Theobald "Toby" Barrett Diary, 1911
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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
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 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 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 calf. 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 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 rise 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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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 baseball 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 {Whelan?} 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 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 horseman he was driving Belle and Harry all day today.
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. 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 her 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 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.
Thursday June 8th
I was very sleepy this morning when Dad called me and have been sleepy all day.
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.
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 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.
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
Friday June 9th
Was not so sleepy this morning and have felt better all day. Last night after I went to bed Skinny Ryersie 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 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.
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 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.
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
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 and rather windy all day to-day. Rather cloudy and inclined to rain.
Dick got a bit of straw-berries 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 15th
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 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.
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 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.
When he came back I cut a lot more wood to cook the meals with and Daddy went back and hoed 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 ourselves. 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 although 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 (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.
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 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 {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.).
Mr. Johnson and Murray went up to Port Ryersce 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 scrap of a newspaper cutting on this page.}
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.
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 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.
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 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 {holder?} 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 home.
I 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. Owanbury'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 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 though 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
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.
Mr Hobbs and Mr. Morgan got some coats and umberellas and we though 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 hooks ready for Johnny Walker to get this after noon.
Quint and I fooled around till Daddy and Dick came down. Quint was going to {m...?} 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 ands 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.
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 Deas 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 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
{Some numbers written at the top of the page}
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.
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 numbers written at the top of the page}
A.D. Sept 9th /11
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.
Signed
Beatrice Kaias
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.
{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
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. 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.
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 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.
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 will about 10 o'clock and the went home to bed.
{Sketches of some fireworks on this page}
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 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.
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.
{Margin writing} It has been very hot to-day 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 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 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.
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 Joetrot.
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 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.
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 {---?}.
{Margin note} 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.
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 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.
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
{Margin note}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 {....?} greened the spuds and then Daddy whent to relieav 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
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 & 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.
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 Allain 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. She 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 Mom 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.
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 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 fenderross in the putting up. This load off all have 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 {Margin note} 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 butas none passed he stayeds to tea and went down with Bill after wards.
Dick and I did the chores to-night as Daddy was mowing. {Margin note} 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
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.
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 {.....?}
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 Ryersie'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 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 {Margin note} 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 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
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 Parsons was in the wheat when I came up. I went around once behind the binder and therew 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,
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 Hendersons for dinner (Dad's treat). I knocked around with {Frazer?} 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 piece of writing is obscured by a torn off piece of newspaper} Monday 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 {Karry?} 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 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 price of weedy hay over next the bush.
It was fine all the after noon and broke 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 {Margin note} 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 rake 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 Bucked 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.
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.
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 {----?} 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 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 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.
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 to-night 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 falrly 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.
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 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 to-night.
{Margin note} 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 {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.
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 to-night.
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 {illegible} around with him and watched the painters a lot to-day. All the men and Byron were here to dinner and although the Smithn nor Byron were here to tea Mrs. Lawrie and Miss Low were.
{Margin note} 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 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 myself. 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 rained 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 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. {Margin note} 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 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 {Margin note} 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 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.
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 {Margin note} 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 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.
Huby and Harry Battersby drove Dave's horse over this afternoon and Huby made out some insurance policy. 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 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 {Margin note} 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 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.
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 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 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 Alln (on his way over the hill) told us she was there, and at las found {Margin note} 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 {Kaysville?} to-day and won Score 27-7. They are doing better things
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 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. {Margin note} 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. & Miss McPherson were here this p.m. and Miss Phipps is here to-night. Hot all day no sign of rain
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 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.
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 {cob...} 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 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
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.
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.
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- Theobald Toby Barrett Diary 1911 1..pdf
- Theobald Toby Barrett Diary 1911 2..pdf
- Theobald Toby Barrett Diary 1911 3..pdf
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