DIARY.1913

T.B.Barrett.

Port Dover,Ontario.

The Farm........

From January 1st 1913 to November 18th 1913.

Wednesday January 1st 1913

We began to think that 13 at the end of the New Year was beginning right away to bring calamities upon us, for Dick who did not come home to tea last night did not put in an appearance all night, and it is the first time since he went into the bank that he did not come home to bed.

I woke up at half past four and found Dad & Aunty up and in an awful state as neither one had slept all night and had been thinking Dick had tried to cross the pond about mid night when every body would be asleep and never got to the other side.

Dad & I went down about five and went to Huby’s first to see if he had stayed there. We went to Quint’s window and tapped and immediately saw old Quint gliding around in the room as soon as he lighted the light Dad. saw Dick in bed. We couldn't get him more than half awake and he mumbled something about Wiggins being sick and he & Hazen worked so late, then went down to watch the dance for awhile and he never thought we'd miss him.

Later on in the morning I drove Aunty and Lila down town with two mince pies and the turkey we killed for Christmas & which Aunty took down to Huby's to cook. Dad did chores and we had a cold lunch after which Dad & I went down to Alfred's followed by Nig. Tige & the white kitten

2. to take him Huby's wooden cross puzzle which he seemed very pleased to get. We went down his lane & home by way of the gully. When we got home we slot around awhile before doing the night chores

Quint & Dick came over about six as Dick wanted to get on a clean shirt or something and we went down with them to tea, or rather turkey dinner. I took my skates down but it was too dark to go.

Dick went up to a surprise party at Fatty Turners, and told us he would not be home to-night. Aunty stayed down too. Dad, Frank & I came home about eleven. It has been very mild & sunny

Thursday January 2nd

I got up very late this morning. Dad & I did chores and Glen & Wilbur Ryersie came along for a half morning's visit. Wilbur wanted Dad to buy a pure bred Durham bull calf for fifty dollars, but Dad told him he would go over & look at it before investing.

At eleven Dad went down to Huby’s and brought Aunty home. This after noon he went down again and saw Vyse up town who solicited his vote for his re-election but Dad told him that though he had nothing against him as a neighbor, he was out of place as reeve for he thought he had acted very unfairly in everything last year.

I cleared up some of the old rubbish heap in the barnyard while Dad was gone. Frank put in the afternoon building a dandy jib crane with his “Meccano” outfit. It has been very soft to-day & looks like a storm.

Friday January 3rd

This was Aunty's birthday and although we did our best we could not think of anything to give her so she vows that she doesn't know of any thing either, but Win sent her over a couple of aprons. Aunty remembers they are just what she wanted.

Dad. Aunty and I drove down town in the lumber waggon this afternoon morning. Aunty went in to see Enah who was up walking around and then down to Huby's to get Dads old medicine cupboard and the contents those of ready for removal to the farm. Dad & and I went down to the beach and got all the sand we thought we had better load the wagon as down therewere great as the sand was frozen enough to hold the wheels up and yet not too much to shovel. The ice banks are very high down there. We came up around by Huby’s and got Aunty and the old cupboard which we are going to use as a stove house for Frank’s & my belongings.

We are preparing in time against young Huberts development. Dad & I did chores this after noon and then sorted Dad's medicine. It started to rain this morning which turned to an all day snow storm. Colder to-night but not freezing.

4. Saturday January 4th

Charlie Martin was over for an hours visit this morning and told Dad as he was leaving that he had a lame horse over there which he wanted Dad to look at. He said his mother fell off the back steps before Christmas and nearly broke her leg. He also told us his sister Mrs. Maclaughlin had a baby girl about two days after Enah's boy came. Dad thought they ought to trade as Mrs. Maclaughlin was all prepared for & had a boy named and it was the other way round with Enah.

This after noon we did chores and Dad went down to see Enah. I went over as far as Martin's with him and saw the chickens which were all washed, fanned, powdered and the dark feathers pulled out of them and ready to start on the five train for the Boston show. We also saw Charlie's lame horse which has an awfully sore looking leg on it.

I cut wood and practiced on my horn when I got home. Lila came over soon after I got back with her steam engine. Dad has to go down again to-night to sit with Enah. She is blue because the boy exercises his lungs now & then Froze last night. Cold raw wind all day but sunny and thawing.

Sunday January 5th

Frank, Dick & Lila went down to sunday school and Aunty and I went down to church and were a little late. We went into Mrs Lawson's to see how Enah was on our way down and Aunty Maude was with her which surprised us very much but she said she didn't think it would hurt her a bit. Mrs. Roy Silverthorne was there in a very low condition, her little baby which was born last night, died and she didn't know it yet when we were there.

Dick and I went down and had a good skate this afternoon though the ice was rather rough. Dad went down and got Faulkner to bring Enah & the boy home in the covered in bus and it didn't hurt either one in the least. Al drove at a snail's pace.

He was telling Dad his opinion of Vyse. He spoke in the grieved monotone which he assumes for such occasions and said "I told Vyse, when we elected you reeve you promised to build good roads. You haven't done 15 cents worth of road work but spent all the money in sticking up that coup by me. Now what you had better do is to put the man in you built it for, which is Aikens, then you & Bill Graham lock yourselves in with him take a stick of dynamite and blow youse all to hell to save funeral expences!" yes i said Al. I told him that two weeks ago and he hasn't spoken to me since."

Beautiful day. Froze hard last night, but thawed all day. Colder & look stormy to-night.

6 Monday January 6th

We did up all the chores this morning. Frank carried over the chaff & corn from the cows manger to the chicken house which he cleaned out. This after noon Dad.went down and cast his vote for J.R. Davis. Frank Taylor came over after him with Faulkner's bus just he was starting out. I broke the brace in the buck saw and fixed it this after noon

Dick came home to night and told us that Vyse was elected reeve with John Walker, Henderson, Carl Coleman & Billy Laings as councilmen. He and I went down to A.Y.P.A to night where we spent a pretty slow time. I went over to the band room for awhile where they preparing to start out for a serenade of the succesful candidates in the election. They were greatly proveket at Harry Graham & Art Lawson because they wouldn't play as they were sore at the way things went. It wasn't right of them for as Harry Moon said and he was probably as disappointed as any but was playing, "The band is an organization independant of politics. All we're after is the coin and we don't care whether it is American money or not." It rained all night and drizzled all day, wasn't any colder when Dick & I got home about eleven to night.

Tuesday January 7th

We just did chores this morning. Aunty went down town to get somethings for Dick's birthday which we celebrated to-night. I stayed in the house and read all the afternoon. Quint came over to tea to-night but Dick felt pretty miserable all evening. Quint stayed all night. Stormed all day half rain turning to sleet & ice so that everything is ice coated.

Wednesday January 8th

Dad and Enah spent the greater part of last night I guess in the baby's company, who takes great pleasure in making them try to put him to sleep at midnight. He is just one red lump of wickedness & noise at night, sleeps all day.

Frank started back to school this morning. Dick felt very miserable but said he must go to work and felt much better to-night when he got home. We did up the chores this morning and I took a picture of the ice mantled trees around Martin's place. I didn't do a thing but read "Lords of the North" all the after noon. Win came home with Frank to-night but could only stay a little while. Clear cold and sunny to-day, snow crust very hard & slippery.

Thursday January 9th

Dad & I did chores & cut wood this forenoon. Bill Donald

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was in for awhile to have Dad. look at his horse. He told Dad. that he heard Jim. Dunbar had some wood for sale at $2.00 a cord, so Dad. drove Joe down to see if he could get her shod and drive down this after noon but he couldn't get in the shop and was afraid to risk driving on these icy roads, smooth shod.

This after noon we started to fix up a place between the granary & cow stable for a calf pen but couldn't do much as we had no nails. Dick & I went down town after tea I took my horn down thinking there would be band practice but found when I get down that the council were treating the band to an oyster supper. I suppose I could have partaken of the feast if I chose but I came home to get my skates. I put them on at the house and skated down to the pond. There were quite a few there but it was so dark I couldn't see any of their faces and I didn't think Dick was there so I skated up to the bank Hazen was there and said Dick had just gone out with his skates on. I stayed there about half an hour and Hazen & I wrote & talked to Baldy Denton. I then went back to the pond but it was nearly deserted so I came home and found Dick had just got here before me, he had been over at Dyer's or someplace and hadn't been skating at all. Win. came over with Frank to stay all night. Nice day very much milder.

Friday January 10th

Dad. & I drove down as soon as we could get started this morning which wasn't very early to get Joe shod but the shop was full again so we had to get a few things up town including a straw knife and come home. Dad. didn't know what to do as we want wood badly but he was afraid to drive Joe on the icy roads, especially after Vyse told us this morning that Sam. Law lost a cow by slipping on the ice. I supposed it was his old lame one.

At last I decided to try and skate down. I left here after eleven and skated down on the road all the way and was back here by before one. Jim Dunbar was in Jarvis but his daughter said she thought he had wood for $2.50 a cord and would tell him to try and bring us a load to-morrow. I tripped several times going but only fell once. There were only a few places where the skating wasn't fairly good, the worst place was going up & down Art Ryersie's hill.

We didn't do any thing in particular this after noon Bill Donald came after Dad. to go and see his horse about five o'clock. Some fellow drove in while he was here and wanted to know where Anson Collver lived. Bill knew, he said he supposed that was some body after him for money.

Neil Elliot & Charlie McKenzie where in to look at Fred's calf although they had just met Dad. on the road and he told them the calf was not for sale. I went down to Mrs Jarley's wax work practice to-night, but there was "nothing doing". Mrs. Luck, Miss Harding & Booze Waddle were

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the only ones there. We went up to Mr. Johnson's and he gave me a little idea of what I had to do. I think it will be a pretty poor show. It is advertised for next Thursday and half the ones in it haven't been to practice yet. Mr. Johnson never looked through the book till to-night and he picked out several new caracters that he is going to try & ring in. Not sunny but thawing all day. Almost raining to-night.

Saturday January 11th

We got a very big late start this morning and so did not do any thing but chores. Art. Ryersie came after Dad. a little before noon to go and see one of his cows which slipped on the ice, and Dad. is afraid it has broken her leg. It was the best cow he had.

This after noon we fixed a place in the barn to put Ringworm but could do nothing out side owing to the inclemency of the weather.

To-night Dick & I went down town I went to Mrs. Jarley practice & Dick waited for me. Frank spent the morning down town getting his tooth filled and helped up this after noon. Rained last night, very soft & cloudy this morning. Rained hard all after noon, drizzling to-night.

Sunday January 12th

Dad. & I drove down to Jim Dunbar's this morning and Dad. got him to say he'd bring us a load of wood to-morrow. When we got home we were about frozen. I felt kind of sick till I got thawed out.

After dinner I did helped Dad. do chores and then started to go down to Harry Moors. I met Hazen who was driving out in front and he drove me down and went up to Harry's with me where we spent quite a time. Dick was down at Dyer's all the after noon and to tea. Bill Donald come and got Dad. this after noon. Very cold and windy early part of the day but milder and fair to-night.

Monday January 13th

We let Queen out this morning for quite an exercise Dad. was scared to death she'd slip and hurt her self, but I guess she didn't. Mr. Bowlby. drove Louise down this. morning. She had to back this after noon so Dad. hooked up Joe and Ginger to the cutter and drove her up. The sleighing was very poor & one of the shoes on the cutter runner broke and ripped a big chunk out of the runner. Tom. Dunbar. brought us our cord of wood to-day. He made two trips of it and charged us three dollars.

The baby has been awake all day and to-night is raining "Hail Columbia." Dick went back to-night. Froze hard last night but much milder to-night. Nice day

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Tuesday January 14th

Dad. loaded the cutter in the waggon first thing and we took it down to Butler who said he didn't think the runner was {illegible} much. Dad. found he could get Joe shod so stayed down and I walked home.

I started to throw the top off the straw stack. Th Mrs. McBride came to wash at noon and was here till after tea. Dad. cut some wood and we put a door on the barn and cut a bigger doorway. Dick came home to-night and forgot to bring the butter Aunty told him to get and we had a butterless tea, after which Dick went down town to get a pound I went with him to the Mrs. Jarley Waxwork practice in the town hall and am still convinced that the show will fall far short of what it is advertised to be.

Beautiful day and perfect night. Sunny and much milder to-night.

Wednesday January 15th

Our attention was attracted this morning by a great deal of racket being kicked up by Dave Turner's engine, and learned to-night when Dick got home it was in honor of Gladys Coleman who was married sometime during the night to get off on the early train. We were greatly surprised at the news although Aunty suspected it.

We did chores this morning and about eleven o'clock Dad. & I drove up to Stan Tompson's. Ham wasn't home but Dad. had a look at his bull calf. He says his stock is in a very bad condition. When we got home Dad. took Enah out for a short drive. The first time she has been out since she came home.

This after noon we husked a little corn and Dad. moved some of the corn stalks from one end of the hay to the other and then cut some wood. I didn't do anything much.

I went down again to-night to a Mrs. Jarley practice and had a pretty slow time. It will be over to-morrow night. Dick went down with me and worked awhile then we came home to-gether. Very soft and cloudy to-day. Rained a little this after noon and is raining quite hard to-night. Very slippery

Thursday January 16th

Mr. Lamb came over this morning before we had breakfast and got Dad. to go down and see a horse that got kicked. He was gone quite awhile and came back with a lovely bunch of flowers. This after noon he and Aunty went down town to get some things for the house. I didn't do anything much but chores and read

To-night Dick, Dad., Frank and I went down to Mrs. Jarley's Waxwork show. It came off a lot better than I expected and there was a full house. Perce Brock who was Mrs. Jarley couldn't have done better and Hazen Waddle was perfect. He was Simple Simon and sat through the whole show with his mouth wide open and

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the vacantest kind of a look on his face. If any body jarred against him he would fall over in his chair till they set him up straight. They said all the figures were good except poor Captain Robinson who with Sidney McQueen acted as Babes in the Wood. He couldn't keep a straight face, but Sidney kept the same sweet smile all through. They each had an enormous doughnut and when wound up would feed each other. It certainly did look great for two of the biggest men in town. Lila impersonated Little Jack Horner and except when she was exhibited & wound up evidently forgot she was waxwork, for she laughed and moved around all she pleased and likley was more amusing than if she had been quiet. I, the deceased Mr. Jarley nearly bit a hole in my cheek to keep from laughing and then didn't succeed very well. I was in agony for awhile when my nose began to tickle and I couldn't scratch it. The girls were all very pretty and I think every body got their money's worth. They had a dance after the performance and Mrs. Moon gave me another lesson. I belive I could learn if I could keep at it but not likely I will get another chance now till next summer.

Rained a little this morning, dark & very soft all day. Raining hard to-night when Dick & I got home at half past twelve, and had been raining all evening, so Aunty said.

Friday January 17th

We got rather a late start this morning and did nothing but chores except throw some more off the top of the straw stack Mr. Peace. came in to see Dad about a colt which has some thing on its leg - which oughtn't to be there. Tige resented his visit strongly and bit at him twice, much to his indignation & terror

This after noon Dad. cut wood and we straightened up the fence in front of the hay barn two pannels of which have been down all winter. We were rather surprised this afternoon at Ringworm adding a bull calf to our stock collection.

It rained all night and to-day Barrett's farm is a quagmire. Still very mild I woke up about half past eleven to-night by Tige barking furiously then I heard Dad who was just going to bed go to the door and a stranger's voice ask for permission to hunt sparrows in the barn, around the stack. Dad. told them they could hunt around the stack but couldn't go in the barn with their lantern. They told him they weren't out for "na fun" (wich Dad readily believed) but were trying to rid the country of sparrows & rats. Dad. supposed they were after some prize as they came all the way from Selkirk.

Saturday January 18th

I read most of the morning and part of the afternoon in Dicks B.O.P. but finished the story and am not going to begin another

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for awhile. Frank helped us do chores and after dinner went down to Alfred's to buy some butter. Alfred had the puzzle done the right way, and after putting it to-gether to show Frank, sent it home. Frank is working at it now evidently with out much success. I husked corn this after noon and Dad sawed wood. Frank went back to the gully for awhile to watch the creek or something.

To-night Dad & I worked at my horn trying to loosen one of the valves with the big monkey wrench. Mild & cloudy this morning. It turned colder with a high north west wind and snow. Quieter & not freezing to-night

Sunday January 19th

Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School. I helped Dad. do a few chores amd went to church. Bill Donald came in just as I left and stayed about a hour & a half. Aunty & I went down to Miss Battersby's after church and found her looking about as well as ever. Winnie came over to dinner with Dick, & Frank stayed down at Huby's.

This after noon Dick & I went down town. I guess Dick spent the after noon at the drug store with Bob. while I went over to Waddle's for awhile then up to Harry Moon's, and looked at photographs. I drew to-night. It froze last night. It has been a very nice day and thawing.

Monday January 20th

I went out this morning to help Dad. do chores but got so dizzy I had to come in and go to bed, where I put in the rest of the day. I didn't have anything to eat all day except half a breakfast and about half a pint of pills with which they dozed me and which I think made me much worse. Enah gave me half a cup of cocoa which did no good as it floated.

This evening I came out into the kitchen while Aunty fixed my bed. I was sitting there talking to Dad. when the first thing I knew Frank began to look like a very poor moving picture and the next I seemed to be waking up lying on the floor with Dad. & Aunty asking me how I felt. I then began to realise I had fainted, a thing which I never did before and only twice before ever felt like it - funny feeling.

Charlie Martin came over again this morning for awhile. Aunty went down town this after noon and came home half drowned and mud to her eyes. Dick sent the mail home by Frank but he did come home till after A.Y.P.A. as he went to hear Cousin Willie's lecture on literature which he liked.

It rained again last night but was a lovely sunny day till this after noon when it began to pour and kept up till after tea when it turned colder and to snow.

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Tuesday January 21st

I didn't do any thing in the shape of work all day although I felt much better that yesterday. I read nearly all morning. This after noon Louise came over. She had come down on the one o'clock train, and is staying here all night

Mr. & Mrs. Art. Ryersie came over and spent the evening Art. took the wooden puzzle home with him. It Froze last night and has been a lovely sunny day, though cold

Wednesday January 22nd

I went out this morning and tried to do a few chores, but couldn't do much. Louise came out for awhile to see the livestock and Dad. took Queen out in the halter for her entertainment but Tige proved to be the chief attraction in that show.

This after noon Mrs. Bowlby came down & Louise went back with her. Mrs. Bannister, Mrs. Vyse & her three kids came over this after noon. I was {illegible} to come in the house so nearly froze out in the drive shed where Dad. was putting a new head on the scraper which old Harry broke this morning. Dick got home early but went back again to watch the dance.

Dad & Frank went down to Alfred's to-night to show him Franks. Mecanno Outfit. Lovely sunny day. Freezing slightly to-night.

Thursday January 23rd

I didn't do any thing today but sit around and feel rotten. Dad. couldn't do anything out side but chores. Enah was feeling miserable this morning having fainted in the night. without telling any body. This afternoon Aunty went down to Bible Class. It was raining when we got up this morning and has kept it up steadily all day.

Friday January 24th

About the only thing of much interest that happened to-day on the premises was the birth of a bull calf to {Mully?} and no-body is much exercised over that, Mully included. Ah! Yes. another thing is, we got five eggs and didn't find a nest either. We think that is "going some" for only about forty hens.

I am a lot better to-day though my knee is pretty sore yet. The baby isn't very well to-day either. I went out a little to-day but drew & read most of the time. Dick had to go back to work at the bank to-night. Froze a little last night. Lovely mild day but not very sunny. Freezing to-night.

Saturday January 25th

We saw Allan Law & Art Ryersie driving past this morning with the separator and upon inquiry found

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they were hauing it to Fleming's while the roads are frozen as they are going there after they get though at Arts, there is no telling when they will get here. Dad. and Frank loaded up the rack with blue grass hay this morning from what was on top of the alsike as we have decided not to thresh it on account of the price being so low.

This after noon they hauled it over to the other barn where it will be handy to feed to the cows, and then went & hauled up a load of rails. They did all the chores. I didn't do any thing all day owing to my sore knee though I felt better in other ways.

The two Mrs. Shands & Miss Shand came in to see the baby to-night and although he was awake he never whimpered so they went off with a very good impression of his conduct. Dick went down to the pond to skate after tea to-night. Perfect day sunny and lovely out

Sunday January 26th

The boys were the only members of the family who attended church or Sunday School to-day. I hung around outside with Dad. for awhile this morning as my knee felt better. Quint. came home to dinner with Dick and stayed all night. This after noon he, Frank & I went out and played marbles for awhile. Tonight. Aunty read to us about an African cannibal & the missionarys. Very, mild, cloudy & muddy.

Monday January 27th

My knee was much better and I helped Dad. do chores this morning. Arpha Fleming came over and invited Dad to go there threshing this afternoon. Mrs. McBride came to wash and was here nearly all day. Rus. Lambkins was in to see about a windmill but Dad. told him we didn't need one now on account of Ivey's tile drain at which we have watered the stock all winter so far. and it looks as if it would run for quite a while yet. Earl. Brown was in also to see Dad. about a cow.

Aunty went down town this after noon to see if she could get some lady to stay with Aunt Ida but was unsuccessful. Dad. & I went with her as far as Vyses. We found they had moved the threshing outfit in there instead of Fleming's as Vyse has to go to County Council soon. Cousin Loll & Cousin Phoebe came over to see the baby this afternoon. Mr. Lamb. came over to-night to see about his horse. Froze pretty hard last night and been freezing all day.

Tuesday January 28th

Dad. left early this morning to thresh at Vyse's. I did the chores as my knee was ever so much better. About ten o'clock Dad.

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came home. He said they were stopped then but did need him much anyway, so he came home to saw wood which he did till noon Mr. Flemming told him that if they didn't get moved to his place till the middle of the afternoon it wouldn't be worth Dad's while to come over so he didn't.

This after noon he gave Queen quite an exercise & I took a picture of her also one of the baby which finished my film. Dad. & I hooked up Harry & Belle & got a couple of loads of rails, one load from the remainder of the fence on the east west side of the wheat field and one from the north fence. Aunty went down town this after noon to get some birthday presents for Huby. Beautiful day, froze in the night, sunny & milder

Wednesday January 29th

Dad left first thing this morning for to thresh at Mr. Flemings and was gone all day. He got home in time to milk before dark and felt pretty well "plugged up". It kept me nearly all morning doing chores.

This after noon I practiced my horn a little and read. Mrs. Alfred Ryersie came in to see the baby. Enah took a walk over to Martin's. Allan Law came in at noon and got the waggon to get wood. He didn't know where he was going, but intimated that he was going to "lift" rails from fences along the road. This was Huby's birthday. It has been cloudy & spitting snow all day. Not cold but freezing

Thursday January 30th

Dad threshed over at Fleming's all day and they finished to night. They finished the alsike about 3 o'clock and got 17 Lays and 1/2 bushel from the 98 loads, and they thrashed 316 bus. of oats in two hours after that. It kept me all morning doing chores and this after noon I cut a little wood.

I intended to husk some corn but it was such a nice day I thought I would get a load of rails instead so I went & hooked up Harry & Belle to the waggon and went out and got the rails from the north side of the wheat field where Dad. & I got the last load. The horses were feeling good especially old Harry who hasn't any more sense that a seventeen year old bird's nest. Going out I had to get out to open the gate off the road and as soon as they saw it open in front of them, started through it. I caught Belle's rain but Harry kept on going. so I had to let them go into the field where they immediately started to speed up. and it just kept me humping to run and scramble in the back of the waggon but I was fortunate enough to get the lines and steady them down before they did any damage, but I was thankful to get back safe with my load.

Mr. Johnson & Mrs. Quanbury were over this afternoon to see the baby. Aunty went down town this after noon. To-night. Dick & I went down to band practice. I found out from Carl Coleman that we could have their cattle rack on Saturday to go after the {illegible}. Lovely day. sunny & very mild.

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Friday January 31st

It begant to rain this morning which about noon turned to snow and that cleared off & it begant to freeze pretty hard to night.

Dad. and I spent the day doing chores, {"settin' round the blow"?} in the meantime, Dad. cut some wood & I unloaded the load of rails this after noon. About four o'clock I went down town & got my hair cut. I also took down 3 doz. eggs & traded them off for meat. Dick did not come home to tea tonight as he had to work this being the end of the month.

Saturday February 1st

We intended to go and get the sheep to-day but the weather prevented us. We didn't do any thing but chores and Dad. cut wood. I read a little and this after noon fooled with my horn. Dad. managed to get the valve loosened which has been stuck for so long, and I poured a couple of quarts of water down the bell to clean it out and spilt it all over the floor. Frank also polised up the mouthpiece with his sample of silver polish

Aunty succeeded at last in persuading Frank to remove the fourteen wish-bones which have been accumulating on the kitchen hanging lamp for over a year, and she boiled them and polished them up for him. It has been freezing hard all day with a very high cold wind but sunny.

Sunday January February 2nd

Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School and I got fixed up and went to church. I got there about twenty minutes too early so waited at "The Dominion". Win. came home with us after church and stayed all night. Dick stayed down all the after noon and stayed at Huby's to dinner.

Dad. did all the chores. Aunty had us all going guessing Bible Carachters to-night. It froze like Billy-b-da--ylights, last night and has been very cold and a high wind all day. Bear saw his shaddow.

Monday February 3rd

We did up the chores this morning. This afternoon we hooked Joe & Ginger to the waggon and went down town. We found out from Carl Coleman that we could have their stock waggon to get our sheep to morrow. We also got the cutter from Butler.

When we got home we found an old pedlar who told Aunty he had walked all the way from Hagersville, he was selling post cards. Archie Long had been here to sell fence. To-night Dick and I went down to the Orchestra dance where we had a dandy time. I think I am getting on to the hang of it now. We got home a little before half past three to-morrow morning. It was a nice day to-day and quite mild. It snowed a little this morning.

Tuesday February 4th

I got up about half past seven this morning. We didn't do any chores but got started as early as we could which was about ten for the sheep. We drove Joe & Ginger and took our waggon down to Coleman's and left it there then hooked on to theirs, we got up there in about an hour. Dunkin said he thought we were never coming. He had had bad luck with his imported sheep. Owing to carelessness in the Quarantine Station two of his sheep died and he can't get a cent for them. They charged him forty five dollars for their keep down there for thirty days.

Mine were alright though and we got them home safely. He only charged us two dollars for their keep, but hasn't had them registered yet. We had to walk the horses nearly all the way home on account of bumpy roads. When we unloaded the sheep we went right back with the waggon and got our own, we also went up to Chris. Fairchild's and got the saw blade. Dick took to him this morning & {following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page}{it was?} just half past three when we got in the house after {putting?} the horses in. it was just twelve when we left Dunkins {after?} we had a little dinner we went out and did up the chores. The poor horses were pretty hung up & thirsty especially Joe & Ginger who were tired also. Dick & Frank went down to O.Y.P.O. to-night. It has been cloudy & blustery all day and pretty cold.

Thursday Wednesday February 5th

We hooked up Joe & Ginger to the waggon first thing this morning and went down town and got a load of coal, as Dick found out last night that Jim. Low had some in at last. We lost quite a little bit of it coming home as the roads were rough and it jiggled out the back. when going up hills. although we scraped it forwards a couple of times.

This being Ash Wednesday they had service in the church but none of us attended it. Lent begins earlier this year that it has for 138 years, it can only start one day earlier, at least that's what the "Maple Leaf" states but it is not likely right. Last night was about the coldest night this winter. It must have been down to zero during the night, and has been very cold all day, with a high wind and snow

Thursday February 6th

We did not do any thing to-day but chores This after noon Aunty went down town to Auxillary or something and Dad. & I Enah had an awful time with the baby as he was sick and they couldn't do any thing to ease him or keep him quiet. I practised my horn all after noon. About five o'clock Sam. Law pulled in here with the clover mill. They got through at Ham Thompson's sooner than they expected so moved right down here to night. Allan & Bert Monroe came soon after wards.

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with the engine, which had something wrong with the injector & they worked at it till long after dark. They said they would thrash in the morning if we weren't ready but we bade them come. Sam. was about half drank & the other half frozen when he came in and borrowed our waggon to go home & {load?} wood but we noticed he hit the trail for town at a pretty good lick. To-night I went down to band practice and got home about eleven. It has been cold with a very high wind.

Friday February 7th

The men did not get here till after breakfast, they got steam up and moved the machine into the barn and then began to talk of not threshing, "Bert was the only one of the this that wanted to Allan I guess thought it would be too cold out on the engine {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {and?} it certainly wouldn't be very warm. Their only excuse was {that?} the belt wouldn't stay on in the wind. Mr. Odd was here {to?}day for Mr. Fleming. Allan & Bert went down town and {g?}ot their horses shod. and Sam went home. about noon he came back again and said he guessed they could thrash this afternoon. We did the chores all up there was a little more work for Dad. as this morning when he went out to the cow stable he found a red & white bull calf of Spotty's on the floor. We got it & her in as warm quarters as we could but the poor little fellow has been pretty cold all day. The thrashers did come back this afternoon and we thrashed out the four loads of cloverseed and got three bags & about 1/4 bushel I get 1 1/4 bags. Young Billy Louis came over for {Tapper?} but we didn't need him so he went back. They got the machine moved over to the other barn but didn't try to thrash any they said if it was very windy to-morrow tney wouldn't come over.

This aft. To-night. Dick & I went up to the hockey match in Simcoe - Simcoe vs Hamilton I was going to drive up with Bert Monroe but it turned out such a rotten night that both Bert & I decided to take the train There was quite a big crowd went up from Dover on the Port Rowan train, we came back on the Hamilton special that brought the team up. We got there a little after out eight, and had to sit and freeze by inches for about four hours. They could not have begun to play before half past twelve and it got pretty tedious waiting, but it was a good game when they did start, We rooted for Simcoe and they trimmed Hamilton 8 to 3. The Hamilton boys seemed rather tired the last half. We didn't get to bed till after three to-morrow morning.

Dad got a blank form to-night which he had to fill & tell about Tiddums. They named him Hubert James Harold. (poor kid) more name than boy. It was very cold and windy this morning and has been growing worse all day. To-night when we came home it was a holy fright.

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Saturday February 8th

I got up about the same time as usual. This morning it was windy & snowing so we didn't look for the thrashers. Frank. Dad. & I moved some of the poles from over the driveway to above where Ring worm (by the way her name has changed now from Ring worm to Erie, Aunty objected to the former so we called her after Mrs. Fred. Warren as that is who we got her from.) and her calf are. We started to put some clover chaff on them but it was so short it fell through a lot, so Dad. said we would wait till the wind went down and then put some straw on first to hold the other. but we never got it done all day.

Dad felt pretty miserable all day and stayed in the house all the afternoon I cut a little {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {wood?} and fooled around the rest of the time. Aunty went down town, she lost her muff the other day and thought {she?} knew where she left it but when she inquired this {afternoon?}, she could find it nowhere.

Lila came over while she {was?} gone and told her to-night that she saw George {Spain?} {on?} Thursday kicking a muff through the square and he said it was somebody's old worn out muff they had {thrown?} away. Aunty is sure it was her's as it was near there {she?} missed it. It was such a bad night. Lila spent it here Frank went down and visited with Mr. Alfred for awhile this after noon and got some butter. Dick felt pretty rotten when he got home to-night and his ear ached. Allan Law came over to-day to put a fire in the engine to keep the water from freezing It was not very cold to-day but very windy & snowdrifty.

Sunday February 9th

Dad. has felt very sick all day and didn't to any thing much but milk, feed the calves and let the cows out & in again. I sent the most of the day doing the rest of the chores. I felt kind of tired myself. Aunty, Frank & Lila all went down to Sunday School & church, but none of the rest of us. Dick didn't get up till about noon.

This afternoon Mrs. Johnson & Mrs. McPherson with Cecil & Leon came over to see Enah and she walked down to Quanbury's with them. Ada was also over to see H.J.H. Barrett. Allan Law came over again to put a fire in the engine. King Pepper was in this morning with a little dog, which Dad. told him had a broken leg. It was up to far to bandage it so Dad said just to keep him quiet and it would likely get all right.

Frank found Aunty's muff this morning right near the bandstand in the snow. George Spain told him in Sunday School that he had taken it home and after keeping it two days and not finding an owner he had brought it back and left it where he found it. It was not at all hurt Aunty said. Not cold to-day but windy.

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Monday February 10th

We got up pretty early this morning on account of thrashers They got started about half past nine. The only extra ones we had were Mr. Odd & Billy Louis. We thrashed nearly all morning and never saw a head of alsike, and the blue grass neatly all blew over, so we stopped thrashing the blue grass in the back part of the mow and confined our labor to the front bit. We only got about two bags of seed all day, and there is about two hours more to go through yet. For awhile Dad. thought it wouldn't be worth thrashing but we got nearly to the floor at one end and it is much thicker so I guess we will finish the job.

Dad has the shed, the driveway and over the sheep pen filled up with thrashed hay. and it {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {means?} no way out in front of the drive way. He had a very {---ty?} place and feels pretty tired to-night. Charlotte {had?} a calf to-night another boy. Aunty says "It may {be?} cold in the house but they are having a "bully" time in {the?} barn"

It was very cold & frosty this morning but the sun got up and it was quite a nice day. There was a slight easterly breeze which was just what we wanted as it blew the smoke away from the barn. It is about the first time this winter we have had an east breeze. Dick & I sent away to-night for a work of 10 volumes which we saw advertised called "The Wonders of Science in Modern Life".

Tuesday January February 11th

We finished up our threshing about noon. the seed came a little faster than yesterday and I guess we have about five or six bushels, they didn't need me much to help them so I didn't hang around looking for a chance to help. I did a few chores but nothing to speak of.

This afternoon I went over and helped thrash at Sam Law's we got all the red clover thrashed and he got just the same as we did - three bags and a little more. It turned out pretty well. I have to go back in the morning to help thrash out three loads of alsike.

Dad. did up all the chores here this after noon & I did not get home till after tea. Dick had to go back to help Hazen find a mistake to-night. Mr Wiggins was going to a dance in Jarvis. Allan Law was going down too. It has been much milder to-day this morning it looked stormy but was sunny after dinner and it seems colder to-night.

Wednesday February 12th

I didn't get up very early this morning and went over to Sam Law's as soon as I had my breakfast. They started to thrash soon after nine - and got though just about noon. They got just three bags of alsike so it turned out

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much better than ours as they said they only had three loads. I stayed over there to dinner. This afternoon Dad. & Frank fixed up three pens in front of the cow shed for the calves, they had to be separated as they suck each other's ears. & Spot's calf had it's ears frozen last night. I battoned up the door of the horse stable with tar paper and it took me nearly all the after noon. We started separating again this morning. Frank stayed home from school to-day to help Dad. get some of the thrashed blue grass over to the other barn but the wind was too strong. Dick had to go back to work to-night. There was a very cold north wind all day and quite a snowstorm to-night for a while

Thursday February 13th

We didnt get any thing done to-day but chores. I sawed a little wood this after noon & hung around. Aunty went down town to Bible Class. To-night I went down to band practice and got home about half past ten.

It has been cold and very windy all day. The wind got up with the sun and made Dad. feel very cross all day as he wanted to get some to the thrashed blue grass moved to the other barn, and we couldnt with the wind & rough road.

Friday February 14th

We spent our spare time this morning in fixing a door in the east side of the horse stable loft where we can pitch hay off by hand instead of using the hay fork. This afternoon after we had the chores done up we went over and put a load of timothy hay in the rack ready to haul to the horse stable at the first opportunity as the supply over there is getting low.

Harry. Varey drove Mrs. Johnston over to spend the after noon with Enah & he & {Elan?} called for her again after tea. Tiddums had colic to-day - very wicked. Miss Harding was out this afternoon to see him. Sunny & mild with not much wind to-day, very nice day.

Saturday February 10th

As soon as we got the chores done this morning we {the following words in brackets are guessed at due to being covered up on the page} {moved?} the load of timothy which we loaded yesterday over to the stable and Frank helped us unload it. Then we {al...?} and put on a load of the thrashed blue grass and {hauled?} it over to the other barn. This after noon we unloaded it. {We?} loaded two more, we unloaded one and left the other on the barn floor, so we think we have got in a pretty day's work. Nigle came over quite early this morning & Lila followed him up this after noon, both are staying

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over night. Aunty went down town this after noon to get some things. Something has gone wrong with the dining room stove chimney and we can hardly see accross the room in there for smoke. Nice day, much milder, slight wind and raining to-night.

Sunday February 16th

I intended to go to church this morning with Aunty, Dick & Frank but I had to go up on the roof to see what was the matter with the dining room chimney, and as I had to wait till the fire went out it was twenty minutes to eleven when I got down, I found the cause of the trouble was that a brick had blown down the chimney and nearly filled up the flue. I hadn't much trouble in disloging it

Quint came over with the boys to dinner, and this afternoon we went skating. I thought I ought to go as I didn't get to church this morning. We were the only ones on the creek, and the skating was good. We were out to the end of the pier and up as far as Tommy Jackson's, Frank & I came home at half past five & Quint & Dick came over later. Nice day, rather cold and cloudy. It turned cold and froze during the night. We saw a flock of geese flying north to-day.

Monday February 17th

Dad. and I hooked Joe & Ginger to the buggy this morning and took them down to be shod but we found every shok in town full, so after getting a buggy load of groceries came home, I dropped a dollar's worth of sugar on the floor at Bayley & Miller's and spilt it all over, I was mad enough to cuss. We found out that to-morrow would be the last day they would cut ice, so as we couldn't get the team shod, Dad. spoke to Allan Law and he said he would hold it for us. We intended to get the ice house all ready this after noon but didn't get much done to it.

Alfred came over for a visit & Felix Perkins came in to sell a wind mill. I was going to print pictures to-night but we were a little late with tea and as I wanted to do quite a lot, I thought I had better wait till I had more time. Dick didn't come home to tea to night. We don't know where he is but suppose he has gone to O.Y.P.O There was quite a snow storm tonight this morning but cleared off and was very sunny & mild this after noon. Clear & freezing to night.

Tuesday February 18th

Allan Law came with the first load of ice this morning soon after breakfast before we had our chores

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done and we have been on the hump all day. We just put in six loads, and think that will be enough till we see if it keeps and we can easily put in more another time. It kept us busy to keep it well chinked with snow and icechips and we have yet to get some sawdust and pack it.

Dick had to work last night till midnight and to-night came home, he has to work every other night for awhile. It has been very mild and sunny all day, freezing to-night.

Wednesday February 19th

Dad. & I did the chores all up this forenoon. Vyse was over for quite awhile and also a pedlar who waited around about ten minutes for Enah to make her appearance to sell something - and then received hardly any attention so departed with haste. Aunty went down to the dentists but had to go again to-morrow. We took Joe & Ginger down right after dinner to be shod. I came home soon after we got there but Dad. did not get back till dark. Butler is so slow.

I didn't do much except put some more snow in the chinks of ice and cut a little wood. Dad. had to milk after tea to-night. Dick didn't come home to tea as he has to work to night. Mrs. Jack & Mrs. Charlie Martin were over this after noon while Enah was visiting at Quanbury's. It has been a lovely day but terribly muddy.

Thursday February 20th

Dad. & I left as soon after breakfast as possible this morning for Brad. Bowlby's to get a load of sawdust, we got back about noon and after putting it in the ice-house found we would need more, so left right after dinner and got a bigger load, getting home at four o'clock. Dick got home early and unloaded it for us, we could use a little more but we have enough for the present.

To-night Dick got a ticket for Dad. to go to the Library Concert so I went with them, they had a farce called "That Rascal Pat" which wasn't much in itself, but the actors, Bill Davis, Perce Brock & Art. Lawson were great. It was very short and we were home at half past ten. It barely froze last night, and has thawed very much all day. If we had waited any longer to go for our sawdust we wouldn't have been able to get in after it, the road was so bad. Mrs. Crosby Morgan died last night.

Friday February 21st

Just as we were getting ready to sack up some oats this morning, Jack came along and bought our veal calf

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(Erie's) for eight dollars, he was big but very thin. Dad. took some oats & barley down to the mill to be chopped just before dinner. Aunty went down town to get some flowers for Mrs. Morgan's funeral. Frank came home at noon and is to have a half holiday, as Mr. Smith had to go to Captain McFell's funeral this afternoon.

Allan Law came in after dinner and said he was going to take his seed to Jarvis in the morning so I am going with him and take ours. Dad. settled up with him for threshing and he didn't charge anything for hauling the ice, so we got it pretty cheap, as Val. didn't charge for cutting it. Dad. and I went down town after some coal oil and came around by the mill and got our chop and then loaded on our seed.

We started to have a musical evening but Tiddums opposed us and had to have refreshments. Colder to-day with cold easterly wind, getting stormier to-night.

Saturday February 22nd

We got up before day light this morning as I expected to go to Jarvis with Allan Law, but he never turned up, we supposed on account of the weather. Dad. informed us this morning that the old sow had a big litter of piglets. We have counted them several times during the day and have come to the conclusion there are thirteen, all healthy and of uniform size.

Soon after breakfast young Billy Louis came after Dad to go and see a sick cow so Frank and I were left with all the undone chores on our hands, but we got them off in good shape by noon, besides throwing off what was left of the load of threshed blue grass standing on the barn floor. Dad. got home about noon and had to hurry to get down town by one as he had to be bearer at Mrs. Morgan's funeral. Aunty went down with him.

I didn't do much all the afternoon except cut a little wood. The Ryersies came up and Frank went with them back to the gully as Frank discovered a rabbit hole in the mound. One of our white cats has been sick for the last couple of days and to-night has disappeared we are afraid for good. I read "Oour Mutual Friend" all evening and wound up with a bath which nearly killed me. It rained last night and then froze and has been raining most of the day with several heavy downpours.

Sunday February 23rd

The two boys went to Sunday school Aunty didn't go as she has a cold and didn't like to go out in the wind. I went down to church. Winny came over

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to dinner with Dick, who spent the after noon down town. Dad. did chores. I read most of the time. We had some music. Frank went back in the gully to look at his empty snares.

It has been much colder to day with a raw wind, freezing hard to night Dad is very anxious about his little pigs and to day battoned up the cracks in the pig pen, he says they feel as warm as toast. There are thirteen live ones and one dead one.

Monday February 24th

Allan Law came over this morning before I was through breakfast all ready to start for Jarvis I got ready as quickly as I could, with Dad's big coonskin overcoat and walked over to Law's as Allan had to load up their seeds, we got started about nine o'clock.

When we got down about to the fourth concession Allan got out to walk and then got in with Bellack who was leading a team to Jarvis to sell to Dave. Ward who is shipping to-day, so I drove on to Jarvis's alone, I pulled into the association store as I saw the name of {Tess?} above the door but Allan saw me and told me to come on down farther to a brother of this fellow, so we went down and left our load at the other place till after dinner. I came away in such a hurry this morning that I for got to take any money so had to look to Allan for dinner, and so got a dandy. It took the fellow all the after noon to clean up our alsike & blue grass red clover and we had to leave our blue grass for another time. We got $11 1/2 for the alsike & $9 for the red clover, which is as good as any body is getting now I guess. I got $18 for mine. Allan only got $10 for his alsike as it was part white clover. The fellow said it would have been worth a lot more than ours if it had been brought in two months sooner but now the market was closed for it. Allan got the same for his red seed as we did. I think he expected more than he got. We left there I guess about half past five, and got home about seven, we came a lot faster than we went as we had a big load on this morning.

Dad has been over to Louises' this after noon, their cow is getting better he had a very enjoyable visit with John Wess on his way- one of our little pigs got killed some way this morning thirteen was an unlucky number anyway. Emery McPherson and Mrs. Johnson were over this after noon. Mrs. McBride has been here washing all day. Dick did not get home to-night, had to work I suppose. Pretty cold to day but sunny and nice. Roads are awfully rough down east

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Tuesday February 25th

We were very late this morning getting started, owing to my staying in bed later than I should have, so it took us till noon doing chores. Allan Law came in with our seed and took the waggon away with him again.

This afternoon Dad. & I drove down town on sundry errands Dick came home to tea but went back down town again to see Huby. he said he might skate or work. Aunty has been feeling very miserable all day, with grip or neuralgia or both. Pretty cold, but sunny and no wind. I finished reading "Our Mutual Freind" to night, sorry to leave it.

Wednesday February 26th

We didn't do any thing but chores to day. We went down to Alfred's with the sacks we borrowed from him and found him feeling pretty sick with a cold, we were there quite awhile and got back about noon

Ern. Fleming was in for awhile this after noon to have Dad. look at his horse who has scratches. I drew a little this after noon and spen the evening practising on my horn. Frank went down town to-night to the moving picture show. Dick was going too so we stayed down to tea It snowed all day, no wind and not very cold

Thursday February 27th

It snew & blew nearly all day. We did up all the chores this morning. Allan Law brought back our waggon and borrowed the hay rack to haul a couple of loads of hay down town, he brought it back to-night.

This after noon Dad. drove Enah down town and when they got back he & I drove down to the mill got some corn cobs and took them down to Huby's as he wanted some to smoke his pork. I printed pictures tonight and met with fairly good success. Dick did not work to-night.

Friday February 28th

Dad. & I went down first thing this morning and got a load of coal with Joe & Ginger. We let Belle & Harry out separately for a ran in the barnyard and they evidently enjoyed them selves immensly, especially Harry. who was enraptured, this after noon we did chores and unloaded our coal.

Aunty has felt very miserable all day and feels as if she was getting the grip. Dick did not come home to-night, this being the end of the month he had to work late. It snowed the biggest part of the day but was quite mild. We are getting enough snow now to make up for the rest of the winter.

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Saturday March 1st

We did the chores all up this morning, this after noon we sat down to read, and stayed a good deal longer than we should have, and then drove Joe & Ginger down town for exercise, the sleighing is pretty good now. When we were letting the team into the stable to-night Joe who goes in first stopped in the alleyway to nose for hay and Ginger came up behind and turned in beside Belle and she kicked Ginger just below the knee and raised quite a lump, but we don't think it will be serious.

Frank has spent the day looking at his empty trap and snares and scouring the farm in search of material to make a sleigh. Our other white cat is at the point of death to-night, they must have got poisoned. Isaac Johnson & Jack Lawrie were over this morning with a new horse bought by the farmer. March has put in a very lamblike appearance. It snowed quietly most of the morning, and has been sunny & mild the rest of the day.

Sunday March 2nd

The boys went to Sunday school and I went down to church. Aunty didn't go on account of her cold and the bad weather Quint came over to dinner and this after noon we went over to the Shand's as Charlie had asked Frank at school. It was a rough day for a drive and we werent sure wheter we could get through the cuts or not. This one out here was nearly full and we just had room for Joe to go down one side of it. The four of us in the cutter made quite a load but she got through the drifts nobly and where there were no drifts the sleighing was pretty good. We were there all the after noon and they wanted us to stay to tea but the wind was getting worse all the time so we thought it was better to leave before dark. We drove around the other way coming home past McQueen's and the Mill as we weren't shure about getting through the other way. It was getting very much colder and in some places I couldn't see any farther than Joe's head for the drifting snow we got home just about dark, the lane out here was full and we all had to get out for to let Joe get through

Dad walked down to Alfred's this after noon and to Art's as Mrs Tuck asked Frank in Sunday school to let them know that old Mrs. Sindor. had another stroke. Dad got very cold, and says Alfred isn't feeling much better yet. Quint stayed here all night. Aunty read to us all the evening, but I went to sleep before she finished.

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Monday March 3rd

Dad didn't feel very well to-day so we did not do anything out side but chores and cut a little wood. We also started to make out a list of seeds to send for to Simmer's

It snowed pretty much all day, was cold and windy this morning but the wind went down a little and it was a great deal milder this afternoon. Dick did not come home to tea to-nigh but went to O.Y.P.O. I had quite a piano practice to-night.

Tuesday March 4th

I drove Dick down town this morning as the walking was so bad, we were to late in starting to take Frank. When I got back Enah was ready to go down with 10 lbs of butter so after cleaning out the stables I drove her down, she got 30 cts a lb. for the butter, we didn't get back much before noon.

Allan Law came over to get one of us to help him shovel out the cut on the side road out here but as neither could go he said he wasn't going to do it alone and so departed after breaking the handle of our snow shovel while talking. Dad felt very miserable to-day so we didn't do any thing much this after noon but finish making out our list of seeds. Aunty got a letter from Miss Scott this afternoon saying that a little daughter arrived yesterday afternoon to Ray & Vernon. Aunty couldn't make out from the letter whether they were extra anxious about Vernon or not, but we didnt get any more word to-night so Dad. thinks every thing must be all right.

We are afraid that all our cats except Fits and her mother have gone where they don't play billiards as neither the grey or black cat has showed up for the last two or three milking times. I had a good practice on horn & piano to-night. It snowed a little to-day but was pretty sunny & not cold.

Wednesday March 5th

I drove Aunty & Dick down town, this morning. Aunty got Cousin Willie to telephone Ray and find out how things were, he said they were doing better and said there would be a letter from him on the noon train. I drove around town while waiting for Aunty as I didn't want to keep Joe waiting. Bah. Miller asked me if we could keep a ewe for awhile for him as didn't want to kill it yet.

Aunty found out from Aunty Maude that Mrs. Baugner's friend Mr. Hamer the great Shropshire man was coming to Mr Scofield's this afternoon so Dad. & I went down and met him and thought he was a very nice fellow. We have

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been troubled lately by a very disagreeable odour in the dining room and until this morning have been unable to discover the cause, but upon investigation Dad found our two cats the black one and the white one which disappeared from the horse stable so mysteriously lying dead in the garret directly over the dining room stove, where it was warm. Frank found the remains of the grey cat underneath the cultivator in the barn to-night, our once great supply of cats has now dwindled down to two head.

Dick had to work to-night so did not get home to tea. Mrs. McBain. died very suddenly this morning about ten o'clock. I had a pretty good practice to-night. Rather cold, but sunny, windy to-night.

Thursday March 6th

Helen Agusta Wind was here to-day, so in honor of her visit we didn't do any thing but chores, and not all of them as we didn't clean out the horse stable at all, for the first time this winter.

This afternoon I walked down town to get the mail as Dick wasn't coming home to tea to-night. The lane was full of snow-drift so we couldn't drive. To night I went down to the Orchestra dance, I didn't decide to go till just in time to get ready but the wind had died down, so it wasnt so bad going. Dick was there and we had a good time, the only boots I could find to wear, were a pair of thinsoled paten leathers of Dad's, they were about a foot too long for me but worked pretty well, we got home about three in the morning; it was freezing hard and I guess was the coldest night this winter. Frank didn't go to school to-day on account of a bad cold.

Friday March 7th

Dad. and I started to dig out the lane this morning but Sam Law came over about ten o'clock and got Dad. to go and help dig out the our cut on the side road and at the winding hills, so I didn't get finished here.

This afternoon we did chores, and I walked down and got the mail and my hair cut. Frank was in the house all day to-day again and feels pretty sick. Dick brought home a book to-night which he persisted in reading out loud and so I could not get this written. Had a practice on my horn. It has been freezing hard all day but sunny and no wind.

Saturday March 8th

Dad. and I did up the chores this morning, we also finished shovelling out the lane. I drove Enah down town this after noon to sell her butter and do shopping

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I didn't wait for her standing as I was afraid Joe would get cold so drove around town I picked up Roy Dell and afterwards Quint & Jim Math piled in too but they didn't stay long. When we got home Mr. & Mrs. Morley Buck and kids were over just leaving. Mrs. Buck had been comparing babies but thought Tiddums would be not much account as he didn't sleep out doors. Jack Martin came over this after noon while we were gone and took all his roosters.

Dick didn't come home to tea to-night we supposed he had to work. We started to have a practice to-night but Tiddums had to wake up and be fed just as we got started and it looks now as if I was in for a bath. It has been much milder to-day snowed this morning and is almost thawing this evening before sundown.

Sunday March 9th

The boys went to Sunday school this morning, Aunty stayed home to mind Tiddums so as to let Dad. & Enah go to church, we started rather late and it was beginning to rain before we got to the corner it was pouring so hard we came back.

Frank did not go to church. This after noon we didn't do anything much Dad. did all the chores and Enah & I practiced Dick read, he was very disappointed as he has been counting on a sleigh ride this afternoon but the sleighing is nearly all gone, although a cutter & bob sleigh did go past in the mud. It has been very mild & sunny this after noon but every thing is flooded.

Monday March 10th

Dad. and I loaded up some wheat oats this morning and took it down to be chopped. This after noon Dad drove Aunty down to the McBains and on down town to get the mail and then drove around by the mill for the chop

Just after dinner Allan Law drove in with his new buggy and harness and wanted to go to Jarvis after the blue grass money, so I went with him. the roads were a little muddy but not bad we went down and back in three hours, and were there half an hour or more. We got eight dollars for our seed with 17 lbs of alsike in it and Allan got a little over five for his. we didn't expect any more. He gave us 2 1/2 cts for the blue grass @ 17 cts per lb for the alsike. Allan bought me a cigar and I was fool enough to smoke it on the way home. It was my first whole one and although I didn't suffer any ill effects from it I think it will be my last because I don't see any sense in it.

Mrs. McBride has been here washing to-day. Cliff Mc{Brent?} was in before break fast this morning to see if Dad would take their old mare but we couldn't so Dad told him to shoot her which he did this afternoon. Although they hated to do it, they couldn't manage any other was as they are all leaving for Toronto to-night. Dick did not get home to tea to-night. Very mild and sunny. snow going fast.

Tuesday March 11th

Teddy George was in before breakfast this morning to get Dad. to go over to Monteith's to see a sick cow Dad. fed the calves and had a cup of coffee but when he got over there the cow was dead. After doing up the chores Dad hooked up Joe & Ginger and we hauled up a load of rails.

This afternoon we put a load of timothy on the rack to haul to the horse stable in the morning when the ground is frozen. Dad had been carrying blue grass over lately. Frank went down to see a health car to-night so was late getting home. Just before ten Hazen & Murray drove in to tell Dick that he needn't go to work to night but Dick didn't come home anyway. Murray says he is home on sick leave but not very sick. Miss Monteith & Mrs Welch were in this after noon. Mild. muddy and springlike

Wednesday March 12th

Lorne Myers and his father came in first thing this morning to get a load of the threshed blue grass which Dad. told him he could have for five dollars a load, while they were putting it on we took Joe & Ginger and hauled our load of timothy over to the horse stable. Bill Donald came in just as the Myers were going and it was nearly noon when he left. Dad. discovered Queen had cut a nasty gash in her right fore leg just above the fetlock, he thought at first the tendon was cut but when he bathed it after dinner found it wasn't; he feels very badly about it and is afraid it will always be rough there.

This afternoon we weighed and took Alfred's bushel of clover seed to him. He his pretty sick yet. When we got back we went out and cleaned out the road ditch running on the south side of the wheat field - as it was full of snow - and was hacking a {big?} pond on to the wheat. The seeds we sent to Simmer's for came to-day. Froze last night but sunny & thawing to-day looks like a big storm.

Thursday March 13th

We bathed Queen's leg and did chores this morning Aunty went down town to the dentist and stayed down to go to Bible class this afternoon Dad. drove down

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after her about half past four. This after noon Dad & I moved quite a lot of the threshed blue grass out of the drive way into the barn. To night Dick and I went down to band practice but there wasn't any thing much going on as a lot of them were practicing at the Presbyterian concert. Dick couldn't get his cornet as Bill Graham has taken it. Murray was playing a lot of the new song hits over on the town hall piano for Walt Perce Brock was dancing to them.

Vyse was over most of the morning. It rained a little but has been sunny & warm Frank and Dad each saw a robin to-day and Dick said he saw two or three, they are the first I have heard of.

Friday March 14th

I didn't get up early this morning and had the blues for most of the forenoon. We fixed up the ice house a little more and put some tar paper and siding on the front of it so that it looks ever so much better.

This after noon we trimmed apple trees we got two pretty well browsed in two hours and a half. The cows all went back to the gully this after noon, when I went back for them they were nosing around half way to the culvert but they came when I called them.

Lila came over with Frank to stay all night. Dick came home to tea. After we sat down to tea Roy Bannister came after Dad. to go and see their old horse which he said was choking. Dad. had his tea and then went over to see it.

Tiddums allowed Enah to play the whole evening for Dick and me. and I didn't go to bed till about eleven. It has been a beautiful day quite hot but to-night a very heavy thunder storm came up and it rained & hailed nearly all evening, that in the spring means cold weather.

Saturday March 10th

We got up pretty fairly early this morning and Dad discovered that the calves were in the sheep pen and upon investigation found that they had come through the barn and had let the sheep all out. we supposed the wind last night had blown the barn doors open. Another little bit of excitement we had was Dick discovering that Lila had come in to his room before he was awake and taken his Romany Club pin of his coat. and she wouldn't give it back. She said he had no right to it as he didn't belong to their club. but he said he was going to keep it as they had sold it to him. We found out later when Winnie came over that Lila had lost hers, and there wasn't anothe one so she had taken Dick's but Win persuaded

to give it back as they had found the lost one. I think Dick bought it so as there wouldn't be enough to go round and led them to under stand he was buying it for another member of the club. We got the chores done up pretty early but didn't get any thing else much done.

Dad. went over to Bannister's to see their horse and says he thinks it will die. Roy came back with him and fooled around with Frank nearly all morning and at last went home with an Horatio Alger book after Frank had showed about half a dozen {"tame" illegible} Win and Lila went home soon after dinner.

This afternoon Dad drove Enah and Frank down town, Enah sold her butter and Frank got a new suit which he is highly delighted with. Dad arranged with Marshall to send our cream to the butter factory in April.The roads were a fright, frost nearly out in some places. I cut wood and cleaned out enough threshed blue grass to shut the barn doors. It rained this morning this after noon very high wind and colder not quite freezing to-night. Dick had to work tonight. Tiddums on the mend slept most of the day.

Sunday March 16th

Aunty said the boys went down to sunday school & church I helped Dad do up some of the chores and then left here about eleven for church. I was a little late of course so sat in the back with Dick & Fred Tuck. Quint came over to dinner with us and this afternoon he Dick & I went down town and sat around down at the Vigilant with Jim {Muth?} till six. Dick stayed down to tea at Huby's but I came home. Dad did up the chores. It froze last night and has been much colder to-day with a sharp wind. Freezing pretty hard to night. Snow flurries to day.

Monday March 17th

Dad. and I caught the two young gobblers this morning and put them up over the pig pen, where we hope to get them in a corpulent state, one for home consumption and the other to convert into cash, we started before dinner to move more alsike & bluegrass threshing and this after noon got it all out of the drive way and piled in one corner of the empty bent in the barn as high as was convenient to pich, there is still quite a pile in the shed.

Enah went down town to church this afternoon, there is church every afternoon this week now. Dick came home with her. Tom. Abbot was in this morning to see Dad. about his mare who has distemper. It froze pretty stiff last night and there has been a rather sharp breeze to-day but sunny.

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Tuesday March 18th

I went down town this morning took some saws down for Emery to sharpen and got him to come over to morrow to help us build a smoke house. I also saw Huby and asked him to come over as Dad. wanted to speak to him about tendering for a mail route. He came over this afternoon and said he would think about it. I got a pair of low shoes and came home.

This after noon we tore down most of the old chicken house as that is were we expect to get the material for the smoke house. Skinny Ryersie came over this after noon with the ewe Bol. {Milly?} wanted to keep her for awhile. He said it was one of my old ones, but I dont beleive I would have recognised it. Aunty went down to church this afternoon. Art Quanbury was in soon after dinner and got all the white wyandotte pullets (14). It has been very much milder but windy.

Wednesday March 19th

Emery did not show up this morning as we expected and we found out afterwards that he stayed at home to help Mrs. McPherson get ready to go to Courtright in the morning. Dad. and I finished taking the nails out of the old chicken house boards and I just hung around this after noon and went back to the gully where I heard a frog.

Enah went down to church this afternoon. To-night Dick and Frank went to the show the Presbyterian church had in the town hall called "The Old District School" which they enjoyed very much. I had a good practice. Lovely day very mild the frost nearly all out.

Thursday March 20th

Emery came over this morning and built the smoke house getting it all finished by to-night. Dad. & I helped him and I cleaned out the separator this after noon Aunty went down to church to-day. Emery stayed here to tea and Cecil came over here to find him.

After tea Dick. Emery Cecil and I went down town & I went to band practice Dick got his first long pants to-night but I don't think he likes them much. It rained a little and was threatening this morning but turned out fine and was a beautiful night.

Friday March 21st

It poured rain most of the morning. Frank and Enah went down to church as this is Good Friday. Cecil McPherson came over and said he thought I would

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stay here awhile on his way to his Grandpa's, but owing to the weather he stayed till after dinner when his father came and called for him. A terrific wind got up about noon and blew things "galley west." It flatened our barnyard fence. tore some of the roof of our cow stable rooted up the old half dead mountain ash tree at the corner of the spare bedroom and blew over our new smoke house.

We three boys went down town and found the water very high down at the pier. We noticed Woodson's tank has blown off its tower and their fence is lying all over the sidewalk. Aunty and I intended to go to church to-night but as the wind was so bad we decided to stay home and I had a pretty fair practice. Dick went down town to a party at {Bessie?} Gaham's.

Saturday March 22nd

Dad and I & Frank fixed up the fence around the barnyard which blew down yesterday. Roy Bannister came over to spend the morning with Frank. This after noon Dad and I went down town to get some groceries. We have to take beef for Easter as the wind yesterday blew apart the pig pen door and both the turkeys got loose and we haven't caught them yet. We heard of quite a lot of damage being done around here several wind mills put out of business and the roof blew off Chast. Wooleys barn. but by the paper we see there is much more damage done in other parts of the province.

Dad. got his hair cut and I waited around till he got through Mrs. Lawrie was here when we got back. I had a good practice to-night. Sunny with cold wind.

Sunday March 23rd

As this was Easter Sunday, Dad. and Enah managed to get down to church while Aunty looked after Tiddums. This after noon I wasted in sleeping and reading Dad & Frank did all the chores. It was cloudy this morning and rained all the afternoon.

Aunty wanted to go to church to-night but couldn't on account of the weather. Franks got 12 eggs to-day which is more than he has got since Christmas but for that it has seemed very un-Eastery.

Monday March 24th

I didn't do any thing much to-day but chores Dad & Frank cleaned up the old barn, and I read a lot of "Tom Dick & Harry". Jimmy Lawse came over quite

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early this morning and got Fred. Dad. was disappointed Bob. didn't see her before she got all wet and muddy but I saw Bob to-night and he said she was in better shape than he expected. The fellow that lives down at the corner where Andre used to live was over this morning to see if he could buy some little pigs as he had a lot of milk going to waste, he seemed disappointed when he couldn't get them but Dad. didn't want to sell any and had had a lot speak before.

It poured rain all last night and most of the morning but was clear all the afternoon. About dark it began again and kept it up all night to-night. Dick and I went down to the Orchestra dance to-night, it was raining so hard when we left about 3 am that we went down to Huby's. I just took off my coat and boots and lay on the sofa. Dick I guess turned in with Quint. About six I came home. Dick spent about half of his holiday yesterday in bed and the other half in town.

Tuesday March 25th It poured rain all last night and this forenoon, the mud is terrible. Tobe and Dick stayed at Hubert's after the ball. Tobe got home just as Frank and I were getting the fires going. We did very little but chores all day, the papers are full of the awful loss of life and property caused by the storm on Good Friday. It was fair for a little while this afternoon but is raining and freezing a little tonight.

Wednesday March 26th A very heavy fog this morning, but mild the ice was dropping from the trees, we took Joe and Ginger on the lumber wagon and moved the big bin from the drive house over to the old barn there we put on three sacks of oats to go to the mill, we got there and then on down town. Aunty went with us, (Frank & me) she stayed down town. Frank and I got home about noon with our chop and our flour.

After dinner we cleaned up some wheat. Aunty got home about six. Dick did not get home to tea. Toby went down to have a practice. It is a dark dismal night and not knowing whether to snow or rain.

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Thursday March 27th

It blew & snew all day so we didn't do any thing out side but chores. I drew a little this morning while Dad. paid a visit to Alfred and Frank worked at his Mecanno. We weren't sure whether Dick would be home to-night with the mail. I walked down after it, I saw Dick and we went down and got our Science books and I brought them home.

I took my horn down this afternoon and went down to band practice to-night. Dick did get home to tea after all. The papers are full of accounts of the awful floods in Ohio.There has been a blizzard most of the day and to-night is freezing quite stiff. Snow all over again

Friday March 28th

We put in most of the day to-day hauling hay. We had two motives for so doing. first because we were out of hay both in horse stable and cow barn. and secondly because we wanted to get at the clover which was under what we hauled for the sheep, we just cut a square out of one corner of the blue grass mow and took out all the blue grass till we struck clover. We could only haul half loads as the mud under the frozen crust was to hard to pull through but Joe & Ginger did it. We hauled one half load to the other barn and half a one to the horse stable and put half a one on the rack Frank pitched out of the mow Dad pitched on and I loaded.

Enah went down town this morning and Aunty went calling at Brileys & Martin's this afternoon. It has been very sunny all day but a cold wind, freezing to-night.

Saturday March 29th

Frank, Dad and I cleaned up more wheat this morning but have quite a lot left yet. Nig. came over this morning and he and Frank went back hunting this after noon around the gully. I went back too with my camera. I intended to follow the south creek to its source but as I couldn't get across it and there were several branches to it I had to keep on the south of every branch. I was led at last nearly to Colin {McKellige's?} barn - and then I went down to Cedar swamp in quest of skunk cabbage but as I was on the wrong side of that creek and the log was gone I didnt find any, I think it is a little early any way. I heard a dog barking down the stream and upon investigation, discovered Billy Louis & Balby

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Wright with their dog's. I talked to them awhile and then came part way home with Billy the same way I came went. Dad. and Aunty went down town this after noon. Dad. settled up with Bob Miller for Fred. he got $60.00 for her, just what he asked and Bob said she was worth it. Bob offered him $48.00 for the twelve little pigs now but Dad. doesn't want to sell them till he has spoken to the othe people who have asked for them, he saw Carl Coleman coming over here on his way home with his cow who had another piece of turnip in her throat. Dick did not get home to tea to-night. It has been much milder to-day and very sunny.

Sunday March 30th

I went down to church this morning. Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday School and church. Dick stayed down at Huby's to tea dinner. This after noon I decided to take a walk up to Wooley's to make sure whether the roof was off his barn or not as we have heard conflicting reports concerning it. I fell in with Jacks Spain & Winn, Lewie Larose & Geordie Spain. and they came to the conclusion that they would go with me, but Lewie didn't go very far. The rest of went up to Wooley's point with out much adventure, then I left them there to go and ascertain the facts of the barn case, and found it in perfectly good condition and I didn't think it was likely they would have it all fixed up so soon.

I came back to the lake just by Hay Creek and saw the other fellows down the beach, and saw by their foot prints that they had kept on the beach so I thought if they could go that way I could too but soon found out that I was very much mistaken. I got into quicksand above my boot tops and just covered myself with mud (I was fool enough to have worn my good clothes) I lost one rubber and fished around with my fingers for about five minutes before I found it. I struck for the bank at the first opportunity and stayed there till I got to where I knew I wouldn't have to cross any more mud. I washed my rubbers off as well as I could.

When I got down to McCoy's bush I found Skinny & Perce Ryersie with Fred Tuck Bangers & Smock making maple syrup they had quite a quantity of sap gathered and were boiing it down right there. I took a picture of them and then homeward plodded my weary way, via the back streets of Dover thus escaping the notice of most of the good people who might scoff at my appearance. I stopped at Huby's

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to try and brush off some of the mud but did not succeed he gave me a piece of Sassafras root which Mr Henderson had got. Lovely sunny day but muddy in spots.

Monday March 31st

Dad. went off this morning to settle up about the sale of his little pigs, he saw. John Quanbury & Vyse and they didn't want to block the sale of the bunch so he sold the eleven of them to Bob. Miller for forty five dollars he had given the runt to Frank so couldn't sell it with the rest. I did the chores up and Tapper came through on his way down town.

This afternoon the old man that lives down at the corner came up here with his cream to churn as Dad. told him he might this morning. Part of the barn gate fence blew down in the morning and some of the cattle got into the field. About four o'clock Dad. and I went up to Ham Thompsons and Dad bought his registered short horn bull calf for fifty five dollars although he wanted sixty as he says their price has gone up very much lately. We didn't get home till six so were late with the chores. Dick did not get home to tea to-night I suppose as it is the last of the month It rained alittle this morning, cloud, windy and colder to-night.

Tuesday April 1st

There was a very strong wind blowing all day to-day and as wind makes Dad. sick & mad. we didn't do anything but chores, but did them thoroughly, we also went out and I held the ladder while Dad nailed a board on the eve of the cow stable roof, as the wind was getting under our roofing paper and tearing it.

This afternoon I slept most of the time and Dad made some meat hooks out of the rod he got from Butler the other day. Aunty went down town this morning and stayed down till after the auxillary this after noon. Dick did not get home to tea.

I had a good practice to-night. Ed. Aikens was in this after noon to see Dad. about a dog which he left here to be looked after. Cold but sunny to-day. Froze pretty stiffly last night but the wind dried up a lot of mud.

Wednesday April 2nd

Dad. and I put up the barnyard fence again this morning which the wind blew down the day before yesterday While we were at it the old man at the corner, whose name he told us was Mr. Green, but who is commonly known as Jonas by the surrounding neighbourhood.) came in and bargained for a load of hay. Dad. said he

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would let him have a load of thashed alsike for five dollars but would not deliver it with the roads in the shape they are, so this after noon he got Allan Law to come and get it for him, his wife came last night so he is a little more cheerful, Charlie Martin was over this morning for awhile to see about getting some meat smoked and he helped us raise the smoke house. We chopped up the old mountain ash tree that blew down and got a small pile of firewood from it.

This after noon we didn't do much as Allan Law and his friend Jonas came after the latter's hay and we stayed out at the barn watching them work. Tupper came in soon after their exodus and entertained us for about an hour relating the history of Jonas, & Sairy his wife as he had known them in the days of his youth when they lived near Waterford. It appears that Jonas has a few shingles of his roof and that some of Saiway's "as Jonas evidently calls her are loose. It was rather late in the life of each of them when they entered upon their matrimonial career and all has not been perfectly clear sailing since as they now and then strike a rock in the shape of a pugilistic bout, in which the old lady generally comes off with the laurels. Many were the anecdotes he told of pranks & tricks enjoyed by the juvenile portion of the comunnity at Mr. Green's expence and one case where that gentleman's claw's did him a good service in peeling a youth's face with whom he was engaged in battle.

Aunty went down town this after noon and brough back a note from Mrs. Lawson containing news of the arrival of a new member to the house of Tupper, and it was to be delivered to the head of that house. Mrs. Tupper is down at Mrs. Lawson's and the stork called yesterday morning but Mrs. Lawson hadn't seen anybody to carry the tidings home. Tupper said this after noon he in tended to call down there the end of this week or the beginning of next to see if there was any thing doing, he supposed they would let him know if a boy came but if it was a girl he didn't care a cent. Poor Tupper it was a girl and he was going fishing to-night.

Just before ten to-night Billy Barlow drove in he had been down in this country after beef and dropped in to see us and Dad sold him his two gobblers. Dick did not come home to tea to-night but I went down to private band practice and we came home to gether. {Pat Slow...?} Roy Dell & Walt were at band practice and we had a fairly good one. Very nice day to-day Sunny and quite mild, Roads are drying up fast. Blacker than a stack of black cats to-night. Found 4 duck eggs in mudpuddle

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Mr. Green came in this morning for a little visit before breakfast and sat by the door with his hat on all the time we were eating. We couldn't do very much out side to day on account of the weather but this morning we finished cleaning up the wheat and this after noon started to clean up oats but didn't get much done Emery came over with the pieces he is going to put on the bed piece of the rack to rest on the holster instead of the cross pieces on the holster but he couldnt finish the job as the bolts he brought over didn't have a long enough thread cut on them.

Tonight I went down to band practice with Emery. I wore my steel boots and gaiters to keep off the mud and I left my horn at Hubys. It has rained nearly all day to-day with thunder and lightening but seems to have cleared off to-night.

It seems there is a new fellow now negotiating with the town concerning a canning factory they have formed a joint stock company and yesterday sold $8000 worth of shares they want to sell $15000 worth.

Friday April 4th

Dad. & I drove Joe & Ginger up to Simcoe to-day. Dad went to Frank Reid's and paid the intrest on the mortgage and $1000 of the principal which Aunty got and wanted to pay last fall but couldn't as they wouldn't take it till the right date. We got there just a little after twelve and Dad. just caught Mr. Reid as he was leaving for dinner we also called around to see Billy Barlow but his shop door was locked so we dropped in at Church's and got our old harnessed fixed and came home getting here about half past three. The roads were very bad in some places especially in the streets of Simcoe, we didn't go by the half way house but turned at the cemetry corner and came out on the gravel at St. John's as Carl Coleman told me the other night there was a bad place near Brad. Bowlby's but we found the back roadway good condition.

We had our dinner and did up a few chores after we got home Charlie Martin came over just before tea and tuned the piano Dick came home to tea. It has been cloudy and threatening all day but quite mild. It rained before and after we were at Simcoe but was fair all the time we were gone. Quint was over a couple of times after some ducks, Frank saw in the timothy field. But -

Saturday April 5th

Frank and Dad. went up to Ham. Thompson's about the first thing this morning and got our bull, they were gone quite a while as he gave them considerable trouble

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and got away once and ran way down the track. We have to think of name for him as is to be registered. While they were gone Quint and George Haymaker came along, they had come up the creek and came over here to see if the dudes were here, but they weren't. George wanted to know if I knew any body around here by the name of Mull or some name sounding like that, who kept brown leg horn chickens and lived a long way in from the road; by this last hint I suppose I mentioned Tapper which proved to be the correct answer; they didn't know the way over there so I showed them part way as George wanted to get some eggs.

This afternoon Frank & Enah went down town for supplies. I cut wood and Dad carried hay and then we hung the hams all up in the smoke house Dick didn't come home to tea to-night. It has been colder and windy to-day with quite a snow storm to-night.

Sunday March April 6th

Aunty and the boys went down to Sunday school and I went to church this morning. This afer noon I drew a pattern to carve and Dick went down town. Dad. did nearly all the chores. Toby and Hallie have gone in to have some music so I told him I would finish this, there is little more to say. It has been a cold miserable day, quite a wind with occasional snow flurries, it is freezing hard tonight.

Monday April 7th

I didn't do anything much to-day, helped Dad. a little clean out the place where we had the calves as he wants to build a stall for the bull (who by the way we have decided to call Dreadnought after Aunty's suggestion) in one corner of it. Dad. lit a fire in the smoke house this morning and about noon Art Quanbury came over with Charlie Martin's hams and some side meat of his fathers which Dad promised to smoke. Bob. Miller came over and got the little pigs to-day. He paid $44.00 for the eleven but left Runty for Frank, we left him in with the old sow but soon had to remove him as we heard a terrible racket in the pig pen and when Dad went to investigate found the old sow with the little pig down and treating it in a very savage manner and if she had been left to continue would soon have killed it but as it was she didn't hurt it much Aunty went down town this after noon, and something or other struck Enah to go down to A.Y.P.A. to-night so Dad. went with her I guess it was because Aunty Maude was going to recite.

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Dick did not get home to tea to-night we don't know whether he had to work or not. We think of getting up early in the morning and going fishing back in the gully. Ray Dell told Frank to-night that Earn. Fleming caught 6 pike above the culvert at our place yesterday or the day before. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. It was cloudy and inclined to snow this morning but turned sunny & muddy & mild this after noon. Lovely night. {indistinct marks on page}

Tuesday April 8th

Dad finished building his bull stall to-day. I didn't do much in the morning but this afternoon I pruned another apple tree. We got up about half past five this morning and started to the gully armed with a rifle and two pitch forks. We went down to the culvert and walked up but didn't see a sign of aquatic life except a mud turtle who was too cold to resist my picking him out of the water on my fork and some sort of a fish about a foot long which I speared at but missed. I also saw two minnows.

Aunty went down town to the dentists this morning and was successful in finding the door unlocked and Bill in working order. Dick had to work to-night and said when he got home that got nearly through he only made a mistake of $1800.00. Froze hard last night, sunny & breezy to-day.

Wednesday April 9th

This morning I started to clean up the lawn in front of the house and I raked the grass across the ditch. Then Dad. & I went back to the gully and burned some of the old grass on the flat. After dinner went back again. we burned quite a lot of it but it is a little too wet to run. When we got back we bolted the pieces on the bed pieces of the rack.

To-night I went down with my horn to practice but found there was a public meeting on in the hall and consequently no practice so I went to the meeting, it was about the new school bylaw. Mr. Ivey was speaking when I went in, and he was against it. Then Dr. Hicks & Mr. Robertson who were for it had a little say, then Old Maneer & Dr. Jolly the former for & the latter against it. Old Maneer told us that as he had lived in the back woods all his life he had no education so would like to see a good school and that if nobody else would build it for less than $28000.00 he would take the contract himself. They spent a good part of the time arguing who was going to have the last word but Mr. Ivey left before it was over I think Dick & I did any way and got home after eleven.

Aunty went down town this morning and stayed down all night as Aunty Maude has not been at all well all day. It has been a nice day but with quite a cold wind.

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Thursday April 10th

It rained nearly all day so we didn't do much but chores. As I was cleaning out the stable this morning I got a sharp stitch in my side and had to go in the house and lie down till after dinner, and it was quite a while after dinner before it entirely left me. Aunty came over this morning.

This afternoon Dad fixed up the boxstall door and cleaned & admired Queen. To-night I went down to band practice to-night. There weren't many there as all the orchestra went to Port Rowan to a dance. Bob. Rankin was down and we had a pretty fair practice. Dick had to work all evening hunting for a mistake of 40 something dollars and we came home to-gether through the pouring rain.

Quint got word by telephone to-day from Geordie Allen saying he had a job for him and he is to go to Port Coulborne to morrow night. He doesn't know yet what the job is but thinks it is on a boat.

Friday April 11th

Quint came over this morning to say goodbye to us and I went out with him to get his traps which he set for the ducks and we scared up six but were too far away to get a shot at them. Aunty went down with Quint and is going to stay down all night I went over as far as Martin's with them and Aunty got Mrs. Charlie Martin to telephone down to see if Bagley & Miller's car of potatoes had come yet but they hadn't so I went over again after the train should have come in but they weren't here.

This after noon Jonas came over to prune apple trees. We hardly knew him as he has had his beard shaved off. he got over quite a lot of trees but didn't cut out any thing much but the suckers. He says he will be over to-morrow if it is fine but has to go to work for Ivey on Monday. I went down to-night to see Quint off. Dick was down and said he would have to look for his mistake again to-night. Cloudy & very mild, windy

Saturday April 12th

Jonas came over at seven this morning and pruned in the orchard all day. He got pretty well over all the trees but I think they would stand a lot more being cut out of them. Dad & I went down to Porter's in the lumber waggon and got back about two o'clock. The roads were awful in places. Art. Ryersie just scraped his hill before the rain so it was like a mortar bed, so to miss it we came home but the Plank road and it was just about as hard pulling down the hill above the brick yard as it would have been

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pulling up Art. Ryersie's. Dad. & Enah walked down town after dinner and did not get back till after six. Dad. voted for the School by-law and before he came home found out that it had carried by a majority of 10 in town but they hadn't heard from the town-ship yet, most likely the moss backs will be against it. I started to dig up the plum trees out on the front lawn this afternoon but the ground was too wet.

Frank and I found the turkey nests right out here along the side of the road. Aunty came over this morning after she had voted. Dick is still in quest of his mistake. Jim Law was in here this morning trying to sell Enah some tea & coffee but didn't. Dark & threatening all day but quite mild.

Sunday April 13th

Dad. caught a whole family of rats in the horse stable last night in the cage trap, there was a mother and five ratlets. He had to drown them although he hated to. He also discovered that Bob's ewe had a lamb last night. Aunty & the boys went down to Sunday school and I went down late to church.

This afternoon Dick and I took some duck eggs down to Mrs. Tuck and Dick bought a film for Frank's camera with the money. We hung around the lake till about five o'clock with Roy Dell and then came home. We found Pud. Smythe & his father had been here all the afternoon and were just going We went in on our way down to see Jona's colt which came this morning. It is a nice colt only one hind leg is crookeder than a snake fence. Enah went to church to-night and Dick went down with her but said he was not going to church. Lovely day, roads drying up fast.

Monday April 14th

Dad managed to poke a hole through the blocade in the center of the culvert this morning with a scantling and as there was such a head of water on it washed it out clear and in a few minutes it drained the lake that has been in the field on the west side of the road all spring & winter. Then we grubbed out the six plum trees that were planted all in a heap along the lane in the lawn as they were full of black knot and haven't borne fruit since we came here so we want to plant a grape vine in their place. While we were out there Billy Louis drove along breaking his colt then Art. Ryersie, then Mr. Monteith came and each stopped to talk Charlie Martin came over and talked till nearly noon.

This after noon I fixed the place up where we dug out the trees and Dad bunched them out. When we went out to the {Courslake?} we had to spend some time with Bolly who had a

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big bull calf just come.We were rather late getting through to-night but Dad & I went down to Mrs. {Halles?} as soon as we could get ready after tea. Dick came all the home after he had had his tea to tell Dad. to take his songs down but he didn't. We had a nice evening and enjoyed Miss Prest's playing on the violin very much. We got home about twelve and came with Dick who had just got through work as we came out.

Aunty Maude went to London to-day as delegate to the W.A. Meetings and Aunty has gone down to keep house for Huby & the girls Charlie Martin got his meat this after noon. and Dad is going to take ours out as it is smoked enough. It has been very nice & sunny but with rather raw east wind.

Tuesday April 15th

Sam. Law came after Dad. this morning to put a team on the road scraper so he took Joe & Ginger and has had them at it all day. They used the old three cornered dray that has been leaning up against our barn since the reign of Titus and just had the two teams on. Law's & ours. Sam drove their team this morning and Allan drove this after noon. Dad got home about five to-night and said he would have been home half an hour earlier but they hauled the scraper to Law's and Sam was bound he should see their bull calf - and then Allan insisted on him going in to hear a record or two on his new graphaphone. I didn't do much but chores this morning but chores and this after noon took a walk over the estate. I found the wheat in some places to be pretty badly killed but where we ploughed the manure under it is pretty good and where it was top dressed is better than where there is none at all. On the fall ploughing I noticed that parts of the fields are dry as a bone hat in other places it is a little too soggy to work yet. I went back to the gully & burnt a lot more grass but didn't have anything to carry the fire. I went back to the woods and saw quite a lot of May flowers and two garter snakes Dick came home to tea with the mail but had to go back to work. Mild, sunny & breezy.

Wednesday April 16th

Dad. & I went down first thing this morning with Joe & Ginger & the lumber waggon to get the team shod. we didn't get back till noon. I got some things up town and then went down to Huby's where Aunty showed me where to get some raspberriesroots. I also got a white rose root, one of the old bushes This afternoon I set them out but didn't get all the

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raspberries put out. Dad got a load of rails, we intended if we had had time to have gone back and harrowed a little this after noon, Vyse has started disking. Frank & Dick had tea at Huby's to-night as they are going to a show in the town hall. Jonas came over to night to pay Dad for what he owed him on the hay and got some apples. One of the hen turkeys died during the night. When Dad went out to feed the calves to-night he gave Frank's runt a big feed of milk - and when he returned he found the poor pig dead at the back of its pen. Lovely sunny day quite hot.

Thursday April 17th

Dad. started to work on the field this side of the gully on the east side of the lane with Joe & Ginger. He harrowed all morning. I went back with him but just as we got back I noticed the colts out. I went back to put them in. Tig undertook to help me but as she chased them way over to the side road I shut her up in the stable I managed to get them back into the barn yard through the lane. While I was after them Taurus & all the calves got out and I chased them for about an hour but a last had to shut them up just where they were. some of them in the clover field, John in the plum orchard and left Jim out on the road. I then planted out the raspberries and Dad put the calves in when he came up.

This after noon Aunty came over for a few minutes Dad. took the disks back and disked what he harrowed this morning, some of the land is a little too wet to work yet. I did chores. and cleaned up my horn with some stuff of Quint's which Aunty brought over. its what they used down on the "Vigilant". and is great stuff.

To-night I went down to band practice. Roy. Dell. Walt & John Smith were the only ones there. Dad. went down with me and got the baby carriage which Mrs. Johnston sent to Enah. He came home with Dick who hasn't been working all the after noon. We went down to Huby's for awhile after practice Aunty Maude came home to-night. None of us expected her It has been a lovely day, sunny & hot.

Friday April 18th

Dad and I worked on the land all day. I disked with Belle & Harry and Dad harrowed wth the little team. We are just working up half the field and are going to try to get it in to morrow after noon. Enah took Tiddums down town this after noon in his fancy carriage. Aunty & Win came over to-night. but Win had to go back after tea. Dick went home with her. Very warm, thunder & lightening after tea but no rain to speak of.

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Saturday April 19th

I went out and disked all morning. Dad. and Frank got out the drill and cleaned up some oats, then Dad. came out and harrowed for a couple of hours before noon We didn't get out very early after dinner owing to chores and things but Dad. got sowed nearly all we have worked up and I harrowed after him Frank & Roy Bannister have been hobnobbing to-gether this after noon. Frank went down to Law's after the butter and stayed quite awhile listening to the phonograph We didn't get in till late to-night and didn't get through tea till about nine I had a bath and went to bed

Aunty was down town all the after noon. The old sow got out at noon and our efforts to recapture her were unsuccessful. Frank put some apples in her pen but she waited till we were all away before she ate them and then came out again. It froze last night and there has been a cold north wind all day very strong this after noon quite sunny.

Sunday April 20th

Aunty & the boys went down to Sunday school and I came to church. Lila came over to dinner with us and is staying all night. This after noon, Lila Aunty and I went back to the woods and got some wild flowers. Frank rode his bicycle out to the Shand's and he & Charlie rode out to Renton. Dick spent the after noon with the girls down town.

Dicky Smith came over to see Dad. about pasturing a calf this summer, and Dad. said he would. Uncle Ward & Aunt Lucy also came over. Enah went down alone to church to-night. It froze quite hard last night and there has been a cold wind to-day.

Monday April 21st

We have been working on the land all day. I went out to disk this morning but the ground was so frozen for an hour or two that it did very little good. Dad. took Joe & Ginger and went down town this morning and got the potatoes which came at last. When he got back he came out and harrowed the rest of the morning and all the after noon. We are now cross disking & cross harrowing it. and we think we will be able to sow to-morrow after noon.

Sam. Law came over at noon to borrow the drill and Vyse came and got his roller. Mrs. McBride was here washing to-day. Aunty went down to Huby's to-night & I went with her she expects to leave for Toronto to-morrow night. Cold, but sunny

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Friday April 25th

Toby, having finished a game of hide and seek with Dick and Frank is too tired to write so is exchanging work with me and is darning stockings.

This moning was bright and very warm Toby & Harry dug ditches in the old Timothy sod preparatory to sowing oats. They also burnt off the grass around the fences and set fire to a post. Sam Law extinguished the blaze before any damage was done.

In the afternoon Toby disked the oat field. Harry did all the chores, brought up the harrows on the stone boat ready to take out in the morning, went out for a load of rails, came in and did up the chores for the night.

At noon we had a visitation from our friend Jonas who has a sick cow and came for advice. This has been an exceedingly hot day, unseasonably hot.

Saturday April 26th

As our supply of milk has run out Frank has taken {much of this paragraph is too faint to make out}

Sunday April 27th

It rained all night nearly, not very hard but a steady cool rain, which will the wheat a lot of good and which is bursting the buds on all the trees. Frank went down to Sunday school and Dick and I went down to church.

This after noon I read my self to sleep (although I tried not to) and so wasted half a day. Dad. & Frank did chores. Dick went down town for awhile. It didn't rain much this afternoon. Mr. Lawrie was in church this morning & Mr. Herbert prot. the sermon.

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Monday April 28th

This morning Dad and Toby packed the sawdust in around the edge of the ice-house and put some some blue-grass on top. Then we went out and cleaned up about 20 bushels of oats. Frank was sick all day and did not go to school. I think he feels better now as he is talking a blue streak.

After dinner Dad went out and cleaned out ditches in the north-west field this side of the gulch. Toby did the chores in the afternoon and then went out and dug up two maple trees in the woods besides fooling around picking flowers.

Between 4 and 6 o'clock while Frank was sleeping on the kitchen sofa and Enah was in the dining-room some unknown person came in and left a silver spoon on the kitchen table for Tiddums with his initials carved on it and then went away before anyone saw her or him. It was cloudy and windy all day with about ten minutes sunshine.

Tuesday April 29th

Dad. has been opening up ditches all day out in the field next Ivey's where we sowed the oats and is now pretty well finished. I cut some wood this morning and then went back to the woods and dug up a couple of maple trees one of which I brought up at noon with me & we planted in place of one of the dead ones along the lane. This after noon I dug up two more and Dad. & I put out one of them to-night. The other two I left down in the creek so as the roots wouldn't dry out. Frank has been home all day although he feels a lot better to-day.

This after noon Wyatt Waddle came in with the {catalogue?} for the Massey Harris Company and he proved himself to be a good man for the company not only by persuading Dad. to order a manure spreader, but Dad. seemed to like him & showed him Queen who he thought like everyone else was perfect. We got the manure spreader on easy terms as we don't have to make a payment on it till a year from next fall when we pay 28 dollars & 50 dollars a year for the next two years.

Dick told us to-night that Huby had got a job at the canning factory which they started work on to-day. He went down to the dance to-night. I only have five cents to my name so stayed home although I guess I could have got enough tin to take me sunny & mild but a cool wind.

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Wednesday April 30th

This morning we planted out the four little trees which I had dug up, then we went over to see what the field looked like, it is getting pretty dry, from there we went over to see if Sam Law's wheat was any better than ours, but it wasn't. We found him over trimming up the limbs he had cut out of his orchard. As he was just contemplating a visit to Alfred who was disking the other side of the hedge we made a joint attack and sat around over there for about an hour. so by the time we had wandered back home it was noon.

This after noon instead of working on the field as we had thought of doing, we took our wheat down to the mill. I went down and harrowed some sacks from Blight and we had to make two trips of it as the ground was a little soft. We had eighteen bags and it went over two bus {bushels}. to the bag, that job took up all the afternoon.

Tonight I went down to band practice and came home with Dick. The school board were having a meeting, we heard after wards that Mr. Ivey called it but as none but kickers attended it soon adjourned with out any thing being done except Old Stringer falling down stairs coming out so Pud. Slocomb says. Nice day Mild & sunny cool breeze.

Thursday May 1st

We worked on the land all day to-day. I disked & Dad. harrowed, we have it in pretty nice shape now I went down to band practice to-night. Dick went down with me although he didn't have to work. Jonas came over to pay Dad for some hay he got this morning and he stayed half the night telling them stories of his experiences in the United States with, snakes bears and such like. Cars. Rankin told us to-night that his Dad is laid up with blood poisoning and is in pretty bad shape, they just moved back to town the other day It has been sunny and fair with a cool breeze.

Friday May 2nd

We worked on the land all day. I cross disked & Dad. harrowed. We could have drilled it to day I suppose but thought we would have it in extra good shape. Enah took Tiddums down to Mrs. Battersby's this afternoon. I nearly went to sleep on the disk this afternoon It has been fair & sunny. Sun set clear to-night.

Saturday May 3rd

Bill Oaks came over this morning with his grey horse

{This page is a duplicate of page 50}.

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which had hurt his head in the manger. Later in the morning he came over and borrowed the clover seeder, which he brought back at noon and had a short visit. All Ivey's men except the teamsters quit at noon on Saturdays now. and the factory closes at twelve instead of one.

Dad. drilled what we have worked up to-day. Itook him till a little after noon and then he harrowed I hitched to the waggon this morning & took the seed out and left the waggon for Frank to fill with rails and then disked nearly all of this end of the field the rest of the day. Frank did chores & odd jobs.

Charlie Batter{sby?} was in here to-night to see Dad about a colt which came this morning. I started to cut the lawn to-night. Dick went for a swim at the stump to-night, but I guess I will have to hit the tub. Very hot to-day. Dick went down town to-night to hear the result of the election recount, which they were having in Simcoe over the school by law but he couldn't hear.

Sunday May 4th

The boys went down to Sunday school and I went to church. This afternoon Dad. Enah & Tiddums started to drive out to Jim. Waddles. but before they had gone far Tiddums objected so strongly to continuing the journey that they were forced to return. Lila had come over so Dad. took Frank & her to Jim. Waddle's. Dick & I went down town Dick went off with some girls. but I went up the beach. and hung around alone, till I was about cooked and then came home.

We let Artful Dodger out to-night and he was so weak on account of always being shut up that he could hardly walk. Frank McBride came over to-night with a note from his mother saying to send the washing over there as she would be unable to come here so Frank went back with it to-night with Frank Mc. Lila stayed to tea, and Dick went down home with her after. It has been exceptionally hot to-day but is cooler to-night and feels as if it had rained somewhere near.

Monday May 5th

We got a fairly good early start. I cross disked all day and Dad. harrowed. This after noon Dad was afraid it was going to rain so went & got the drill and some seed & put in all we had worked up about 2 acres. If it doesn't rain we will be through on that field to-morrow. Caw. Rankine was in here to-night to have Dad. look at his horse's teeth as {Schavley?} had told him that if a horse got wolfe teeth

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it would go blind. After tea Mrs. McBride brought the washing back. It has been very hot to-day and looks rainy. Fred's calf got out two or three times to-day and tried our patience sorely at it's own cost. Mully also got out but went in easier.

Tuesday May 6th

We finished up the field to-day. Dad. has to sow a little by hand around the water holes and he may harrow the whole field over. I disked all day. & Dad. harrowed and drilled. I took seed out in the waggon this morning but we had to clean up another sack at noon to finish with. I brought back rails in the waggon both at noon & to-night. I cut lawn before tea till Dick came & inticed me to play catch with him. Very much cooler to-day with quite a breeze this after noon

Wednesday May 7th

Dad. went out this morning and sowed by hand around the water holes and then harrowed all day on that field. It is now finished all but running & cleaning the ditches. I brought the disks up and disked on the old corn ground all day and got nearly over it. It is pretty hard but we think we will be able to get about 3 inches on top worked up for barley. Tonight at tea time Jonas came over with a guinea hen which he presented us with as a reward for our neighborly conduct towards him. He got a setting each of duck & turkey eggs. I was going down to band practice so went down with him as he was going down town. He confided to me after we had got a short distance from the house in an almost inaudible whisper that they had an awful funny feller as a boarder. His peculiarity evidently lay in the fact that he went down town before & after tea.

As I was coming home an Englishman passed me and I thought likely he was Jona's funny boarder & upon inquiry I found I was correct. Went we got to the top of Prospect hill we found Jonas & Allan Law so I enjoyed the pleasure of the company of them nearly home. I heard Redface - the funny feller. tell his lanlord. that he would have to drive Bill's team to-morrow as he was going away with a gentleman from Toronto, as I saw Jack Paine up town to-night, I surmised that old Bill had a dose of Tong Point fever. I guess he is insurable.

I went up to the bank to-night to see why Dick hadn't turned up. When I knocked Dick came to the door & I was just going to step in and swear at them when I caught a glimpse of a stranger Then Dick who looked very care worn motioned me

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back and informed me that the inspector was paying them a visit, and they would likely have to work every night for a week, he had his wheel anyway so I didn't wait for him It has been rather cool to-day and looks frosty to-night.

Thursday May 8th

We went out this morning and ran the ditches in the oat field. Then Dad ploughed a ridge along the west side of the old corn field, it couldn't be ploughed before on account of the old rails lying there. This after noon we turned the cattle & two colts back the lane. We let the two fillys out in the pasture field and they & the colts have been hanging around on opposite sides of the lane fence ever since, we managed to get the colts in the box stall to-night.

We went back to the gully to fix fence, but didn't have very good luck. We barricade the gap into the other pasture and then Dad started to dig out a post that was broken off and while he was prying on the shovel handle he broke it so we had to cobble the rest up by hand as well as we could. Dicky Smith came over to-night to see if we had turned our cattle out yet and I went down town with him to band practice, got home about eleven. It froze last night but has been sunny & nice to-day.

Friday May 9th

I went out and finished disking the old corn field this morning and Dad brought out the old cultivator but after going a few rounds he decided that it was going to be lumpy and hard to put barley on so we thought we would leave it, manure it and summer fallow it which would be better farming anyway. We brought up the disks and the plow & harrows and Dad ploughed the garden over again, this after noon he disked & harrowed it, so that it looks pretty nice only it is inclined to be lumpy. I got my currant bushes and grapevines from Simmer's yesterday and spent the in putting them out and staking them to protect them from the curse'd hens. I also cut a little lawn

Dick Smith brought his heifer, Joe, over to-night. It has been cold & raw all day. I wore my over coat while disking and then was cold. Robert John Watson was in here to-night to inquire about a colt "Mable". Dad enjoyed his elevating conversation for he has a most extraordinary vocabulary which is all his own.

Saturday May 10th

Frank got us all up early this morning as he had to get down to the Canning factory by seven

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where he has been all day setting out tomato plants in baskets. He told us the other night that hands (his size) were wanted and hasen't talked of much else since, he was to get 8 cts @ hour but has got his envelope yet, as they are not through. Vyse came over this morning and Dad broke the news of our spreader deal and he took it calmly although he thinks we made a big mistake in not putting in with him & Mr Fleming on his John Deere as he "conscientiously believes it to be the best in Americy".

I went down this morning for the purpose of obtaining some particulars concerning a load of hay which Mrs. Battersby is purchasing from us through the agency of John but as that gentleman was in bed with a cold. I failed to recieve any valuable data. so I came home and mowed lawn till noon. Dad took back Alfred's bags this morning and borrowed his shovel with the intention of cleaning out the ditches in the oat field but as he found in Alfred an opponent to the building of a new school, he stayed and argued till noon.

I read most of the after noon and then went out and assisted Dad to rearrange the implements in the old shed so as to create a space for the old waggon we then repaired a little fence to enable us to turn out the old sow, but it didn't take her a great while to discover the weak spots in the {rockery?} which we call a fence and now she is at liberty. I think Dick came home to tea. and says our manure spreader has arrived It froze ice last night and has been very cold to-day

Sunday May 11th

Frank & Dick went down to sunday school & Frank & I went to our church but Dick attended the Presbyterian as he saw no-one to associate with in the back pews of the Episcopal. This after noon Dad & I drove up to Dunkin's to see how many lambs he had; but he has had no better luck than we, for his flock has only increased by one ewe lamb. He is really worse off than we are because two of his ewes now won't have lambs till they are three years old wile ours are all yearlings and if any thing will be better off. Dunkin him self was at church but his son was home, he gave Dad. guinea fowl to mate with the one Jonas gave us but when we got it home we learned they were both of the feminine gender from the fact that the new comer requests imaginary foes

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to retrace their steps by the imperitave sentence "Go back" and it seems the gentlemanbird of the species is not addicted to that habit. It was nearly six when we got home. Enah was down at Art Ryersie's with Tiddums the Wicked. Dick has been gone all the after noon and has patronized the church again to-night as he said he would be home to tea if he didn't. Frank has been knocking around the woods all the afternoon. He tried to bargain with Tupper for a guinea cock but he had no success.

It has been sunny to-day but a cold wind. Walt McCall & his retinue came over in his automobile this morning and was agreeably surprised in Dolly. He says he is going to take her up and train her now. He wants Dad to keep his mare for him this summer. Frank Faulkner was over this morning too to see about bringing over his heifer calf to pasture. He brought her over to-night. It froze ice last night and I wrote to Aunty Alice & Uncle Hal to-night.

Monday May 12th

We didn't do any thing much the first part of the morning but Dad. went and cleaned out the ditch in the oat field. I barricaded two of the four little trees which are in the pasture field to protect them from the ravages of Queen. Dad. took Alfred's shovel back and I barricaded the other two trees. Frank started off about nine o'clock this morning on his wheel for Dunkin's to return the guinea hen which he had tied in an old sack on his back. Just as we were thinking of starting out to look for him to night about four o'clock he came home with a rooster guinea which sings properly in a bass voice. He had stayed up there to dinner and explored the country. When he got home we planted a few rows of spuds in the garden.

Jonas came over to-night to ask us if we could deliver him his hay in the morning, he also got some apples. To-night we played hide & go seek and then came in and kicked up such a rumpus that Tiddums couldn't go to sleep, and Enah got mad and said she wouldn't press Dick's pants in time for the dance, but she is pressing them now - and we weren't making much noise and Tiddums didn't want to go to sleep anyway much. Tapper told Dad. to-day that he killed his pup yesterday and intended to keep Fanny but she followed him down town to-day and he ran over her with the waggon and killed her, he said he thought he would send Blakie a funeral notice. A week or two ago the Dover council

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advertised for a cop. They got fifty something applicants some all the way from Calgary. They engaged a man from Hamilton who has been on duty before. Good man for the job. big, Scotch & total abstainer. He came to this morning. Now he is in bed at the Dominion sleeping off a drunk-fired. We're still Dover. It froze a little again last night and there has been a raw breeze to-day but it is much milder and looks rainy

Monday Tuesday May 13th

Dad went over to Martin's this morning to try to telephone to Krompart and find out why he hasn't come down but Charlie wasn't home so he didn't go in, he then went over to Quanbury's and as John was in better health than when I went to interview him Dad found out that he wanted about half a ton of any kind of hay. We pitched on a load for Jonas, (he bought all that was left of the thrashed bluegrass) before dinner.

Dick rode home at noon as he had got about half an hour's leave of absence to tell us that the station agent wanted our manure spreader unloaded as it was holding the car so Dad. & I had to go down after dinner. Dad understood the agent to say that we were to let Krompart in Simcoe know as soon as the spreader arrived and he would come down and set it up at the station and we could haul it home from there, so he was naturally pretty hot at them for not coming. The men at the station were also getting into a state of rightful indignation as their car had to be sent back tomorrow. As we were in our farm uniform we didn't want to go up town so Dad. went up to the Norfolk House and telephoned Kompart Wyatt Waddle was there and he told Dad that they understood Dad was going to take the thing off the car and they were to come to the farm to set it up, and that they would be down in a day or two. Dad. went for him over the 'phone but of course that wasn't much satisfaction. We went home and took Jona's hay down and put it off and then went down to the station with the rack to get the spreader as it was too wide for the waggon, with the aid of Truman Roadhouse and a couple of fishermen we got it loaded all right and were home soon after six

To-night Dick and I went down to the dance but I got a headache from some uncertain cause and had to come home at twelve. Nice day but with rather a cold wind looks as if it might possibly rain to-night or sooner.

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Wednesday May 14th

We took a small jag. of hay down to John Quanbury this morning on an improvised {rack?} which Dad rigged by laying boards across the waggon box, as we didn't want to unload the manure spreader off our rack. When we got back from there we took some posts back around by the side road and left them in places where the fence was down with the intention of coming back at a future date to repair the damage done by the Good Friday wind. We also took some material and fixed the old gate going into the gully off the road.

We found the cattle all out of the far end of the gully and in the blue grass field so I took them back while Dad. went up with the waggon, they were all there but the Artful Dodger and he was nowhere to be found, so this after noon Dad. and I went back to look for him. We went into the wood and saw there had been a lot of cows in there and after a little search found our missing calf in John Wess McBride's place in the corner of the fence where he had walked and finding he could go no further stayed there we chased him into the gully to be left till called for while we went over to Tapper's to borrow his post auger, the consequence was of course that we didn't do a thing all the afternoon and didn't get home till about five or after

We saw everything on the place from his oat field down to the baby. We saw some things off his farm too such as Charlie Butlers colt which got an awful kick in the face from its mother and Dave Lamkins white heifer which was on the road and which was worth fifty dollars but he sold it for forty five, also Art Walker who was rolling on his cornground. We had a very entertaining after noon and enjoyed it much better than digging post holes.

To-night I went down to band practice Dick with me. Theodore Brown came up and entreated Walt to play "Way down upon the Swanee River" promising him some beer but Walt said he couldn't. Theodore tried to impress up on us as a bit of good advice that "We could borrow from a thief but not from a liar." Weather about the same

Thursday May 15th

Dad and I went back and fixed up most of the fence this morning. Mr. Evans' came along the side road and wanted to Dad. to look at his horses teeth so Dad. told him to come in at noon on his way back. He did and Dad. floated them as the poor old horse's tongue was just about cut in two. We also found when we got here at noon what Wyatt Waddle and his man Mr. Hillis were in the barn setting up the spreader. They got it

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all up and we took out a load before they left so they could show Dad how to run it. Joe & Ginger pulled it alone and a couple of times Ginger's whipple tree caught and she pulled it all alone.

I went down to band practice. I came very nearly staying there for awhile. for we all got locked in. The door fastens on the out side with a rasp and staple, the padlock is broken. The door was open and some one who was getting cold ordered it shut. Jack Smith kicked it to and the rasp sprung over the staple and stayed there. Perce Brock tried desparatly to open it but failing turned to John. and told him frantically that he would be the first to satiate our appetites when we got ravenous, he then mounted the table under the window and proceeded to let the {word heavily scored out} anybody who happened to be around (it was pouring rain) {word scored out} know of our fate.

Perce remarked sorrowfully that it was the first time he had ever been behind the bars trying to get out. (The bandroom is in the old lockup). Dick {Faulmshy?} was the first to be alarmed by the pitiful cries but the hard hearted jay refused to come saying he didn't know the combination on the door. How ever Walt McCall was soon aroused and he and some other fellows came up and released us. They say Long Geordie Long nearly committed suicide last night, it seems his wife put him on the Indian List, but Geordie got full and he & his wife were having a quarrel down by the dam when Geordie told her he was going to drown him self. She told him to give her his coat to hold for him, but I guess Geordie & water don't go well to-gether for as far as he got on his desperate deed was to twist his legs well around the post and let go the railing with his hand, then go home. After he got there he was again seized with a mad desire to leave this unhappy world and left the house with a razor asserting that he was about to sever his carotid artery Mrs. Geordie gave him about an hour to perform the opperation but upon investigation found him out side in a dormant condition but was disappointed to hear him snoring heavily and in perfect health.

Cold all day. very cold before dark and poured rain all night with terrific thunder & vivid lightening. Dick & I stayed at Huby's all night. I planted some onion seed to night.

Friday May 16th

We didn't do anything much to-day. Dick & I got home before they had breakfast here but it was late when we went out and then Bill Donald came in to

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talk about the spreader and before he left Allan Law rode in to have the wolf teeth pulled out of his sorrel for fear they would affect his eyesight. It was noon when he left us. After dinner Bob. Miller came in to get his ewe and lamb and of course the sheep were nearly to the gully Dad. wrote a letter to Aunty Alice while Bob & I were after the sheep and then saddled Joe and I rode down town to post it. I was only gone about fifteen minutes. but when I got back we read the "Maple Leaf." after which we did chores. I went to bed soon after tea. We let Harry & Belle out this after noon. Fine but cool.

Saturday May 17th

I started first thing this morning and raked over about half the garden, it raked fine because the rain the other night had softened the lumps. Dad. fixed fence around the orchard to keep the sheep & calves in. Frank went down town to sell some duck eggs to the car {tapper?}.

This after noon we all worked in the garden and have about all the small seeds in, onion, carrot, beet, cabbage & peas, a few beans. Allan Law was over to borow the disks also John Wess came to get some stuff for his horse which has colic. We turned the four calves in the orchard at noon. Lila came over to spend the day. Huby ran a nail in his foot yesterday and was unable to work to-day.

Enah took Tiddums down to Mrs. Laws to get the butter this afternoon, there was another baby about Tiddum's age there which he was greatly interested in until it began to "talk?" when Tiddums got badly frightened. Lovely warm day rain to-night.

Sunday May 18th

The boy's went to sunday scholl. I to church late. different preacher. Dad. rode Joe down to see Huby while we were at church, he went in to see the John Deere spreader on his way back. This after noon Dick & I went for a drive with Joe, not far. Winnie & Lila came over this after noon & stayed to tea. We let Belle, Ginger & Harry out to-day and had a hard time catching the latter. Lovely day with a little shower at noon and rather cloudy

Monday May 19th

We hauled out manure to-day as we didn't get a very early start we only got out eleven loads, & most of it was dry clover chaff. The spreader works fine in spite of the fact that there are one or two nuts & keys missing from various parts of the gearing machine. Dad

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found one large key on the road was unable to locate the place where it was missing. Sam Law was over this morning to see about keeping the disks a little longer. Mrs. McBride was here to-day.

This after noon we were agreeably surprised to have a visit from Ed. & Marion. Ed. came home on Saturday as he has left his job in Brantford he is going back to the Falls for the summer. To-night Dick and I printed pictures and had fairly good luck. Huby sent word over by Ed. that Dad's steel boot had saved his life on account of easing his injured foot. Dick says he only has one on, one steel & one leather one. It froze last night again but has been a nice day with cold breeze. Dick bought me a saddle & bridle to-day for six dollars he got them from Bobbie Leany and says they are nearly new.

Tuesday May 20th

We got one less load out to-day than yesterday but I think we have good ground for excuse in the fact that it was so hard to load. A lot of it was dry clover chaff burnt to powder and there was a layer of it just ike a board which had to be chopped up with an axe, we didn't get any earlier start either. Erie cut her eyeball to-day someway, likely on barbed wire.

Jonas came over to-night to see if he could get some turkey or duck eggs or get Dad. to plow his garden, he couldn't get any of the three so took the rhubarb roots out in the lawn. He was relating to us some of the heroic deeds performed by him in the past & United States, of how he headed a torch light procession and was so disguised by his uniform & medal that he was not recognised by his father, he also saved a young man's life from drowning and was rewarded by his boss the young man's father by a ten dollar bill & three weeks board free. Another time he stopped a train wreck by his presence of mind and drew another ten dollars as a pass to go where ever he wanted to on the railroad or a chance to learn braking, he stayed at the job a week and one day when he was in a reckless mood (good mood for a train man) he boarded a train which was headed he didn't know where and was landed in Niagara Falls where he got acquainted with his wife, and in course of time drifted to the condition in which we now see him.

Frank & I drove down town to-night and took Jonas & his rhubarb roots home, and got the saddle & bridle

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from Bobbie Leany, they are roughly made, the saddle being half covered and riveted but they are nearly new & I think are worth six dollars. When we got back we found Dad. & Dick had gone down to the Scotch man who works for Harry Ansley to minister to a cow which is not enjoying the best of health. Nice day may rain soon.

Wednesday May 21st

It rained a little this morning and looked cloudy so we just did odd jobs. Dad. took up some of the rotten apples out of the cellar and drew off what cider was left in the barrel. I didn't do anything much but took a walk around by the wheat & oat fields whcih are doing fine.

This after noon we got the spreader into commission again and hauled out seven loads. The shed is nearly empty now. I fixed Dad's. saddle rack up on the wall in the drive house and started to make one for mine between loads, while Dad was out spreading. A big thunder storm blew up about tea time to-night but it stopped raining long enough for me to go down to band practice, but it more than pelted when Dick & I came home. Dick had to work to-night. He got a telephone from who he thought was Roy referring to his 24th of May visit but it afterwards transpired to be Wiggins down at the drug store enjoying himself at Dick's expense.

Thursday May 22nd

It rained hard during the night so we couldn't do much, we made an {ewe?} trough for the west side of the old house and made the rest of the saddle rack I started yesterday. Dad. also opened some ditches out in the oat field.

This after noon Dad would have liked to have started plowing the corn ground but as there were several errands to do in town, we we thought this would be a good time to go. We got some groceries, and Dad got a chain for Dreadnought and a ring for his nose. We took the waggon wheel down for Butler to put the bands on as they were both broken. Dad. was very pleased that Vyse saw him going down with the wheel and inquired after it as it was off "the best waggon made" which he got from Vyse. We bought a little giant sprayer from Huby for ten dollars, they are no use as sprayers but have a good tank which was what Dad wanted to put out at the pump for watering stock, a good pair of wheels & a tongue besides a lot of old iron, Huby is selling them for Jack Paine