a little. Bill has just come in. He did not go home at all.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday July 24th</p> <p>All hands wished me a happy birthday this morning, this being the sixteenth anniversary of the day when I first made my appearance in the world. On my plate I found piled at breakfast a nice pair of pants from Enah and just about all the contents of a barber shop from Daddy and Dick. A razor and brush from the former and soap and strop from the latter. All that is required now is a few whiskers to try them on.</p> <p>It was very windy this morning too windy to draw alsike so Bill plowed all morning. I picked up all the broken glass that had been under the old house and Daddy and Dick went down town to get some oats and feed. This after noon Huby and Mr. Winky Smith came over. Mr. Smith took a look at the house and sized it up for painting. We hauled wheat all the afternoon and got it all in but a little more than a load. Huby trimmed trees over by Coleman's while they were putting on a load and I cut some lawn and botherd Enah. Dick went down to the lake for a swim as the waves were so big. When he came back he brought me two nice letters. One from Roy containing all kinds of good wishes and some pictures he had taken when he was up. The other was a good fat one with epistles from Aunty Win and Aunty Alice with a dollar bill from both Aunty and Aunty Alice.</p> <p>I got a ring and a nickel out of the cake to-night.</p> <p>Vyse came up after his cow and calf to-night. Enah, Daddy and Dick have gone over to Martin's to look at a piano to-night so Tige and I are the only ones home.</p> <p>There has been a strong and quite cold sou'west wind since last mid-night and it seems just as strong as ever to-night.</p> <p>Daddy said he was awake most of the night last night shutting doors and windows. Huby said he never saw the water so high in the marsh this time of year.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday July 25th</p> <p>First thing this morning we put off the load that was in the barn and then Bill and Daddy hauled in the rest of the wheat. They brought it in in two jags. They put it over the granary so Huby and I did not have to {hop?} them. I tore down the fence in front of the drive shed and cut it up, while Huby and Dick went back the lane to trim the trees we put out last spring after first helping me to mow away the alsike. After the wheat was in they hauled in the remaining two jags alsike. They got through a little after noon. Mr Smith came over and started at the house this afternoon alone. Quint came over and stayed all the afternoon. When the alsike was put away we went and cleared up where the old Horse stable was and got enough wood for thashing. We also hauled the big stones away from there and put them up against the big barn. Quint and I fooled around shooting arrows till we broke or lost them all.</p> <p>After tea Bob. Blakie came over and gave Dad some money for the pasture and Emery McPherson came and said he start work on the Drive house in the morning. Then Enah and I printed some pictures we had eleven good prints and only spoilt one.</p> <p>The Martins brought the piano this morning and Enah has been trying it off and on all day We all like it very much. (Huby and Bill very much). Huby and Dick were all through the woods at the back of the place this morning picking out trees and trimming them to plant out next spring.</p> <p>There was the same cold wind to-day as yesterday calming completely to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July 26th</p> <p>I slept late this morning as Daddy promised me when all the work was done I could sleep in the first morning. Both Mr. Smith and Emery McPherson were here before I got up and before we had breakfast. Mr. Smith brough Art. over with him to-day.</p> <p>Bill plowed all day and is nearly through. We worked around the horse stable all day Daddy and Emery dug the trench for the foundation and got all the lumber straightened around inside. Dick went down town this morning and Byron Johnston came back with him. I {fooled?} around with him and watched the painters a lot to-day. All the men and Byron were here to dinner and although the Smith nor Byron were here to tea Mrs. Lawrie and Miss Low were.</p> <p>It has been pretty cool to-day but not so windy. Bill Donald came in before tea and looked at his buck wheat and gathered up his borrowed implements. Dick has the names of those who passed to-day. Quint passed but he Dick did not but "got put through". Neither Art Smith nor Lopsy passed. She went past here to-day and Art lost about half an hours work Daddy has just driven Mrs Lawrie and Miss Low home behind Joe &amp; Ginger Half an hours music and to bed.</p> <p>Thursday July 27th</p> <p>Bill was not here this morning when I got up but came soon after wards. Our men were here before we sat down to breakfast. Art did not come this morning he got tired yesterday.</p> <p>Bill finished the plowing a little after noon to-day. Mr. Smith got the first coat on all over the house and a coat of oil on the west side of the wood shed, that is the only side of it we will have painted.</p> <p>Dick and Daddy took Joe and Ginger and the hay rack down to get the cement and a few other things. They did not get back till noon. They brought Lila back with them who is going to stay until she gets homesick again. I worked around the drive shed all the morning. This after noon they started to put the wall in under</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>the building and I kept them supplied with water and had the rest of the time to myself. I spent most of it lying around in their way.</p> <p>The cows were up early to-night so we got through early. I started to make a milk stool whether I will get it done or not remains to be seen. Dick and Bill went down town to-night to hear the band. Bill took Enah's wheel down to be fixed. There was an excursion from Norwich in town to-day.</p> <p>Miss Phipps came over to-night I suppose for some cream.</p> <p>It has been very sunny to-day but quite cool. At noon it was very dark and rained a few drops but soon cleared off.</p> <p>The pigs are having a fine time in the orchard now plagueing the life out of poor Davie who is to polite to say any thing</p> <p>Friday July 28th</p> <p>This morning got up with out waking Lila about 5.40, milked Bobby and shivered around till breakfast. Mr. Smith did not turn up to-day so we surmised he could not get a man to help him. Emery came a little while after with Leon. When Lila got up she showed him all over the farm and. then Dick got up and tried to beat Lila waiting on Leon, who tore all over jabbering a blue streak all the time.</p> <p>Daddy went up to Stan. Thompson's after breakfast and I finished making my milk stool. It is not right yet though. About eleven Daddy and I drove Joe down to the mill to get a jack screw to work on the stable. I hoed mangles all the afternoon. Emery and Leon went home to night as he wanted to cut his oats to-morrow. Bill said he could stay next week he thought and help with the stable. Lamkin's came to-night and paid Dad fifteen dollars for the hay on the back field making $100 revenue from the farm so far. Daddy drove Enah and Dick down town to-night. Enah has to play on Sunday for Miss Hunt. Daddy is coming right back and Dick with Enah. Fairly warm to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday July 29th</p> <p>I raked up the lawn this morning and Daddy and Bill worked at the foundation of the drive house. I took the old lilac bush that Mr. Smith cut down and cut it up for firewood. I shovelled a little grout got some stone for them and fooled around till dinner. Harry Battersby and Clayton Ansby came over for a while this morning. Bill went home this afternoon, but expected to be back on Monday. This after noon Dick went down town and stayed all the afternoon. Daddy and I went over the gully with the mower and I mowed the weeds that Lamkins left. It was the first time I ever mowed any thing and it was not so badly done. After that I went down to the stump for a swim and only had two dives. The water was about 20 above freeze. Daddy brought up the rake which was across the gully too. Dick went down town after tea &amp; stayed till dark. Enah is now playing toe-ticklers on the piano so I will have to quit. Cool and Cloudy. Threatening rain wind seems to be getting up. They had a shooting match and Quint beat all but old Dad Haymaker. He got 19 out of 25 and just missed through carelessness. There were a lot of American crack shots there that only got 13 or 14.</p> <p>Sunday July 30th</p> <p>Did not get up till nearly eight this morning and of course all the chores were done by this time. Went down to Sunday School and pumped in church. I nearly turned the old bell over, I think Wiser must have greased it up.</p> <p>Another Miss Hunt sang a solo to-day. This one is soprano and older than the other one. We went down to Huby's to dinner and saw all the young walnuts he has ready to plant out over here next spring. He intended to go up creek to get some young butternuts. We all came home but Dick right after dinner and I fooled around and wrote a letter to "The Patch" and one to Roy. and read a little. Daddy tinkered around at odd jobs and I guess Enah slept or watched Daddy. To-night we milked and Daddy fixed better legs in my milk stool and Enah found a hen's nest of ten eggs in the orchard. I picked some plaster off the old house and pasted a paper face on a green tomato to see if it will color around it. It has been pretty warm and sultry to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday July 31st</p> <p>Mr. Smith and his new man (Mr. Collins from Hamilton or some place) came this morning to put on the second coat and do the glazing. Emery and Bill both turned up too. They worked at the cement wall all day. Dick got up early this morning for a change and also to pick a bushel of harvest apples to sell to Ed. Moor. Daddy went down town with the big team and hay rack and got thirty more bags of cement and also took Dick and his apples down. He got the glass for the windows and Mr. Smith put them in. Dick went down town this afternoon and stayed all the afternoon. He brought a letter from Grand daddy saying he expected to send Frank here about September 1st. I did not do any thing in particular to-day. This morning I raked up the rest of the front lawn and piled the rakings in a heap to be burned. I cut some lawn and sawed a little wood. Then I cleared up the broken glass and mess that Mr. Smith had made and worked around the horse-stable the rest of the day.</p> <p>Huby and Harry Battersby drove Dave's horse over this afternoon and Huby made out some insurance policy. Mrs. &amp; Miss Dixon were here to-night. Bill thought to-day he would keep away from town this week, but he is down to-night just the same. We have the west side wall of the stable finished now and well started on the north end.</p> <p>It has been pretty hot to-day. A thrashing out-fit has just gone past. Parliament dissolved (Saturday). The dates of the new election are set. Nomination Sept 12, and polling Sept 21st. The Globe says this is the most important election campaign in Canadian history as Reciprocity is the issue.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 1st</p> <p>Very tired when Daddy woke me this morning at 5.30 and did not get up till six. Emery walked over via the gully and lane before we finished breakfast and Mr. Smith came afterwards but his man did not turn up which provoked him. He did not come all day at all and Mr. Smith's plans for work were all changed.</p> <p>Bill did not feel very well to-day but worked with Daddy and Emery all day. They have the walls all up now all but except where the blocking which Gilbert put under the sill is.</p> <p>I fooled around with them till about 9 o'clock and then went out and pulled weeds in the mangles till noon.</p> <p>This after noon I was setting out in their road while they were mixing cement and I saw some yellow specks in the bottom of the water pail. They all had a look at it and we decided there must be a gold mine at the bottom of the old well. We were thinking what we would do with all the money when I saw some of it floating around, so I went out and wed the rest of the mangles, which took me about an hour and then I came up and fooled around in the road till six thinking about building one of the "hell-cracker" barns that Sandy Leitch was telling Huby about.</p> <p>It was very hot to-day till about 3 o'clock when it got awful dark and dirty looking over head and an awful wind came up for a little while and cooled things off. It still looks rainy.</p> <p>Bill for a wonder did not go down town to-night first time he has missed for a month I guess</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday July August 2nd</p> <p>This morning the cows got the gate open and ate all the sweet corn and then went into their proper places in the cow stable without doing any more damage excep stepping on some of the radishes and lettuce. I think this was the last blow for the corn. First Joe got at it then Vyse's pigs and the cows have finished it. Mr. Smith and his man both came this morning and they finished the house all but one side about four o'clock. I don't know why he did not do it unless he forgot. Bill and Daddy hauled brick bats from the brick yard all fore noon to put on the stable floor to lay the cement on. They got three loads and Emery and I spread most of them around and did other things out there to get ready for putting in the stalls.</p> <p>This afternoon I went down with Bill to get the brick bats and got two loads by four o'clock. Daddy and Emery put the post for the stalls in while we were gone. After we got the last load off we took Mr. Smith, his man and stuff down to Walt Steels where he is going to paint their house. Bill went up town to get some tar paper for the stable and I went over to Huby's where I found nobody at home and got the bathtub and a couple of planes to bring over here.</p> <p>Then Bill mixed a little cement to fill in some places in the wall and by this time it was tea time.</p> <p>It has been pretty hot all day and rained a little to-night making in very sultry and as the windows are all wet paint we can't open them all fixecated to-night for us.</p> <p>Bill went down town to-night.</p> <p>Hamilton asylum burned yesterday 8 deaths.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday August 3rd</p> <p>Got a little wood cut right after breakfast and then went out and laid brick bats around in the stable. We were all working out there this morning (even Dick who came out about 9 o'clock), just at odd jobs around. About three or four o'clock we started to lay the cement for the floor. Dick went down town and got some tacks, candy stuff for tea "Farmer Advocate", and some the Cement books Huby sent for. I read them from then till tea time. Enah went down to Mrs. Hobbs to a tea party so Dick got tea and did fine. After tea he rode down and Bill went down with Emery to hear the band. Daddy and I after doing chores hooked up Joe and Ginger and went down after Enah. Had quite a time finding her I looked all through the park as Allan (on his way over the hill) told us she was there, and at las found at Cousin Lolls. Daddy encountered to automobillys and had quite a time with the team. I got some postcards at Billy Gordon's and came right home with them. Dover played bowls with {---ville?} to-day and won Score 27-7. They are doing better things</p> <p>Friday August 4th</p> <p>Bill got home about five o'clock this a.m. Emery came and brought Cecil with him he is as sharp as a steel trap and just about as mischevious as Leon. I went down town right after breakfast in Enah's wheel to get my hair cut. I went over Brant Hill to take Mr. Smith his cheque and went down and stayed a little while with Joe. I also went down to Huby's but none of them were up. I came back, doffed my good clothes and worked around the stable till noon. We started to make some concrete nest eggs for Huby. This afternoon Bill and I hauled three more loads of brick bats for which they tax us $1.00 a load. Cecil went with us for two loads and Dick one. They got all the cement in the stalls. Emery went home to-night and Bill bid us a last fare well he expects to start for the West on the next Harvest Excursion August 13. The report of the successful candidates trying for entrance into Normal came out to-day with May Clarke (honors) and Edny Sidway. The latter has only been in the third form one year. Mrs. &amp; Miss McPherson were here this p.m. and Miss Phipps is here to-night. Hot all day no sign of rain</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August 5th</p> <p>As none of our men were here we did not do any thing in particular to-day. I went back the gully first thing this morning to see if the cows had any water and found one pool at the extreme end of the pasture. They were all three standing in it. Daddy took Joe and Ginger down this rnorning to get them shod and brought Greenbury back to trim Davy's feet. Davy kicked up quite a row. Daddy is afraid he is getting ring bone. Daddy was gone nearly all forenoon I sawed wood till my saw horse broke and puttered at odd jobs. Dick was down town all day and is down to-night. He brought back at noon {3?} letters from Roy Auny and Granddaddy. The Latter said he expected to have Frank start East from Sycamore on the 17th of August.</p> <p>I tried my new razor to-day noon and it worked fine, it made my face as smooth as any thing and I never cut myself once. Daddy and I went down town about four o'clock to get some oats. I got off at Allan's corner on the way home and went up to the Stump and had a good swim and got home by six. Daddy and Enah drove Joe down town to-night to meet Roy as he said in his letter he expected to come, so Tige and I are keeping house. It has been very hot to-day, and close. The Allan's were going to have a sale to-day, so said "The Maple Leaf," but we saw no signs of one when we went past this after noon.</p> <p>I was fast asleep on the sofa when Enah and Roy came in about 10.30 and we did not get to bed till late.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 6th</p> <p>Got up late this morning after all the chores were done and had breakfast alone as the rest were waiting tll Roy got up and I did not want to be late ringing the bell. However I did not go down till they were half throug breakfast and then got down about 9.35. I cleaned the cobwebs I could reach out of the windows. We stayed in to communion and then Daddy Enah and I went up to see Cousin Clare. We went down to Huby's for dinner, Daddy did not want to stay but as dinner was just ready Aunty Maude wanted him to. Harry Battersby was there.</p> <p>Daddy and Enah went home and I stayed at Hubys a little while till Huby took Lila (in her bathing suit) down to jump off the dock, then I went up town and sat in the market square awhile with Fat Turner and then came over to the bottom of Brent's place and eat apples for about a quarter on an hour with Murray. It looked a little thundery so Murray went up to the {Brea..?} and I went home throug Bannister's</p> <p>I found Dad just emerging from the bath tub in the wood shed and Enah in a light dressing-gown. We sat around and read and Enah played a while and then all of us including Tige and the grey kitten went back the gully. Enah and the kitten stayed on the top of the hill while Daddy Tige and I went down and fixed the fence over the creek going into Colemans as Bobby got out here to-day. Tige and I strolled {clear?] {along?} John Thomas Watson's and down the McQueen's gully. Daddy went over to see the oats and thinks they will be all right pretty</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>good after all. We brought the cows up with us and milked before tea. The flys were awful. Dick was here when we came up. We had a late tea and Daddy tended to the horses afterwards.</p> <p>We have not seen a sign of Roy since church except we saw him with Livy going into the drugstore after films to take {illegible} kid on as it has been taken about a dozen times before by amateurs but none turned out. This was just after we came out of Cousin Clare's.</p> <p>It has been awfully hot to-day but is cooler to-night.</p> <p>Old Nigger dog has been over here all day, Quint went up to Normandale with Bill and Hugh McQueen in the latter's launch about two or three o'clock this a.m.</p> <p>Monday August 7th</p> <p>Daddy had to start off early after breakfast to thrash at Flemming's and was gone all day. I mended my saw horse, cut some wood and started to cut burdocks in the orchard. After dinner I finished cutting burdocks in the orchard and walked back to the gully with Roy. Roy went down town about three o'clock. I cleaned up a little behind the wood shed. Then Enah and I drove Joe down to Huby's and we went on down to the station to see Roy off and to take his grip. This being {Loreto's?} civic holiday he stayed all day here. We did not get home till six as Enah had to go a few places (about three) and only stayed a "minute" at each. She also saw Cousin Loll which took a little more time. They were just coming out of Flemming's with the machine when we came past and Tige was just seeing Daddy safley over Bannister's fence when we got home. Dick was down town all the after noon. It has been hotter than ...... it was Saturday to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 8th</p> <p>Emery came this morning while we were at breakfast and he has got quite a bit done at the stable. Daddy went down soon after break fast and got Vyse's disk but could not find the seat. I disked till noon on the wheat ground and got my foot pretty tired. Daddy and Dick drove Joe down town right after dinner and got a seat for the disc and some cow spray and a sprayer. We sprayed all the horses and other animals that would stand for it around the stable. Then I went and discked till six.</p> <p>We sprayed the cows after tea and it killed all the flies. All the family including Tige except Enah went down to Wyatt Parsons after tea and found he could come and cut the oats tomorrow he was coming any way. We got back about ten o'clock. It has been cool and windy to-day. Lovely night (full moon). The old wind mill pumped all the vessles around the place that would hold water "chuck a block" to-day and then ran over into the well.</p> <p>Wednesday August 9th</p> <p>Daddy had to go at half past seven this morning to Meet Wyatt Parsons at Blakie's corner to show him over the gulsh to the oats. He stayed shocking up till noon. I sawed some wood. cleaned the horses and helped Emery at the stable this fore noon. besides digging some potatoes for dinner. This afternoon I went back with them and tried to shock up oats but I had no gloves and they were pretty thistly so I did not get much done.</p> <p>I went over to John Wessly McBrides after a pail of water and. saw the celebrated barn. The oats are down pretty much and on one side the sheaves are all shapes and have to be piled in heaps instead of shocks. He got through cutting about five and then he and Daddy measured the field. We are a little more than half through shocking. We let the cows in the field that Lambkins took the hay off to-day. It has not been hot to-day. The wind mill pumped about as much to-day as yesterday. Dick went down to the station to see if Uncle Ward came tonight.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday August 10th</p> <p>Worked around the stable all day with Emery. We got all the side boards up. Daddy worked around there too most of the time but Wyatt Parsons came to measure the grain fields. He measured it with a tape line so it took a long time and Daddy had to help him. Cousin Clare came over this morning and stayed all day. About four o'clock Daddy and Dick went over and shocked up the rest of the oats. We all went down to-night to hear the band. Dick rode his wheel and I walked, Daddy and Enah drove Cousin Clare down with Joe. I went over to the park to watch the dance for a while got some postcards talked with Roy Dell awhile and then went down to Mrs. Davie Moore's corner and met Daddy and Enah and drove home about half past nine. Hot To-day. Daddy and Enah saw old Bill down town he is says he is going to start West tomorrow stay with Jack Pane in Toronto to-morrow and start Saturday. He said it was breaking up home as his wife was so opposed to the trip. She nor the rest of his relations thought he was in earnest till this morning and when they found out he was the kicked up quite a fuss.</p> <p>Friday August 11th</p> <p>We all worked at the stable this morning. We sawed the timber sill off in the drive way which took about half an hour with Blakie's cross cut and got quite a bit of cement laid in the alley-way.</p> <p>I disked all the afternoon on the wheat ground and finished it. They got the rest of the cement laid in the alley-way.</p> <p>After the chores were done to-night Daddy saddled Joe and I had a nice ride around Flemming's block. Then Dick got on but could not reach the stirrups so he asked Daddy to get on and he rode down the lane and back for our benifit. Dick knocked the old wooden trough at the wind mill to pieces and we are going to put up the concrete one as soon as possible. It rained early this morning and has been cool and cloudy the rest of the day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August 12th</p> <p>Emery, Dick and I worked at the stable to-night all day, and got the stalls pretty well boarded up. We had quite a time foraging for boards. Daddy took Joe and Ginger and rolled some of the wheat ground and then Vyse came over to ask him to go over to help him bring in his oats this afternoon so Daddy came up before noon and put the rack on the wagon. Art. Brown was here with a lame horse and a medicine agent trying to sell us some wonderful compound which would cure any thing in the shape of aches or pain warranted not to rip tear {and such?} turn up at the toes etc etc. He was not very persistent though. Dad was gone all the afternoon Vyse had three teams and six men in the field and got all his oats in. Enah went down and stayed till tea. Dick and I both went down after tea and saw Uncle Ward conversing with Nicky Luce in front of Taylor's {D...?} expected Ade Millman but he did not come.</p> <p>Sunday August 13th</p> <p>Got up very late this morning and Daddy did all the chores. Went down to church and Sunday school as usual and stayed to Huby's for dinner Daddy and Enah came down but did not stay. Huby and Dave drove the latter's horse over here and I hung around up at Waddle's with Hazen all the afternoon and had tea at Hubys and Quint and I went to church.</p> <p>After church I hung around the pier about an hour and then came home I saw Dick going home just at Allan's corner. Dick McBain drove me over as far as Woodson's. I picked Tige up at Vyse's. When I got home I found Dick all alone and a note on the table saying the family had gone down to Uncle Ward's for tea. We fooled around a while and then went to bed before the folks got home. Pretty hot to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 14th</p> <p>Emery came this morning and worked awhile at the stable but Daddy asked him to help with the oats so he said he would. Daddy and I went over about half past nine and started to load up. Vyse and Emery came over and loaded a load before we did I was loading ours. We got three loads off before dinner, two of Vyses and one of ours.</p> <p>After dinner Daddy and Emery went out and I waited for Vyse. I pitched on this time and we got three loads and finished. Then Vyse went home and we got a little hay over for the horses and Emery worked awhile at the stable. When we were taking Harry and Belle through the narrow alley way in the stable the both got out and caused some trouble, then after tea Coleman's colts got into the wheat stable and we chased them about half and hour to shake down our supper. Emery built a duck pen and put our four in it as he thought they ought to have good water. He went home to-night and will not be back till Thursday as to-morrow he intends to go to Simcoe to hear Sir Wilfred and Wednesday his Sunday School picnic. Pretty hot to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday August 15th</p> <p>It was very cloudy and thundery when we got up this morning and when we got through milking it began to rain. It poured like cats and dogs for about two hours and just rained after that for half an hour. Daddy and I climbed all over the garret hunting for leaks before breakfast.</p> <p>After breakfast Dick Daddy and I moved all the horses over into the big barn and then began to clean off the floor of the same building, and found it very poor. I churned this morning and Enah who felt poorly baked. We cleaned up a little around the horse stable and after dinner Daddy Dick and I drove down town in the rack and I got a pair of heavy boots and did some other shopping for the house.</p> <p>Every body was in Simcoe to-day to hear Sir Wilfred Laurier. K.C.P.M. except Andrew Innes. Dick and I went for a swim, he at the railway bridge and I at the boat house. Lila came and fed the ducks and said Huby and Quint had gone to Simcoe. We got home about six o'clock and got some tomatoes at Mrs. Battersby's on our way back. We got the planks for the stable floor at the Wide spread. I cut some lawn after tea.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday August 16th</p> <p>I chopped up some wood while Daddy went over to see if he could get a roll of wire fence from Mr. Flemming. When he came back we hooked up and he Dick, and I went down to get the wire. Then we went over with it to Coleman's line and ripped down some of the old rail fence and piled it on the rack and Daddy and Dick took it over to the barn to pile it in a convenient place for thrashing wood. It began to rain as they left and they said they would be back proxently with a coat for me as I had to stay and see that Coleman's cattle did not get in. I sought shelter under a tree and waited patiently for about an hour. It was pouring when they arrived and I was about frozen. It soon cleared off and we started erected the wire and tacked it to a few posts good enough to keep the cattle out. Then it began to rain again and we went up for dinner. We found Edith Lawrie and B. Kanes (or Kains or what you please) up at the house come to spend the day. They had been all over the place inspecting the stock.</p> <p>After dinner I went over to borrow Vyse's post hole auger. When I came back Daddy and I cleaned the stuff off the big barn floor out to the rack and took it over in the field to burn. We also hauled the brush Huby and I cut off the trees and put it in the same heap. Dick did not come over this after noon but stayed and entertained the girls. Daddy and I put up the wire as far as the rails went and ripped a few more rails down. We were soaking wet when we came up at six as it rained most of the afternoon. It is so wet to-night the girls have to stay all night. They are all kicking up a row in the parlor now. Bob. Law hauled a couple more loads of sand to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday August 17th</p> <p>Emery did not come to-day so Daddy and I worked around cleaning up all day. This morning we got some lumber out of the old box stall doors to make mangers with and after dinner we hauled out a lot of the old shingles &amp; rubbish in front of the horse stable and piled it out with the brush to burn. We also put in a few more posts for the fence and got another load of rails.</p> <p>The old wind mill came uncoupled some where down in the well last night and Dick went down with Edith &amp; B this morning to get Felix but he could not come to-day as he was going up to hear Mr. Borden spout to-night. Allan and Miss Brent came over this afternoon for awhile. Dick went down to-night to hear the band but it did not play as it was playing for Mr. Borden, it will likely be hear to-morrow. Dick said there was a great crowd went up on the the special to hear Borden to-night. Pretty fairly warm but nice breeze.</p> <p>Friday August 18th</p> <p>Emery came this morning and we worked all day with the cement floor in the horse stable and now have it nearly done. Felix came over and it took him till seven o'clock to-night to get the pump fixed. He put in another length of pipe. We had a lot of fun with him. It rained for awhile this morning and he gave us a great speech. He is so against Laurier and reciprocity. I nearly bust laughing at him.</p> <p>Ace Williams was here this afternoon as he thought we were thrashing. He is now the father of a week old daughter. I was at the back end of the place to-night after the cows which Tige chased back. When we came in from milking about eight o'clock to-night we found Mrs. James Enah's sister-in-law and her three children here. Dick went down town to hear the band but I guess it did not play tonight again. Windy.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August 19th</p> <p>This is the great Boughner picnic day to-day and rigs of all kinds have been flocking in along the side road all day. Dick went down early this morning and stayed till late to-night only coming back with the mail about 10 o'clock. I don't know what he did with him-self all day. He was checking parcels to-night and made fifty cents. Emery and I worked around the stable all day Emery was finishing up and flooring the stalls and I was painting window shashes and doing odd jobs for Emery.</p> <p>Daddy was disking the wheat ground all day and found my old knife which I thought was gone for sure this time. Mrs. McPherson Enah's sister came over with Emery this morning and stayed awhile talking to Mrs. James whom she was very surprised to see and came back this afternoon and took the whole ging-lang except Enah and Jean who walked down to the picnic Enah, Jean and Cecil came back here to tea and the rest stayed at James's. Dad teased Cecil till he had him as mad as a wet hen and as saucy as as a sparrow. After tea Daddy and I did the chores and Emery took Enah Cecil and Jean down town and Daddy and I drove down about 9 o'clock. We intended going over to the park to watch them dance but seeing a fire in the glue room in the Wide spread the same place it was before we went up and informed Mr. Denly who by the look of things was about to retire but had to jump on his wheel and go down We meet Emery and Doc. Jolley's corner and made plans for going home and executed them in short order. Emery and I walked out and Daddy took half the crowd and Mrs McPherson the other half out home and then Daddy drove her and Cecil down till he met Emery and then he drove her out to his fathers. We saw Mr. Denly coming back on his wheel while we were at Jolley's corner and he said there was no fire there at all when he went down. So we did not get over to the park after awhile all. Cool and pleasant to-day. nice breeze</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday August 20th</p> <p>Daddy drove me down to Sunday School this morning as he wanted to see if he could take Aunty Maude and Lila back to dinner with him and have Huby and Quint walk out but they could not come. I pumped as usual and Quint went up behind the organ with me. I walked home to dinner where was assembled all of Emery's family in addition to the others all trying to squeeze up to the kitchen table.</p> <p>After dinner Emery discovered an oil hole in the old wind mill head which when Dad oiled up the old thing went like a charm. Daddy was bringing Ginger out to water and she jumped away from him into the old manure {heap?} and couped herself quite badly besides wrenching off a shoe. Daddy Emery Cecil Tige and the grey kitten and I all went back to the gulch to hunt for the spring Blakey was tilling as about but could not find it. Then we went up to the mound where there was a ground fox's hole and Emery while digging around found an old double spring trap attatched to a {illegible} with a ring in it. He said he had often thought of digging out the mound when he was a boy as he thought there were treasures there. I went up a little way with Cecil and him and then came home and took the cows up with me. Mrs. McPherson was just starting off with the bunch and two valises. Mr. &amp; Mrs H. Shand where here for awhile before tea. I rode Enah's wheel down to post a couple of letters to-night.</p> <p>Monday August 21st</p> <p>Emery came this morning and He &amp; I worked to-gether all day. We put the door on the box-stall and end door on the horse stable. I painted more window sashes and swept down some of the cobwebs of the ceiling in the stable. We also put a new piece on the {fork?} rod of the wind mill in place of a rickety old eyesore, which caused the mill to lose half a stroke. Daddy disked the remainder of the wheat ground this morning and went over it with the smoothing harrower this after noon. I had a snooze for about an hour this after noon and then wrote a little to Roy for his birthday to-morrow. Vyse came over this morning to bring us some sweet corn and again this after noon to tell Daddy the thrashers would if all's well be at his place to-morrow. I rode Enah's wheel back after the cows to-night. Prett warm to-day. Got a card from E. Dewar to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday August 22nd</p> <p>This morning I cleaned up the floor in the other barn and the granaries and also nailed up some rat-holes. I just put the chaff in a big heap on the barn floor. Daddy and Emery fixed some posts that were rotted off over the new stable. Dick churned and got a nice mess of good butter. About ten o'clock, Sam Law got his machine at Vyse's so Daddy went over to help thrash. Emery took the big team back with the plow to start work on the oat stubble and alsike ground for wheat. Belle fell down going down the hill at the end of the lane so Emery took two or three furrows off that which made it much better. We plowed till noon. I plowed a couple of furrows in the easy ground and did not do so badly considering I did not have the wheel on. Old Harry fell down once too at the side of a ditch in where the alsike was.</p> <p>After dinner Daddy came over after me to go and help thrash as they were short handed. Paul Lee Woodson Hugh Bannister and I were in the mow all the time and Daddy helped us now and then. Cass Rankin came over and worked for about five minutes. Dick helped for awhile but found a nest of mice about a day or so old and it took him all his time looking after them he took the home in his hat when he went home for tea. Louis Woodson was running the blower. Mr. Blakie and Old Wells on the stack. Mr. Flemming carraying awaw grain Vyse feeding and Bench other cutting bands besides the three men with the machine. Vyse had {690?} bushles of grain allto gether. We had tea about five o'clock and the worked till dark and finished. I went home soon after six and did the chores Emery helped me. Not too hot to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday August 23rd</p> <p>Got up fairly early this morning and found it pretty cool. Daddy, Tige, Marshalls two kittens, and the old grey cat Williams left and I went way back the gulch after the cows. We found them in the wood and the cats followed us all the way. Daddy went over to Blakie's to thrash and stayed all day there. Dick went over but came back to dinner, but went right back again. He ran the blower this morning. Blakie thrashed 640 barrels all to-gether. I sawed a lot of wood up and threw out the chaff I raked up in the barn yesterday. I got some tomatoes and potatoes. Emery was plowing all day I took him some water a couple of times but did not stay. This After noon Enah and I drove Joe down town and got the buggy chuck full of grub for the threshers. Mrs. Flemming gave us about a bushel of vegetables. We thought we dropped a cabbage and we went all the way back to Bannister's but did not find it. Dick and Paul Lee Woodson came in about six from Blakies and I went down with them to Woodson's for a swim and very nearly froze. We swam out to the island under water. I had my tea after I came home about eight o'clock. Cool to-day.</p> <p>Thursday August 24th</p> <p>Emery plowed all morning and Daddy and Dick thrashed over at Alfred Ryersie's. I worked out in the barn to prepare for the threshers this after noon. Dick and Daddy got home about noon and said they had had their dinner so Enah, Emery and I dined together. The threshing outfit came while we were at dinner. Hannah Flemming came over to help Enah. Huby came over with Earny Skey. It took quite a while for them to get started and we boys. Paul Lee, Cars. Rankin Long Bannister, Dick and I fooled around, but when the did start they put us at the muzzle of the machine and we stood there chewing dust most of the after noon. We filled the hay the other side of the cow stable wth straw and it took a lot of men to push the straw over. Daddy, Frank Vyse, Tony and I in</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>concecutive order pushing straw to Earny, Huby, Paul Lee, Cars, and Dick who were on the mow, Earny got called away to the telephone Paul Lee went to help in the mow. Cars. got a head ache and Long skinned out so there was after awhile only Huby and Dick in the mow and Frank Vyse and I &amp; Daddy shoaring straw. I stood in one place for two or three hours with the balmy breath of the blower on my cheek and dust from the same about an inch thick (more or less) down my throat and larynx. When we filled up all over the cow stable we went out and Vyse took the blower and Huby, Daddy, and I stayed in the big bay. I came out of there about five and did not do anything after that but gasp for breath. Huby and Daddy stayed with it to the bitter end and when they came out they looked like niggers. Huby had his hat off all the afternoon and his hair was as he had creped it like a wool mat.</p> <p>After tea Emery milked for me as I felt rotten. my head felt like a boiled cabbage. And I was shivering at one time and then would about roast. I had a few swallows of wine and then went to bed. Dick went down town to check parcels at the park. There has been a drizzle-drazzle rain all day till about five o'clock this afternoon.</p> <p>Friday August 25</p> <p>I slept late this morning after dreaming I was threshing all night and just before I got up I heard one of the little chickens sqeal and looking out saw a big rat had one by the leg. Dad came to kill it but it got away and the chicken died soon after. I was very late with my breakfast.</p> <p>Daddy, Emery and Dick went down town this morning with the rack and got back about noon with lumber for the stable door and glass for the stable windows and a few other things. Ace Williams came after his wheat and I helped him all day with it He took one load to mill before dinner and three after Dick went the first time and Lila and I the second and the last he went alone. Emery made the door for the drive house this afternoon and hung it. Daddy rolled the wheat ground that Emery plowed with Joe and Belle. Cousin Clare came over this morning and stayed all day. Lila came over with Emery and Daddy and stayed all night and Allan &amp; Kathleen Millman came over and stayed to tea. It has been pretty cool all day to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday August 28th</p> <p>Emery, Jean and Cecil came this morning about seven o'clock with Joe. Daddy went back to plow but came back before noon on account of the rain, he plowed into a couple of bee's nests and got stung three times on the arm. I started to paint the hay rack but in began to rain so we took it in the barn and I did not get any more than part of the bed piece. Emery got the glass in the windows all put in and most of them hung up.</p> <p>This afternoon as it still rained hard Daddy and I white washed four of the stalls with brooms. It cleared off about three o'clock and Daddy saddled Joe in the new stable (she was the first one in) and I rode down to post some letters and got the mail. I found when I got home that one of the stirrup straps was brokin just from disuse and want of oil. Daddy felt pretty badly about. After I got home we brought all the horses over into the new stable and they looked so nice and comfortable that Daddy almost hated to leave them to come to tea. Cecil has been having a fine time to-day in the mud puddles and scrapping with Dad.</p> <p>Tuesday August 29th</p> <p>This morning Cecil and I drove down town to do a few errands but principally to get Quint to come out and shoot crows in the cornfield. He came out a little while after with George Brown {..?} having jumped on behind the old buggy and ridden over. Of course he did not get any crows as he went over to the woods when he found none in the cornfield.</p> <p>Emery worked at the stable all day and I helped him and painted at the rack. Lila came over and stayed all day. Daddy plowed all day. About five o'clock Emery and I drove Joe down town to get some stuff for the mail. We did not get back till after six Emery and Cecil walke home by the gully to-night. After the chores were done to-night Jean &amp; Lila went to bed and Enah, Daddy and I went over to Mrs. Battersby's for the evening. The Woodson's, Miss Hudson, Miss Robinson, Miss Brent &amp; Mr. Jack Martin were there and we had a lot of lovely music, most of it furnished my Miss Robinson who is a lovely pianist and Miss Draton. Miss Woodson and Miss Robinson amused Dad. very much by their conversation of which he could understand about half. It has been pretty cool all day to-day and is quite cold to-night. Emery fixed a patent ladder in the stable to-day which runs by pulleys &amp; weights up into the loft when not in use.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday August 30th</p> <p>Daddy plowed all morning and Emery fixed the steps going up over the wood-shed and then ripped down a partition in the floor in the old house where we are going to have the ice house. He sharpened my buck-saw yesterday so I cut wood nearly all morning and got almost all the pile of rails cut I also helped him a little at the old house.</p> <p>This afternoon Mrs. McPherson &amp; Leon came down to get Emery. Daddy helped him awhile and then went and plowed and Enah and Mrs. McPherson drove down town with Emery's horse. Emery made a corn horse and he and I went back to cut corn, it is not ripe but he was just going to show me how to do it. We went up about about five and were going to get Quint's gun which we expected Enah would bring over and shoot crows but Enah would not get it so we painted the rest of the back of the hay rack. It has been quite cool all day and was cold this morning and to-night. Jean went back to St. Williams to-night with Emery. Tonight Daddy and I drove down town with Joe to see if Quint would come over to-morrow to shoot crows. He said he would and mabee Huby and Earny.</p> <p>Thursday August 31st</p> <p>This morning I started to paint the rack and got part of one of the wings painted when Quint came with his gun. Huby and Earny did not come. I went back with Quint &amp; and then over where Dad was and had a fine plowing lesson. When I came back Quint was wandering around and not a crow showed up nor did they all day. I helped him rob a bees nest but there was no honey. Then I came up and painted. Quint shot a grey squirrel over in the woods.</p> <p>I painted quite a lot this after noon and then Enah Lila and I went down town. Enah stayed at the church practising with Miss Draton till six o'clock We brought Kathleen Millman back home with us to stay a few days. We got the cows up and milked milk before tea. Quint went back with me to get the cows and shot a dove and a hawk. Enah and Lila picked about two bushels of plums to-day &amp; we took a bushel down with us and sold as to Mrs. Brown. Quint went home to-night and left his gun and ammunition here as he expects to be back in the morning. It has been pretty cool to-day, but is not so cold to-night as last night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday September 1st</p> <p>This morning Daddy drove Joe down to Walk. Wells to put a blister on his horse. I painted at the rack till he came back and then Kathleen &amp; I drove Joe down to get some meat. We came back by the mill and I went on painting. Daddy went back &amp; plowed. Quint came out and Huby and Earny were out have come while we were down town. They had taken Quints gun and gone all over the farm but not shot any thing. Quint caught one of Huby's white chickens with nice yellow legs and I painted them red which made it look very pretty, but it rubbed most of it off in the grass. Cousin Clare came out this morning and stayed all day. I rode Dick's wheel down and got the mail and took Enah's hit book down to Bessie Lawrie.</p> <p>I gave most of the drive house door a second coat and got the cows about half past five and we milked before tea. About nine o'clock the whole four of us set out for the Shands. Daddy &amp; I saw all over the barn and then went into the house where we found a bunch of young ladies who had been having a card party. We stayed till after eleven and after the others had gone. Daddy got them to fix a night (Tuesday) when he could bring out the Woodson's and Miss Robinson to have some music.</p> <p>Saturday September 2nd</p> <p>I felt a little sick this morning. I think from some plums I ate last night at the Sh{ands}. I painted the rest of the rack and did a few chores around.</p> <p>In the after noon I gave the rest of the stable door a second coat and started to tidy up around the drive house. It got very dark and lighenting vividly Daddy came up with the team. It rained pretty hard but soon stopped. Daddy got ready to go back but it began to sprinkle again so he did not go back all the afternoon.</p> <p>About four o'clock I drove Enah and Kathleen down as Kathleen was going back to-night. We got her suit case at the Tibbets and took her down to the station. After tea Daddy drove down to meet Dick &amp; Roy and I went to sleep about eight o'clock &amp; stayed there till they came. We did not get to bed till midnight and had a great rat hunt just before but did not catch again.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday September 3rd</p> <p>Arose late as is the custom on the Sabbath and husstled my self to get down and ring the bells - but Wiser was there so it did not matter. Dick did not get up till after I left so of course did not come down. I came out of Sunday School a little early and found Faulkner beating the starch out of one of his Arabs with a whip because it would not stand still to get its forelock clipped. I went home to dinner as we had a couple of young roosters and Roy stayed down to Huby's.</p> <p>After dinner I started to read " A Houseboat on the {illegible}. Huby Roy and Aunty Maude came over about three and we all went back to the gully. Huby took the gun back which Daddy got last night but did not see any thing to shoot at. Daddy shot a couple of times at a crow this morning but missed him. I brought the cows up as it was about five and went into the house for a short time and when I came out they were just disappearing at the end of the lane. So Tige &amp; I went back again and Tige got ahead of me and chased them up to the far end of the gully so I had to go after them. When we did get them milked the separator packed and we had to take it all apart and then only got very little cream. However we got down to church Huby went home to tea and Roy down to Woodsons. After church Enah went by to {illegible} Bessie's to {writing off the page} a supper {writing off the page} and is going {writing off the page} to walk. Some we {writing off the page} Roy. Dick came home to tea but went down after wards and got home shortly after we did. Daddy and I drove down to Huby's {writing off the page} got the big picture of "The Witlogh Blacksmith" and hung it in the kitchen. Very cool to-day.</p> <p>Monday September 4th</p> <p>Daddy went back to plow and I started to clean up around the drive-shed Huby and Lila came over about nine o'clock to get their chickens. I helped them catch all we could find and then drove them down and got back about noon. Dick went back with Daddy and they were going to take Mr. Vyse's roller back Dick rode on Dad's lap and they were just driving under the tree where the roller was when they hit an old stump. The tongue of the roller snapped off. The frame dropped down and they both fell off. Daddy hurt his thigh pretty badly and Dick was scared. We did not have dinner till late and I went back with Dad and had quite a plowing lesson.</p> <p>Roy went down town town at noon but said he would be back again and come over and say goodbye so I thought I would wait over there till he came and then go up with him and drive him down to the station. I went up to the house about 3.30 and got a spade and a drink of water and came out and began to dig up a stone where Dad was plowing. I was thus employed when Roy came back in great haste and informed me it was 20 to five. I hustled out of that and found Dick's wheel at the head of the lane where Roy had left it for me and when I got up I found Dick had the harness on Joe I got Roy to the station in time There was a big {bunch?} at the station I guess they cleared out most of the summer bugs as they had an extra coach or two on. This being {illegible} day had something to do with it. I got the cows up and nearly milked by the time Dad had the horses put away and we sat down to tea by seven o'clock. Hot to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday September 5th</p> <p>Dick got up extra early this morning and struck out for school in good time so as to get a good seat. Daddy went back to plow and I sawed all the wood left in the pile and then went back about nine o'clock to where Dad was with a handspike to get that big stone out Daddy helped me and we rolled it down into the bush. I had a long plowing lesson and came up about eleven and got some potatoes and then went down town and got some meat &amp; groceries. I got home about noon. Dick got home at noon and did not go back.</p> <p>This after noon although it rained all the time Daddy plowed till five o'clock and is now nearly done. I did some cleaning up around the stable and chores. Dick went down for the mail and found out from Mrs Woodson (before it began to rain) that the road the rest would go out to the Shand's to-night, but it rained so hard we could not go, although when it slacked up a little after tea we began to get ready, but it started up again and we gave up the idea and it certainly would have been a rotten drive in a {open?} wagon. We all wrote Bill to-night and Dick gave us a grand con{cert} on his squeaking symplophone.</p> <p>Wednesday September 6th</p> <p>I cleaned up and worked around the stable till ten o'clock this morning and then went back to the field with Dad. The flies were very bad and the horses about crazy. He finished the plowing soon after I got there and then hooked on the harrows and I harrowed till noon.</p> <p>After dinner Daddy took Joe and Ginger down and got Vyse's disc and I lay around till he got back and then we took both teams out and he disked and I harrowed all the after noon. The soles of my feet got pretty tired and poor Ginger got pretty disgusted but we got a nice lot done. I quit a little after five and went up and gave the horses {feed?} while Dick went and got the cows. We milked before tea. Mrs. Ross and Bob were here for tea and Daddy has just driven them home. They are staying at Jim. McQueen's. Dick went down with them to get some school books from {Mossay?}. Daddy and I expect to go to the Toronto exibition to-morrow so will have to get up extra early. Huby said he would come over &amp; do chores close this morning but nice breeze &amp; cool this aft.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 7th</p> <p>Daddy got me up about five o'clock and we did the chores. Then we hussled for all we were worth through breakfast and down to the train. We thought we were going to miss it but when we got there we watied about five or ten minutes before she started. We arrived at the Exibition grounds about 10 or 11 and were on the dead run about, all day till 3.30 p.m., and then did not see nearly all the stuff. But what we did see was great. The Widespred had a very fine exhibit of crates chests and wardrobes. There was a very large number of cattle on show. We got home about half past nine and well about frozen. It rained quite hard here about six so they tell us. Huby was to have come over here and milked but he did not get over till after six and Dick had the cows nearly milked. The trains were very crowded but we managed to get seats all {the} way. Every body on the way up was talking reciprocity and there {were} very few that seemed to be for it and they did not seem very shure whether they ought to be or not. Nice cool day. and a little rain about half past three on.</p> <p>Friday September 8th</p> <p>Got up fairly early and I worked around the house chopping wood till noon. Went over a little before to see if we could get Mr. Vyses disk this after noon. Dad wanted to get it this morning but Vyse was not through with it. After dinner I waited around till Dad took Harry &amp; Bill over and got the disk and then went back with him and disked on the oat stubble alsike {crop?} all the after noon. He had Joe &amp; Ginger on the harrows. and Lee Woodson came over about six and helped us put the box on the wagon.</p> <p>After tea Daddy &amp; Dick hooked up the little team to the wagon and drove down to the Woodsons while Enah &amp; I got fixed up. He was soon back and the whole bunch of us drove out to the Shand's. We had a great time. Paul Lee Dick, Charlie Shand &amp; I playing games out in another room &amp; outside (full moon) while Miss Robinson &amp; Miss Drayton entertained the bunch in the other room. We got home about one o'clock. Paul Lee &amp; I walked quite a lot of the way as we were pulling each other out of the wagon all the way home to try and get a roomyer seat. Quite cool to-night &amp; all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday September 9th</p> <p>We got up very late this morning I disked all morning with the big team and Daddy had the little team on the harrows. It was very hot and I was about half asleep and the blooming thing seemed to go all wrong. Dad went over this morning to see if he could borrow Mr. Vyse's roller but Mr. Flemming had it, so he went over to Mr. McBride's at noon and borrowed his.</p> <p>This afternoon it was cooler with a little breeze and I finished disking and Daddy rolled with the little team till about four o'clock and then we put the big team on the roller and I took the little team up the poor little things were pretty tired and ringing wet. I did the chores up before tea.</p> <p>Edith and B. Kain were here to tea. After tea we fooled around (see inside front of cover of this book). Enah and I went down as far as Martin's hen pens with them &amp; Daddy went to sleep. Lila and Dorothy McCall were over too this after noon but did not stay to tea. Mr. Skey who had a stroke the other day and has been rapidly sinking died this after noon about half past five.</p> <p>Sunday September 10th</p> <p>Had a good sleep this morning and went down to church and Sunday School but do not have to go early now as Mr. Wiser is back on the job, by the way he has not paid me yet, two spot coming from that direction. Stayed at Aunty Maude's to dinner and then went up town and fooled around with Murray who is greatly exercised over the report that Perce Brook &amp; Lena Gilbert are married having been hitched in Simcoe last night. He came over here and we roamed around and he inspected the piano &amp; cream separator and stayed to tea. We walked down to church after tea and Daddy and Enah drove down. Mr. Johnson had to bring his dog out during service as it came up the isle and to the pulpit. It came up this morning near the end of the service. Mr. Davis patted it for awhile and then it went over and lay on the register till church got out.</p> <p>I was helping the organ with Wiser and after church Murray and I walked down to the pier where we found Hazen and Roy Dell we sat there for awhile till all the people left and then they walked up to the head of Main St with me and I came home for tea. It has been pretty hot to-day. The population of Dover is increasing. Liz. Jackson {illegible} had twins lately and Stan {Brock?} {illegible} made father to-day. Tige was not here to-night when we all came home and has not turned up yet. Daddy killed a crow to-day he just had the gun at his hip and {happened to pull the trigger as the crow flew away?}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday September 11th</p> <p>Tige was here this morning when we got about six o'clock. Daddy and I went back this morning out harrowing with {illegible due to faint ink} he rolled with the little team. I finished harrowing this after noon about half past two and I brought Joe &amp; Ginger up while Dad rolled what I had been working on with the big team till six. I did the chores and milked Bobby before tea. I cleaned up a little around the stable and the barn floor to clean the wheat on. Daddy finished rolling and took back the roller after breaking Mrs. McBride's neck yoke. He thinks that field is now ready to sow if it does not rain.</p> <p>Gerry Holden &amp; his brother were over here to see the apples to-night. Mr. Vyse came over after tea and is talking to Dad now. He was telling us about poor Tom Fawset who is in an very bad state. Mr. Alex. McCall is I suppose spouting in the hall to-night I would like to hear him but I am too tired to go down. I was very hot this morning but there was a nice breeze this afternoon we never had any water back with us this morning. Dad said he was not thirsty but I just about flooded out my stomach when I came up at noon. I was so dry I could not spit. Had a hot bath and went to bed early. First {illegible} I have had of any {illegible} for about a month.</p> <p>Tuesday September 12th</p> <p>Got up pretty fairly early this morning. After breakfast Daddy and I went down to Blakie's and got some oats and borrowed his fanning mill and cultivator. Mr Vyse was here when we got back and he and I put about fifty bushles through the mill for seed which took us till nearly noon. Daddy cultivated on the wheat ground this side of the gully. I lay down at noon and went to sleep when I woke up it was about half past two and Bill Barlow was here talking to Enah. He came down to the meeting last night and missed his train this morning.</p> <p>Enah and I were going town this afternoon so we to Bill down to catch the 3.15 after he had had a little talk with Dad on reciprocity but there was no chance for an argue. I had to get Joe shod and I took Enah around to the Greenhouse to get some flowers for the Skey's. We did not get home till after five as Greenbury had to put new shoes on all Joes feet. We met Evan's Johnson who said he had just driven Russ. Skey out home. Russ took the gun out and shot a hawk and fired a couple at a crow but he was too far away. When Dad came up he took Blakie's fanning mill back and I did most of the chores. Russ stayed to tea but went right down afterwards as he expected Douglass on the eight train. It is very cold to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 13th</p> <p>Went and started to cut corn this morning. Daddy kept on cultivating all morning. The drill came up to-day and Vyse sowed his wheat this morning. I went over and he said he would draw it up in the field over the gully after dinner. So this after noon Daddy took weat over in the wagon and I went with him. Vyse got there at the same time.</p> <p>The automobilly belonging to the Norfolk Gas Co. was busted and pulled up in the gate way. They had to {illegible} of the road and shortly afterwards Johnny Walker and Albert Mc{illegible} came along on Johnny's trap and they towed it home. Daddy kept on sowing till after six. I stayed awhile with him {till it rained?} and then went on cutting corn till about five when I came up and did the chores. I got about 14 shocks cut. Daddy got about 12 bushels of wheat sowed. It has been very cool all day and is quite cold to-night. The thermometer marked freezing last night but we don't know whether it did freeze or not.</p> <p>Thursday September 14th</p> <p>Got up good and early and then found the blooming cows had gone back and {had made?} their way over in the sod the other side of the wheat ground across the gully. {illegible words due to faint ink} in to the gully but would take to much time and space and I might swear if I {illegible} of my chase But I got them up with the help of Daddy and we got them milked soon at {illegible}.</p> <p>Daddy finished sowing the wheat this morning and I got a line of shocks right through to the fence. This after noon I cut some wood {illegible words} for a rasp to sharpen my hoe with for about half an hour and then went back to cut corn. Daddy was runing out furrows and ditches all the afternoon till dark. Mr. Blakie came over and helped him most of the after noon. I only got two shocks made this after noon as it was so late when I started. It began to rain about five o'clock so I came up and did the chores. Mr. &amp; Mrs. Laurie were over {missing words} the gun back this afternoon but did not get a shot. It has been cool all day their was a white frost last night but it is {....ing} and warm to night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday September 15th</p> <p>It rained so hard last night that the ground was too wet to work on all day. I went back for the cows and had a far worse tramp than yesterday morning although they were right in the woods but lying down so I did not see them. When I had been back quite a while, Daddy came back and we tramped way over into Watsons and he at last found them in our woods. Tige found a ground hog back there and was afraid to go right up and kill it but held it at bay till I {battered it?} with a club.</p> <p>About ten o'clock Daddy and I took Belle down to get her a new shoe set as their were a lot in the shop he stayed with {Billy?} and talked reciprocity while I went and got my hair cut. I also went into the printing office and had a look at Manager's apparatus. We got home just about noon. Dick took his dinner to-day. this afternoon I read for awhile in "The Millionaire Baby" and then Daddy and I went and socked up the wheat on the barn floor.</p> <p>Daddy killed a couple of roosters and he &amp; Enah drove down town Dad got his hair cut and Ena stayed to tea down town and was going to the flower choir to-night. I was going down to-night to come home with her but did not feel very well so Dick went instead. I spent most of the evening on the sofa and Daddy cleaned the roosters. It has been cool and rather cloudy all day.</p> <p>I have felt kind of rotten all day. We got a letter from Aunty to-day describing their trip to Banff Walter took her and Winnie there for a couple of days and they had a fine time. Auntie evidently thought the mountains were grand.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday August September 16th</p> <p>Stayed in bed this morning till about half past eight as I was not very well. I lay around all morning reading "The Millionaire Baby". Dick went down town and made a dollar peddling {illegible} {hills?}, Daddy went back and shovelled ditches.</p> <p>This afternoon Dick, Ferdie and Lissy went back shooting with the shotgun and a rifle but they did not shoot anybody, strange to say. Daddy and Enah went down to Mr. Skey's funeral. One of us ought to {have?} gone over to Bannister's to thrash this afternoon but under the circumstances could not.</p> <p>Mr. Highland was here again to buy the blue grass seed and offered Dad. sixty-five dollar. He said he would come again on Monday. Warm and nice to-day.</p> <p>Sunday September 17th</p> <p>Daddy and Enah &amp; I set out for St. Williams this morning and Dick went down to church and Sunday School and stayed all day till five o'clock. I took a dose of salts this morning. The first I have ever taken I think. I stayed home from school once a long time ago to take one but got out of it after nine o'clock. I read and drew pictures most of the day, doing the chores by degrees.</p> <p>Al. Faulkner was over to borrow the double harness, but as Dad had it with him he said it did not matter this is the first time Dad has used it for a month or two. Charlie Ferris and the two Quanberry's came through from the lane. They had been taking pictures. Tige and I had a very enjoyable day of it.</p> <p>{I ate well?} dinner &amp; lunch I wanted {illegible} as I came to it, and Dick and I had our Tea to-gether upstairs. They came home just as we got through with a good supply of peaches. They had some hickory fruits which they said {need?} ripening up.</p> <p>Today Emery fixed up a hoe and sent it to me to cut corn with. They said it was hot to-day. It may have been, but I was not.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday September 18th</p> <p>Got up very late this morning. Dad worked on the {wheat ground?} all morning but had a few interruptions. Watson's cattle {broke the} fence with ours but we let things go and they went back again before night. Mr Langdon {illegible} came over this morning wanting to buy some of the manure but Daddy would not listen then he wanted by ten acres of soil without success then he wanted to know if the apples were sold and when Dad told him they were he went.</p> <p>Then Mr. Highland and Huby came over. I went out with the team while Daddy came in and sold the blue grass seed to him for seventy-five dollars. Dad's price {illegible}. I chored around all morning. After dinner Daddy and I took the blue grass down and Highland gave him cash in full at the Commercial Hotel and of course he had to treat the boy.</p> <p>To-night Daddy and I went down to hear Mr. Charlton spout but we all did not know what he was talking about and I guess he didn't either. There was a big crowd there nevertheless. Jim Law was there having a fine time till Geo. Hammond tried to put him downstage and then he promised to be good. We did not stay long {rest of sentence obscured}.</p> <p>Tuesday September 19th</p> <p>Up good and early this morning but it looked very rainy. Daddy and I took both teams out. I rolled and he harrowed. Mr. Vyse came over and disked. We were out till about nine when it began to rain and we had to come in. It rained like fun for about an hour making the ground un-fit for work to work on for a couple of days.</p> <p>I read till it stopped raining and then Daddy cut wood till noon and I took it in. This afternoon Dad went back and fixed the line fence between us and Watsons where the cows get over and then shovelled ditches. I cut the lawns cleaned out the stables and cut wood. There was somebody shooting over at Bannister's and the shot was rattling around on the barns where I was cutting wood so I thought I would quit as {thought?} it would tickle.</p> <p>After tea I went over and and got a ball of binder twine to bind corn with to-morrow. I tried the stalks but they break to easily and it takes so long to pick good ones but nice and warm. Miss McBain, Miss Law and Edith Laurie call to-night and scared us all. I thought it was Dick and yelled at them to come in.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday September 20th</p> <p>I cut corn all morning and got cut a great deal faster with the binder twine. Daddy finished shovelling out the ditches on the other side of the gully.</p> <p>Huby came over and brought Bill with him. We were very surprised to see him. He left the West last Friday night and got home last night. He says he had a very fine trip. He could have stayed longer and had work but he wanted to get here in time to vote for McCall.</p> <p>I cut corn all afternoon till six. Dick came back about five and cut while I went up and got a drink. Then he went over to look at the chestnuts but he says they are not much good. We did not get through chores till late to-night bacause I did not quit soon enough and get the cows up. I made 29 shocks all told to-day. The land was dry enough for Daddy to cultivate and harrow on the summer fallow this afternoon. Pretty cool this morning but got hotter in the day. There was a touch of frost in the gully last night but not on the level.</p> <p>Thursday September 21st</p> <p>Cut corn this morning and Daddy worked on the wheat ground. Mr Vyse came over for a little while he has a boil on his hand and his arm is in a sling. Watson's cattle got into our place this morning and I had to take them out. Spotty got with them as I was not quick enough to head her off. I could not get her separated so she stayed over there and Daddy got her to-night with a lot of trouble.</p> <p>This after noon Daddy Enah and I drove down town. It was sprinkling a little and we could not work. Daddy went up to the school house and voted and Enah got the books out of our pew in church. They are fixing the church all different inside.</p> <p>About half the population of Dover was Drunk to-day. I suppose because the bars are all supposed to be closed. There have been two or three election fights and a lot of money bet. Dick and I went down town to-night to hear the returns of the election. We were surprised on reaching town to hear that Charlton had been elected by 101 majority and only two places to hear from. We went up to {illegible} after and heard the encouraging reports for tory. There were {illegible} on the platform reading out the lists and Dick brought them in from the telegraph office. Their faces grew blacker although they tried to {illegible] every minute as the majority {illegible}.</p> <p>We came home about ten o'clock as we told Dad we would be home at 9.30 but found he had gone out to look at Webster's cow which had choked on an apple and when they tried to shove it down with a stick broke it off. Dad had a {illegible} time. Jim Law was up having a fine time to-night and illegible}.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Hooray For Borden</span></h2> <p>Friday September 22nd</p> <p>Cut corn all day. Dad worked on the wheat ground all day. He took the little cart out this morning as he thought I would be working the big team but he found the ground on this side was too wet where he wanted me to disk so kept on with them till noon.</p> <p><br />Dick came home at noon with the tidings that Borden was in with 43 majority. He also had the globe which of all particulars. The Liberals were just simply skunked owing to reciprocity. If they had never got it into politics they would more than likely be in power now. Most of the cabinet ministers were defeated including Fielding, Paterson, Graham, Sir Fredrick Borden and Wm. McKenzie King. Manitoba did not send one Liberal candidate but Alberta and Saskatchewan both went Liberal. Nova Scotia New Brunswick and Quebec went Liberal and Ontario and British Columbia were Conservative by very large majority and P.E. Island was a tie two of each. There were seventeen nationalists elected in {total?}. It went very different from what we expected as we thought Alex McCall was sure to be returned and and there was no chance for Borden {illegible}</p> <p>Very nice day. Dick told us tonight that Mrs Joe Jacques died this morning {illegible due to words missing}. Daddy does not feel very well to-night.</p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Canada is saved from Yankeedom.</span></h2> <p>Saturday September 23rd</p> <p>We got up fairly early this morning but did not get started to work very early. Daddy and I disked all morning and got the wheat ground all gone over. He got Blakie's cultivator disk with the little team I cut corn from 2.30 till 4.00 this p.m. Mr. Blakie came over and helped Dad run out the cross ditches in the wheat field. About four o'clock Daddy came back and he and I went to separate our cattle from Watson's and fix the fence where they got in but we found they were not to-gether so we did not bother putting Watson's out as it is his fence that has to be fixed anyway Coleman's colt was in our side this aft. but we could not find where he got in but we think it was through the {back} were Jim Bannister and another fellow were down in Coleman's gully and had quite a lot of mushrooms.</p> <p>Mr. Larry came over this morning with decoy crows and a crow call but only got two. I took the gun back this afternoon. and nearly dislocumbusted my shoulder shooting at a hawk and of course missed him. If I had not it would be about the first time I ever killed with a gun. I shot a kingfisher once but he was sitting still in the corner of the {illegible}. I am not very blood thirsty. Bill Donald was in to night but says the buckwheat is not quite ready yet to cut. Blakie told us that Lambkin's sold after thrashing the blue grass hay he got from us for $50. He also says there is another gas company out leasing land. Pretty hot to-day. Looks like more rain.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday September 26th</p> <p>Got up good and early this morning and after doing most of the chores drove down with Daddy for him to catch the train. I looked all over town for Bill to come out and run the long furrows in the wheat-field but could not find him. He was at the Dominion Hotel but his name was not on the register, so the English-man thought he was not there.</p> <p>{Sewed?} corn most of the day. Dick got a basket full of hickory nuts and said there were twice as many down. I came up about half past four and did chores. Dick and I drove down about seven to meet Daddy and Frank. Lila was all ready to go with us. Bill was at Huby's and said he was coming over to morrow. He had toothache to day and was going up to have a tooth pulled.</p> <p>The train did not get in till nearly nine. We got home about eleven ten with Frank bag and baggage.They had supper and it was after eleven when we got to bed. Fine and warm today.</p> <p>The Mr. Taylor that Frank came home with was a presbyterian minister but not the one we supposed. He was Mr. Willie Taylor from here, Dean's brother. Frank went in to get his teeth fixed and Deans was the dentist. He knew Frank was a Barrett and when he found he wanted to come East took him to {Sycamore} to meet his brother who he knew was coming East to be married. Frank said Deans was pretty homesick and wished he was coming. He assured Frank he would like it better here.</p> <p>Wednesday September 27th</p> <p>It began to rain soon after we got up and there was a terrific gale. Dad went out to plough some of the furrows in the wheat field but only got six done when it got too wet. It rained most of the morning. Dick had to walk to school and took his dinner.</p> <p>I fooled around with Frank and Dad made a scraper for the stable. This after noon it dried out a little and Frank and I picked hickory nuts. We got about a quarter of bushel. Allan and Miss Brent came over for a while with a bunch of kids. Quint came over after school with Dick and they went back shooting with Frank who has a 22 rifle. Quint stayed to tea,</p> <p>Bill came over after tea and got booked for {illegible} cutting corn. Quint went home with Bill. We played cards and {illegible} with marbles to-night. The two remaining kittens of the old white cat were dead this morning. The poor little things were probably starved to death.The old brute of a mother did not look after them at all.</p> <p>Daddy forgot and left the gate open into the wheat field and the {blamed?} cows came up and went in. The first time they have come up by themselves for about a month. Dick said {illegible Vardy?} and Miss Langs were married to-day and went to Simcoe with a big "just married" sign on the back of the automobile.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday September 28th</p> <p>Did not get up very early and it was colder than, I can't think of anything just now. I cut a little wood to get warm and when Bill came I went back and cut corn with him. We got on famously but Frank came back about ten and I went up to take Enah and him down town. Miss Phipps was here then.</p> <p><br />We got home about noon. About a dozen people (most of them related) came while Enah was off some place to inspect Frank and ask him the usual number of questions. We got some cartriges and we drove around a little. I cut corn with Bill all the after-noon and we can easily finish the piece tomorrow going at the same rate as to-day. Frank came back with his rifle and Bill gave him a few hints about shooting. Daddy got all the furrows run and cleaned to-day. He was planning a lot for to-morrow but Mrs. Cruise came and invited him over to thrash - and he accepted the invitation. Cool all day. Cloudy to-morrow.</p> <p>Friday September 29th</p> <p>It rained hard during the night so I did not get up very early. A lot of plaster fell in the clothes room last night and {burst?} the window. Dad went over to Cruises to thrash when it cleared off a little. Dick had to walk to school this morning and took his dinner.</p> <p>Frank and I fooled around till about eleven when Bill came over to cut corn. I thought it was too wet but was just right. We worked till dinner and till about four o'clock when it began to rain and we had to leave about an hours job. I had the chores all done and the cows nearly milked when Daddy got home.</p> <p><br />After tea I just about freeze and Dick and Frank played checkers and marbles. Frank got some pretty fair sized potatoes. Bill cannot come back now so Dad and I will have to finish the corn. Cool all day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday September 30th</p> <p>Did not get up early as I did not feel very well. Corby came before breakfast and Dick and Frank went off with him after chestnuts. They did not get back till after dark. They said they had good luck, they went to one place Corby paid the man a quarter for the tree and stayed there all day. It was up near the Glen. They saw old Bill walking home.</p> <p>Daddy and I went over and put a post in for the fence between the far wheat field and the gully. Then we went back about half past ten and and started to cut corn. We cut till dinner and finished the field this afternoon.</p> <p><br />Dad let Belle and Old Harry in the lane before noon and after dinner we found her with her leg caught in the wire which she had done by rolling. We had quite a time getting her out and had to cut one of the upright wires, but she was not hurt badly. Dad killed a couple of young Plymouth roosters for (words illegible due to being partly off the page} confirmation class to-morrow. Allan Law came after Dad to go to Edward {Eugla...} to see a sick mare but Dad told him to go to {illegible} Simcoe and get another man so he went to telephone. Then we all went down town in the lumber wagon with Ginger and Joe. Lila and Dorothy McCall came over and went down with {us?}. We got a stove off Cousin {Poll} and put it up to-night. Daddy and I walked down to meet Roy to-night and did not get to bed till late.</p> <p>Sunday September October 1st</p> <p>It was raining hard when I woke up this morning and it rained all morning. I did not get up till very late and none of us but Enah and Roy went down to church. Dad drove them down but it was raining too hard to walk.</p> <p>We read and slept till they came home and then we read and starved till about four o'clock when had dinner. Huby Lila and Quint came over after and Huby Roy and the four of we boys went back the lane with the gun. after mushrooms but did not fin any. Dick, Frank and Quint went back in the woods. (I thought it would be too wet) and got a wood cock, hawk and a big puff-ball. Clark Matthews was here for a while. Roy went down with Huby and Lila and is not back yet (10 o'clock) Quint came stayed here till about six o'clock and then went down to church with us boys. It was in the town-hall and they had it decorated for harvest home. Frank and I got reserved seats and Dick went under the gallery with Jim Law. We came home nearly right after</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday October 2nd</p> <p>Dad drove Roy down to the station first thing this morning. I had my breakfast with Roy before going for the cows and then milked them. Frank and I went out after hickory nuts but there were not many down and the wind was cold so we came in and shelled some of the chestnuts they got Saturday as Daddy brought them over this morning.</p> <p>Daddy shovelled some ditches and things and then hitched up the team and He, Frank and I went over to Blakie's and got some oats and the fanning mill. After dinner Enah &amp; Daddy drove down to Mr. Matthew {Martin's?} funeral and I sawed wood. Frank tried to shoot some bird's but failed in the attempt. Daddy left Enah at Woodson's and came back and got Frank and took him down to see Mr. Smith and aranged to have him start to school in his room to-morrow. They got back with Dick about five and Enah walked home. Then Dick and Frank went and rolled wheels down the hill in to the gully.</p> <p>After tea we all played a game called "Pit" which is meant to imitate the "Board of Trade" the principal object seems to be for each person to make as much noise as possible in as short a time as possible. Then Frank and I had a bath and Dick his feet. Quite chilly all day. Cloudy. I started reading "The Old Curiosity Shop" where I left off last {spring?}.</p> <p>Tuesday October 3rd</p> <p>I got up late this morning with a bad cold. Frank started school this morning with Dick. They both took their dinners. I sawed quite a litle bit of wood and Daddy fixed up the corn crib temporarily. Then he pitched the cornstalks that William's left over the orchard fence and I spread them under the trees.</p> <p>This after noon Daddy, Enah and I went up to the cemetary with the lumberwagon and tools &amp; materials, and Daddy fixed things up nicely there. The old man up there who was in there with his kid was giving Dad an account of all his troubles with the society. I guess the kid has a fine time in there. The squirrels are so thick and he has a fine place to practice jumping and leap-frog.</p> <p>We got home about five and Dick and Frank got home about the same time. It began to rain before we got home and rained quite hard. We got the ferns from Mrs. Battersby about the same time. I read "The Old Curiosity Shop" all evening.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday October 4th</p> <p>It rained hard last night and this morning is blowing to beat (I can't think of anything just now) all day. Daddy and I went out and had a look at the wheat and Dad thought he would run some ditches. Then we went back and we dug a basket full of potatoes and we husked a couple of shocks of corn. We got a bit over a bushel. We wanted it for the pigs. Then we cleaned up till noon. We worked all the afternoon back of the old house tidying up the rubbish so Dad can "plow" it.</p> <p>Mr. Vyse was over this after noon trying to persuade Dad to cut the clover of the corner field for seed. Dad went over with him but says he wont bother with it as it is not worthwhile. He said the Wardson's had a great time getting off this morning.</p> <p>Frank and Dick came home with a cauliflower and some celery from Mr. Smith. After tea Daddy spent in teaching or trying to teach Frank his spelling. As it has been a sou'west wind, it has been quite warm all day, but to-night the wind is veering. Daddy milked Fred to-day (and kept the calf away but she gave so little that he thought it would be better to let her raise the calf which she is making a fine job off. She put up an awful fuss all day.</p> <p>Thursday October 5th</p> <p>Dad and I loaded up the wagon with the rubbish around this morning and took it down to the marsh. We went around by town and got some meat and a film. We brought Huby over with us as he wanted to go with Dad to Old Mr. McBride's funeral this after noon. They left right after dinner and Dad got back about four having left Huby down town. Then he took Enah over to the McPherson's to see about getting a barrel of apples.</p> <p>I sawed wood and broke and made another leg on my saw-horse this afternoon. Frank and Dick did not get home till late to-night as Frank had to go to the dentist. Dick went down to Confirmation class to-night and Frank is having more fun with his spelling. Daddy has a very lame hip and back to-day. Huby was telling us to-day that Mrs. Gerard's husband has come back and she is toting him around as proud as a peacock. He has been married and had five children since he left her. He also said that Mrs. Ferris had eloped.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 6th</p> <p>Dad's hip has been very lame all day. This morning he ploughed the piece back of the old house which we are going to try to put in garden next year, as it is no good at all where it is and is lovely soil. I cleaned up a little around the yard. Daddy got through about noon.</p> <p>After dinner it began to rain and rained like "cats and dogs" all the after noon. I read "The Old Curiosity Shop" all aft. about and Daddy wrote to Aunty. About half past three he hooked up the little team and got Dick and Frank. He got the cows as he was all wet and I helped milk. He got the lock of the trunk we have worked so much at open to-day.</p> <p>I went to sleep reading to-night but they woke me up to play "Pit". I got even on them by winning two games. Frank found out to-day that he had spent about an hour last night learning the wrong spelling lesson. Just the same as I used too.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Jim Blakie, Frank Wiser, Katie Spain's husband and I were crowded into the back seat. Charlie Martin and Miss McCoy had the seat ahead. We went in and saw the church and it looks pretty fancy. They are painting a high pattern around the wall as high as high wainscotting would be and trimming around the windows and little round pictures all around the walls. After church Frank and I went down to the dock and he stayed down to Huby's for dinner and so did Dick. I went home to dinner.</p> <p>After dinner I went back and took a picture of the mound and after a while Daddy Tige the grey kitten and I went back to John Wess McBrides and Dad took him a neck yoke for the one he broke. We had a look all over the new farm. There was no-body around. We came back by our woods and wheat field. Dick got home about half past five and Frank about six. Frank went up creek with Quint and walked home from Black Creek Bridge.</p> <p>Daddy, Enah and I walked down to church. Nothing much doing except for Mr. Hobbs who spent most of his time trying to keep the preacher's dog out. I hung around awhile afterwards but soon came home. Frank was greatly taken with the full moon to-night. He never saw it so big.</p> <p>Monday October 9th</p> <p>I sawed wood most of the morning. Daddy drove Dick and Frank down to school and got a barrel from Old Maneer to pack apples for Uncle Hal. He is going to get them from Mr. Vyse. Lila came over this morning with a fat collie pup which came to them this morning. She thought it would be a fine farm dog but about noon a woman came and got it.</p> <p>This morning Daddy and I finished cleaning up the wheat. Then we went out and ran some cross ditches in the corner field where Daddy is going to plow. After tea Daddy and Dick drove Enah down to the A.G.P.A. shine and they got a wheel for the plow and then drove around town. Frank and I kept rough house but went to bed long before they got home.</p> <p>There was a caterpillar a red one with black ends in my boot this morning and I did not discover him till he had shed most of his pretty coat into my foot and it hurts like fun to-night. Froze hard last night and night before.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday October 10th</p> <p>Got up fairly early this morning and went out with Dad and we ran the rest of the cross ditches. Then Dad ploughed the rest of the day. I went over to Blakie's to see when he could husk some corn. Then I went over to Vyse's and helped him sort some of the apples for Uncle Hal. I came home at noon and picked some Tolman Sweets off our own trees for Mr. Campbell to go in Uncle Hal's barrel.</p> <p>After dinner I went back to Vyse's and he packed and leaded the barrel. I came back home and then went down town to get a rig to take the apples down with. I found Huby and Lila down there and he went with me and got Faulkner's dray and I went over and got them and took them down. Huby went down to see about them but Tasker could not find the rates. It began to rain about four but did not rain much. Frank got his wheel to-day and rode home. Lila has not been to school the last two days as Miss Skelby has a poisoned face.</p> <p>Wednesday October 11th</p> <p>Got up early again this morning. Dick and Frank rode their wheels to school this morning. I went out with Dad and pitched some sods out of the ditches that he had to plow across. I got my feet soaking wet and my foot got sore where the caterpillar slept in my boot all night so I came up and changed boot and socks. Then I went out and husked a shock of corn before dinner.</p> <p>I picked apples all the afternoon and got all the Northern Spies that I could reach with the step ladder and climbing off one of the trees. George Holden borrowed our ladder about a month ago and has not brought it back yet and not likely he will. Dad got it from him last spring but did not pay for it as Holden had borrowed it from Old Maneer in the first place.</p> <p>When the boys came home we picked more apples and Frank worked at his wheel and then went to look for potatoes in the jungle but only got a few. Mr. Blakie came over this after noon and husked fifteen shocks of corn. Dad has 6 {loads/lands} out of 40 plowed. Enah went down town this after noon to auxillary or some thing but found remembered when she got down that it was not till to-morrow. She heard that Hannah {illegible} and Lloyd Crysler were married yesterday, and also that Mrs. Ferris was back with her family again not likely she ever left.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday October 12th</p> <p>Went out again this morning and dug mud out of the ditches where Dad is plowing. Then I came up to the house, did a few chores around, and Frank and I opened up some ditches, one out of the buck wheat field which is full of water. Frank did not have to go to school to-day as it was Teacher's Convention.</p> <p>This afternoon I went over to Bannister's and borrowed a ladder to pick the rest of the Northern Spies. I got a little over a bushel off the two trees. Frank wrote letters all the afternoon and about four o'clock went down to the dentist's and got his tooth finished up.</p> <p><br />We all went down to-night to hear the Polmatics sisters whom the orchestra got to come. They were fine for instrumental music but not much for singers, a fine cornet player and violinist. Another played all sorts of things such as, Tuberphone and Xylophone, which were played with hammers same principle as bells. Fine day to-day. Blakie husked more corn.</p> <p>Friday October 13th</p> <p>Sawed a little wood and cleaned up the stables. Bill Donald came at last this morning to cut the buck wheat, he had a pretty bad time some places for the mud. I went out with him and went around the first time to throw the sheaves out. About eleven his wife and daughter came over with his dinner and they stayed all day and shocked it up for him. There were a couple of places he could not cut wth the binder but will have to take the scythe to them on Monday. I cleaned out the corn crib and Frank and I fixed it a little, and Dad finished it after dinner.</p> <p>This after noon Daddy, Frank and I went out with Harry and Belle and got the corn that Blakie had husked. We got all we could pile on the wagon-box which was over 27 bushels from thirty shocks. Bob Miller came over and invited Dad to go and see a heifer he had at the slaughter house at 7 am. to-morrow. Frank and Dad went out about five and helped them shock up a little. Dick has been away all day with Ferdie as this is {a} Civic holiday and school is closed. He was going to Simcoe to see a foot ball match between Dover and Simcoe but he could not get a ride with any one who was coming home by six so did not go. To-night we all went over to Blakie's and played Pit. Had a great time teaching them the game.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 14th</p> <p>Dad went over to the slaughter house this morning to see about the heifer that Bob told him about last night. He arranged to take it for a load of hay and the calf they got last spring. Dad only got a little plowing done this morning and none at all this after noon as Bannister came over this morning to get him to go over there to see their pigs. Frank and I cleared up a little around and did chores. I got one foot in up above my shoe tops in a hole of old barn-yard-extract of manure (sweet).</p> <p>This after noon we boys were all going to husk corn but Mr. Vyse came over after the mower and invited Frank and I over to his buckwheat field where we spent a very enjoyable afternoon pitching buckwheat out of the road of the mower. Mr. Vyse mowed part of the time and then Mr. Fawset the rest. The field was very wet and muddy and Mr. Vyse gave Frank a quarter to clean it off.</p> <p>When we came home we all went back and got another load of corn. Edith Lawrie was over here to tea and after tea all the choir came out and spent the evening. We all played Pit most of the evening while ones that did not like it sang and played {Hot Time?}.</p> <p>Sunday October 15th</p> <p>We all got up this morning about 10 o'clock except Dad who got up early and did the chores. We had breakfast or dinner I just forget now which we decided to call it about eleven. After that Frank and I went for a drive with Josie down the lake shore to the school house around by black creek. and home via the mill. When we came home we fooled around looking for hickory nuts and one thing and another till tea time.</p> <p>After tea I went down town but did not stay late but came home as far as he came with Art. Quanberry. I stayed around the Methodist Sunday School most of the time. Dad, Dick and Frank went down to Sam. Law's to night to see when he could come to thrash but no-body was home. Dick was down town wth Ferdie all afternoon. None of us were at church to-day. Dick said Aunty Maude told him Mr. Johnson was very disappointed that there were so few kids in church as this was childrens day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday October 16th</p> <p>This morning Dad went down to Sam Law's again but he was not home but he found out that Vyse had been down and seen him anyway. I did chores around and cleaned up all I could find between the horse stable and the big barn.</p> <p>George Holden came about ten o'clock to pick the apples. His gang consisted of Hilt, Moor, Wiser and Billy Loan. They were here all day and got eight bbls {barrels} all together. Six of Canada Red's, 1 1/2 of Seek-no-Furthers, and 1/2 bbl of Spies. I gathered up all their culls I could this after noon. I also took a picture of the bunch.</p> <p>Cousin Loll and Cousin Bessy were out this after noon. Dick went down to {Anderson's} sale this after noon. Dad got a good lot plowed to-day. Mr. Blakie husked some more corn this morning. Bayly and Miller's butcher, Mr. Tuck brought the heifer out to-night. Mr. Johnson was out to-night I guess on business. Daddy, Dick and I went out after tea to-night and picked up more apples.</p> <p>Tuesday October 17th</p> <p>Got up at the usual hour this morning with out being called, first time I have done such a thing since we have been on the farm. It looked so much like rain that Daddy and I went back after breakfast and got the corn Blakie husked yesterday. It began to rain while we were back there and has kept it up all day, and is raining yet. We just left the corn in the wagon and put Holden's apples in the barn as he had just left them in the old shed. We also took the knife out of the mower which took us quite awhile. Then we started to fix the pig pen floor and finished it after dinner.</p> <p>I spent most of the after noon in watching mud - not a very cheerful occupation but there was nothing else to do. The boys took their dinner to school but got pretty wet. This was the first day of the Simcoe Fair, I hope they had a nice time {written in different text} Beautiful Day - Slush</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday October 18th</p> <p>It was too wet for Daddy to plow this morning so he opened some ditches in the wheat field. I fooled around and helped Dad do some little things we had left for a rainy day. Enah went down town to get some things for Frank, as this is his birthday. We celebrated it to-night at supper. I got a nickel out of his cake.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad plowed all this afternoon and I got the apples that were on the lawn crated. I also sawed wood and did the chores. I took a picture of the interior of the horse stable but I could not keep the horses from switching their tails so I don't suppose it will be any good. Dick and Frank rode their wheels to-day but took them through Martins. We three boys think we will go to Simcoe Fair to-morrow. The High School petitioned for a holiday but Mr. Liddy said he would {illegible} school for those who wanted to go come but he did not object to any staying away to go to the fair.</p> <p>Thursday October 19</p> <p>Frank, Dick and I started out for Simcoe with Joe about 9 o'clock this morning. We left her at Mr. Frank Bawlby's where Mrs. Bawlby said she would be looked after we walked on in to the fairground and got there about eleven. We went through the buildings first and saw the usual collection of fruit, vegetables, grain, fancy work, stock implements etc. Then we just wandered along Frank and I spent most of our time watching a fellow who had a cage of bees. The things were crawling all over every body around but would not sing. The fellow was right in with them and would scoop them out of the hive by the hand full and rub them over his face without being hurt. We also saw a review of Boy Scouts which was very poor. Doug Henderson was Scout Master, but not the only one.</p> <p>We left the grounds about three and went to Dreamland where they had on a couple of pretty good comedy films. We got home about six. Joe behaving herself pretty well except she shied nearly into the ditch at a cone and she did not go very well. {word off the page - Daddy?} had plowed all day and evidently got on very well. Bill Donald cut the rest of the buckwheat. If all is well Aunty will be starting from Fort Saskatchewan for Dover in about three or four hours.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday October 20th</p> <p>Dick was sick last night Simcoe was too much for him. He did not go to school all day but is a little better to-night. I sawed a lot of wood and finished up my wood pile. Then I cleaned out the stables and rubbed down Joe &amp; Ginger. Then I picked up the good pears under Titus' favorite tree. I picked apples all the afternoon, and got all off one Tollman Sweet tree and all that were on a Spittsonburg but there were only a few.</p> <p><br />Frank got quite a few hickory nuts this afternoon. Daddy plowed and got quite a lot done. The two Miss Haldings Miss. Morgan and Miss Buckwell drove Isacks pacer over this afternoon. Mrs. Barwell was in to-night to see Dad about leasing {for grass?}. Miss Philip was over this morning to get some more butter as she said she liked the last very much.</p> <p>Saturday October 21st</p> <p>Dad went over to Vyse's this morning after some sacks to pack up the wheat and I got some wood and cleaned the stables. When he came back we hooked up Harry and Belle to the wagon dumped the corn that was in it and Frank Daddy and I went and got two loads more before dinner and left one to unload.</p> <p>This afternoon we sacked up the rest wheat that we could. I say we but I did very little of it. Frank started to hold the sacks for Dad then he went to gather hickory nuts and I held them for awhile and then Dick came out and finished and I slept I guess in the hay with Tige. They got twenty sacks and there is quite a bit left. Daddy and I went out and got the rest of the corn which was not quite a wagon box full. We did not get through chores till quite late to-night. Lila came over this afternoon and she &amp; Frank went out and got a lot of hickory nuts. Dick is quite a lot better to-day but not well yet. I guess we are in for a bath to-night, may get out of it though.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday October 22nd</p> <p>All except Dick went down to church this morning. Frank and I went down first to Sunday School or what was meant to be Sunday school but was really just a practice for children's day which is to be held again in two weeks at the reopening of the church.</p> <p>It was sprinkling whent we got out of church and was raining hard by the time we got home. Frank wanted to go and see Mr. Taylor about his bees but I persuaded him not to, on account of the rain. It rained till about two or three o'clock and began to blow like fun and is yet. I wrote a letter about the first thing after dinner, then went in the parlour where the rest of the family were gathered and enjoyed some music.</p> <p>About four o'clock I went out and fooled around and went back after the cows. Frank and I went down after five to post my letter. The creek was so high that Frank thought he would go down to the dock. The waves were not extra high but he was delighted with them. We got home soon after dark. No body went down to church to night. Dick is still feeling sore but is better.</p> <p>Saturday Monday October 23rd</p> <p>I woke up myself this morning and got up before Dad. Frank also got up early and stubbed his toe which has been very sore all day. Daddy went over to Blakie's first thing this morning and sacked up a lot of oats. I got some wood of different kinds for a collection and also cut a little. Dad got back about 10.30 and we hooked up to the wagon and went over and got the oats. Daddy also helped Blakie with his pigs for quite awhile. We got back quite a bit after noon. Mr. Vyse was over for awhile after dinner.</p> <p>Daddy and I went after dinner down to the mill with the wheat we had sacked up and got some bran. Dad went home and got a wagon load of rails and I took Mr. Vyse's bags back to him. Mr. Holden came over when we came up to the house with the rails and took the apples down and also paid Dad $12 for them.</p> <p>I went back after the cows to-night and just about got drowned with rain going back &amp; it also hailed and was colder than {Toby has drawn a wee sketch here}. Stan was in to-night before tea and says they are getting on fine down there. He is up on a little excursion buying hay for some big company down there. It has been very windy to-day and dark and cloudy for the bigger part of the day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday 24th October</p> <p>Beautiful day. Dad plowed all day and I messed around. Frank's toe was so sore he could not go to school to-day but stayed home and wrote letters and ate cookies that Enah was making. I fooled around and did chores and such as that. This afternoon I picked apples. Dick went to school to-day.</p> <p><br />We all quit early so as to get a good start to the station to meet Aunty &amp; Win. The cows came up of their own accord to celebrate the occasion. Frank drove down with Daddy &amp; Enah on account of his sore toe and Dick and I went on foot. We left at the same time but Dick and I beat. We waited till about half past nine for the train. Cousin Clare and Huby were on with Aunty. We went up to Huby's where Aunty is to stay for a day or so and stayed till about eleven ten o'clock.</p> <p>Wednesday October 25th</p> <p>It looked very rainy this moning and Dad was going to haul in the corn but he thought he would plow till noon. I cleaned up a little around the {----yard?}. Frank did not go to school to-day either.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad just went out to finish a land that he had struck out very crooked before any one went along the road. I went out with him and opened up a ditch. Then I came back and bummed around with Frank, for Enah had gone down town to see Aunty and get some presents for Lila. She said she would be home at half past four, and did pretty well by being home a little after six and with neuralgia at that. Dad came up about three o'clock and we went back and got a load of corn but did not have time to unload it and had to leave some in the field.</p> <p>I spent most of the evening in writing this thing which I think I have kept about long enough now that Aunty is home. Then Enah got think she was funny and poured about a dipper full of water on me and then on my diary on purpose. {illegible} whats the {illegible}</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday October 26th</p> <p>Did not do any thing much but the usual chores. Aunty &amp; Win came over about ten and I stayed around with them till noon. Dad plowed all day. Frank went to school to-day although his toe was pretty sore.</p> <p>This afternoon Vyse hauled his buckwheat. He had Jim Blakie helping him I helped them mow it away when they brought it. We put it the hay to thrash here when Bill Donald thrashes his. While they were getting loads I did nothing much but read &amp; finished "The Old Curiosity Shop".</p> <p>Dick and I went down to Huby's to-night for tea as it is Lila's birthday. Frank went there right after school &amp; stayed all night. We came home about nine or half past.</p> <p><br />Russel Shay was down for a little while. He is just been having his holidays. Huby was at a political meeting in St. Williams, nominating for the Provincial elections in December. Old Quint did the carving on a chicken and had it all over the place. It has been a beautiful day to-day.</p> <p>Friday October 27th</p> <p>I spent most of the morning in sawing wood and finished up my pile. It was very cold all day. It snowed a little last night and was drizzling rain this morning. Daddy plowed all morning and finished soon after dinner. Then we got a load of corn and just left it in the wagon by the corn crib. I threw out most of what was in the wagon while Dad finished plowing the field. The boys' both took their dinners.</p> <p>Frank got home about about five but Dick did not get home till six. He was down watching a football game between Dover &amp; Simcoe. The score was 0-0. Blakie has all our corn husked now and there is about a load more in the field.</p> <p>Dad went down town to see Aunty to-night. I sat around most of the evening and got warm and listened to Enah teaching Frank all sorts of things which he was supposed to think was geography but he did not think any thing about it. I think guess.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday October 28th</p> <p>It froze the hardest yet last night ice 1/4 inch thick, but was a beautiful day. We had planned to do all kinds of things to-day but Mr. Flemming came over this morning and gave Dad a bid to his thrashing this afternoon. We spent most of the morning in getting in the rest of the corn, and finished. We have about 900 bushels. Frank helped us. Dick was down town after some stuff. This afternoon Dad of course put in at the Flemmings and Dick went down and got the mail and then helped Frank get hickory nuts.</p> <p><br />Enah went down town this after noon. I went over right after dinner to Bill Donald's to see what about the buckwheat as Sam Law said he could thrash it on Monday but Bill was in Beautford and will not be back until Monday anyway. I did not do any thing else much but the chores. Dad got home about six. He and Dick have gone down to night to meet Roy and they have not got back yet as the train is just in (9 o'clock).</p> <p>Sunday October 29th</p> <p>Did not get up till late this morning and did not go down to Sunday School, but Dick and Frank went down. They were going to have church in the town hall again but, George Steel did not light the furnace and the door was locked into the cellar so they got frozen out and had to ajourn to the Sunday School where it was just as hot as the other was cold.</p> <p>I stayed at Huby's for dinner with Dick and Frank and Aunty and Roy went over home. We fooled around with the football for awhile after dinner and then Warren Skey came down and Dick, Frank and I went for a walk with him down the lake shore. When we got back Frank and I went over to Mr. Taylor's where we found Mr. &amp; Mrs. Willie Taylor. When we were coming home we met Daddy and Aunty who had been at the cemetry and Aunty was just coming back to Huby's. I went home with Daddy and helped him do the chores and walked down to church again after tea with Roy. After tea church I went down to Huby's where most of the Mr. J. Skey's family were assembled. He has been up preaching to-day. He, Warren &amp; Jim were arranging for a hunt to-morrow.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday October 30th</p> <p>This being Thanksgiving Day Roy did not have to catch the train as he usually does on Monday morning but stayed in bed till dinner time then went down town and came back with Aunty about four o'clock to say good-bye. Vyse came over this morning and he and Dad put the rack on the wagon and hauled in the buck wheat. I did not help in the field only for one load when Vyse went home for dinner but after the first load helped in the mow and did chores and fooled around in the meantime. Bill Donald came in about five and Vyse went home and he took his place. They worked till quite a while after dark but got it all in.</p> <p>I milked and had an awful time with the calf as she got loose and pulled me all around at last I tied her up to the fence but she ripped a board off that and then went in. Frank went down to a shine in the Sunday School and I went down with him and stayed at Huby's with Aunty and Quint till he and Dick came home about eleven. Dick went down this after noon.</p> <p>They had a shooting match to-day and Frank caught a wounded pigeon that sought refuge over here. Beautiful day this forenoon but away to-night.</p> <p>Tuesday October 31st</p> <p>It rained last night quite a lot and there is nothing this morning but a cold fog and sweet, mushy mud. Bill Donald came over soon after breakfast which we had late and he hooked his team up to the wagon and we unloaded the jag of loose stuff they put on last night in the dark. Then we went back and got a load of rails.</p> <p>I cleanded the stables and did chores while they unloade and got another load of rails one they put up near the house the other out at the farm for the thrashers. He brought over this morning some squash, potatoes and cabbages for the thrashers but much more that they would eat.</p> <p>After dinner he helped clear up the yard and then went up to see Sam Law. and Dad sawed some wood and I just fooled around and got warm and in Enah's road, at least tried to. When Bill came back he said Sam Law would not be here to-morrow so we don't know nor don't care much about it. Jim Blakie was over with a sick mare. It has been rotten all day and is in that state to-night so we celebrated Hallowe'en by sittin' round the stove.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 1st</p> <p>It was very cold this morning and pretty chilly all day. We didn't do much this morning. About eleven o'clock we hooked up Joe and Ginger &amp; went down town after a few household requisites. We were going to bring Aunty over with us to stay but she was looking after the place for Aunty Maude who had to be up at the store. Frank &amp; Dick could not ride to-day so had their dinner at Huby's.</p> <p>After dinner Dad &amp; I went over to Cruise's sale and hung around till after four o'clock, without bidding on anything. They were only about half through when we left, selling the house stuff. When we came home Dad hooked up the team again and went down and got Aunty. I went to water old Harry and the big fool jumped away and kicked and ran out back of the barn where he got his chain twisted around his leg. I tried to get him but could not so left him there. Dick Quint &amp; Frank came over and Dick got him. Quint stayed to tea but as it was raining or snowing or something he went home right after supper.</p> <p>Thursday November 2nd</p> <p>Dad and I were roaming about the house last night. Dad to fasten banging doors as the wind was terrific then and I to see what Tige was barking at. but it was too cold to bother although she kept up off and on for about half an hour. It froze very hard last night and has been cold with a little snow &amp; biting west wind all day.</p> <p>Dad and I cleaned up over in the big barn this morning prepairing for the threshers. This after noon we cut quite a lot of wood and tidied up the old house a little and have blocked all the openings to keep any ordinary chicken out but two or three fiends in the shape of black minorca hens got in despite all our pains. Then we worked around doing our chores {illegible}. Sam Law came to-night and said he would be here about ten o'clock to-morrow. It is very cold to-night and will unless something very strange happens freeze like frost to-night. More fun with Frank and his lessons after tea. Aunty is after him {next?}.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Friday November 3rd</p> <p>First thing this morning I went over to Bill Donald's to tell them about the thrasher. He had not got back from his sister's funeral yet but Mrs. Donald said she would send word to the men. I came through Cruise's but did not see any thing of him. I also told Louis's. I got home a little before the machine came.</p> <p>I did not do a thing all day except a few chores. I haven't had a better day all summer for although there have been lots of days when I have not done any more but have not had the pleasure of seeing the others work so hard. We got all the buck wheat threshed but it did not turn out very well only 70 bushels and got started on the alsike. We will finish it up to-morrow. Bill Donald got home at noon and helped us till night. Mrs. Donald also came over to help Enah and so did Mrs. Vyse.</p> <p>It was a fine day to-day cold but not as bad as yesterday and is milder to-night. Aunty went down to Huby's for tea and Huby came over with her after tea.</p> <p>Saturday November 4th</p> <p>Got up before day light this morning and we got started with the machine in good time. Did not have so easy a time this morning. Was in the mow pitching alsike with Billy Louis and Mr. Flemming till we got it nearly all thrashed then Bill Donald came. Dad was on the stack and nearly made it fall against the barn as he went by what different ones told him was in the mow he started to top it out two or three times and then had to built it out again. We got over four bushels of alsike and it is now worth $10 a box. We got two loads of oats thrashed before dinner and finished soon after. Dick and I and Mr. Flemming were in the mow before dinner and Mr. Blakie helped us after. Bill Donald ran the blower and we put the straw in the mow so nobody had to be in there with it. we go 120 bushels of oats but they were very late.</p> <p>We did not do anything the rest of the after noon except hang around and watch Sam Law clean out the engine which he left here together with the clover mill till Monday. Dick went down town with Bill Donald who was going to get his horses shod. He came in and got his buckwheat on his way home. I feel rather plugged up with dust to-night but not near so bad as the last time we thrashed. I guess we are all in for a bath to-night. I don't see much chance of getting out of it.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday November 5th</p> <p>We got up late this morning and as there was no Sunday School this morning took our time going to church. We three boys walked down first and Aunty, Daddy and Enah came down later. The church was reopened this morning and looked fine. The bishop was to have been there but could not come so sent his man. He dedicated the three memorial pieces that had been put in The pulpit in memoriam of Bishop Baldwin, the brass desk of Mr. Skey and the prayer desk of {Fa?}.</p> <p><br />Daddy and Enah went home for dinner and but the rest of us stayed at Huby's. We went up to church at three o'clock with Aunty to a Children's Day service. After that Frank and I walked up the beach and stayed to Huby's again for tea. Aunty went over to Mrs. Battersby's for tea and Dick came home. I went up to church after tea but was so late that I went behind the organ. So really did not intend to go at all. I found Fatty Turner and Wiser there who said Dad had come down with Enah but had gone off again to kill Holden's old mare. He and Dick came in before church was out.</p> <p>After church I waited quite a while with Aunty for Aunty Maude who was at Miss Battersby's but as she did not come Aunty went down with Daddy and I went down and came home with Frank soon afterward. We went to bed by moonlight as Daddy, Enah and Dick stopped into Mrs. Battersby's on their way home to see Mr. {Gasnon?} who is giving away {som?}. Aunty stayed down to-night as she wants to see about some things to-morrow. It has been a beautiful day and is a beautiful night.</p> <p>Monday November 6th</p> <p>It started to rain soon after we got up this morning and rained all day. It has stopped now and is quite mild. Sam Law came this morning with his man to get his engine he worked around for quite awhile but it was too wet to take it.</p> <p>I went down to Vyse's to borrow his post auger as he intended to fix up the barnyard fence if it cleared off and found him getting ready to come after his buckwheat, so I got a ride. He also brought our cultivator teeth that go on the drill and some {punkins?}. After dinner we cut a little wood and braided corn and sat around reading and watching it rain till it was time to do chores. We also put in the piece that fits in over the doors in the loft of the horse stable and nailed on the boards that the threshers knocked off this morning.</p> <p>I have had a sore throat ever since the thrashing and to night I am getting a cold and my throat is getting better. I spent most of the evening drawing a picture from "Punch"</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday November 7th</p> <p>It has been blowing a North West wind good and strong all day.</p> <p><br />We did not get any thing done at all to-day. Sam and Alan Law and young Philip were here all day working with their engine as something has gone bust on it. The boiler was leaking. We were going to take the wagon down and get our potatoes from Bob Law. but he did not like to leave the men there with the engine for fear of fire. I fooled around in the house most of the morning.</p> <p>This after noon I cut some wood and went down town with Enah. I got my cheque from Ottawa at the Post Office and deposited it in the Crown. I have it all in there now and have $98.98. Then I got my hair cut and went down to wait at Huby's for Enah who was at Auxillary. I waited with Nig. till Quint and Frank came and fooled around and at last went home with Dick who came soon after and left Frank to wait for Enah.</p> <p>Bill Oaks was over this morning and got booked for a job whenever he was wanted and also some money from Dad as he says he has a chance to buy a home and wants to make a first payment. Aunty hasn't come home yet and says she won't be back till Thursday.</p> <p>Wednesday November 8th</p> <p>The men came this morning and got their engine and outfit and took it away at last. They evidently had some more trouble with it at the top of the hill out here. Guy {Tuple?} came before they were gone to see what was the matter with them I suppose.</p> <p>Dad and I wasted most of the forenoon, trying to raise the rack of the wagon up on the beam after a lot of trouble with the Hay fork ropes and Stan's heel windlass we took the wings off and and got it off in pieces. Then it was about eleven o'clock and too late to go down town so we went and pulled mangles till noon and got the biggest part of them up.</p> <p>This after noon we went down with Harry and Belle and went to get the potatoes but they were not sorted and we didn't have time so we said we would be down Saturday. So we got some groceries and Dad paid his taxes and we got the cider press for Frank. We got John Quanbury and took him home. We also saw Bob Blakie and he said he would meet us but he don't. We got our mangles when we got home and put them down cellar and then did {illegible}. It has been a beautiful day and looks like Indian Summer coming.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday November 9th</p> <p>Dad and I both went back for the plow this morning after cutting enough wood till noon. We spent a lot of time when we got over in the field while Lambkins took the hay off striking out head land furrows and dead furrows and as old Harry was kittenish and Belle was mean from being in so long. However we got on fairley well. I had a good plowing lesson.</p> <p>We had a great deal of trouble after dinner getting Charlotte back into the orchard as she had broken the fence. Dad then went back and plowed and I did up chores ready for night and then went back with the shovel and opened up some ditches out of the field Dad was plowing in. Then the cows went up so I had to go up and put them in, so I stayed and did the rest of the chores.</p> <p><br />Enah went down town to a tea meeting or something this afternoon and Aunty came back with her. We did not get through tea till late. Another beautiful day.</p> <p>Friday November 10th</p> <p>It rained hard last night so we could not plow till this afternoon and then it was pretty mucky. We did the chores up and I cleaned out the pigeon pens. Dad piled a lot of straw in front of the cow stable which made thing's much better as it would "bog a duck" (as Dad say's) before. We piled the potatoes we got from Chris Quanbury down cellar.</p> <p>Enah went down to her sister's Mrs MacPherson's and spent the day. Aunty looked after things here for her. Dad went back to plow right after dinner. I went back after I cut some wood and done up the stables. It was too muddy for me to have a satisfactory lesson so I dug ditches. I came up and brougt the cows about five and did chores and helped Frank get a few apples to make cider.</p> <p>Lila and Margaret McCall were over this afternoon impersonating Mrs. Gerard and Rina Turner just got married to Mr. Hamacker, {respectively?} Aunty went down with them as Huby wanted her to go down, and stay all night as he and Aunty Maud were invited to the Harding's.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 11th</p> <p>Dad hooked the big teams on to the lumber wagon and he, Dick, Frank and I went down town. We went to Huby's first and got a wagon load of boxes and other things. Then we went up to Bob Law's to sort out the potatoes. We got about four or five bushels out of them. We got home about noon. We found Edith Lawrie here with Nipper who was sick and shut up in the stable so he would not fight Tige. She brought him over for Dad to look at.</p> <p>Dad plowed all the after noon. I helped Frank make cider most of the after noon we got quite a lot. Ferdie came over about noon and he and Dick went down town. Dick got home about dark ringing the old cow bell which Aunty had found while cleaning out the store room down home. Dad was afraid it was lost as we looked for it last spring and could not find it. He felt badly about it as it has been down home so long, ke knew it as soon as he heard it.</p> <p>Charlie Shand was over to-day to see Dad about a sick dog too. It has been a beautiful day, but there seems to be a wind getting up to-night. There is thunder and ligning also to-night which they say at this season is a token of mild weather we will see if all's {illegible}.</p> <p>Sunday November 12th</p> <p>It was raining "cats and dogs" when we awoke this morning and evedently had been performing in the same manner most of the night. None of us went to Sunday school but all began to prepare for church but me. But as the time drew nigh to start it was snowing so hard and looked so rotten out that Dad and Enah thought better of it and decided to stay "to home". Dick and Frank however bundled up and went down.</p> <p>It began to be very cold about this time and Dad went out to get the calves out of the orchard and just about fainted from getting his hands so cold, as he had no gloves in. However he got the calves comfortably housed in the old stable. I read all morning "The Dragon and the Raven".</p> <p>It stopped snowing about one o'clock and I went down town soon after. It was freezing but was still muddy. The wind was still very strong as it had been all day but was veering from N.W. to W. The creek was very high all over the marsh. I went into Hubys and then down to the docks accompanied by Quint, Frank and Dick. The wind was enough to blow a fellow off especially as the ice on the pier made it hard to maintain a foothold. Huby came down soon afterwards to see if we were all right. We did not stay there long but went over on the beach where we fooled around till my ears got cold and Quint got ready for home and we went up in the park for a while and then home. Frank went home with me and and Dick went in search of Ferdy and got home not long after we did. We stayed "to home" all evening reading playing the mouth organ and such and listening to the wind which is picking up a glorious rumpus.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday November 13th</p> <p>When the house was aroused this morning all were surprised to find any water left in the kitchen was frozen. The water in the bird cage was frozen, and the lillie in the hall was toughed. Although this was the state of things in the house, the water in the horse stable was not frozen. It was very cold outside and was made more intense by as strong wind.</p> <p>I started to saw wood and Daddy and Enah began to get the stoves ready to move. I broke the frame of my saw which was not much account anyway, so I went down to Huby's to get his saw and also to get him to come and help us move the stove. We spent the rest of the morning getting the stove up. We moved the big stove into the inside kitchen and the little stove in the hall. We did not do any thing much but chores and I cut wood. It has been exceedingly cold all day. And it hopes feels as if it would be a cold night.</p> <p>Tuesday November 14th</p> <p>It was a great deal milder to-day than yesterday. Old Bill turned up about seven o'clock as he had stayed down at Huby's all night. We started to work first thing on the winter pen for the chickens {illegible the?} on the big barn. We covered the top with the old hay that Titus had left in the other end of the shed which we intend using for a calf and sheep pen. We were nearly all morning at this and we did the same to the calf pen with the remainder of the hay.</p> <p>This after noon we fixed up a coop for the chickens to roost in one corner of the shed with a couple of big doors of the horse stable before it was fixed up. Dad went down town about five o'clock after tar paper and poultry netting to enclose the shed. He met the boys on their way home from school and Dick went back with him and helped him bring home his purchases. I did chores and Bill helped me milk.</p> <p>It began to snow quite hard to-night and Bill thought he would be able to follow the track of a fox he had seen signs of yesterday on his way down so Dad said he would spare him tomorrow morning and he went down to Huby's to stay to-night as he had left his gun there and wanted to get an early start.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 15th</p> <p>Dad and I worked all morning putting up the wire around the new chicken pen. We also put up more tar paper in the pen and put boards around the top and bottom of the wire. While I was in the barn this morning I saw the old grey cat that Williams left catch a great big rat and eat it.</p> <p>This afternoon we hung the door to the chicken pen and finished it up. About three o'clock Dad hooked up Joe and Ginger and went down to get Aunty and Lila came back with them. I cleaned out the stable while they were gone and then sawed wood. Dad did the chores and I helped milk.</p> <p>Tonight Dad, Lila and Dick are out to catch the chickens and put them in their new pen Lila is holding the light for them and is enjoying herself immensely. Aunty said Bill and Quint started off this morning after the fox. They got as far as Wally's and saw the fox with a chicken, so Bill went on after him and Quint came on home. It snowed a good inch last night and there were bob sleighs out this morning. The sun was very bright and it thawed a lot all day, but it is colder to-night.</p> <p>Thursday November 16th</p> <p>Bill came in this morning before any of us were up. He said he shot the fox yesterday and sold the skin to a fellow from Simcoe as soon as he shot it. There were three Simcoe fellows with a hound after it.</p> <p>We put the rack on the wagon and Dad and Bill went after a load of rails to fix the barn yard fence while I sawed some wood. Phil. {Shaver?} came after Dad while they were out there. I helped them unload. Bill started to work at the fence and Dad and I got a load of poor rails to saw up for fire wood. Bill hung some gates this afternoon and Dad helped him and I just fooled around and took about a half an hour to get my feet warm and dry. When they got through with the gates, Dad went down to the mill with Joe and Ginger to get a bag of flour and Bill cut a good pile of wood. I did a few chores.</p> <p>Aunty and Enah went down town this after noon. Lila spent most of her time feeding the chickens and sleigh riding. She went all the way down town after her sleigh and every body around was looking to her. It was a lot warmer to-day but is cold now. Poor Mickey Law had his leg nearly cut off to-day while he was working down at the fish shanties. We don't know exactly how it happened but the freight car ran over him and they don't expect him to live.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>November 17th Friday</p> <p>Dad was awakened this morning about four o'clock by the piteous cries of his little pet canary, the wild one. He came out and found a rat, the rat we have all been plotting against and trying catch for the last two or three weeks chewing the little canary's leg. He scared it into the pantry and blocaded the door and then broke the old wooden spoon that Mr. Moon made killing the rat but he did kill it. He let it, the canary go till noon and then found that its leg was broken right off so he had to kill it.</p> <p><br />Bill and Lila Dad and I went out and got a hauled corn stalks. We got three loads jags in and unloaded by noon and there is about another jag standing and the rest are all down and too wet to bring in. It began to sleet about noon and soon turned into rain. It rained all the after noon and is yet and much milder to-night. All the snow has vanished and given place to - mud.</p> <p>Bill went down town this afternoon. Dad and I did not do much but chores this after noon. I read "The O' Ruddy" most of the time and find it is an excellent book.</p> <p>Saturday November 18th</p> <p>It was a brute of a day - rain, sleet and wind. and to-night it is blowing and freezing. I spent about an hour this morning greasing up my old boots. Then I went out and helped Frank get in Dad's road while he was trying to put a window in his new chicken coop so the feathered fools could see to go to roost.</p> <p>I went over to Vyse's about noon with a buck-saw blade to get him to {illegible} it. Dick and Lila went down town this morning to wish Aunty Maude a happy birthday and Lila of course stayed. Dad, Frank and Dick went back to where Dad was blowing to open a ditch. When they came back Dick went down town and Frank and I played hide and seek in the old barn all afternoon. I wanted to see how it would work to {illegible} a hole I made yesterday in the straw right on to the {goal?}. Dad did the work. I read "The O' Ruddy" to-night. I seen a possible chance of getting out of having a bath to-night as Dick is catching it now.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday November 19th</p> <p>Snowed first thing this morning till the ground was covered and then stopped and remained cold for the rest of the day. Aunty and we three boys went down to Sunday school and Dad and Enah came down to church. It was hot enough in church to cook eggs and the smell of paint is still strong. Mr. Johnson preached an awfully long sermon.</p> <p>All stayed to Huby's for dinner except Dad, who went home to do chores. I stayed with Frank there most of the afternoon fooling around with Quint. We came home about half past four and went down to Sam Law's to look for a little hickory nut tree.</p> <p><br />Dick went off right after dinner with Ferdie but just got home after tea. I read a little out of "The O' Ruddy" and then Enah read the rest of the evening a continued story of the Sunday School magazine which was very interesting but annoying because it came to a stop in an exciting place.</p> <p>Monday November 20th</p> <p>Dad went over to Mr. Vyse's this morning to see if he had the saw sharpened but found he had gone down to see Mickey Law as they had sent for him for because they did not expect Mickey to live. I piled a lot of rails in the wood shed while he was gone.</p> <p>{En.?} Lambert came after him and I told him he was at Vyses, but he missed him. Dad said he didn't care unless the fellow wanted to pay his bill which was unlikely as he had owed it for three or four years. I went over to Vyse's after dinner but he could not sharpen the saw for a day or so so left me his saw. It was good and sharp so I used it for quite a while after I got back. Dad worked out at the old chicken house. I got the job later in the day pp watching cookies from burning which I did but stuffed my self so chock full I thought I'd burst.</p> <p>I read "The O' Ruddy" all evening and found it was getting better. It has snowed all day to day but is quite mild. Poor old Tige has sneaked in the last two nights behind the kitchen stove and stayed till Dad takes her out to the stable when he goes.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday November 21st</p> <p>Did the chores all up then I went and soaked my sore toe and finished "The O' Ruddy" which I was very loathe to do. Dad put on a new piece of roofing paper in place of the one that blew off the chicken house the other night. We also let Davy out for a little run this morning.</p> <p>Did not do anything much this after noon but chores and sawed some wood. Enah went down town to see if they had heard how her sister Mrs. Johnson was but I guess tney hadn't.</p> <p><br />When Dick came home he told me that poor Mickey Law died this morning. He also said that Al. Faulkner was hurt badly by falling off the bus and it ran over his chest and broke three ribs. The horses ran way up Main Street and then Bobby Sinclair who was inside the bus but had not noticed that Faulkner was not there got the lines and stopped them. It has been much milder today.</p> <p>Wednesday November 22nd</p> <p>It froze hard last night but has not been very cold all day although freezing again to-night. Dad and I got the rails out of the barnyard that had been left from threshing and put them in the wood shed. We also threw down a lot of the old straw stack for the cattle to tramp under. Enah went over to the Martin's this morning to telephone down town to inquire after her sister and heard she was doing fine.</p> <p><br />Charlie Ruth was in just before dinner to get some information from Dad about canaries as his wife had a pair given her. We went out this after noon and stood up most of the corn that had blown down and there was quite a lot of it.</p> <p>Dad said he would give Frank a quarter this morning if he had no mistakes in spelling and was greatly surprised to find that he had to cough it up. Ben Walker was ploughing to-day. Dad thinks he may go on to-morrow if he can. I started to reaad "Ivanhoe" to-night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday November 23rd</p> <p>Dad went back and ploughed this morning as it was quite mild and thawed during the night. I did a few chores and then went back with him. He said it was very {bat?} at first as it was frozen hard along the ploughed ground but as he got into the sod it got easier. I cleane the sods out of the ditches and then had a good lesson.</p> <p>It began to rain at noon and kept up till night preventing us from doing anything but chores. Carl Coleman came to get Dad to kill their old horse after dinner but Dad had nothing to do it with told them leave him. I read all the after noon and Dad read James Whitcomb Riley.</p> <p><br />To night after their lessons, the boys gave an exhibition of their strength and acrobatic feats also vieing with each other in making the biggest noise while I was trying to read and Dad to sleep.</p> <p>Friday November 24th</p> <p>It snowed a little last night and as it did not freeze is very muddy but Dad went back to plow. He plowed all day and it was easy enough but he was mud "up to his eyes" more or less. I did the chores and spent the rest of the morning cutting fire rails.</p> <p>Mr. Duncan was here to see Dad. He went back to find him but returned soon and said he could not swim the stream in the gully. I went back with Dad this after noon. I took a rail with me to put across the creek as Dad told me he had to jump and got in up to his knees. I shovelled ditches all after noon. It was pretty cold wind and began to freeze about half past four so we came up by five. Tige and the grey kitten went back with me. I thought the kitten went back in the middle of the after noon but when we were coming up we picked it up in the gully. Enah went down town this after noon. It promises to be a very cold night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday November 25th</p> <p>It froze too hard for Dad to plow this day so we did not do any thing much. Louise came along this morning about half past ten Mr. Bawlby had to come down to a council meeting and he brought her down and said he would call for her to night.</p> <p>About eleven o'clock we three boys went back to the gully to have some fun. We slid on all the ice we could find that would hold us at all and tried to on a lot that would not hold us and consequently got our feet good and wet. Dad had to go over to Vyse's to see a sick horse or rather a horse that got its foot hurt.</p> <p>This afternoon Frank and Dick went down town this afternoon and got the boxing gloves Enah and Louise also went down. Aunty was over for a few minutes this after noon Dad and I sawed wood most of the after noon. We waited up till all hours to-night as Louise expected Mr. Bawlby. We boys went to bed about ten o'clock. He came about midnight and just as Louise got to bed but she did not go with him.</p> <p>Sunday November 26</p> <p>I got up this morning of my own accord for a change and helped Dad to chores. We three boys went down to Sunday school and Daddy Enah and Louise came to church. After church I arranged with Bob Miller to go up to Carpenters with him and get my sheep.</p> <p>Dad and Dick went up to Val. Leary's and fixed old Dandy's teeth. We all came home to dinner (a couple of fat roosters dying yesterday had something to do with it), Aunty too. Miss Bawlby came for Louise just before dinner and they went just after. We did not get through dinner till about three o'clock and no chores were done. I did them up and because Dad had to go down and bandage Vyse's horse's foot. The horses were about starved Old Harry especially. Dick and Frank went down with Dad and Dick went on down town.</p> <p>Tonight Daddy and Enah went down to church to-night and left us here alone. We were very good. Aunty went down town town this after noon to have tea at the Lawries. It has been a beautiful day to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Monday November 27th</p> <p>I went down with the boys this morning and went with Bob. Miller up to Carpenters to get my lambs. We did not get back till about half past ten and as the old horse went so slow. I got four very nice looking Shropshire lambs and Bob charged me {$6?} a piece. I went around the orchard fence as we put them in the orchard and fixed a little around it to keep them in.</p> <p>Gus. Stringer was here when we got back with a couple of teams getting what hay that was any good at all and he seemed to be having his hands full sorting it. I did the some of the chores up before noon. This after noon I went back with Dad for a little while to throw sods out of the ditches he threw out this morning. He got quite a lot done.</p> <p>Every body was plowing to day it seemed Robert John Watson was yelling at a great rate just the other side of the woods. I went over to see what he was doing. He asked me if I was lost and I told him I was just looking for rabbit holes and then I had quite a talk with him. He was plowing with a gang plow and did not seem to be holding it at all. I came up early to do chores. Aunty came over with the boys from school. It has been a beautiful mild day. It seems to be the general opinion that we are going to have Indian Summer now. The sap is running to-day.</p> <p>Tuesday November 28th</p> <p>We got up before day light this morning so Dad could get a good start at plowing but it got began to rain early and kept up all day so we could do nothing but run around in the mud or stay inside. Dad hooked up Joe and Ginger and drove the boys down to school and then went around to inquire after Miss McPherson and found she was a little better. I cleaned out the stables and cut wood while he was gone. I read Ivanhoe most of the afternoon. Bill Donald came after Dad to go and see his grey mare which was broken out in several places. He had been reading up doctor books and was afraid it was some awful disease. I forget the name of it.</p> <p>Aunty went down town and did not get back till dark. I churned for about an hour and a half this afternoon after Enah had been at it for about as long and Dad finished it tonight after churning for about a couple of hours, but there was a big lot of magnificent butter. Aunty read to us all some more.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday November 29th</p> <p>It turned much colder during the night and froze and thawed snowed a little. Dad did not go back to plow this morning as it was so disagreeable and he did not get an early start but went over in the corner field he plowed first and shovelled ditches. I sawed a little wood.</p> <p>Gus. Smith was over this morning to see Dad. Frank Vyse also came over to get Dad to put another bandage on his mare's foot I cleaned out Titus' old chicken house and knocked a couple of boards of the back of it so the sheep could get in from the orchard on bad nights. I tried to coax them in but did not succeed although they are fairly tame.</p> <p>I went over to the field where Dad was digging mud, for awhile this after noon and then came up and read till the cows (which we sent back in the gully for a drink) came up and then I did chores and Dad came in. Aunty went over to Mrs. Arthur Battersby's this after noon.</p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td></td> <td>April to June</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>15.</td> <td>Life history of the frog</td> <td>45 - 50</td> </tr> <tr> <td>16.</td> <td>How birds obtain their food, utility, etc</td> <td>44</td> </tr> <tr> <td>17.</td> <td>The nesting of birds</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>18.</td> <td>Life history and habits of any</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>common economic insect as</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>tent-catipillar, cabbage butterfly, the</td> <td>10 - 11, 25 - 27</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>lady bird etc.</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>19</td> <td>Familiarity with names and</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>general appearance of the common</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>fishes</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>frogs</td> <td>45 - 50</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>newts</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>lizards</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>turtles</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>snakes</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>20</td> <td>Millipeds</td> <td>30</td> </tr> <tr> <td>21</td> <td>Butterflies</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>1. Monarch butterfly</td> <td>9 - 10</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>2. Cabbage butterfly</td> <td>10 - 11</td> </tr> <tr> <td>22</td> <td>Moths</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>1. Sphinx moth</td> <td>11 - 12</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>2. polyphemos moth</td> <td>13 - 14</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>3. Coddeling moth</td> <td>14.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Thursday November 30th 1911.</p> <p>from the midrib Dad went back to plow this morning but it was frozen too hard and he had to come back. We cut up the apple branches that were left in the orchard most of the morning.</p> <p><br />We put wire up around the top of the chicken run this afternoon to keep them from flying over. Aunty and Enah went down town to Bible Class or something this afternoon. Enah stayed down at her sister's to tea and went to choir practice. Charlie Shand came home with Dick and got him to go over home with him to stay all night.</p> <p>After tea Dad went down town to choir practice and did not get back till late. I finished notes "Ivanhoe" to-night and went to sleep reading the notes on it. Cold and windy to-day.</p> <p>December 1st Friday</p> <p>Dad and I went back and set up the corn shocks that had blown down. Tige and two cats went with us. The black one and Tige caught about all the mice in sight but the grey one didn't catch many but took them away from the black.</p> <p>Aunty went down to Mr. Bert's funeral this morning and came back about three o'clock. She thought she forgot to take Roy's letter down and came back after it but when she could not find it she came to the conclusion she posted it. Dad fixed the cow stable door this after noon and I watched cookies from burning. Dad and I went over to Vyse's with the wheel-barrow and got a lamb from him of Bob Miller's that Bob told us to keep for awhile.</p> <p>To-night Frank and I went down to post a letter Aunty wrote to Roy to make sure he would get one. Killed a couple of roosters this morning. Much milder to-day looks like rain.</p> <p>Saturday NovDecember 2nd</p> <p>Gus. Stringer and his men came and got two more loads of Titus' old hay. One of them a Scotchman and a expert sheep man had a look at our sheep and told us a lot about them. He also clipped the wool around their eyes as he said it was too long. We had a great time catching them.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>I cut up rails most of the morning but did not cut many. Dick and Frank cracked hickory nuts and I ate all I could get of them. Aunty, Dick and Frank went down to the greenhouse this afternoon as Frank had never seen in them I fooled around. Dad fixed a window in the chicken house so they could see to go to roost. I started to read "The White Plumes of Navarre" to-night. Bath to-night rare.</p> <p>Sunday NovDecember 3rd</p> <p>It was very cold all day to-day. Aunty and we boys went down to Sunday school as usual, and Dad and Enah came down to church. The Bishop was there and they had confirmation. It was a very long service. Aunty stayed down to Huby's but the rest of us came home.</p> <p>I read most of the afternoon and evening too. We had dinner about three o'clock and supper about seven. It is freezing very hard to-night. Dad coaxed the sheep into the old chicken house for shelter this afternoon. We could not get them in before.</p> <p>Monday December 4th</p> <p>It froze hard last night but has been milder to-day. It froze in the horse stable for the first time. Dad went down town this morning for stove pipe and a few other things. I sawed wood most of the morning and did chores.</p> <p>This afternoon we put up the box stove in the dining room. We also battoned up the cracks in the cow-stables which made things much more comfortable in that quarter. Sam. Law moved his clover mill down to Bob. Blakie's to night so Dad expects an invite.</p> <p>Allan came in to night after his box which he left here when he thrashed here. Dad is thinking of getting a horse that Harry Ansley told him about that Mr. Finkle of Woodstock has and wants to put in good hands as it is an old but good driver</p> <p>Tuesday NovDecember 5th</p> <p>It was quite mild to-day and a lovely sunny day. Dad and I went out with the rack this morning and got the rest of the rails</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>which came out of the old garden fence, in to small loads. Then we went out and got a load of corn stalks before dinner, but did not unload them, Bill Duncan was here when we came up and wanted to know more about the same horse he was asking about last time. He talked for a quarter of an hour or so to Dad about his trouble with Stan Lawrie and every other subject.</p> <p>This after noon we unloade the load of cornstalks we hauled this morning and went out and got another - the last and brought them in. We had an awful time loading them it was so windy. We got up about four and spent the rest of the time doing chores. It was a moonlight night to-night and Dick and Frank ran about the house for awhile.</p> <p>Wednesday December 6th</p> <p>Dad and I went over to Blakie's this morning and Dad and he talked around for about an hour. He thrashed yesterday and so was not feeling very skookum. He says he is going to leave in the spring and wants to sell Dad several things over here. When we came home we fixed the manger in the cow stable so they could not throw their food out.</p> <p>This after noon Dad and Enah went down town with the fern after dinner. They took it to Cousin Loll's as she is going to keep it for the winter. Aunty came over with Dick to-night. Huby, Quint and the kids went to Simcoe this after noon. It was full moon to-night and so we all three went out and played hide &amp; go seek for about an hour.</p> <p>Thursday December 7th</p> <p>I went over around Art. Ryersie's fields this morning in quest of bitter hickory. I looked at every tree nearly in his gully and tasted the nuts under every hickory I could find and thought I could not find it when I saw a tree that I did not think worth while looking at but went over and found it bitter hickory.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad drove Enah and Aunty down to auxiliary and then</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>to Joe and Ginger to be shod. He had to go to Butler's as Greenbury sold out the other day to Bobby McMillan and Dad did not know what Bobby was like. He did not get back till dark although he left right after dinner. I wrote a letter and did chores. To-night we three boys went down to a Magic Lantern show which was rotten and very late. A beautiful day to-day.</p> <p>Friday December 8th</p> <p>It seemed such a beautiful day to-day that Dad went back and plowed and got a good day in. I was back most of the day with him and had a good lesson. I drove and plowed at the same time and this afternoon did not do so badly.</p> <p>I came up about four o'clock but Huby and Al Faulkner drove in Huby with three geese he got for us some place. I was going down to-night to see Walt. McCall about getting his colts but did not Aunty went down this afternoon. It has been very much like Indian summer to-day but not as much as yesterday because it was cloudy a lot and rained a little.</p> <p>Saturday December 9th</p> <p>Dad got up before day light this morning to get a good start at the plowing. I did the chores. The geese dissappeared during the night, but Dick and Frank went out after break fast and found them in Bannisters field.</p> <p>Mr. Vyse was over this morning to get Dad to go over and help him do something with his horses foot. We three boys and Aunty went down town this morning. I saw Walt. McCall and he said I could take the colts when ever it was handy. Aunty and Frank went over and saw the cedar chests at the Wide-spread Aunty stayed down. I sawed wood and did chores all afternoon. Dad got a dandy day in plowing and a lot done.</p> <p>Dick and Frank were down town all the afternoon and got their hair cut. We had an interesting game of guessing after tea. Disagreeable day. Not cold but very foggy and awful muddy on account of a rain last night.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Sunday December 10th</p> <p>We three boys went to Sunday school and Dad and Enah came down to church. Dad stopped in at Vyse's on his way home. I came home and did some chores. Frank stayed down town to dinner and wrote to Grand daddy.</p> <p>Mr. Jacques came over after dinner and Dick and I went downtown. Dad wrote a letter to Yeager for more particulars of Miss Baker. Dick went downtown and I went over Brant Hill and met Huby. Aunty, Frank, Win &amp; Lila down the beach. I came home with them and went up town to post Dad's letter met Dick went down to the dock with him to see Harry Ansley's old rig came around by Huby's got Frank and went home. Fooled around most of the evening. Magnificent day, couldn't be beat.</p> <p>Monday December 11th</p> <p>Dad went back early to plow again this morning. It began to rain during the forenoon, and was pouring by noon. But he kept on till noon and got a good lot done, he said he could finish in another day. It rained hard all the afternoon.</p> <p>I read all the afternoon, and Dad worked outside opening ditches around the barn yard and such things. There is mud about up to the eyes more or less around the barns. Aunty came over this afternoon I think to tell Enah that her sister Mrs. McPherson had another boy this morning. She went back again in the rain.</p> <p>Tuesday December 12th</p> <p>Dad went back to plow again this morning. He plowed till one o'clock as he did not hear the whistle blow and although it rained quite a lot rushed back and finished the field by a little after four. I went back with him this morning and put a rail across the creek as it was swollen by yesterday's rain. Then I came back and did chores and went back with the shovell but did not stay long as it began to rain.</p> <p>Enah went down this morning to see her sister's baby and of course he is the biggest, fattest, prettiest, good-naturedest baby ever born. It rained a lot to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>but not very hard. I slopped around in the mud doing chores part of the time and spent the rest of the time bothering Enah who was making mince meat.</p> <p>Wednesday December 13th</p> <p>Dad and I drove Aunty up to Vittoria this morning to catch the train for Pt. Rowan as she was going to see Aunty Ida. The roads were awful except in a few sandy places. We got home about one. There were a lot of people plowing along the road.</p> <p>Mr. Bawlby drove Louise down this afternoon but she had to meet him at half past four down town. Enah went down town with her and got back about six with the boys.</p> <p><br />Dad went back and shovelled ditches all the after noon. I hung around not doing anything but chores. It snowed last night a little and was cloudy and cold this morning but turned out a lovely day (above the mud level) and is quite mild to-night.</p> <p>Thursday December 14th</p> <p>Froze a little last night, beautiful morning but got colder towards evening and is snowy to-night and making things slippier than ever. I sawed wood all morning and Dad did chores. Didn't do any thing much this afternoon, felt rotten, my shoulder hurt me all day and I was cold. Dad did various things around outside.</p> <p>Friday December 15th</p> <p>Did not do any thing much this morning. Dad cleaned chickens all morning. I went back to the gully which is all flooded. The heat is going to beat the cars, as it rained hard last night.</p> <p>Dad and Enah went down town this afternoon. Dad wanted to get Belle shod. He was going up to the school house as all the rate payers were asked to go up and inspect the undesirable condition of the school house but Dad did not go up. They got back after five. I did chores and milked. This I have not done since last Sunday morning.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Saturday December 16th</p> <p>It began to rain this morning and rained hard nearly all morning. We got some rails in to the wood shed, and I sawed wood and fooled all fore noon. Dad did chores and Frank and Dick were in the house looking at post cards and things. About two o'clock Dad &amp; Dick started off to Vittoria for Aunty. Frank and I did chores. and went back to the gully, for awhile. Dad got home about dark.</p> <p>Sunday December 17th</p> <p>We three boys went down to Sunday school and church. Mr Johnstone is off at Barrie where they have him up for some scrape he got into last summer so I hear but it is with out doubt stretched. They made arrangements with a lay reader from Nanticoke but he never turned up so it is supposed he got stuck in the mud which is likely right for it must be a fright down on the clay, so Cousin Willie do the deed and he cut it very short.</p> <p>Read most of after noon and evening and we all wrote to Aunty Alice. Dick was down town all after noon. Froze a little last night and looks like rain {soon?}.</p> <p>Monday December 18th</p> <p>I got in a lot of wood and sawed it up which took me most of the morning and then did chores till noon. Dad went back to open up some ditches in the field he just finished plowing. We fed the lambs some chopped up mangles and they were very hungry for it. We also gave them a lot of hay to-day.</p> <p>This afternoon, Dad and Enah and I drove Joe and Ginger down town. We left Enah down there to do shopping and such and Dad and I came home by the mill and got a bag of flour. We also went up to Old Mr. Muller's and Dad {discussed?} with Mrs. Muller for a Black Minorca rooster.</p> <p>Sam and Allan Law came over and took a load of the alsike straw and there is not much left now. Enah did not get back till late and we had a boxing contest all {done?} had knocked me galley west and Dick and I and Dick and Frank had some. We also had some Jim Jitsu exercises after tea. It froze a little last night and has been chilly to-day. Snowed a little to-night freezing a little also.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Tuesday December 19th</p> <p>Went down town this morning with Dad and got the colts at Walt. McCall's and got them home without any trouble. We put them in the box stall to-gether with Davy. We stopped in at Vyse's and Dad arranged with him to come over in the morning and help kill pigs. We also stopped in at the Wide spred to ask Emery how Mrs McPherson was and in home. This after noon we hooked up Harry and Belle to the rack and went down to Hubys and got one of the rain barrell's to scald the pigs in to-morrow and a box. Dad also got the turkey from Huby this morning Auntie got a letter from Miss Water's telling about the squabs.</p> <p>Wednesday December 20th</p> <p>Frank stayed home this forenoon to help kill pigs. He went down to Vyse's first thing to get some gamble sticks. We were not sure whether Vyse would be home yet as he was going last night to {Edmoons?} banquet in Simcoe, but he was lucky enoug to get a ride with Jack Martin and got back about four a.m.</p> <p>We shot the two pigs and had them all cleaned and every thing {paper stuck on top of this page} by noon. Blakie and Alfred Ryersie came over {illegible due to paper on top} the morning and the farmer brightened the scene by a few pig sticking anecdotes besides other yarns. This afternoon we had quite a time getting the colts into the orchard we thought they would follow Davy in but they ran down the road instead, and I had to go hot foot through Martin's to head them off. We did ordinary chores and I sawed some wood and just before dark had a great boxing bout with Dick. We also blew up a bladder which we kicked around awhile. To night I went down town with Enah to choir practice, hummed around town, went into the library and then over and {pumped those your?} till they quit about ten o'clock. Went down to Hubys and got home a little before eleven. Beautiful day. Frozen hard and shunshiny.</p> <p>Thursday December 21st</p> <p>I cut up rails this morning besides doing usual chores. Dad cut up one of the pigs and Enah cut up dough and made cookies.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Enah went down town in the afternoon and Dad and I worked at getting board from the roof of the old stable and started to fix up the chicken house. Aunty came over to-night with Dick.</p> <p>This evening Frank and I went down to the Presbyterian concert in the hall and had a pretty good time. They had a great bunch of little kids in the thing. We got home about ten.</p> <p><br />Dad went over to Martin's too this morning to see how they were going to vote on the school question. It has been a rotten day. It sleeted this morning and made every thing slippery and was cloudy and wet and cold and rotten the rest of the day.</p> <p>Friday December 22nd</p> <p>We killed and plucked the turkey this morning. Louise came and stayed till the middle of the afternoon. Dad cut up the other pig and Aunty went down town to meet Roy but he didn't come so he won't be here all this christmas as he is going South.</p> <p>Dad took the cleets off the old stable roof. Aunty, Enah and Louise went down town this aft. and Aunty &amp; Louise did not come back. I slept most of the afternoon. Frank got home early. I was going down to school this afternoon but it was a miserable day, wet and foggy.</p> <p>Saturday December 23rd</p> <p>Sawed wood and did chores all morning. Daddy Dick and Frank went down town and Dick did not come back to dinner. Frank and I went down this afternoon and fell in with Dick and Quint and we all went up to buy Christmas presents. Then we went over to the church and Sunday School where Aunty was making wreaths for decoration. Frank and I hung around all afternoon, and came home with Dick at 6.</p> <p>Dad had to go to a School Board meeting to-night and the Lays went with him. Enah and I made chocolate fudge. Another dark damp day freezing a little to-night.</p> <p>Sunday December 24th</p> <p>We boys went down to Sunday School and Dad and Enah came to church. Frank and I went down after church and had a look at the gas well they are boring down at the beach, Aunty came home with us to dinner.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>We all stayed home this afternoon but Dick who was gone till tea-time downtown. I read most of the afternoon. Aunty got tea and Enah went down about five to go to her sister's to tea. Dad went down after tea to church to come home with Enah. Aunty read to us after supper and we worked at puzzles &amp; things. A very nice mild day but very muddy.</p> <p>Christmas Day</p> <p>Dad did all the chores this morning and cut enoug wood to last all day. We all went down to church at eleven. After church Aunty and I went up and called for Cousin Clare who came over with us and stayed all day and is going to stay al night.</p> <p>All of Huby's family came over to dinner which we had about three o'clock and where I increased my waist measure nearly to bust measure on the turkey plum pudding, mince pie and home-made candy. Then we got the presents. We were all led to believe that there would be no presents this year, but I did not notice any difference. I got a good many things to numerous to mention.</p> <p>We four boys went down about half past five after the mail and Quint did not come back with us. We met Huby and the rest of his family homeward bound on our way back. We spent the evening by admiring presents and music etc. thus ending the first Christmas on the Farm. Very mild and muddy Xmas.</p> <p>December 26th Tuesday</p> <p>I did not do much this morning except saw wood. Dad fixed the style on Mailer's fence and Aunty and I went down and watched. I put some manure on the rhubarb bed. Frank dug putty out of old window sash and painted others and for the chicken house.</p> <p>Frank and I spent all the afternoon surveing the orchard and staking out the places for the young trees. Daddy move straw of the old horse stable roof to get boards out for the chicken house. Every body else went down town. Aunty and Cousin Clair did not come back and Enah not till Dad went after about eight o'clock to-night.</p> <p>We spent a very peaceful evening while he was gone. I wrote to Aunty Alice and read Shakespeare while the feathers were settling. Barely freezing to-day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>Wednesday December 27th</p> <p>It was very blustery all day to-day. Snowed a little and froze quite hard at night. Frank and I went out first thing and dug the holes for the little trees in the orchard. Then we got in rails for wood before dinner. We had dinner at about eleven as Dad and Enah had to get to a funeral. (Mrs. Thompson). Dick went down and pumped the organ, and Frank &amp; I did Chores. Frank wrote a letter to Aunty {Ruby?}. When Dick came home we went out and played hide &amp; seek in the barn till supper.</p> <p>Thursday December 28th</p> <p>It froze very hard last night and there was a cold nor'west wind so we did not get up extra early Dick and I went down town about ten o'clock. I wanted to change a pair of jack boots Dad got for me yesterday and {illegible} but Andrew was not there. We called in and got Cecil McPherson who went over home with Dick and I waited for Aunty.</p> <p>The boys went back to the gully after dinner and came back with the report that there was a place big enough to skate on. Enah went down soon after dinner and to Cecil with her. We played Hide &amp; seek in the barn all after noon. Dad went down to tea at the McPherson's and is going to a meeting in the town hall to discuss the school question. As Aunty was here to help me I started to draw a picture to-night.</p> <p>{Some arithmetic figures at top of this page}</p> <p>{Writing at the top of this page has been scored through}</p> <p>Friday December 29th</p> <p>I sawed wood most of the morning. Vyse came over and talked to Dad till nearly noon. I think he wanted Dad to go and get votes for him. Murray Dillon &amp; May Perry spent most of the morning walking up and down the road out here for their health I suppose.</p> <p>This afternoon Dad had to go to Mrs. Jim Allen's funeral and got back about five. Dick and Frank helped me a little after dinner and then we all went back the gully to skate. We had a fine time skated way up the south creek and I got my feet soaked two or three times. We also had quite a time chasing a poor old muskrat which was under the ice and would have caught him if he hadn't got away.</p> <p>We came up about four as Frank had to go down and meet Aunty to go to see Mr. Willie Taylor. Dick made chocolate fudge but it didn't get hard. After tea Daddy and Aunty had quite a time convincing Frank that they could make him find {illegible - words caught in page fold} animal magnetism and they did alright. Then he and I drew till bedtime and Aunty read to us. It was a very sunny beautiful day.</p> </div> <div class="mw-parser-output"> <p>{Page} 108</p> <p>{The writing on this page has been scored through}.</p> <p>Saturday December 30th</p> <p>Did a few chores then Dick and I went down town about eleven. I got my hair cut and a pair of jack boots from Andrew. The pond seemed quite safe but we didn't go out and there were several skating on the creek up by Krill's. Ferdie came over this after-noon and we all went back skating again we went up as far as McPhersons on the north creek but it was not so good as the other.</p> <p>It began to snow and we came up and played hide and seek in the barn the rest of the after-noon. I sawed a little wood before tea &amp; drew most of the evening. Dick lost his knife in the straw. Dark cloudy Day and snowed a lot and is snowing to-night. Frank found two or three dandelions out to-day which we thought very strange</p> <p>Sunday December 31st</p> <p>Snowed a lot during the night but rained and froze before morning. We boys and Aunty went down to church &amp; Sunday-school, Dad and Enah did not come down. Aunty did not come back.</p> <p>We all stayed home this afternoon. I drew a little and started to read "Never too late to Mend," which I read all evening. There was no service at seven to-night but will be at mid-night. It rained a lot to-day and is blowing up a ferocious gale to night. ({rotten weather?})</p> </div> transcribed