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 Smith 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.

It has been awfully hot to-day but is cooler to-night.

Old Nigger dog has been over here all day, Quint went up to Normandale with Bill and Hugh McQueen in the latter's launch about two or three o'clock this a.m.

Monday August 7th

Daddy had to start off early after breakfast to thrash at Flemming's and was gone all day. I mended my saw horse, cut some wood and started to cut burdocks in the orchard. After dinner I finished cutting burdocks in the orchard and walked back to the gully with Roy. Roy went down town about three o'clock. I cleaned up a little behind the wood shed. Then Enah and I drove Joe down to Huby's and we went on down to the station to see Roy off and to take his grip. This being {Laiorito's?} civic holiday he stayed all day here. We did not get home till six as Enah had to go a few places (about three) and only stayed a "minute" at each. She also saw Cousin Loll which took a little more time. They were just coming out of Flemming's with {Margin note} the machine when we came past and Tige was just seeing Daddy safley over Bannister's fence when we got home. Dick was down town all the after noon. It has been hotter than ...... it was Saturday to-day.

Tuesday August 8th

Emery came this morning while we were at breakfast and he has got quite a bit done at the stable. Daddy went down soon after break fast and got Vyse's disk but could not find the seat. I disked till noon on the wheat ground and got my foot pretty tired. Daddy and Dick drove Joe down town right after dinner and got a seat for the disc and some cow spray and a sprayer. We sprayed all the horses and other animals that would stand for it around the stable. Then I went and discked till six. We sprayed the cows after tea and it killed all the flies. All the family including Tige except Enah went down to Wyatt Parsons after tea and found he could come and cut the oats tomorrow he was coming any way. We got back about ten o'clock. It has been cool and windy to-day. Lovely night (full moon) {Margin note} The old wind mill pumped all the vessles around the place that would hold water "chuck a block" to-day and then ran over into the well.

Wednesday August 9th

Daddy had to go at half past seven this morning to Meet Wyatt Parsons at Blakie's corner to show him over the gulsh to the oats. He stayed shocking up till noon. I sawed some wood. cleaned the horses and helped Emery at the stable this fore noon. besides digging some potatoes for dinner. This afternoon I went back with them and tried to shock up oats but I had no gloves and they were pretty thistly so I did not get much done. I went over to John Wessly McBrides after a pail of water and. saw the celebrated barn. The oats are down pretty much and on one side the sheaves are all shapes and have to be piled in heaps instead of shocks. He got through cutting about five and then he and Daddy measured the field. We are a little more than half through shocking {Margin note} We let the cows in the field that Lambkins took the hay off to-day. It has not been hot to-day. The wind mill pumped about as much to-day as yesterday. Dick went down to the station to see if Uncle Ward came tonight.

Thursday August 10th

Worked around the stable all day with Emery. We got all the side boards up. Daddy worked around there too most of the time but Wyatt Parsons came to measure the grain fields. He measured it with a tape line so it took a long time and Daddy had to help him. Cousin Clare came over this morning and stayed all day. About four o'clock Daddy and Dick went over and shocked up the rest of the oats. We all went down to-night to hear the band. Dick rode his wheel and I walked, Daddy and Enah drove Cousin Clare down with Joe. I went over to the park to watch the dance for a while got some postcards talked with Roy Dellawhile and then went dwn to Mrs. Davie Moore's corner and met Daddy and Enah and drove home about half past nine. Hot To-day {Margin note} Daddy and Enah saw old Bill down town he is says he is going to start West tomorrow stay with Jack Pane in Toronto to-morrow and start Saturday. He said it was breaking up home as his wife was so opposed to the trip. She nor the rest of his relations thought he was in earnest till this morning and when they found out he was the kicked up quite a fuss.

Friday August 11th

We all worked at the stable this morning. We sawed the timber sill off in the drive way which took about half an hour with Blakie's cross cut and got quite a bit of cement laid in the alley-way.

I disked all the afternoon on the wheat ground and finished it. They got the rest of the cement laid in the alley-way.

After the chores were done to-night Daddy saddled Joe and I had a nice ride around Flemming's block. Then Dick got on but could not reach the stirrups so he asked Daddy to get on and he rode down the lane and back for our benifit. Dick knocked the old wooden trough at the wind mill to pieces and we are going to put up the concrete one as soon as possible. {Margin note} It rained early this morning and has been cool and cloudy the rest of the day.

Saturday August 12th

Emery, Dick and I worked at the stable to-night all day, and got the stalls pretty well boarded up. We had quite a time foraging for boards. Daddy took Joe and Ginger and rolled some of the wheat ground and then Vyse came over to ask him to go over to help him bring in his oats this afternoon so Daddy came up before noon and put the rack on the wagon. Art. Brown was here with a lame horse and a medicine agent trying to sell us some wonderful compound which would cure any thing in the shape of aches or pain warranted not to rip tear {unusual?} turn up at the toes etc etc. He was not very persistent though. Dad was gone all the afternoon Vyse had three teams and six men in the field and got all his oats in. Enah went down and stayed till tea. Dick and I both went down {Margin note} after tea and saw Uncle Ward conversing with Nicky Luce in front of Taylor's {D...?} expected Ade Millman but he did not come.

Sunday August 13th

Got up very late this morning and Daddy did all the chores. Went down to church and Sunday school as usual and stayed to Huby's for dinner Daddy and Enah came down but did not stay. Huby and Dave drove the latter's horse over here and I hung around up at Waddle's with Hazen all the afternoon and had tea at Hubys and Quint and I went to church.

After church I hung around the pier about an hour and then came home I saw Dick going home just at Allan's corner. Dick McBain drove me over as far as Woodson's. I picked Tige up at Vyse's. When I got home I found Dick all alone and a note on the table saying the family had gone down to Uncle Ward's for tea. We fooled around a while and then went to bed before the folks got home. Pretty hot to-day.

Monday August 14th

Emery came this morning and worked awhile at the stable but Daddy asked him to help with the oats so he said he would. Daddy and I went over about half past nine and started to load up. Vyse and Emery came over and loaded a load before we did I was loading ours. We got three loads off before dinner, two of Vyses and one of ours. After dinner Daddy and Emery went out and I waited for Vyse. I pitched on this time and we got three loads and finished. Then Vyse went home and we got a little hay over for the horses and Emery worked awhile at the stable. When we were taking Harry and Belle through the narrow alley way in the stable the both got out and caused some trouble, then after tha Coleman's colts got into the {Margin note} wheat stable and we chased them about half and hour to shake down our supper. Emery built a duck pen and put our four in it as he thought they ought to have good water. He went home to-night and will not be back till Thursday as to-morrow he intends to go to Simcoe to hear Sir Wilfred and Wednesday his Sunday School picnic. Pretty hot to-day.

Tuesday August 15th

It was very cloudy and thundery when we got up this morning and when we got through milking it began to rain. It poured like cats and dogs for about two hours and just rained after that for half an hour. Daddy and I climbed all over the garret hunting for leaks before breakfast. After breakfast Dick Daddy and I moved all the horses over into the big barn and then began to clean off the floor of the same building, and found it very poor. I churned this morning and Enah who felt poorly baked. We cleaned up a little around the horse stable and after dinner Daddy Dick and I drove down town in the rack and I got a pair of heavy boots and did some other shopping for the house. Every body was in Simcoe to-day to hear Sir Wilfred Laurier. K.C.P.M. {Margin note} except Andrew Innes. Dick and I went for a swim, he at the railway bridge and I at the boat house. Lila came and fed the ducks and said Huby and Quint had gone to Simcoe. We got home about six o'clock and got some tomatoes at Mrs. Battersby's on our way back. We got the planks for the stable floor at the Wide spread. I cut some lawn after tea.

Wednesday August 16th

I chopped up some wood while Daddy went over to see if he could get a roll of wire fence from Mr. Flemming. When he came back we hooked up and he Dick, and I went down to get the wire. Then we went over with it to Coleman's line and ripped down some of the old rail fence and piled it on the rack and Daddy and Dick took it over to the barn to pile it in a convenient place for thrashing wood. It began to rain as they left and they said they would be back proxently with a coat for me as I had to stay and see that Coleman's cattle did not get in. I sought shelter under a tree and waited patiently for about an hour. It was pouring when they arrived and I was about frozen. It soon cleared off and we started erected the wire and tacked it to a few posts good enough to keep the cattle out. Then it began to rain again and we went up for dinner. We found Edith Lawrie and B. Kanes (or Kains or what you please) up at the house come to spend the day. They had been all over the place inspecting the stock. After dinner I went over to borrow Vyse's post hole auger. When I came back Daddy and I cleaned the stuff off the big barn floor out to the rack and took it over in the field to burn. We also hauled the brush Huby and I cut off the trees and put it in the same heap. Dick did not come over this after noon but stayed and entertained the girls. Daddy and I put up the wire as far as the rails went and ripped a few more rails down. We were soaking wet when we came up at six as it rained most of the afternoon. It is so wet to-night the girls have to stay all night. They are all kicking up a row in the parlor now. Bob. Law hauled a couple more loads of sand to-day.

Thursday August 17th

Emery did not come to-day so Daddy and I worked around cleaning up all day. This morning we got some lumber out of the old box stall doors to make mangers with and after dinner we hauled out a lot of the old shingles & rubbish in front of the horse stable and piled it out with the brush to burn. We also put in a few more posts for the fence and got another load of rails. The old wind mill came uncoupled some where down in the well last night and Dick went down with Edith & B this morning to get Felix but he could not come to-day as he was going up to hear Mr. Bordenspout to-night. Allan and Miss Brent came over this afternoon for awhile. Dick went down to-night to hear the band but it did not play as it was playing for Mr. Borden, it will {Margin note} likley be hear to-morrow. Dick said there was a great crowd went up on the the special to hear Borden to-night. Pretty fairly warm but nice breeze.

Friday August 18th

Emery came this morning and we worked all day with the cement floor in the horse stable and now have it nearly done. Felix came over and it took him till seven o'clock to-night to get the pump fixed. He put in another length of pipe. We had a lot of fun with him. It rained for awhile this morning and he gave us a great speech. He is so against Laurier and reciprocity. I nearly bust laughing at him. Ace Williams was here this afternoon as he thought we were thrashing. He is now the father of a week old daughter. I was at the back end of the place to-night after the cows which Tige chased back. When we came in from milking about eight o'clock to-night we found Mrs. James Enah's sister-in-law and her three children here. Dick went down town to hear the band but I guess it did not play tonight again. Windy.

Saturday August 19th

This is the great Boughner picnic day to-day and rigs of all kinds have been flocking in along the side road all day. Dick went down early this morning and stayed till late to-night only coming back with the mail about 10 o'clock. I don't know what he did with him-self all day. He was checking parcels to-night and made fifty cents. Emery and I worked around the stable all day Emery was finishing up and flooring the stalls and I was painting window shashes and doing odd jobs for Emery.

Daddy was disking the wheat ground all day and found my old knife which I thought was gone for sure this time. Mrs. McPherson Enah's sister came over with Emery this morning and stayed awhile talking to Mrs. James whom she was very surprised to see and came back this afternoon and took the whole ging-lang except Enah and Jean who walked down to the picnic Enah, Jean and Cecil came back here to tea and the rest stayed at James's. Dad teased Cecil till he had him as mad as a wet hen and as saucy as as a sparrow. After tea Daddy and I did the chores and Emery took Enah Cecil and Jean down town and Daddy and I drove down about 9 o'clock. We intended going over to the park to watch them dance but seeing a fire in the glue room in the wide spread the same place it was before we went up and informed Mr. Denly who by the look of things was about to retire but had to jump on his wheel and go down We meet Emery and Doc. Jolley's corner and made plans for going home and executed them in short order. Emery and I {Margin note} walked out and Daddy took half the crowd and Mrs McPherson the other half out home and then Daddy drove her and Cecil down till he met Emery and then he drove her out to his fathers.We saw Mr. Denly coming back on his wheel while we were at Jolley's corner and he said there was no fire there at all when he went down. So we did not get over to the park after awhile all. Cool and pleasant to-day. nice breeze

Sunday August 20th

Daddy drove me down to Sunday School this morning as he wanted to see if he could take Aunty Maude and Lila back to dinner with him and have Huby and Quint walk out but they could not come. I pumped as usual and Quint went up behind the organ with me. I walked home to dinner where was assembled all of Emery's family in addition to the others all trying to squeeze up to the kitchen table.

After dinner Emery discovered an oil hole in the old wind mill head which when Dad oiled up the old thing went like a charm. Daddy was bringing Ginger out to water and she jumped away from him into the old {mangle?} {head?} and {couped?} herself quite badly besides wrenching off a shoe. Daddy Emery Cecil Tige and the grey kitten and I all went back to the gulch to hunt for the spring Blakey was tilling as about {illegible?} could not find it. Then we went up to the mound where there {Margin note} was a ground fox's hole and Emery while digging around found an old double spring trap attatched to a {illegible} with a ring in it. He said he had often thought of digging out the mound when he was a boy as he thought there were treasures there. I went up a little way with Cecil and him and then came home and took the cows up with me. Mrs. McPherson was just starting off with the bunch and two valises. Mr. & Mrs H. Shand where here for awhile before tea. I rode Enah's wheel down to post a couple of letters to-night.

Monday August 21st

Emery came this morning and He & I worked to-gether all day. We put the door on the box-stall and end door on the horse stable. I painted more window sashes and swept down some of the cobwebs of the ceiling in the stable. We also put a new piece on the {fork?} rod of the wind mill in place of a rickety old eyesore, which caused the mill to lose half a stroke. Daddy disked the remainder of the wheat ground this morning and went over it with the smoothing harrower this after noon. I had a snooze for about an hour this after noon and then wrote a little to Roy for his birthday to-morrow. Vyse came over this morning to bring us some sweet corn and again this after noon to tell Daddy the thrashers would if all's well be at his place to-morrow. I rode Enah's wheel back after the cows to-night. Prett warm to-day. Got a card from E. Dewar to-day.

Tuesday August 22nd

This morning I cleaned up the floor in the other barn and the granaries and also nailed up some rat-holes. I just put the chaff in a big heap on the barn floor. Daddy and Emery fixed some posts that were rotted off over the new stable. Dick churned and got a nice mess of good butter. About ten o'clock, Sam Law got his machine at Vyse's so Daddy went over to help thrash. Emery took the big team back with the plow to start work on the oat stubble and alsike ground for wheat. Belle fell down going down the hill at the end of the lane so Emery took two or three furrows off that which made it much better. We plowed till noon. I plowed a couple of furrows in the easy ground and did not do so badly considering I did not have the wheel on. Old Harry fell down once too at the side of a ditch in where the alsike was.

After dinner Daddy came over after me to go and help thrash as they were short handed. Paul Lee Woodson Hugh Bannister and I were in the mow all the time and Daddy helped us now and then. Cass Rankin came over and worked for about five minutes. Dick helped for awhile but found a nest of mice about a day or so old and it took him all his time looking after them he took the home in his hat when he went home for tea. Louis Woodson was running the blower. Mr. Blakie and Old Wells on the stack. Mr. Flemming carraying awaw grain Vyse feeding and Bench other cutting bands besides the three men with the machine. Vyse had {690?} bushles of grain allto gether. We had tea about five o'clock and the worked till dark and finished. I went home soon after six and did the chores Emery helped me. Not too hot to-day.

Wednesday August 23rd

Got up fairly early this morning and found it pretty cool. Daddy, Tige, Marshalls two kittens, and the old grey cat Williams left and I went way back the gulch after the cows. We found them in the wood and the cats followed us all the way. Daddy went over to Blakie's to thrash and stayed all day there. Dick went over but came back to dinner, but went right back again. He ran the blower this morning. Blakie thrashed 640 barrels all to-gether. I sawed a lot of wood up and threw out the chaff I raked up in the barn yesterday. I got some tomatoes and potatoes. Emery was plowing all day I took him some water a couple of times but did not stay. This After noon Enah and I drove Joe down town and got the buggy chuck full of grub for the threshers. Mrs. Flemming gave us about a bushel of vegetables. {Margin note} We thought we dropped a cabbage and we went all the way back to Bannister's but did not find it. Dick and Paul Lee Woodson came in about six from Blakies and I went down with them to Woodson's for a swim and very nearly froze. We swam out to the island under water. I had my tea after I came home about eight o'clock. Cool to-day.

Thursday August 24th

Emery plowed all morning and Daddy and Dick thrashed over at Alfred Ryersie's. I worked out in the barn to prepare for the threshers this after noon. Dick and Daddy got home about noon and said they had had their dinner so Enah, Emery and I dined together. The threshing outfit came while we were at dinner. Hannah Flemming came over to help Enah. Huby came over with Earny Skey. It took quite a while for them to get started and we boys. Paul Lee, Cars. Rankin Lony Bannister, Dick and I fooled around, but when the did start they put us at the muzzle of the machine and we stood there chewing dust most of the after noon. We filled the hay the other side of the cow stable wth straw and it took a lot of men to push the straw over. Daddy, Frank Vyse, Tony and I in

concecutive order pushing straw to Earny, Huby, Paul Lee, Cars, and Dick who were on the mow, Earny got called away to the telephone Paul Lee went to help in the mow. Cars. got a head ache and Long skinned out so there was after awhile only Huby and Dick in the mow and Frank Vyse and I & Dadd shoaring straw. I stood in one place for two or three hours with the balmy breath of the blower on my cheek and dust from the same about an inch thick (more or less) down my throat and larynx. When we filled up all over the cow stable we went out and Vyse took the blower and Huby, Daddy, and I stayed in the big bay. I came out of there about five and did not do anything after that but gasp for breath. Huby and Daddy stayed with it to the bitter end and when they came out they looked like niggers. Huby had his hat off all the afternoon and his hair was as he had {Margin note} creped it like a wool mat. After tea Emery milked for me as I felt rotten. my head felt like a boiled cabbage. And I was shivering at one time and then would about roast. I had a few swallows of wine and then went to bed. Dick went down town to check parcels at the park. There has been a drizzle-drazzle rain all day till about five o'clock this afternoon.

Friday August 25

I slept late this morning after dreaming I was threshing all night and just before I got up I heard one of the little chickens sqeal and looking out saw a big rat had one by the leg. Dad came to kill it but it got away and the chicken died soon after. I was very late with my breakfast. Daddy, Emery and Dick went down town this morning with the rack and got back about noon with lumber for the stable door and glass for the stable windows and a few other things. Ace Williams came after his wheat and I helped him all day with it He took one load to mill before dinner and three after Dick went the first time and Lila and I the second and the last he went alone. Emery made the door for the drive house this afternoon and hung it. Daddy rolled the wheat ground that Emery plowed with Joe and Belle. Cousin Clare came over this morning and stayed all day. Lila came over with Emery and Daddy and stayed all night and Allan & Kathleen Millman came over and stayed to tea. It has been pretty cool all day to-day.

Monday August 28th

Emery, Jean and Cecil came this morning about seven o'clock with Joe. Daddy went back to plow but came back before noon on account of the rain, he plowed into a couple of bee's nests and got stung three times on the arm. I started to paint the hay rack but in began to rain so we took it in the barn and I did not get any more than part of the bed piece. Emery got the glass in the windows all put in and most of them hung up. This afternoon as it still rained hard Daddy and I white washed four of the stalls with brooms. It cleared off about three o'clock and Daddy saddled Joe in the new stable (she was the first one in) and I rode down to post some letters and got the mail. I found when I got home that one of the stirrup straps was broking just from disuuse and want of it {Margin note} Daddy felt pretty badly about. After I got home we brought all the horse over into the new stable and they looked so nice and comfortable that Daddy almost hated to leave them to come to tea. Cecil has been having a fine time to-day in the mud puddles and scrapping with Dad.

Tuesday August 29th

This morning Cecil and I drove down town to do a few errands but principally to get Quint to come out and shoot crows in the cornfield. He came out a little while after with George Brown {..?} having jumped on behind the old buggy and ridden over. Of course he did not get any crows as he went over to the woods when he found none in the cornfield. Emery worked at the stable all day and I helped him and painted at the rack. Lila came over and stayed all day. Daddy plowed all day. About five o'clock Emery and I drove Joe down town to get some stuff for the mail. We did not get back till after six Emery and Cecil walke home by the gully to-night. After the chores were done to-night Jean & Lila went to bed and Enah, Daddy and I went over to Mrs. Battersby's for the evening. The Woodson's, Miss Hudson, Miss Robinson, Miss Brent & Mr. Jack Martin were {Margin note} there and we had a lot of lovely music, most of it furnished my Miss Robinson who is a lovely pianist and Miss Draton. Miss Woodson and Miss Robinson amused Dad. very much by their conversation of which he could understand about half. It has been pretty cool all day to-day and is quite cold to-night. Emery fixed a patent ladder in the stable to-day which runs by pulleys & weights up into the loft when not in use.

Wednesday August 30th

Daddy plowed all morning and Emery fixed the steps going up over the wood-shed and then ripped down a partition in the floor in the old house where we are going to have the ice house. He sharpened my buck-saw yesterday so I cut wood nearly all morning and got almost all the pile of rails cut I also helped him a little at the old house. This afternoon Mrs. McPherson & Leon came down to get Emery. Daddy helped him awhile and then went and plowed and Enah and Mrs. McPherson drove down town with Emery's horse. Emery made a corn horse and he and I went back to cut corn, it is not ripe but he was just going to show me how to do it. We went up about about five and were going to get Quint's gun which we expected Enah would bring over and shoot crows but Enah would not get it so we painted the rest of the back of the {Margin note} hay rack. It has been quite cool all day and was cold this morning and to-night. Jean went back to St. Williams to-night with Emery. Tonight Daddy and I drove down town with Joe to see if Quint would come over to-morrow to shoot crows. He said he would and mabee Huby and Earny.

Thursday August 31st

This morning I started to paint the rack and got part of one of the wings painted when Quint came with his gun. Huby and Earny did not come. I went back with Quint & and then over where Dad was and had a fine plowing lesson. When I came back Quint was wandering around and not a crow showed up nor did they all day. I helped him rob a bees nest but there was no honey. Then I came up and painted. Quint shot a grey squirrel over in the woods. I painted quite a lot this after noon and then Enah Lila and I went down town. Enah stayed at the church practising with Miss Draton till six o'clock We brought Kathleen Millman back home with us to stay a few days. We got the cows up and milked milk before tea. Quint went back with me to get the cows and shot a dove and a hawk. {Margin note} Enah and Lila picked about two bushels of plums to-day & we took a bushel down with us and sold as to Mrs. Brown. Quint went home to-night and left his gun and ammunition here as he expects to be back in the morning. It has been pretty cool to-day, but is not so cold to-night as last night.

Friday September 1st

This morning Daddy drove Joe down to Walk. Wells to put a blister on his horse. I painted at the rack till he came back and then Kathleen & I drove Joe down to get some meat. We came back by the mill and I went on painting. Daddy went back & plowed. Quint came out and Huby and Earny were out have come while we were down town. They had taken Quints gun and gone all over the farm but not shot any thing. Quint caught one of Huby's white chickens with nice yellow legs and I painted them red which made it look very pretty, but it rubbed most of it off in the grass. Cousin Clare came out this morning and stayed all day. I rode Dick's wheel down and got the mail and took Enah's hit book down to Bessie Lawrie. I gave most of the drive house door a second coat and got the cows about half past five {Margin note] and we milked before tea. About nine o'clock the whole four of us set out for the Shands. Daddy & I saw all over the barn and then went into the house where we found a bunch of young ladies who had been having a card party. We stayed till after eleven and after the others had gone. Daddy got them to fix a night (Tuesday) when he could bring out the Woodson's and Miss Robinson to have some music.

Saturday September 2nd

I felt a little sick this morning. I think from some plums I ate last night at the Sh{ands}. I painted the rest of the rack and did a few chores around. In the after noon I gave the rest of the stable door a second coat and started to tidy up around the drive house. It got very dark and lighenting vividly Daddy came up with the team. It rained pretty hard but soon stopped. Daddy got ready to go back but it began to sprinkle again so he did not go back all the afternoon. About four o'clock I drove Enah and Kathleen down as Kathleen was going back to-night. We got her suit case at the Tibbets and took her down to the station. After tea Daddy drove down to meet Dick & Roy and I went to sleep about eight o'clock & stayed there till they came. We did not get to bed till midnight and had a great rat hunt just before but did not catch again.

Sunday September 3rd

Arose late as is the custom on the Sabbath and husstled my self to get down and ring the bells - but Wiser was there so it did not matter. Dick did not get up till after I left so of course did not come down. I came out of Sunday School a little early and found Faulkner beating the starch out of one of his Arabs with a whip because it would not stand still to get its forelock clipped. I went home to dinner as we had a couple of young {roosters?} and Roy stayed down to Huby's. After dinner I started to read " A Houseboat on the Huby Roy and Aunty Maude came over about three and we all went back to the gully. Huby took the gun back which Daddy got last night but did not see any thing to shoot at. Daddy shot a couple of times at a crow this morning but missed him. I brought the cows up as it was {Margin note} about five and went into the house for a short time and when I came out they were just disappearing at the end of the lane. So Tige & I went back again and Tige got ahead of me and chased them up to the far end of the gully so I had to go after them. When we did get them milked the separator packed and we had to take it all apart and then only got very little cream. However we got down to church Huby went home to tea and Roy down to Woodsons. After church Enah went by to {illegible} Bessie's to {writing off the page} a supper {writing off the page} and is going {writing off the page} to walk. Some we {writing off the page} Roy. Dick came home to tea but went down after wards and got home shortly after we did. Daddy and I drove down to Huby's {writing off the page} got the big picture of "The Witlogh Blacksmith" and hung it in the kitchen. Very cool to-day.

Monday September 4th

Daddy went back to plow and I started to clean up around the drive-shed Huby and Lila came over about nine o'clock to get their chickens. I helped them catch all we could find and then drove them down and got back about noon. Dick went back with Daddy and they were going to take Mr. Vyse's roller back Dick rode on Dad's lap and they were just driving under the tree where the roller was when they hit an old stump. The tongue of the roller snapped off. The frame dropped down and they both fell off. Daddy hurt his thigh pretty badly and Dick was scared. We did not have dinner till late and I went back with Dad and had quite a plowing lesson. Roy went down town town at noon but said he would be back again and come over and say goodbye so I thought I would wait over there till he came and then go up with him and drive him down {Margin note} to the station. I went up to the house about 3.30 and got a spade and a drink of water and came out and began to dig up a stone where Dad was plowing. I was thus employed when Roy came back in great haste and informed me it was 20 to five. I hustled out of that and found Dick's wheel at the head of the lane where Roy had left it for me and when I got up I found Dick had the harness on Joe I got Roy to the station in time There was a big {illegible} at the station I guess they cleared out most of the summer bugs as they had an extra coach or two on. This being {illegible} day had something to do with it. I got the cows up and nearly milked by the time Dad had the horses put away and we sat down to tea by seven o'clock {illegible}.

Tuesday September 5th

Dick got up extra early this morning and struck out for school in good time so as to get a good seat. Daddy went back to plow and I sawed all the wood left in the pile and then went back about nine o'clock to where Dad was with a handspike to get that big stone out Daddy helped me and we rolled it down into the bush. I had a long plowing lesson and came up about eleven and got some potatoes and then went down town and got some meat & groceries. I got home about noon. Dick got home at noon and did not go back. This after noon although it rained all the time Daddy plowed till five o'clock and is now nearly done. I did some cleaning up around the stable and chores. Dick went down for the mail and found out from Mrs Woodson (before it began to rain) that {Margin note} the road the rest would go out to the Shand's to-night, but it rained so hard we could not go, although when it slacked up a little after tea we began to get ready, but it started up again and we {got...} up the idea and it certaily would have been a rotten drive in a {open?} wagon. We all wrote Bill to-night and Dick gave us a grand con{cert} on his squeaking symplophone.

Wednesday September 6th

I cleaned up and worked around the stable till ten o'clock this morning and then went back to the field with Dad. The flies were very bad and the horses about crazy. He finished the plowing soon after I got there and then hooked on the harrows and I harrowed till noon. After dinner Daddy took Joe and Ginger down and got Vyse's disc and I lay around till he got back and then we took both teams out and he disked and I harrowed all the after noon. The soles of my feet got pretty tired and poor Ginger got pretty disgusted but we got a nice lot done. I quit a little after five and went up and gave the horses {feed?} while Dick went and got the cows. We milked before tea. Mrs. Ross and Bob were here for tea and Daddy has just {Margin note} driven them home. They are staying at Jim. McQueen's. Dick went down with them to get some school books from {Mossay?}. Daddy and I expect to go to the Toronto exibition to-morrow so will have to get up extra early. Huby said he would come over & do chores close this morning but nice breeze & cool this aft.

Thursday September 7th

Daddy got me up about five o'clock and we did the chores. Then we hussled for all we were worth through breakfast and down to the train. We thought we were going to miss it but when we got there we watied about five or ten minutes before she started. We arrived at the Exibition grounds about 10 or 11 and were on the dead run about, all day till 3.30 p.m., and then did not see nearly all the stuff. But what we did see was great. The Widespred had a very fine exhibit of crates chests and wardrobes. There was a very large number of cattle on show. We got home about half past nine and well about frozen. It rained quite hard here about six so they tell us. Huby was to have come over here and milked but he did not get over till after six and Dick had the cows nearly milked. {Margin note} The trains were very crowded but we managed to get seats all {the} way. Every body on the way up was talking reciprocity and there {were} very few that seemed to be for it and they did not seem very shure whether they ought to be or not. Nice cool day. and a little rain about half past three on.

Friday September 8th

Got up fairly early and I worked around the house chopping wood till noon. Went over a little before to see if we could get Mr. Vyses disk this after noon. Dad wanted to get it this morning but Vyse was not through with it. After dinner I waited around till Dad took Harry & Bill over and got the disk and then went back with him and disked on the oat stubble alsike {crop?} all the after noon. He had Joe & Ginger on the harrows. and Lee Woodson came over about six and jhelped us put the box on the wagon.

After tea Daddy & Dick hooked up the little team to the wagon and drove down to the Woodsons while Enah & I got fixed up. He was soon back and the whole bunch of us drove out to the Shand's. We had a great time. Paul Lee Dick, Charlie Shand & I playing games out in another room & outside (full moon) while Miss Robinson & Miss Drayton entertained the bunch in the other room. We got home {Margin note} about one o'clock. Paul Lee & I walked quite a lot of the way as we were pulling each other out of the wagon all the way home to try and get a roomyer seat. Quite cool to-night & all day.

Saturday September 9th

We got up very late this morning I disked all morning with the big team and Daddy had the little team on the harrows. It was very hot and I was about half asleep and the blooming thing seemed to go all wrong. Dad went over this morning to see if he could borrow Mr. Vyse's roller but Mr. Flemming had it, so he went over to Mr. McBride's at noon and borrowed his.

This afternoon it was cooler with a little breeze and I finished disking and Daddy rolled with the little team till about four o'clock and then we put the big team on the roller and I took the little team up the poor little things were pretty tired and ringing wet. I did the chores up before tea.

Edith and B. Kain were here to tea. After tea we foolled around (see inside {Margin note} front of cover of this book). Enah and I went down as far as Martin's hen pens with them & Daddy went to sleep. Lila and Dorothy McCall were over too this after noon but did not stay to tea. Mr. Shey who had a stroke the other day and has been rapidly sinking died this after noon about half past five.

Sunday September 10th

Had a good sleep this morning and went down to church and Sunday School but do not have to go early now as Mr. Wiser is back on the job, by the way he has not paid me yet, two spot coming from that direction. Stayed at Aunty Maude's to dinner and then went up town and fooled around with Murray who is greatly exercised over the report that Perce Brook & Lena Gilbert are married having been hitched in Simcoe last night. He came over here and we roamed around and he inspected the piano & cream separator and stayed to tea. We walked down to church after tea and Daddy and Enah drove down. Mr. Johnson had to bring his dog out during service as it came up the isle and to the pulpit. It came up this morning near the end of the service. Mr. Davis patted it for awhile and then it went over and lay on the register till church got out. {Margin note} I was helping the organ with Wiser and after church Murray and I walked down to the pier where we found Hazen and Roy Dell we sat there for awhile till all the people left and then they walked up to the head of Main St with me and I came home for tea. It has been pretty hot to-day. The population of Dover is increasing. Liz. Jackson {illegible} had twins lately and Stan {Brock?} {illegible} made father to-day. Tige was not here to-night when we all came home and has not turned up yet. Daddy killed a crow to-day he just had the gun at his hip and {happened to pull the trigger as the crow flew away?}

Monday September 11th

Tige was here this morning when we got about six o'clock. Daddy and I went back this morning out harrowing with {illegible due to faint ink} he rolled with the little team. I finished harrowing this after noon about half past two and I brought Joe & Ginger up while Dad rolled what I had been working on with the big team till six. I did the chores and milked Bobby before tea. I cleaned up a little around the stable and the barn floor to clean the wheat on. Daddy finished rolling and took back the roller after breaking Mrs. McBride's neck yoke. He thinks that field is now ready to sow if it does not rain. Gerry Holden & his brother were over here to see the apples to-night. Mr. Vyse came over after tea and is talking to Dad now. He was telling us about poor Tom Fawset who is in an very bad state. {Margin note} Mr. Alex. McCall is I suppose spouting in the hall to-night I would like to hear him but I am too tired to go down. I was very hot this morning but there was a nice breeze this afternoon we never had any water back with us this morning. Dad said he was not thirsty but I just about flooded out my stomach when I came up at noon. I was so dry I could not spit. Had a hot bath and went to bed early. First {illegible} I have had of any {illegible} for about a month.

Tuesday September 12th

Got up pretty fairly early this morning. After breakfast Daddy and I went down to Blakie's and got some oats and borrowed his fanning mill and cultivator. Mr Vyse was here when we got back and he and I put about fifty bushles through the mill for seed which took us till nearly noon. Daddy cultivated on the wheat ground this side of the gully. I lay down at noon and went to sleep when I woke up it was about half past two and Bill Barlow was here talking to Enah. He came down to the meeting last night and missed his train this morning. Enah and I were going town this afternoon so we to Bill down to catch the 3.15 after he had had a little talk with Dad on reciprocity but there was no chance for an argue. I had to get Joe shod and I took Enah around to the Greenhouse to get some flowers for the Shey's. We did not get home {Margin note} till after five as Greenbury had to put new shoes on all Joes feet. We met Evan's Johnson who said he had just driven Russ. Shey out home. Russ took the gun out and shot a hawk and fired a couple at a crow but he was too far away. When Dad came up he took Blakie's fanning mill back and I did most of the chores. Russ stayed to tea but went right down afterwards as he expected Douglass on the {eight?} train. It is very cold to-night.

Wednesday September 13th

Went and started to cut corn this morning. Daddy kept on cultivating all morning. The drill came up to-day and Vyse sowed his wheat this morning. I went over and he said he would draw it up in the field over the gully after dinner. So this after noon Daddy took weat over in the wagon and I went with him. Vyse got there at the same time. The automobilly belonging to the Norfolk Gas Co. was busted and pulled up in the gate way. They had to {illegible} of the road and shortly afterwards Johnny Walker and Albert Mc{illegible} came along on Johnny's trap and they towed it home. Daddy kept on sowing till after six. I stayed awhile with him {till it rained?} and then went on cutting corn till about five when I came up and did the chores. I got about 14 shucks cut. Daddy {Margin note} got about 12 bushels of wheat sowed. It has been very cool all day and is quite cold to-night. The thermometer marked freezing last night but we don't know whether it did freeze or not.

Thursday September 14th

Got up good and early and then found the blooming cows had gone back and {had made?} their way over in the sod the other side of the wheat ground across the gully. {Illegible words due to faint ink} in to the gully but would take to much time and space and I might swear if I {illegible} of my chase But I got them up with the help of Daddy and we got them milked soon at {illegible}. Daddy finished sowing the wheat this morning and I got a line of shucks right through to the fence. This after noon I cut some wood {illegible words} for a rasp to sharpen my hoe with for about half an hour and then went back to cut corn. Daddy was runing out furrows and ditches all the afternoon till dark. Mr. Blakie came over and helped him most of the {Margin note} after noon. I only got two shucks made this after noon as it was so late when I started. It began to rain about five o'clock so I came up and did the chores. Mr. & Mrs. Laurie were over {missing words} the gun back this afternoon but did not get a shot. It has been cool all day their was a white frost last night but it is {....ing} and warm to night.

Friday September 15th

It rained so hard last night that the ground was too wet to work on all day. I went back for the cows and had a far worse tramp than yesterday morning although they were right in the woods but lying down so I did not see them. When I had been back quite a while, Daddy came back and we tramped way over into Watsons and he at last found them in our woods. Tige found a ground hog back there and was afraid to go right up and kill it but held it at bay till I {battered it?} with a club. About ten o'clock Daddy and I took Belle down to get her a new shoe set as their were a lot in the shop he stayed with {Billy?} and talked reciprocity while I went and got my hair cut. I also went into the printing office and had a look at Manager's apparatus. We got home just about noon. Dick took his dinner to-day. this afternoon I read for awhile in "The Millionaire Baby" and then Daddy and I went and {sucked?} up the wheat on the barn floor. Daddy killed a couple of roosters and he & Enah drove down town Dad got his hair cut and Ena stayed to tea down town and was going to the flower choir to-night. I was going down to-night to come home with her but did not feel very well so Dick went instead. I spent most of the evening on the sofa and Daddy cleaned the {illegible}. It has been cool and rather cloudy all day. I have felt kind of rotten all day. We got a letter from Aunty to-day describing their trip to Banff Walter took her and Winnie there for a couple of days and they had a fine time. Auntie evidently thought the mountains were grand.

Saturday August September 16th

Stayed in bed this morning till about half past eight as I was not very well. I lay around all morning reading "The Millionaire Baby". Dick went down town and made a dollar peddling {illegible} {hills?}, Daddy went back and shovelled ditches. This afternoon Dick, Ferdie and Lissy went back shooting with the shotgun and a rifle but they did not shoot anybody, strange to say. Daddy and Enah went down to Mr. Skey's funeral. One of us ought to {have?} gone over to Bannister's to thrash this afternoon but under the circumstances could not.

Mr. {Highland?} was here again to buy the blue grass seed and offered Dad. sixty-five dollar. He said he would come again on Monday. Warm and nice to-day.

Sunday September 17th

Daddy and Enah & I set out for St. Williams this morning and Dick went down to church and Sunday School and stayed all day till five o'clock. I took a dose of salts this morning. The first I have ever taken I think. I stayed home from school once a long time ago to take one but got out of it after nine o'clock. I read and drew pictures most of the day, doing the chores by degrees. Al. Faulkner was over to borrow the double harness, but as Dad had it with him he said it did not matter this is the first time Dad has used it for a month or two. Charlie Ferris and the two Quanberry's came through from the lane. They had been taking pictures. Tige and I had a very enjoyable day of it. {I ate well?} dinner & lunch I wanted {illegible} as I came to it, and Dick and I {Margin note} had our Tea to-gether upstairs. They came home just as we got through with a good supply of peaches. They had some hickory fruits which they said {need?} ripening up. Today Emery fixed up a hoe and sent it to me to cut corn with. They said it was hot to-day. It may have been, but I was not.

Monday September 18th

Got up very late this morning.

Hooray For Borden

Friday September 22nd

Cut corn all day. Dad worked on the wheat ground all day. He took the little cart out this morning as he thought I would be working the big team but he found the ground on this side was too wet where he wanted me to disk so kept on with them till noon. Dick came home at noon with the tidings that Borden was in with 43 majority. He also had the globe which of all particulars. The Liberals were just simply skunked owing to reciprocity. If they had never got it into politics they would more than likely be in power now. Most of the cabinet ministers were defeated including Fielding, Paterson, Graham, Sir Fredrick Borden and Wm. McKenzie King. Manitoba did not send one Liberal candidate but Alberta and Saskatchewan both went Liberal. Nova Scotia New Brunswick and Quebec went Liberal and Ontario and British Columbia were Conservative by very large majority and P.E. Island was a tie two of each. There were seventeen nationalists elected in {total?}. It went very different from what we expected as we thought Alex McCall was sure to be returned and and there was no chance for Borden {illegible} very nice day. Dick told us tonight that Mrs Joe Jacques died this morning {illegible due to words missing}. Daddy does not feel very well to-night.

Canada is saved from Yankeedom.

Saturday September 23rd

We got up fairly early this morning but did not get started to work very early. Daddy and I disked all morning and got the wheat ground all gone over. He got Blakie's cultivator disk with the little team I cut corn from 2.30 till 4.00 this p.m. Mr. Blakie came over and helped Dad run out the cross ditches in the wheat field. About four o'clock Daddy came back and he and I went to separate our cattle from Watson's and fix the fence where they got in but we found they were not to-gether so we did not bother putting Watson's out as it is his fence that has to be fixed anyway Coleman's colt was in our side this aft. but we could not find where he got in but we think it was through the {back} were Jim Bannister and another fellow were down in Coleman's gully and had quite a lot of mushrooms. {Margin note} Mr. Larry came over this morning with decoy crows and a crow call but only got two. I took the gun back this afternoon. and nearly dislocumbusted my shoulder shooting at a hawk and of course missed him. If I had not it would be about the first time I ever killed with a gun. I shot a kingfisher once but he was sitting still in the corner of the {illegible}. I am not very blood thirsty. Bill Donald was in to night but says the buckwheat is not quite ready yet to cut. Blakie told us that Lambkin's sold after thrashing the blue grass hay he got from us for $50. He also says there is another gas company out leasing land. Pretty hot to-day. Looks like more rain.

Thursday September 28th

Did not get up very early and it was colder than, I can't think of anything just now. I cut a little wood to get warm and when Bill came I went back and cut corn with him. We got on famously but Frank came back about ten and I went up to take Enah and him down town. Miss Phipps was here then. We got home about noon. About a dozen people (most of them related) came while Enah was off some place to inspect Frank and ask him the usual number of questions. We got some cartriges and we drove around a little. I cut corn with Bill all the after-noon and we can easily finish the piece tomorrow going at the same rate as to-day. Frank came back with his rifle and Bill gave him a few hints about shooting. Daddy got all the furrows run and cleaned to-day. He was planning a lot for to-morrow but Mrs. Cruise came and invited him over to thrash - and he accepted the invitation. Cool all day. Cloudy to-morrow.

Friday September 29th

It rained hard during the night so I did not get up very early. A lot of plaster fell in the clothes room last night and {burst?} the window. Dad went over to Cruises to thrash when it cleared off a little. Dick had to walk to school this morning and took his dinner. Frank and I fooled around till about eleven when Bill came over to cut corn. I thought it was too wet but was just right. We worked till dinner and till about four o'clock when it began to rain and we had to leave about an hours job. I had the chores all done and the cows nearly milked when Daddy got home. After tea I just about freeze and Dick and Frank played checkers and marbles. Frank got some pretty fair sized potatoes. Bill cannot come back now so Dad and I will have to finish the corn. Cool all day.

Saturday September 30th

Did not get up early as I did not feel very well. Corby came before breakfast and Dick and Frank went off with him after chestnuts. They did not get back till after dark. They said they had good luck, they went to one place Corby paid the man a quarter for the tree and stayed there all day. It was up near the Glen. They saw old Bill walking home. Daddy and I went over and put a post in for the fence between the far wheat field and the gully. Then we went back about half past ten and and started to cut corn. We cut till dinner and finished the field this afternoon. Dad let Belle and Old Harry in the lane before noon and after dinner we found her with her leg caught in the wire which she had done by rolling. We had quite a time getting her out and had to cut one of the upright wires, but she was not hurt badly. Dad killed a couple of young Plymouth roosters for {Margin note} (words illegible due to being partly off the page} confirmation class to-morrow. Allan Law came after Dad to go to Edward {Eugla...} to see a sick mare but Dad told him to go to {illegible} Simcoe and get another man so he went to telephone. Then we all went down town in the lumber wagon with Ginger and Joe. Lila and Dorothy McCall came over and went down with {us?}. We got a stove off Cousin {Poll} and put it up to-night. Daddy and I walked down to meet Boy to-night and did not get to bed till late.

Sunday September October 1st

It was raining hard when I woke up this morning and it rained all morning. I did not get up till very late and none of us but Enah and Roy went down to church. Dad drove them down but it was raining too hard to walk. We read and slept till they came home and then we read and starved till about four o'clock when had dinner. Huby Lila and Quint came over after and Huby Roy and the four of we boys went back the lane with the gun. after mushrooms but did not fin any. Dick, Frank and Quint went back in the woods. (I thought it would be too wet) and got a wood cock, hawk and a big puff-ball. Clark Matthews was here for a while. Roy went down wth Huby and Lila and is not back yet (10 o'clock) Quint came stayed here till about six o'clock and then went down to church with us boys. It was in the town-hall and they had it decorated for {Margin note} harvest home. Frank and I got reserved seats and Dick went under the gallery with Jim Law. We came home nearly right after

Monday October 16th

This morning Dad went down to Sam Law's again but he was not home but he found out that Vyse had been down and seen him anyway. I did chores around and cleaned up all I could find between the horse stable and the big barn. George Holden came about ten o'clock to pick the apples. His gang consisted of Hilt, Moor, Wiser and Billy Loan. They were here all day and got eight bbls {barrels} all together. Six of Canada Red's, 1 1/2 of Seek-no-Furthers, and 1/2 bbl of Spies. I gathered up all their culls I could this after noon. I also took a picture of the bunch. Cousin Loll and Cousin Bessy were out this after noon. Dick went down to {Anderson's} sale this after noon. Dad got a good lot plowed to-day. Mr. Blakie husked some more corn this morning. Bayly and Miller's butcher, Mr. Tuck brought the heifer out to-night. Mr. Johnson was out to-night I guess on business. Daddy, Dick and I went out after tea to-night and picked up more apples.

Wednesday October 18th

It was too wet for Daddy to plow this morning so he opened some ditches in the wheat field. I fooled around and helped Dad do some little things we had left for a rainy day. Enah went down town to get some things for Frank, as this is his birthday. We celebrated it to-night at supper. I got a nickel out of his cake. This afternoon Dad plowed all this afternoon and I got the apples that were on the lawn crated. I also sawed wood and did the chores. I took a picture of the interior of the horse stable but I could not keep the horses from switching their tails so I don't suppose it will be any good. Dick and Frank rode their wheels to-day but took them through Martins. We three boys think we will go to Simcoe Fair to-morrow. The High School petitioned for a holiday but Mr. Liddy said he would {illegible} school for those who wanted to go come but he did not object to any staying away to go to the fair.

Thursday October 19

Frank, Dick and I started out for Simcoe with Joe about 9 o'clock this morning. We left her at Mr. Frank Bawlby's where Mrs. Bawlby said she would be looked after we walked on in to the fairground and got there about eleven. We went through the buildings first and saw the usual collection of fruit, vegetables, grain, fancy work, stock implements etc. Then we just wandered along Frank and I spent most of our time watching a fellow who had a cage of bees. The things were crawling all over every body around but would not sing. The fellow was right in with them and would scoop them out of the hive by the hand full and rub them over his face without being hurt. We also saw a review of Boy Scouts which was very poor. Doug Henderson was Scout Master, but not the only one. We left the grounds about three and went to Dreamland where they had on a couple of pretty good comedy films. We got home about six. Joe behaving herself pretty well except she shied nearly into the ditch at a cone and she did not go very well. {Margin note} {word off the page - Daddy?} had plowed all day and evidently got on very well. Bill Donald cut the rest of the buckwheat. If all is well Aunty will be starting from Fort Saskatchewan for Dover in about three or four hours.

Friday October 20th

Dick was sick last night Simcoe was too much for him. He did not go to school all day but is a little better to-night. I sawed a lot of wood and finished up my wood pile. Then I cleaned out the stables and rubbed down Joe & Ginger. Then I picked up the good pears under Titus' favorite tree. I picked apples all the afternoon, and got all off one Tollman Sweet tree and all that were on a Spittsonburg but there were only a few. Frank got quite a few hickory nuts this afternoon. Daddy plowed and got quite a lot done. The two Miss Haldings Miss. Morgan and Miss Buckwell drove Isacks pacer over this afternoon. Mrs. Barwell was in to-night to see Dad about leasing {illegible}. Miss Philip was over this morning to get some more butter as she said she liked the last very much.

Saturday October 21st

Dad went over to Vyse's this morning after some sacks to pack up the wheat and I got some wood and cleaned the stables. When he came back we hooked up Harry and Belle to the wagon dumped the corn that was in it and Frank Daddy and I went and got two loads more before dinner and left one to unload. This afternoon we sacked up the rest wheat that we could. I say we but I did very little of it. Frank started to hold the sacks for Dad then he went to gather hickory nuts and I held them for awhile and then Dick came out and finished and I slept I guess in the hay with Tige. They got twenty sacks and there is quite a bit left. Daddy and I went out and got the rest of the corn which was not quite a wagon box full. We did not get through chores till quite late to-night. Lila came over this afternoon and she & Frank went out and got a lot of hickory nuts. Dick is quite a lot better to-day but not well yet. I guess we are in for a bath to-night, may get out of it though.

Sunday October 22nd

All except Dick went down to church this morning. Frank and I went down first to Sunday School or what was meant to be Sunday school but was really just a practice for children's day which is to be held again in two weeks at the reopening of the church. It was sprinkling whent we got out of church and was raining hard by the time we got home. Frank wanted to go and see Mr. Taylor about his bees but I persuaded him not to, on account of the rain. It rained till about two or three o'clock and began to blow like {pen?} and is yet. I wrote a letter about the first thing after dinner, then went in the parlour where the rest of the family were gathered and enjoyed some music. About four o'clock I went out and fooled around and went back after the cows. Frank and I went down after five to post my letter. The creek was so high that Frank thought he would go down to the dock. The waves were not extra high but he was delighted with them. We got home soon after dark. No body went down to church to night. Dick is still feeling sore but is better.

Saturday Monday October 23rd

I woke up myself this morning and got up before Dad. Frank also got up early and stubbed his toe which has been very sore all day. Daddy went over to Blakie's first thing this morning and sacked up a lot of oats. I got some wood of different kinds for a collection and also cut a little. Dad got back about 10.30 and we hooked up to the wagon and went over and got the oats. Daddy also helped Blakie with his pigs for quite awhile. We got back quite a bit after noon. Mr. Vyse was over for awhile after dinner. Daddy and I went after dinner down to the mill with the wheat we had sacked up and got some bran. Dad went home and got a wagon load of rails and I took Mr. Vyse's bags back to him. Mr. Holden came over when we came up to the house with the rails and took the apples down and also paid Dad $12 for them. I went back after the cows to-night and just about got drowned with rain going back & it also hailed and was colder than {Toby has drawn a wee sketch here}. Stan was in to-night before tea and says they are getting on fine down there. He is up on a little {Margin note} excursion buying hay for some big company down there. It has been very windy to-day and dark and cloudy for the bigger part of the day.

Tuesday 24th October

Beautiful day. Dad plowed all day and I messed around. Frank's toe was so sore he could not go to school to-day but stayed home and wrote letters and ate cookies that Enah was making. I fooled around and did chores and {illegible} as that. This afternoon I picked apples. Dick went to school to-day. We all quit early so as to get a good start to the station to meet Aunty & Win. The cows came up of their own accord to celebrate the occasion. Frank drove down with Daddy & Enah on account of his sore toe and Dick and I went on foot. We left at the same time but Dick and I beat. We waited till about half past nine for the train. Cousin Clare and Huby were on with Aunty. We went up to Huby's where Aunty is to stay for a day or so and stayed till about eleven ten o'clock.

Wednesday October 25th

It looked very rainy this moning and Dad was going to haul in the corn but he thought he would plow till noon. I cleaned up a little around the {----yard?}. Frank did not go to school to-day either. This afternoon Dad just went out to finish a land that he had struck out very crooked before any one went along the road. I went out with him and opened up a ditch. Then I came back and bummed around with Frank, for Enah had gone down town to see Aunty and get some presents for Lila. She said she would be home at half past four, and did pretty well by being home a little after six and with neuralgia at that. Dad came up about three o'clock and we went back and got a load of corn but did not have time to unload it and had to leave some in the field. I spent most of the evening in writing this thing which I think I have kept about long enough now that Aunty is home. Then Enah got think she was funny and poured about a dipper full of water on me and then on my diary on purpose. {illegible} whats the {illegible}

Thursday October 26th

Did not do any thing much but then usual chores. Aunty & Win came over about ten and I stayed around with them till noon. Dad plowed all day. Frank went to school to-day although his toe was pretty sore. This afternoon Vyse hauled his buckwheat. He had Jim Blakie helping him I helped them mow it away when they brought it. We put it the {hay?} to thrash here when Bill Donald thrashes his. While they were getting loads I did nothing much but read & finished "The Old Curiosity Shop". Dick and I went down to Huby's to-night for tea as it is Lila's birthday. Frank went there right after school & stayed all night. We came home about nine or half past. Russel Shay was down for a little while. He is just been having his holidays. Huby was at a political meeting in St. Williams, nominating for the Provincial elections in December. Old Quint did the carving on a chicken and had it all over the place. It has been a beautiful day to-day.

Friday October 27th

I spent most of the morning in sawing wood and finished up my pile. It was very cold all day. It snowed a little last night and was drizzling rain this morning. Daddy plowed all morning and finished soon after dinner. Then we got a load of corn and just left it in the wagon by the corn crib. I threw out most of what was in the wagon while Dad finished plowing the field. The boys' both took their dinners. Frank got home about about five but Dick did not get home till six. He was down watching a football game between Dover & Simcoe. The score was 0-0. Blakie has all our corn husked now and there is about a load more in the field. Dad went down town to see Aunty to-night. I sat around most of the evening and got warm and listened to Enah teaching Frank all sorts of things which he was supposed to think was geography but he did not think any thing about it. I think guess.

Saturday October 28th

It froze the hardest yet last night ice 1/4 inch thick, but was a beautiful day. We had planned to do all kinds of things to-day but Mr. Flemming came over this morning and gave Dad a bid to his thrashing this afternoon. We spent most of the morning in getting in the rest of the corn, and finished. We have about 900 bushels. Frank helped us. Dick was down town after some stuff. This afternoon Dad of course put in at the Flemmings and Dick went down and got the mail and then helped Frank get hickory nuts. Enah went down town this after noon. I went over right after dinner to Bill Donald's to see what about the buckwheat as Sam Law said he could thrash it on Monday but Bill was in Beautford and will not be back until Monday anyway. I did not do any thing else much but the chores. Dad got home about six. He and Dick have gone down to night to meet Roy and they have not got back yet as the train is just in (9 o'clock).

Sunday October 29th

Did not get up till late this morning and did not go down to Sunday School, but Dick and Frank went down. They were going to have church in the town hall again but, George Steel did not light the furnace and the door was locked into the cellar so they got frozen out and had to ajourn to the Sunday School where it was just as hot as the other was cold. I stayed at Huby's for dinner with Dick and Frank and Aunty and Roy went over home. We fooled around with the football for awhile after dinner and then Warren Shay came down and Dick, Frank and I went for a walk with him down the lake shore. When we got back Frank and I went over to Mr. Taylor's where we found Mr. & Mrs. Willie Taylor. When we were coming home we met Daddy and Aunty who had been at the cemetry and Aunty was just coming back to Huby's. I went home with Daddy and helped him do the chores and walked down to church again after tea with Roy. After tea church I went down to Huby's where most of the Mr. J. Shay's family were assembled. He has been up preaching to-day. He, Warren & Jim were arranging for a hunt to-morrow.

Monday October 30th

This being Thanksgiving Day Roy did not have to catch the train as he usually does on Monday morning but stayed in bed till dinner time then went down town and came back with Aunty about four o'clock to say good-bye. Vyse came over this morning and he and Dad put the rack on the wagon and hauled in the buck wheat. I did not help in the field only for one load when Vyse went home for dinner but after the first load helped in the mow and did chores and fooled around in the meantime. Bill Donald came in about five and Vyse went home and he took his place. They worked till quite a while after dark but got it all in. I milked and had an awful time with the calf as she got loose and pulled me all around at last I tied her up to the fence but she ripped a board off that and then went in. Frank went down to a {illegible} in the Sunday School and I went down with him and stayed at Huby's with Aunty and Quint till he and Dick came home about eleven. Dick went down this after noon. They had a shooting match to-day and Frank caught a wounded pigeon that sought refuge over here. {Margin note} Beautiful day this fore noon but away to-night.

Tuesday October 31st

It rained last night quite a lot and there is nothing this morning but a cold fog and sweet, mushy mud. Bill Donald came over soon after breakfast which we had late and he hooked his team up to the wagon and we unloaded the jag of loose stuff they put on last night in the dark.Then we went back and got a load of rails. I cleanded the stables and did chores while they unloade and got another load of rails one they put up near the house the other out at the farm for the thrashers. He brought over this morning some squash, potatoes and cabbages for the thrashers but much more that they would eat. After dinner he helped clear up the yard and then went up to see Sam Law. and Dad sawed some wood and I just fooled around and got warm and in Enah's road, at least tried to. When Bill came back he said Sam Law would not be here to-morrow so we don't know nor don't care much about it. Jim Blakie was over with a sick mare. It has been rotten all day and is in that state to-night so we celebrated Hallowe'en by sittin' round the stove.

Wednesday November 1st

It was very cold this morning and pretty chilly all day. We didn't do much this morning. About eleven o'clock we hooked up Joe and Ginger & went down town after a few household requisites. We were going to bring Aunty over with us to stay but she was looking after the place for Aunty Maude who had to be up at the store. Frank & Dick could not ride to-day so had their dinner at Huby's. After dinner Dad & I went over to Cruise's sale and hung around till after four o'clock, without bidding on anything. They were only about half through when we left, selling the house stuff. When we came home Dad hooked up the team again and went down and got Aunty. I went to water old Harry and the big fool jumped away and kicked and ran out back of the barn where he got his chain twisted around his leg. I tried to get him but could not so left him there. Dick Quint & {Margin note} Frank came over and Dick got him. Quint stayed to tea but as it was raining or snowing or something he went home right after supper.

Thursday November 2nd

Dad and I were roaming about the house last night. Dad to fasten hanging doors as the wind was terrific then and I to see what Tige was barking at. but it was too cold to bother although she kept up off and on for about half an hour. It froze very hard last night and has been cold with a little snow & biting west wind all day. Dad and I cleaned up over in the big barn this morning prepairing for the threshers. This after noon we cut quite a lot of wood and tidied up the old house a little and have {blocked?] all the openings to keep any ordinary chicken out but two or three fiends in the shape of black minorca hens got in despite all our pains. Then we worked around doing our chores {illegible}. Sam Law came to-night and said he would be here about ten o'clock to-morrow. It is very cold to-night and will unless something very strange happens freeze like frost to-night. More fun with Frank and his lessons after tea. Aunty is after him {next?}.

Friday November 3rd

First thing this morning I went over to Bill Donald's to tell them about the thrasher. He had not got back from his sister's funeral yet but Mrs. Donald said she would send word to the men. I came through Cruise's but did not see any thing of him. I also told Louis's. I got home a little before the machine came. I did not do a thing all day except a few chores. I haven't had a better day all summer for although there have been lots of days when I have not done any more but have not had the pleasure of seeing the others work so hard. We got all the buck wheat threshed but it did not turn out very well only 70 bushels and got started on the alsike. We will finish it up to-morrow. Bill Donald got home at noon and helped us till night. Mrs. Donald also came over to help Enah and so did Mrs. Vyse. It was a fine day to-day cold but not as bad as yesterday and is milder to-night. Aunty went down to Huby's for tea and Huby came over with her after tea.

Saturday November 4th

Got up before day light this morning and we got started with the machine in good time. Did not have so easy a time this morning. Was in the mow pitching alsike with Billy Louis and Mr. Flemming till we got it nearly all threshed then Bill Donald came. Dad was on the stack and nearly made it fall against the barn as he went by what different ones told him was in the mow he started to top it out two or three times and then had to built it out again. We got over four bushels of alsike and it is now worth $10 a box. We got two loads of oats thrashed before dinner and finished soon after. Dick and I and Mr. Flemming were in the mow before dinner and Mr. Blakie helped us after. Bill Donald ran the blower and we put the straw in the mow so nobody had to be in there with it. we go 120 bushels of oats but they were very late. we did not do anything the rest of the after noon except hang around and watch Sam Law clean out the engine which he left here together with the {clover?} mill till Monday. {Margin note} Dick went down town with Bill Donald who was going to get his horses shod. He came in and got his buckwheat on his way home. I feel rather plugged up with dust to-night but near so bad as the last time we thrashed. I guess we are all in for a bath to-night. I don't see much chance of getting out of it.

Sunday November 5th

We got up late this morning and as there was no Sunday School this morning took our time going to church. We three boys walked down first and Aunty, Daddy and Enah came down later. The church was reopened this morning and looked fine. The bishop was to have been there but could not come so sent his man. He dedicated the three memorial pieces that had been put in The pulpit in memoriam of Bishop Baldwin, the brass desk of Mr. Skey and the prayer desk of {Fa?}. Daddy and Enah went home for dinner and but the rest of us stayed at Huby's. We went up to church at three o'clock with Aunty to a Children's Day service. After that Frank and I walked up the beach and stayed to Huby's again for tea. Aunty went over to Mrs. Battersby's for tea and Dick came home. I went up to church after tea but was so late that I went behind the organ. So really did not intend to go at all. I found Fatty Turner and Wiser there who said Dad had come down with Enah but had gone off again to kill Holden's old mare. He and Dick came in before church was out. After church I waited {Margin note} quite a while with Aunty for Aunty Maude who was at Miss Battersby's but as she did not come Aunty went down with Daddy and I went down and came home with Frank soon afterward. We went to bed by moonlight as Daddy, Enah and Dick stopped into Mrs. Battersby's on their way home to see Mr. {Gasnon?} who is giving away {som?}. Aunty stayed down to-night as she wants to see about some things to-morrow. It has been a beautiful day and is a beautiful night.

Monday November 6th

It started to rain soon after we got up this morning and rained all day. It has stopped now and is quite mild. Sam Law came this morning with his man to get his engine he worked around for quite awhile but it was too wet to take it. I went down to Vyse's to borrow his post auger as he intended to fix up the barnyard fence if it cleared off and found him getting ready to come after his buckwheat, so I got a ride. He also brought our cultivator teeth that go on the drill and some punkins. After dinner we cut a little wood and braided corn and sat around reading and watching it rain till it was time to do chores. We also put in the piece that fits in over the doors in the loft of the horse stable and nailed on the boards that the threshers knocked off this morning. I have had a sore throat ever since the thrashing and to night I am getting a cold and my throat is getting better. I spent most of the evening drawing a picture from "Punch"

Tuesday November 7th

It has been blowing a North West wind good and strong all day. We did not got any thing done at all to-day. Sam and Alan Law and young Philip were here all day working with their engine as something has gone bust on it. The boiler was leaking. We were going to take the wagon down and get our potatoes from Bob Law. but he did not like to leave the men there with the engine for fear of fire. I fooled around in the house most of the morning. This after noon I cut some wood and went down town with Enah. I got my cheque from Ottawa at the Post Office and deposited it in the Crown. I have it all in there now and have $98.98. Then I got my hair cut and went down to wait at Huby's for Enah who was at Auxillary. I waited with Nig. till Quint and Frank came and fooled around and at last went home with Dick who came soon after and left Frank to wait for Enah. Bill Oaks was over this morning and got booked for a job whenever he was wanted and also some money {Margin note} from Dad as he says he has a chance to buy a home and wants to make a first payment. Aunty hasn't come home yet and says she won't be back till Thursday.

Wednesday November 8th

The men came this morning and got their engine and outfit and took it away at last. They evidently had some more trouble with it at the top of the hill out here. Guy {Tuple?} came before they were gone to see what was the matter with them I suppose. Dad and I wasted most of the forenoon, trying to raise the rack of the wagon up on the beam after a lot of trouble with the Hay fork ropes and Stan's heel windlass we took the wings off and and got it off in pieces. Then it was about eleven o'clock and too late to go down town so we went and pulled mangles till noon and got the biggest part of them up. This after noon we went down with Harry and Belle and went to get the potatoes but they were not sorted and we didn't have time so we said we would be down Saturday. So we got some groceries and Dad paid his taxes and we got the cider press for Frank. We got John Quanbury and took him home. We also saw Bob Blakie and he said he would meet us but he don't. We got our {illegible} when we got home {Margin note} and put them down cellar and then did {illegible}. It has been a beautiful day and looks like Indian Summer coming.

Thursday November 9th

Dad and I both went back for the plow this morning after cutting enough wood till noon. We spent a lot of time when we got over in the field which Lambkins took the hay off striking out head land furrows and dead furrows and as old Harry was kittenish and Belle was mean from being in so long. However we got on fairley well. I had a good plowing lesson. We had a great deal of trouble after dinner getting Charlotte back into the orchard as she had broken the fence. Dad then went back and plowed and I did up chores ready for night and then went back with the shovel and opened up some ditches out of the field Dad was plowing in. Then the cows went up so I had to go up and put them in, so I stayed and did the rest of the chores. Enah went down town to a tea meeting or something this afternoon and Aunty came back with her. We did not get through tea till late. Another beautiful day.

Friday November 10th

It rained hard last night so we could not plow till this afternoon and then it was pretty mucky. We did the chores up and I cleaned out the pigeon pens. Dad piled a lot of straw in front of the cow stable which made thing's much better as it would "bog a duck" (as Dad say's) before. We piled the potatoes we got from Chris Quanbury down cellar. Enah went down to her sister's Mrs MacPherson's and spent the day. Aunty looked after things here for her. Dad went back to plow right after dinner. I went back after I cut some wood and done up the stables. It was too muddy for me to have a satisfactory lesson so I dug ditches. I came up and brougt the cows about five and did chores and helped Frank get a few apples to make cider. Lila and Margaret McCall were over this afternoon impersonating Mrs. Gerard and Rina Turner just got married to Mr. Hamacker, {respectively?} Aunty went down with them as Huby wanted her to go down, and stay all night as he and Aunty Maud were invited to the Harding's.

Saturday November 11th

Dad hooked the big teams on to the lumber wagon and he, Dick, Frank and I went down town. We went to Huby's first and got a wagon load of boxes and other things. Then we went up to Bob Law's to sort out the potatoes. We got about four or five bushels out of them. We got home about noon. We found Edith Lawrie here with Nipper who was sick and shut up in the stable so he would not fight Tige. She brought him over for Dad to look at. Dad plowed all the after noon. I helped Frank make cider most of the after noon we got quite a lot. Ferdie came over about noon and he and Dick went down town. Dick got home about dark ringing the old cow bell which Aunty had found while cleaning out the store room down home. Dad was afraid it was lost as we looked for it last spring and could not find it. He felt badly about it as it has been down home so long, ke knew it as soon as he heard it. Charlie Shand was over to-day to see Dad about a sick dog too. It has been a beautiful day, but there seems to be a wind getting up to-night. There is thunder and ligning also to-night which {Margin note} which they say at this season is a token of mild weather we will see if all's {illegible}.

Sunday November 12th

It was raining "cats and dogs" when we awoke this morning and evedently had been performing in the same manner most of the night. None of us went to Sunday school but all began to prepare for church but me. But as the time drew nigh to start it was snowing so hard and looked so rotten out that Dad and Enah thought better of it and decided to stay "to home". Dick and Frank however bundled up and went down. It began to be very cold about this time and Dad went out to get the calves out of the orchard and just about fainted from getting his hands so cold, as he had no gloves in. However he got the calves comfortably housed in the old stable. I read all morning "The Dragon and the Raven". It stopped snowing about one o'clock and I went down town soon after. It was freezing but was still muddy. The wind was still very strong as it had been all day but was veering from N.W. to W. The creek was very high all over the marsh. I went into Hubys and then down to the docks accompanied by Quint, Frank and Dick. The wind was enough to blow a fellow off especially as the ice on the pier made it hard to maintain a foothold. Huby {Margin note} came down soon afterwards to see if we were all right. We did not stay there long but went over on the beach where we fooled around till my ears got cold and Quint got ready for home and we went up in the park for a while and then home. Frank went home with me and and Dick went in search of Ferdy and got home not long after we did. We stayed "to home" all evening reading playing the mouth organ and such and listening to the wind which is picking up a glorious rumpus.

Monday November 13th

When the house was aroused this morning all were surprised to find any water left in the kitchen was frozen. The water in the bird cage was frozen, and the lillie in the hall was toughed. Although this was the state of things in the house, the water in the horse stable was not frozen. It was very cold outside and was made more intense by as strong wind. I started to saw wood and Daddy and Enah began to get the stoves ready to move. I broke the frame of my saw which was not much account anyway, so I went down to Huby's to get his saw and also to get him to come and help us move the stove. We spent the rest of the morning getting the stove up. We moved the big stove into the inside kitchen and the little stove in the hall. We did not do any thing much but chores and I cut wood. It has been exceedingly cold all day. And it hopes feels as if it would be a cold night.

Tuesday November 14th

It was a great deal milder to-day than yesterday. Old Bill turned up about seven o'clock as he had stayed down at Huby's all night. We started to work first thing on the winter pen for the chickens {illegible} the on the big barn. We covered the top with the old hay that Titus had left in the other end of the shed which we intend using for a calf and sheep pen. We were nearly all morning at this and we did the same to the calf pen with the remainder of the hay. This after noon we fixed up a coop for the chickens to roost in one corner of the shed with a couple of big doors of the horse stable before it was fixed up. Dad went down town about five o'clock after tar paper and poultry netting to enclose the shed. He met the boys on their way home from school and Dick went back with him and helped him bring home his purchases. I did chores and Bill helped me milk. It began to snow quite hard to-night and Bill thought he would be able to follow the track of a {Margin note} fox he had seen signs of yesterday on his way down so Dad said he would spare him tomorrow morning and he went down to Huby's to stay to-night as he had left his gun there and wanted to get an early start.

Wednesday November 15th

Dad and I worked all morning putting up the wire around the new chicken pen. We also put up more tar paper in the pen and put boards around the top and bottom of the wire. While I was in the barn this morning I saw the old grey cat that Williams left catch a great big rat and eat it. This afternoon we hung the door to the chicken pen and finished it up. About three o'clock Dad hooked up Joe and Ginger and went down to get Aunty and Lila came back with them. I cleaned out the stable while they were gone and then sawed wood. Dad did the chores and I helped milk. Tonight Dad, Lila and Dick are out to catch the chickens and put them in their new pen Lila is holding the light for them and is enjoying herself immensely. Aunty said Bill and Quint started off this morning after the fox. They got as far as Wally's and saw the fox with a chicken, so Bill went on after him and Quint came on home. It snowed a good inch last night and there were bob sleighs out this morning. The sun was very bright and it thawed a lot all day, but it is colder to-night.

Thursday November 16th

Bill came in this morning before any of us were up. He said he shot the fox yesterday and sold the skin to a fellow from Simcoe as soon as he shot it. There were three Simcoe fellows with a hound after it. We put the rack on the wagon and Dad and Bill went after a load of rails to fix the barn yard fence while I sawed some wood. Phil. {Shaver?} came after Dad while they were out there. I helped them unload. Bill started to work at the fence and Dad and I got a load of poor rails to saw up for fire wood. Bill hung some gates this afternoon and Dad helped him and I just fooled around and took about a half an hour to get my feet warm and dry. When they got through with the gates, Dad went down to the mill with Joe and Ginger to get a bag of flour and Bill cut a good pile of wood. I did a few chores. Aunty and Enah went down town this after noon. Lila spent most of her time feeding the chickens and sleigh riding. She went all the way down town after her sleigh and every body around was looking to her. It was a lot warmer to-day but is cold now. {Margin note} Poor Mickey Law had his leg nearly cut off to-day while he was working down at the fish shanties. We don't know exactly how it happened but the freight car ran over him and they don't expect him to live.

November 17th Friday

Dad was awakened this morning about four o'clock by the piteous cries of his little pet canary, the wild one. He came out and found a rat, the rat we have all been plotting against and trying catch for the last two or three weeks chewing the little canary's leg. He scared it into the pantry and blocaded the door and then broke the old wooden spoon that Mr. Moon made killing the rat but he did kill it. He let it, the canary go till noon and then found that its leg was broken right off so he had to kill it. Bill and Lila Dad and I went out and got a hauled corn stalks. We got three loads jags in and unloaded by noon and there is about another jag standing and the rest are all down and too wet to bring in. It began to sleet about noon and soon turned into rain. It rained all the after noon and is yet and much milder to-night. All the snow has vanished and given place to - mud. Bill went down town this afternoon. Dad and I did not do much but chores this after noon. I read "The O' Ruddy" most of the time and find it is an excellent book.

Saturday November 18th

It was a brute of a day - rain, sleet and wind. and to-night it is blowing and freezing. I spent about an hour this morning greasing up my old boots. Then I went out and helped Frank get in Dad's {wood?} while he was trying put a window in his new chicken coop so the feathered {foo--?} could see to go to roost. I went over to Vyse's about noon with a buck-saw blade to get him to {illegible} it. Dick and Lila went down town this morning to wish Aunty {illegible} a happy birthday and Lila of course stayed. Dad, Frank and Dick went back to where Dad was blowing to open a ditch.When they came back Dick went down town and Frank and I played hide and seek in the old barn all afternoon. I wanted to see how it would work to {illegible} a hole I made yesterday in the straw right on to the {goal?}. Dad did the work. I read "The O' Ruddy" to-night. I seen a possible chance of getting out of having a bath to-night as Dick is catching it now.

Sunday November 19th

Snowed first thing this morning till the ground was covered and then stopped and remained cold for the rest of the day. Aunty and we three boys went down to Sunday school and Dad and Enah came down to church. It was hot enough in church to cook eggs and the smell of paint is still strong. Mr. Johnson preached an awfully long sermon. All stayed to Huby's for dinner except Dad, who went home to do chores. I stayed with Frank there most of the afternoon fooling around with Quint. We came home about half past four and went down to Sam Law's to look for a little hickory nut tree. Dick went off right after dinner with Ferdie but just got home after tea. I read a little out of "The O' Ruddy" and then Enah read the rest of the evening a continued story of the Sunday School magazine which was very interesting but annoying because it came to a stop in an exciting place.

Monday November 20th

Dad went over to Mr. Vyse's this morning to see if he had the saw sharpened but found he had gone down to see Mickey Law as they had sent for him for because they did not expect Mickey to live. I piled a lot of rails in the wood shed while he was gone. {En.?} Lambert came after him and I told him he was at Vyses, but he missed him. Dad said he didn't care unless the fellow wanted to pay his bill which was unlikely as he had owed it for three or four years. I went over to Vyse's after dinner but he could not sharpen the saw for a day or so so left me his saw. It was good and sharp so I used it for quite a while after I got back. Dad worked out at the old chicken house. I got the job later in the day pp watching cookies from burning which I did but stuffed my self so chock full I thought I'd burst. I read "The O' Ruddy" all evening and found it was getting better. It has snowed all day to day but is quite mild. Poor old Tige has sneaked in the last two nights behind the kitchen stove and stayed till Dad takes her out to the stable when he goes.

Tuesday November 21st

Did the chores all up then I went and soaked my sore toe and finished "The O' Ruddy" which I was very loathe to do. Dad put on a new piece of roofing paper in place of the one that blew off the chicken house the other night. We also let Davy out for a little run this morning. Did not do anything much this after noon but chores and sawed some wood. Enah went down town to see if they had heard how her sister Mrs. Johnson was but I guess tney hadn't. When Dick came home he told me that poor Mickey Law died this morning. He also said that Al. Faulkner was hurt badly by falling off the bus and it ran over his chest and broke three ribs. The horses ran way up Main Street and then Bobby Sinclair who was inside the bus but had not noticed that Faulkner was not there got the lines and stopped them. It has been much milder today.

Wednesday November 22nd

It froze hard last night but has not been very cold all day although freezing again to-night. Dad and I got the rails out of the barnyard that had been left from threshing and put them in the wood shed. We also threw down a lot of the old straw stack for the cattle to tramp under. Enah went over to the Martin's this morning to telephone down town to inquire after her sister and heard she was doing fine. Charlie Ruth was in just before dinner to get some information from Dad about canaries as his wife had a pair given her. We went out this after noon and stood up most of the corn that had blown down and there was quite a lot of it. Dad said he would give Frank a quarter this morning if he had no mistakes in spelling and was greatly surprised to find that he had to cough it up. Ben Walker was ploughing to-day. Dad thinks he may go on to-morrow if he can. I started to reaad "Ivanhoe" to-night.

Thursday November 23rd

Dad went back and ploughed this morning as it was quite mild and thawed during the night. I did a few chores and then went back with him. He said it was very {bat?} at first as it was frozen hard along the ploughed ground but as he got into the sod it got easier. I cleane the sods out of the ditches and then had a good lesson. It began to rain at noon and kept up till night preventing us from doing anything but chores. Carl Coleman came to get Dad to kill their old horse after dinner but Dad had nothing to do it with told them leave him. I read all the after noon and Dad read James Whitcomb Riley. To night after their lessons, the boys gave an exhibition of their strength and acrobatic feats also vieing with each other in making the biggest noise while I was trying to read and Dad to sleep.

Friday November 24th

It snowed a little last night and as it did not freeze is very muddy but Dad went back to plow. He plowed all day and it was easy enough but he was mud "up to his eyes" more or less. I did the chores and spent the rest of the morning cutting fire rails. Mr. Duncan was here to see Dad. He went back to find him but returned soon and said he could not swim the stream in the gully. I went back with Dad this after noon. I took a rail with me to put across the creek as Dad told me he had to jump and got in up to his knees. I shovelled ditches all after noon. It was pretty cold wind and began to freeze about half past four so we came up by five. Tige and the grey kitten went back with me. I thought the kitten went back in the middle of the after noon but when we were coming up we picked it up in the gully. Enah went down town this after noon. It promises to be a very cold night.

Saturday November 25th

It froze too hard for Dad to plow this day so we did not do any thing much. Louise came along this morning about half past ten Mr. Bawlby had to come down to a council meeting and he brought her down and said he would call for her to night. About eleven o'clock we three boys went back to the gully to have some fun. We slid on all the ice we could find that would hold us at all and tried to on a lot that would not hold us and consequently got our feet good and wet. Dad had to go over to Vyse's to see a sick horse or rather a horse that got its foot hurt. This afternoon Frank and Dick went down town this afternoon and got the boxing gloves Enah and Louise also went down. Aunty was over for a few minutes this after noon Dad and I sawed wood most of the after noon. We waited up till all hours to-night as Louise expected Mr. Bawlby. We boys went to bed about ten o'clock. He came about midnight and just as Louise got to bed but she did not go with him.

Sunday November 26

I got up this morning of my own accord for a change and helped Dad to chores. We three boys went down to Sunday school and Daddy Enah and Louise came to church. After church I arranged with Bob Miller to go up to Carpenters with him and get my sheep. Dad and Dick went up to Val. Leary's and fixed old Dandy's teeth. We all came home to dinner (a couple of fat roosters dying yesterday had something to do with it), Aunty too. Miss Bawlby came for Louise just before dinner and they went just after. We did not get through dinner till about three o'clock and no chores were done. I did them up and because Dad had to go down and bandage Vyse's horse's foot. The horses were about starved Old Harry especially. Dick and Frank went down with Dad and Dick went on down town. Tonight Daddy and Enah went down to church to- night and left us here alone. We were very good. Aunty went down town town this after noon to have tea at the Lawries. It has been a beautiful day to-day.

Monday November 27th

I went down with the boys this morning and went with Bob. Miller up to Carpenters to get my lambs. We did not get back till about half past ten and as the old horse went so slow. I got four very nice looking Shropshire lambs and Bob charged me {$6?} a piece. I went around the orchard fence as we put them in the orchard and fixed a little around it to keep them in. Gus. Stringer was here when we got back with a couple of teams getting what hay that was any good at all and he seemed to be having his hands full sorting it. I did the some of the chores up before noon. This after noon I went back with Dad for a little while to throw sods out of the ditches he threw out this morning. He got quite a lot done. Every body was plowing to day it seemed Robert John Watson was yelling at a great rate just the other side of the woods. I went over to see what he was doing. He asked me if I was lost and I told him I was just looking for rabbit holes and then I had quite a talk with him. He was plowing with a gang plow and did not seem to be holding it at all. I came up early to do chores. Aunty came {Margin note} over with the boys from school. It has been a beautiful mild day. It seems to be the general opinion that we are going to have Indian Summer now. The sap is running to-day.

Tuesday November 28th

We got up before day light this morning so Dad could get a good start at plowing but it got began to rain early and kept up all day so we could do nothing but run around in the mud or stay inside. Dad hooked up Joe and Ginger and drove the boys down to school and then went around to inquire after Miss McPherson and found she was a littlle better. I cleaned out the stables and cut wood while he was gone. I read Ivanhoe most of the afternoon. Bill Donald came after Dad to go and see his grey mare which was broken out in several places. He had been reading up doctor books and was afraid it was some awful disease. I forget the name of it. Aunty went down town and did not get back till dark. I churned for about an hour and a half this afternoon after Enah had been at it for about as long and Dad finished it tonight after churning for about a couple of hours, but there was a big lot of magnificent butter. Aunty read to us all some more.

Wednesday November 29th

It turned much colder during the night and froze and thawed snowed a little. Dad did not go back to plow this morning as it was so disagreeable and he did not get an early start but went over in the corner field he plowed first and shovelled ditches. I sawed a little wood. Gus. Smith was over this morning to see Dad. Frank Vyse also came over to get Dad to put another bandage on his mare's foot I cleaned out Titus' old chicken house and knocked a couple of boards of the back of it so the sheep could get in from the orchard on bad nights. I tried to coax them in but did not succeed although they are fairly tame. I went over to the field where Dad was digging mud, for awhile this after noon and then came up and read till the cows (which we sent back in the gully for a drink) came up and then I did chores and Dad came in. Aunty went over to Mrs. Arthur Battersby's this after noon.

Thursday November 30th 1911.

from the midrib Dad went back to plow this morning but it was frozen too hard and he had to come back. We cut up the apple branches that were left in the orchard most of the morning. We put wire up around the top of the chicken run this afternoon to keep them from flying over. Aunty and Enah went down town to Bible Class or something this afternoon. Enah stayed down at her sister's to tea and went to choir practice. Charlie Shand came home with Dick and got him to go over home with him to stay all night. After tea Dad went down town to choir practice and did not get back till late. I finished notes "Ivanhoe" to-night and went to sleep reading the notes on it. Cold and windy to-day.

December 1st Friday

Dad and I went back and set up the corn shocks that had blown down.Tige and two cats went with us. The black one and Tige caught about all the mice in sight but the grey one didn't catch many but took them away from the black. Aunty went down to Mr. Bert's funeral this morning and came back about three o'clock. She thought she forgot to take Roy's letter down and came back after it but when she could not find it she came to the conclusion she posted it. Dad fixed the cow stable door this after noon and I watched cookies from burning. Dad and I went over to Vyse's with the wheel-barrow and got a lamb from him of Bob Miller's that Bob told us to keep for awhile. To-night Frank and I went down to post a letter Aunty wrote to Roy to make sure he would get one. Killed a couple of roosters this morning. Much milder to-day looks like rain.

Saturday NovDecember 2nd

Gus. Stringer and his men came and got two more loads of Titus' old hay. One of them a Scotchman and a expert sheep man had a look at our sheep and told us a lot about them. He also clipped the wool around their eyes as he said it was too long. We had a great time catching them.

I cut up rails most of the morning but did not cut many. Dick and Frank cracked hickory nuts and I ate all I could get of them. Aunty, Dick and Frank went down to the greenhouse this afternoon as Frank had never seen in them I fooled around. Dad fixed a window in the chicken house so they could see to go to roost. I started to read "The White Plumes of Navarre" to-night. Bath to-night rare.

Sunday NovDecember 3rd

It was very cold all day to-day. Aunty and we boys went down to Sunday school as usual, and Dad and Enah came down to church. The Bishop was there and they had confirmation. It was a very long service. Aunty stayed down to Huby's but the rest of us came home. I read most of the afternoon and evening too. We had dinner about three o'clock and supper about seven. It is freezing very hard to-night. Dad coaxed the sheep into the old chicken house for shelter this afternoon. We could not get them in before.

Monday December 4th

It froze hard last night but has been milder to-day. It froze in the horse stable for the first time. Dad went down town this morning for stove pipe and a few other things. I sawed wood most of the morning and did chores. This afternoon we put up the box stove in the dining room. We also battoned up the cracks in the cow-stables which made things much more comfortable in that quarter. Sam. Law moved his clover mill down to Bob. Blakie's to night so Dad expects an invite. Allan came in to night after his box which he left here when he thrashed here. Dad is thinking of getting a horse that Harry Ansley told him about that Mr. Finkle of Woodstock has and wants to put in good hands as it is an old but good driver

Tuesday NovDecember 5th

It was quite mild to-day and a lovely sunny day. Dad and I went out with the rack this morning and got the rest of the rails

which came out of the old garden fence, in to small loads. Then we went out and got a load of corn stalks before dinner, but did not unload them, Bill Duncan was here when we came up and wanted to know more about the same horse he was asking about last time. He talked for a quarter of an hour or so to Dad about his trouble with Stan Lawrie and every other subject. This after noon we unloade the load of cornstalks we hauled this morning and went out and got another - the last and brought them in. We had an awful time loading them it was so windy. We got up about four and spent the rest of the time doing chores. It was a moonlight night to-night and Dick and Frank ran about the house for. awhile.

Wednesday December 6th

Dad and I went over to Blakie's this morning and Dad and he talked around for about an hour. He thrashed yesterday and so was not feeling very skookum. He says he is going to leave in the spring and wants to sell Dad several things over here. When we came home we fixed the manger in the cow stable so they could not throw their food out. This after noon Dad and Enah went down town with the fern after dinner. They took it to Cousin Loll's as she is going to keep it for the winter. Aunty came over with Dick to-night. Huby, Quint and the kids went to Simcoe this after noon. It was full moon to-night and so we all three went out and played hide & go seek for about an hour.

Thursday December 7th

I went over around Art. Ryersie's fields this morning in quest of bitter hickory. I looked at every tree nearly in his gully and tasted the nuts under every hickory I could find and thought I could not find it when I saw a tree that I did not think worth while looking at but went over and found it bitter hickory. This afternoon Dad drove Enah and Aunty down to auxiliary and then

to Joe and Ginger to be shod. He had to go to Butler's as Greenbury sold out the other day to Bobby McMillan and Dad did not know what Bobby was like. He did not get back till dark although he left right after dinner. I wrote a letter and did chores. To-night we three boys went down to a Magic Lantern show which was rotten and very late. A beautiful day to-day.

Friday December 8th

It seemed such a beautiful day to-day that Dad went back and plowed and got a good day in. I was back most of the day with him and had a good lesson. I drove and plowed at the same time and this afternoon did not do so badly. I came up about four o'clock but Huby and Al Faulkner drove in Huby with three geese he got for us some place. I was going down to-night to see Walt. McCall about getting his colts but did not Aunty went down this afternoon. It has been very much like Indian summer to-day but not as much as yesterday because it was cloudy a lot and rained a little.

Saturday December 9th

Dad got up before day light this morning to get a good start at the plowing. I did the chores. The geese dissappeared during the night, but Dick and Frank went out after break fast and found them in Bannisters field. Mr. Vyse was over this morning to get Dad to go over and help him do something with his horses foot. We three boys and Aunty went down town this morning. I saw Walt. McCall and he said I could take the colts when ever it was handy. Aunty and Frank went over and saw the cedar chests at the {Wide-sided?} Aunty stayed down. I sawed wood and did chores all afternoon. Dad got a dandy day in plowing and a lot done. Dick and Frank were down town all the afternoon and got their hair cut. We had an interesting game of guessing after tea. Disagreeable day. Not cold but very foggy and awful muddy on account of a rain last night.

Sunday December 10th

We three boys went to Sunday school and Dad and Enah came down to church. Dad stopped in at Vyse's on his way home. I came home and did some chores. Frank stayed down town to dinner and wrote to Grand daddy. Mr. Jacques came over after dinner and Dick and I went downtown. Dad wrote a letter to Yeager for more particulars of Miss Baker. Dick went downtown and I went over Brant Hill and met Huby. Aunty, Frank, Win & Lila down the beach. I came home with them and went up town to post Dad's letter met Dick went down to the dock with him to see Harry Ansley's old rig came around by Huby's got Frank and went home. Fooled around most of the evening. Magnificent day, couldn't be beat.

Monday December 11th

Dad went back early to plow again this morning. It began to rain during the forenoon, and was pouring by noon. But he kept on till noon and got a good lot done, he said he could finish in another day. It rained hard all the afternoon. I read all the afternoon, and Dad worked outside opening ditches around the barn yard and such things. There is mud about up to the eyes more or less around the barns. Aunty came over this afternoon I think to tell Enah that her sister Mrs. McPherson had another boy this morning. She went back again in the rain.

Tuesday December 12th

Dad went back to plow again this morning. He plowed till one o'clock as he did not hear the whistle blow and although it rained quite a lot rushed back and finished the field by a little after four. I went back with him this morning and put a rail across the creek as it was swollen by yesterday's rain. Then I came back and did chores and went back with the shovell but did not stay long as it began to rain. Enah went down this morning to see her sister's baby and of course he is the biggest, fattest, prettiest, good-naturedest baby ever born. It rained a lot to-day.

but not very hard. I slopped around in the mud doing chores part of the time and spent the rest of the time bothering Enah who was making mince meat.

Wednesday December 13th

Dad and I drove Aunty up to Vittoria this morning to catch the train for Pt. Ru as she was going to see Aunty Ida. The roads were awful except in a few sandy places. We got home about one. There were a lot of people plowing along the road. Mrs. Bawlly drove Louise down this afternoon but she had to meet him at half past four down town. Enah went down town with her and got back about six with the boys. Dad went back and shovelled ditches all the after noon. I hung around not doing anything but chores. It snowed last night a little and was cloudy and cold this morning but turned out a lovely day (above the mud level) and is quite mild to-night.

Thursday December 14th

Froze a little last night, beautiful morning but got colder towards evening and is snowy to-night and making things slippier than ever. I sawed wood all morning and Dad did chores. Didn't do any thing much this afternoon, felt rotten, my shoulder hurt me all day and I was cold. Dad did various things around outside.

Friday December 15th

Did not do any thing much this morning. Dad cleaned chickens all morning. I went back to the gully which is all flooded. The heat is going to beat the cars, as it rained hard last night. Dad and Enah went down town this afternoon. Dad wanted to get Belle shod. He was going up to the school house as all the rate payers were asked to go up and inspect the undesirable condition of the school house but Dad did not go up. They got back after five. I did chores and milked. This I have not done since last Sunday morning.

Saturday December 16th

It began to rain this morning and rained hard nearly all morning. We got some rails in to the wood shed, and I sawed wood and fooled all fore noon. Dad did chores and Frank and Dick were in the house looking at post cards and things. About two o'clock Dad & Dick started off to Vittoria for Aunty. Frank and I did chores. and went back to the gully, for awhile. Dad got home about dark.

Sunday December 17th

We three boys went down to Sunday school and church. Mr Johnstone is off at Barrie where they have him up for some scrape he got into last summer so I hear but it is with out doubt stretched. They made arrangements with a lay reader from Nanticoke but he never turned up so it is supposed he got stuck in the mud which is likely right for it must be a fright down on the clay, so Cousin Willie do the deed and he cut it very short. Read most of after noon and evening and we all wrote to Aunty Alice. Dick was down town all after noon. Froze a little last night and looks like rain {again?}.

Monday December 18th

I got in a lot of wood and sawed it up which took me most of the morning and then did chores till noon. Dad went back to open up some ditches in the field he just finished plowing. We fed the lambs some chopped up mangles and they were very hungry for it. We also gave them a lot of hay to-day. This afternoon, Dad and Enah and I drove Joe and Ginger down town. We left Enah down there to do shopping and such and Dad and I came home by the mill and got a bag of flour. We also went up to Old Mr. Muller's and Dad {discussed?} with Mrs. Muller for a Black Minorca rooster. Sam and Allan Law came over and took a load of the alsike straw and there is not much left now. Enah did not get back till late and we had a boxing contest all {done?} had knocked me galley west and Dick and I and Dick and Frank had some. We also had some Jim Jitsu {illegible} after tea. It froze a little last night and has been chilly to-day. Snowed a little to-night freezing a little also.

Tuesday December 19th

Went down town this morning with Dad and got the colts at Walt. McCall's and got them home without any trouble. We put them in the box stall to-gether with Davy. We stopped in at Vyse's and Dad arranged with him to come over in the morning and help kill pigs. We also stopped in at the Wide spred to ask Emery how Mrs McPherson was and in home. This after noon we hooked up Harry and Belle to the rack and went down to Hubys and got one of the rain barrell's to scald the pigs in to-morrow and a box. Dad also got the turkey from Huby this morning Auntie got a letter from Miss Water's telling about the squabs.

Wednesday December 20th

Frank stayed home this forenoon to help kill pigs. He went down to Vyse's first thing to get some gamble sticks. We were not sure whether Vyse would be home yet as he was going last night to {Edmoons?} banquet in Simcoe, but he was lucky enoug to get a ride with Jack Martin and got back about four a.m.

We shot the two pigs and had them all cleaned and every thing {paper stuck on top of this page} by noon. Blakie and Alfred Ryersie came over {illegible due to paper on top} the morning and the farmer brightened the scene by a few pig sticking anecdotes besides other yarns. This afternoon we had quite a time getting the colts into the orchard we thought they would follow Davy in but they ran down the road instead, and I had to go hot foot through Martin's to head them off. We did ordinary chores and I sawed some wood and just before dark had a great boxing bout with Dick. We also blew up a bladder which we kicked around awhile. To night I went down town with Enah to choir practice, hummed around town, went into the library and then over and {pumped those your?} till they quit about ten o'clock. Went down to Hubys and got home a little before eleven. Beautiful day. Frozen hard and shunshiny.

Thursday December 21st

I cut up rails this morning besides doing usual chores. Dad cut up one of the pigs and Enah cut up dough and made cookies.

Enah went down town in the afternoon and Dad and I worked at getting board from the roof of the old stable and started to fix up the chicken house. Aunty came over to-night with Dick. This evening Frank and I went down to the Presbyterian concert in the hall and had a pretty good time. They had a great bunch of little kids in the thing. We got home about ten. Dad went over to Martin's too this morning to see how they were going to vote on the school question. It has been a rotten day. It sleeted this morning and made every thing slippery and was cloudy and wet and cold and rotten the rest of the day.

Friday December 22nd

We killed and plucked the turkey this morning. Louise came and stayed till the middle of the afternoon. Dad cut up the other pig and Aunty went down town to meet Roy but he didn't come so he won't be here all this christmas as he is going South. Dad took the cleets off the old stable roof. Aunty, Enah and Louise went down town this aft. and Aunty & Louise did not come back. I slept most of the afternoon. Frank got home early. I was going down to school this afternoon but it was a miserable day, wet and foggy.

Saturday December 23rd

Sawed wood and did chores all morning. Daddy Dick and Frank went down town and Dick did not come back to dinner. Frank and I went down this afternoon and fell in with Dick and Quint and we all went up to buy Christmas presents. Then we went over to the church and Sunday School where Aunty was making wreaths for decoration. Frank and I hung around all afternoon, and came home with Dick at 6. Dad had to go to a School Board meeting to-night and the Lays went with him. Enah and I made chocolate fudge. Another dark damp day freezing a little to-night.

Sunday December 24th

We boys went down to Sunday School and Dad and Enah came to church. Frank and I went down after church and had a look at the gas well they are poring down at the beach, Aunty came home with us to dinner.

We all stayed home this afternoon but Dick who was gone till tea-time downtown. I read most of the afternoon. Aunty got tea and Enah went down about five to go to her sister's to tea. Dad went down after tea to church to come home with Enah. Aunty read to us after supper and we worked at puzzles & things. A very nice mild day but very muddy.

Christmas Day

Dad did all the chores this morning and cut enoug wood to last all day. We all went down to church at eleven. After church Aunty and I went up and called for Cousin Clare who came over with us and stayed all day and is going to stay al night. All of Huby's family came over to dinner which we had about three o'clock and where I increased my waist measure nearly to bust measure. on the turkey plum pudding, mince pie and home-made candy. Then we got the presents. We were all led to believe that there would be no presents this year, but I did not notice any difference. I got a good many {things?} to numerous to mention. We four boys went down about half past five after the mail and Quint did not come back with us. We met Huby and the rest of his family homeward bound on our way back. We spent the evening by admiring presents and music etc. thus ending the first Christmas on the Farm Very mild and muddy Xmas.

December 26th Tuesday

I did not do much this morning except saw wood. Dad fixed the style on {Raibis'?} fence and Aunty and I went down and watched. I put some manure on the rhubarb bed. Frank dug putty out of old window sash and painted others and for the chicken house. Frank and I spent all the afternoon surveing the orchard and staking out the places for the young trees. Daddy move straw of the old horse stable roof to get boards out for the chicken house. Every body else went down town. Aunty and Cousin Clair did not come back and Enah not till Dad went after about eight o'clock to-night. We spent a very peaceful evening while he was gone. I wrote to Aunty Alice and read Shakespeare while the feathers were settling. Barely freezing to-day.

Wednesday December 27th

It was very blustery all day to-day. Snowed a little and froze quite hard at night. Frank and I went out first thing and dug the holes for the little trees in the orchard. Then we got in rails for wood before dinner. We had dinner at about eleven as Dad and Enah had to get to a funeral. (Mrs. Thompson). Dick went down and pumped the organ, and Frank & I did Chores. Frank wrote a letter to Aunty {Peggy?}. When Dick came home we went out and played hide & seek in the barn till supper.

Thursday December 28th

It froze very hard last night and there was a cold nor'west wind so we did not get up extra early Dick and I went down town about ten o'clock. I wanted to change a pair of jack boots Dad got for me yesterday and {illegible} but Andrew was not there. We called in and got Cecil McPherson who went over home with Dick and I waited for Aunty. The boys went back to the gully after dinner and came back with the report that there was a place big enough to skate on. Enah went down soon after dinner and to Cecil with her. We played Hide & seek in the barn all after noon. Dad went down to tea at the McPherson's and is going to a meeting in the town hall to discuss the school question. As Aunty was here {Margin note} to help me I started to draw a picture to-night.

{Some arithmetic figures at top of this page}

{Writing at the top of this page has been scored through}

Friday December 29th

I sawed wood most of the morning. Vyse came over and talked to Dad till nearly noon. I think he wanted Dad to go and get votes for him. Murray Dillon & May Perry spent most of the morning walking up and down the road out here for their health I suppose. This afternoon Dad had to go to Mrs. Jim Allen's funeral and got back about five. Dick and Frank helped me a little after dinner and then we all went back the gully to skate. We had a fine time skated way up the south creek and I got my feet soaked two or three times. We also had quite a time chasing a poor old muskrat which was under the ice and would have caught him if he hadn't got away. We came up about four as Frank had to go down and meet Aunty to go to see Mr. Willie Taylor. Dick made chocolate fudge but it didn't get hard. After tea Daddy and Aunty had quite a time convincing Frank that they could make him find {Margin note} {illegible - words caught in page fold} animal magnetism and they did alright. Then he and I drew till bedtime and Aunty read to us. It was a very sunny beautiful day.

{Page} 108

{The writing on this page has been scored through}.

Saturday December 30th

Did a few chores then Dick and I went down town about eleven. I got my hair cut and a pair of jack boots from Andrew. The pond seemed quite safe but we didn't go out and there were several skating on the creek up by Krill's. Ferdie came over this after-noon and we all went back skating again we went up as far as McPhersons on the north creek but it was not so good as the other. It began to snow and we came up and played hide and seek in the barn the rest of the after-noon. I sawed a little wood before tea & drew most of the evening. Dick lost his knife in the straw. Dark cloudy Day and snowed a lot. {Margin note} and is snowing to-night. Frank found two or three dandelions out to-day which we thought very strange

Sunday December 31st

Snowed a lot during the night but rained and froze before morning. We boys and Aunty went down to church & Sunday-school, Dad and Enah did not come down. Aunty did not come back. We all stayed home this afternoon. I drew a little and started to read "Never too late to Mend," which I read all evening. There was no service at seven to-night but will be at mid-night. It rained a lot to-day and is blowing up a ferocious gale to night. ({illegible})