[Inside front cover]

DIARY 1921

T.B. Barrett. Port Dover. Ontario

Cnocfierna

From April 16th 1921 to December 31st 1921

{A newspaper clipping is blocking the left side of the right hand page}

April 16th, 1921

...over this morning to help Pickford build...it started to rain soon after he left and ...all day so they couldn't work at the cellar...stayed over till afternoon visiting. We...thing over here but chores but sat...most of the time. To-night I went...boys meeting and then down to the train...The train was in at 9.30 and Marj & I...to stay all night as the walking was...turning colder to-night.

{April} 17th

...before Sunday school this morning...I went straight there and to church...Bishop's secretary was preaching in Mr. ...as Marj knew him having made his...last summer at Lake Couchiching, we...him over to Jack Martin's where he...Jack's mother is sick again so...Frank stayed down at Aunty's to...I spent most of the after noon doing

chores. Mark was in for a few minutes on his way down town and we had quite a heated discussion on prohibition Tomorrow, Ontario is to decide whether or not she will allow the importation of liquor and we all have our own ideas about it. Mark and I stick up for the rights of the individual on principle while the others are more practical and think the welfare of the state should be considered first. I'm no friend of booze but I feel that prohibition is more of a Prussian ideal than it is British but as most people think the other way I don't care. Dad. went down to night to see Aunt Ida who has been quite sick. It has been a miserable day, Snowed three or four inches last night and has been raw & rotten to-day.

Monday April 18th

Frank went down to Pickfords this morning and they finished building the cellar. I took some eggs over to Jack Martin and Dad took Tid. to school and brought Jack Walker back with him. Jack is canvassing the congregation to increase the revenue of the Church and is doing very well. This after noon Marj. and Enah drove down town and Marj. stayed down to tea and went to the Girl's auxillary to-night. I went down to band practice to-night and we came home to-gether. Aunt Ida was sitting up to-night but looks very sick. Elgitha dropped a roan heifer sometime during the night. Dad is going to try to milk her but she is pretty wild I have to stand and scratch her all the time Dad is working at her as she kicks with great force and no warning. Lovely day, sunny & mild but muddy.

Tuesday, April 19th

We bagged up some oats first thing this morning and Frank took them to the mill. Marj. and I pruned raspberry bushes till noon. This after noon Frank & I went down and got a load of sawdust to put in the ice house. Frank also got a couple of boards to make a little closet in our room. I saw Aunty down town and she says Aunt Ida is worse again. Dad went down to see her to-night and Enah went over to Uncle Ward's to see Ada who is improving. Dad had a letter from Dick to-day saying that he has been ordered to report at Montreal, but doesn't know what they intend doing with him there. The returns of the polling are not all in yet but so far there is over 100,000 majority for non-importation so I guess the drys have it. Dover went 150 maj. for it

Wednesday April 20th

We were all greatly surprised before breakfast this morning to see Dick coming through the field. We didn't think he would be able to pay us a visit on his way to Montreal but he landed in last night late and turned in at Aunty's. He came over early to tell us that Aunt Ida had died about five o'clock this morning. Aunty was alone with her. We were all shocked as we had no idea she was so far gone, the doctor was sure she would be around again. Dad went down with Dick right after breakfast and has been down all day. Enah went down this after noon. Dick didn't come back to-night. I spent the day doing chores and helping Marj. house clean our room. I made the closet thing for her but didn't get it put up. Charlie Blake came in at noon to borrow my brooder and his car got stuck in a mud puddle in the lane as he didn't have chains on and we were about an hour getting it out so didn't have dinner till late. Then Karl & Fred Coleman came in and were here quite awhile, they took the two year old ram for 8 cts a lb. and I sold them Oliver for 5 cts or fifty five dollars. It seems like giving him away as he is actually worth $150.00 for breeding, but no one wants him apparently. To-night I took a little stroll down to the pond but didn't stay long, very pretty moon & clouds. Warm all day & fine.

Thursday April 21st

Dad drove Tid down to school this morning and went on down town to get his hair cut and make final arrangements for Aunt Ida's funeral. He came back about eleven and brought Dick home with him for dinner. They drove down again about three and Dick left on the five car for Montreal. Frank and I spent the day doing chores and ploughing around in the mud. It has rained more or less all day. I finished fixing the clothes closet for Marj. Arthur & Bobbie Pickford came over to-night and bought Tid's pet lamb for a quarter. It was one of a pair whose mother wouldn't own it. Maple Hill Nellie had a nice roan bull calf arrive to-day, a fine one.

Friday April 22nd

We all went down early this morning to attend the service at Aunty's before they started for Port Rowan with Aunt Ida. Mr. Ward came down with the Bowlby's from St. John and had a prayer at 9 o'clock. Then Dad, Huby, Doc & {Name?} Bowlby went with the body to Port Rowan. They had Faulkner's team and double

carraige. They had at first figured on going by motor but yesterday's rain put a stop to that plan. They had an awful trip especially after they struck the Port Rowan clay. They got back to town about nine o'clock to-night but Dad. didn't get home here till about 10.30 and was very stiff. Frank and I just did chores. It was a fine morning but rained most of the after noon and the mud is worse than ever Frank and I went down in the waggon at noon and got the bookcase that Mr. Bagley made for Marj. It was a dandy. This after noon Frank took the old waggon wheel out to John Evans to have a new tire put on. Mark was over and brough Enah a setting of eggs to put under her little black hen that is sitting out in the barn, but when I went to put them under I found she had one chicken hatched out.

Saturday April 23rd

It rained hard again during the night and has been very muddy and sloppy to-day. The barnyard is impassable. Dad. let Nellie out this morning and we shifted the calves arund put Bill in where she was and Martin's calf where Bill was after first castrating Bill & the white calf. Frank went down in the waggon to get some waste strips at the Widespread for kindling and Marj. went down town with him. Dad. & I just did chores. Wilbur Ryerse was in for awhile to see if he could borrow the dipping tank. To-night Dad. Enah and I went down town. They went to "Pinafore" practice and I went to the Tuxis boy's meeting and then up to Harry Dyer's & got my hair cut.

Sunday April 24th

Marj. Frank, Tid & I went down to sunday school & church Aunty & Aunty Alice came over here with us after church and stayed for the after noon and then after tea Dad. & Enah went down with them to church. Mr. Doherty was here again to-day Mr. Barwell gave Marj. & me the church books and all the money to count up and look after to-day and we spent most of the afternoon and evening working at them but Marj. got them all squared or balanced up properly. Beautiful day.

Monday April 25th

Frank and I finished shearing the sheep to-day. He got a new comb for the machine and it worked better but seemed to cut the sheep more. Some of them were very sticky and we were all day shearing the six of them. We were late getting started this morning as we were delayed

Wilbur Ryerse came in and offered me six cents a pound for Oliver if I would take him out to-morrow morning. I told him Karl had bought him for five but I would see him to-night and ask him if he would let me off. However Karl came after him while Wilbur was here and took him. It seemed a shame to see him going for that price as he looked nice when we took him out, but there was certainly no money in feeding him any longer. Marj. went down this after-noon and stayed to tea at Aunty's and then went up to the Girl's auxillary meeting. I went down to band practice. Hot.

Tuesday April 26th

Dad. took Tid. down to school this morning and then went down to Aunty's to give them a half a day in the garden. He got home about three o'clock. Frank and I docked the rest of the lambs and then helped Marj. & Enah take up the parlor carpet and beat it. We also took some pictures of house cleaning operations. Frank and I packed the wool before dinner and didn't have much trouble. This after noon Frank went over and sheared Tom's & Mark's sheep for them and I started to cut the lawn but didn't get much done. Arthur Preston was over this morning and he and I started to have a nice little discussion on the lack of data to prove the theory of evolution, which for a wonder neither of us believe in but Marj. cut it short by yelling at me to help house clean. Arthur said he had been at the same job himself. To-night Dad. & Enah went down to "Pinafore" practice and Marj. Frank and I put the books back in the bookcases. Our bookcase looks fine with all of Marj's books in it. It has been very hot to-day and feels very rainy.

Wednesday April 27th

I finished cutting the front lawn this side of the ditch this morning and started to rake up the willow twigs on the other side but it started to rain about noon and kept it up more or less heavily all the after noon so I didn't do any thing outside but chores after dinner except help Dad. doctor Nellie's calf's horns. Frank took the wool down this morning and shipped it and got another load of kindling at the Widespread. Dad. cleaned out the cellar. Dad. drove Enah down town this after noon and brought Tid. home. He helped me do chores and then drove down and met Enah at the Barwell's where they had tea and afterwards went to Pinafore practice. Rain cleared off to-night & cooler.

Thursday April 28th

We put the rack on the waggon this morning and Frank and I went over to Tom's & Mark's and got a small jag of straw. Dad. went over to John Wess's this morning and visited him till after noon. Frank and I put off the straw after dinner and then I finished raking up the lawn. Dad. helped me. To-night Marj. Frank and I went down to a Sunday school meeting to give Sam Morris who is going to act as superintendant some information Marj. and I then went to the concert which the Simcoe musical club put on for the benefit of the Y.M.C.A. work. I had to play in the band during intermission and before the show started. There was a very small crowd but the concert was good especially Zeitha's & Murray Dillon's performances It has been a lovely day.

Friday April 29th

I have felt very tough all day with a bad cold and haven't done any thing but help Dad. milk all day It was cold & rainy most of the day anyway. Dad. & Frank clipped Mexico this morning. Neff. Telfer and a Scotchman came down this morning and castrated 10 lambs. Dad & Enah went down to Pinafore practice to-night. Frank went down to Pickfords to see Irene and the rest of us went to bed.

Saturday April 30th

I haven't felt much better to-day and Dad. has felt about all in too with the same kind of cold and Enah stayed in bed till noon. Frank and I hauled over a small jag of hay in the waggon box to the barn & horse stable and we bagged up six bags of oats which Frank took down for a grist. They are going to close the mill down Monday for six weeks for repairs so they say. Frank went down town this after noon and got some clothes to rig Dad. out for "Pinafore". Oliver Mann & Nanny came through this after noon with a dandy coon which Nanny's dog had killed out in Shand's woods. They were here about an hour robbing all the sparrow's nests they could find. Tid. has had a great string of visitors to-day. Two Forrests & a Mertland were over this morning to catch rabbits but failed. Oral Misener was here for dinner and two of Ben Ivey's kids were over this after noon. Rus. Lampkins was in to look at the pump and Charlie Munroe came to ask Dad. about a sick horse. Frank went down to run the Tuxis boy's to-night as I felt to tough. Cool & Cloudy.

Sunday May 1st

I didn't go to Sunday school this morning as my cold still feels rotten. Marj. Frank & Tid went down and I went over to see Jack Martin's deer which he got the other day to adorn the hillside at Mrs. Battersby's place. I took a walk around by the mill before I came home. Marj. & I spent most of the after noon counting the morning collection and trying to make the books balance. Cecil & Winnie came over about four o'clock and stayed to tea and spent the evening. Cecil is a {comical card all right?}. Frank went down on his wheel to-night and {got the?} evening collection after church and Marj. & I {worked?} at it till late and then I don't {words very faded...} came out {word faded}. We seemed to have 10 cts more money than we had {illegible}. Cloudy cold and threatening all day.

Monday May 2nd

Dad. went out down with Tid. this morning and cut the lawns down at Aunty's for them. Frank and I went over to Ivey's and put on what we thought to be half a ton of hay and put most of it off in the horse stable and the rest in the barn. It is very thistly but it will tide us over as we are right out. There are five or six loads of it over there and Landon told Frank to take what he wanted of it and give them what he thought was right. After dinner I went back to the woods and got a bass wood hop-pole Marj. was just starting down town to bank the church money when I got back and as her corn was hurting her I drove her down with Queen. Frank cleared a lot of the bush out of the orchard this after noon and burned it. I helped him when I got back. Dad. worked at the Income Tax Report all the after noon. Marj. stayed down to tea and went to the Girl's auxillary and after tea Dad. Enah & I went down to the "Pinafore" first dress rehearsal. Dad. wanted me to paint him up a little, and they all thought he was a horrible sight. Marj. came up to the hall and we watched them for awhile. They are all in a state of terrible anxiety as Ralph Rackstraw was at practice about half jagged and didn't know his part nor couldn't sing and they are afraid he will be full to the neck by to-morrow night. He & Lou. Dixon really did get married Saturday night. We all had doubts at the bottom of our hearts that she would ever hold him down to it but I guess she has him now for sure. Joe & Johnnie were married the same day.

Tuesday May 3rd

I havent done a great deal of any thing to-day except chores and odd jobs. Dad. has felt pretty tough all day and had to rest up for "Pinafore" to-night. Marj. has felt miserable all day. Frank went down town and got our tickets to "Pinafore" changed from to-night till to-morrow as we figured Marj. wouldn't feel like going to-night. He finished cleaning the brush out of the orchard this after noon and I helped him a little. To-night all but Marj. & me went to the concert and we went for a walk down to the pond and saw Jack's deer, the buck came up and licked Marj's hand. Frank took Irene Pickford down. Tid. went down to Aunty's from school and was to have gone to the show from there but he was sick all the afternoon in school and was too sick to go to-night. They brought him home with them and he has quite a fever. Pinafore went off fine. Ralph was in good shape and Dick Deadeye's horrible looks were very impressive. He won his bet with the Captain which was that he could make him laugh He accomplised the feat by hesitating in his dialogue with Capt. Corcoran to take an imaginary cud out of his mouth walk to the gunwale and toss it over board.

Wednesday May 4th

Frank disked on the field back of the barn all day to-day and says it went pretty well. Dad. disked, not Frank in the morning with Harry & Billy but they got Pommers in at noon and Frank took them. Dad. & Enah still feel pretty miserable with bad colds and are tired out. Tid doesn't seem any better and has pains in various parts of his anatomy. I spent most of the day raking up and cutting the grass back of the house and across the ditch. Marj. helped me this morning a little. I had a bad pain in my eyes all after noon but they were better to night. Frank stayed with Tim. to-night and the rest of us went to the show. They had another full house and it all went off fine. Marj. & Enah drove Mexico down and Dad. & Enah drove home. Marj. & I walked home as they stayed down to a supper which the I.O.D.E. promised for the officers & crew of "Pinafore" Fair & warm.

Thursday May 5th

Frank disked all day with Harry & Pommers and I harrowed with Joe & Queen and we are getting this field into pretty good shape although it doesn't work up

as nicely as it would have if it had not had so many pounding rains on it and the grass had not got such a start. Billy Mills brought the broadcast seeder back this after noon and visited with Dad. for an hour or so. Walker & Wyat Waddle were in for awhile trying to sell Dad. some lightning rod. To-night Marj. and I went down to the teacher's meeting but were late and then I went to band practice and called for Marj. at Aunty's. Tid is still pretty sick and has quite a fever. Fine but nice cool breeze

Friday May 6th

Frank disked all morning and this after noon drilled the field. Dad. & I treated the seed oats with formalin and then Dad. started to harrow after the disks, and I was going to mow the lawn before dinner but Billy Mills came over and wanted the cultivator teeth changed to the hoes on the old drill so Frank did that for him and I harrowed while Dad. took his turn. I harrowed after dinner till I finished the field and then I cut the lawn. Frank drilled with the old drill. He had intend using the disk drill but as he would have had to wait till I got through harrowing to use Queen for the third horse. Fine day and quite hot.

Saturday May 7th

Frank started in disking the old corn stubble first thing this morning and I sowed clover seed on the field we finished yesterday and Dad. harrowed after me. When I finished sowing I went with Marj. over to Mrs. Battersby's to get some rhubarb and have a look at the deer. The buck has shed his horns. I then went out and uncovered two rows of the strawberrys before dinner. After dinner Dad. & Frank ran the ditches in the field back of the barn and I finished harrowing it from where Dad. left off and then went out and harrowed over the corn stubble. Frank finished disking it soon after they got the ditches run and then hooked on to Jack Martins spring tooth and got pretty well over it with it. It worked up pretty hard & lumpy in places and the grass is bad in a few spots but I guess we can make a fair seed bed out of it and it has never been ploughed. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to night & Marj. went with me down town, Zeitha was over for a few minutes this morning Fine & cooler

Sunday May 8th

Marj. Frank & I went down to sunday school and

church this morning. Mr. Anderson of Huron College preached. Aunty, Aunty Alice & Quint came over with us for dinner and Quint went back about five but Aunty & Aunty Alice stayed to tea. Dad. & Enah went down to Church with Aunty Alice and Aunty stayed with us in case Tid wanted her till Enah got home from church & then she drove her down with Mexico. Mark was in this evening for awhile. Tid was up to-day but looks & feels pretty peaky yet. Frank was visiting various maidens all day.

Monday May 9th

Frank finished the field with the spring tooth this morning and then I took the roller out with the little team and smashed up some of the worst lumps. Frank followed me again with the spring tooth and this after noon Dad. took Billy & Harry out and disked, we think we will have it in shape to sow to-morrow after noon. Frank and I cleaned up some more seed oats this after noon. To-night Marj. & I went down town, she went to the Girls' auxillary and I went with the Band up to Doc. Lemmons. We took him up a wicker chair and spent a very nice evening. We played several pieces then he & Lou. sang & we all sang & had cake & coffee. Hot & dry wind.

Tuesday May 10th

Dad. finished disking this morning with Harry & Billy and Frank and I cleaned up some more seed and heated it and then took the little team and went over to Ivey's where we got another jag of hay. This after noon I harrowed over the field and Frank followed me with the drill and finished sowing by six. To-night Enah went down to a meeting of mason's wives to help figure out ways & means of entertaining 250 masonic visitors who are coming next week. Fine with dry wind.

Wednesday May 11th

Frank started disking the big field east of the old garden this morning and worked till noon. Then Dad. & he ran out the ditches in the corn stubble as it looked a little rainy and Dad went on disking this after noon with Harry & Billy. He came up at five to do chores but Frank took the team till six but didn't quite get over it, he has been getting good long days in lately, he gets his own breakfast and is out with his team by seven. Dad. and I cleaned ditches in the field back of the barn this a.m. and I finished this after noon. Marj. & I got some narcissus bulbs to-night down in the road by Mrs. Battersby's. Cold wind all day

Thursday May 12th

Frank has worked all day on the land and this after noon Dad. took Billy & Harry out and worked with him I set out the narcissus bulbs we got last night and when I got started I spent the remainder of the fore noon working at the flower border, dug up around some of the plants where it was very hard and planted some gladioli. Rus. Lampkins came down this morning and he & Dad. were all morning putting the new head on the pump at the house. Rus was here to dinner. This after noon I set three more hens and then went and cleaned the ditches in the corn stubble. To-night I went down to the Sunday school meeting and to band practice. Marj. had a cold so stayed home. Cold wind, threatening rain.

Friday May 13th

Dad. and Frank worked on the land this morning and Dad disked all the after noon. They are getting the big field in pretty fair shape. Frank put the little team on Jack's spring tooth this morning but didn't keep them at it very long. It was pretty heavy for them. I sowed the clover seed on the corn stubble this morning and Frank harrowed it in with out crossing the ditches that I cleaned out. He left a couple of places in the field across the ditches with out harrowing to see if there would be any difference in the catch, some claim that harrowing covers the seed too deeply. This after noon Frank and I cleaned up oats enough to sow the big field. We got Marj. to come out to the barn and mend bags for us, much to her annoyance as she wanted to make garments for the heathen. Enah & Tid. went down town. Frank went out at five and took the team and Dad. brought the cows up. It has looked very rainy all day but it didn't.

Saturday May 14th

Dad. disked crossways all morning on the big field and Frank and I treated the seed. I went out and harrowed for about an hour and then came up and helped Frank bag up the seed and we took it out to the field before dinner. Frank felt pretty tough this morning with a pain in his face which he thought was from a tooth but he felt quite sick at dinner and to-night we have decided he has the mumps which are very prevalent just now, he has been in bed all after noon and feels very miserable. Dad. drilled in as

much of the field as we had ready this after noon which was about as far up as the mouth of the big ditch. I harrowed ahead of the drill till I got up that far and then I went up and started at the chores. Dad. didn't get up till pretty late and I had the milking nearly done. I didn't get down town till nine o'clock to-night and then Marj. who was waiting for me at Aunty's told me that she had told the boys I would be late so I didn't go up to the meeting at all. Very dry with a cold wind but sunny

Sunday May 13th

Marj. and I went down to Sunday school but didn't stay to church. Enah came went down and we came home to mind Frank who has developed a beautiful case of mumps and looks like a cartoon of a pork-packer. We drove Mexico home from Sunday school and Dad. & Tid drove him down again and they all stayed at Aunty's for dinner. Marj. and I had dinner by ourselves and then I did chores. I read for a little while & Marj. played and then we both went back after the cows. Dad. let them in the back field this morning so we had to go back to the woods after them and Marj. got a lovely bunch of wild phlox. Dad. & Tid came back before we got out of the field with them as they didn't know we were back there Marj. and I went down to church to-night. Mr. Edmonds from London preached and they had a male choir. Tom. Butler was here when we got home, we did up the books to-night. Quite cool.

Monday May 16th

Dad. and I worked on the land all day but couldn't get in such long hours as the chores take a long time with Frank laid off. Dad. drilled in the east side of the ditch and I harrowed ahead of him and finished harrowing what he drilled in on Saturday. Marj. went down town this afternoon and stayed to tea at Aunty's. I went down to band practice to-night. Charlie Blake brought us home in his car. He has to come around this way on account of the swing bridge being down. Joe Steele was in at noon with Wild Mayo the thoroughbred stallion of Sir Adam Beck's which Ed. Eaid is keeping this year. Froze last night. Cold wind & very dry all day

Tuesday May 17th

Dad. finished seeding to-day. He disked the little piece west of the ditch this morning and I harrowed it and

he got started to drill it before dinner and finished soon after and then ran out the ditches. I harrowed after the drill but spent most of the day doing chores. Neff went by to-night. He says he has to go to Leeds County and is very sorry to leave Norfolk. Aunty & Aunty Alice were over for tea to-night and Enah drove them home and was going to see Miss Newell for her birthday. Froze harder last night did some damage

Wednesday May 18th

Dad. and Tid have been down at Aunty's nearly all day fixing up the paths and Tid. cut all the lawn. I was most of the morning doing chores but got in about an hour before dinner cleaning ditches and spent a couple or so at the job this afternoon and got quite a lot done. Marj. drove Mexico down town this afternoon and took some self seeded lettuce plants down to Miss McQueen. To-night she and I drove up to George Duncan's with Queen and I returned his hens We came back to town by the Radical road and picked up Miss McQueen and took her for a little drive through Doan's Hollow. Beautiful night, has looked rainy to-day. Miss McQueen gave Marj. a lovely plant of buttercup the large kind to-day and Dad. brought home some dahlias

Thursday May 19th

Dad. and I finished cleaning out the ditches this morning but were delayed doing chores and talking to Charlie Butler who was in to have Dad look at his mare's hock. We didn't finish the ditches till noon. We spent most of the after noon cleaning up the garden and burning the rubbish. We had hoped to start hauling manure on it but there was so much stuff that wouldn't flow under that Dad. thought we had better clean it up first, he trimmed the old blackcurrant bushes and they're in fine shape. To-night Marj. and I went down to the teacher's meeting and after that I went to band practice. Mr. Lawrie was up there I called at Aunty's for Marj. and Charlie Blake drove us home. Hot all day and looks dry again. Lovely night.

Friday May 20th

I spent most of the morning doing chores. Dad. had to be with Frank who begins to show slight signs of recovery but is very weak yet. About eleven Dad. & I went over to Ivey's and got a very small jag of hay which we put off in the horse stable and the barn after dinner and then got the spreader out and hauled out three loads of

manure on the garden. Jack Walker was over at noon & wanted Enah to go down and play for George Law's funeral at two o'clock so she went and then came home and did a lot of cooking for the Mason's big banquet to-night and took it down at six. Dad. went down about eight to come home with her. Lloyd Ryerse was in to-night to see Frank. Tid. and I went over to Ivey's and dug up a couple of paeony roots. Very hot all day. Getting very dry.

Saturday April May 21st

Dad. and I hauled manure all day and got the garden covered and the strip of mangle ground that Frank and I didn't finish. I spent most of the time between loads doing chores. Marj. & Tid. drove Mexico down town this after noon. I went down to the boys meeting to-night but didn't get there till eight and they had all gone. I saw several of them later & they told me they had been there. I went up street and talked to Mark for about an hour and then went over to Dyer's and got my hair cut. Mark went over there and waited for me and we walked home to-gether Tom & their new house-keeper were down at the show

Sunday May 22nd

Marj. & I went down to Sunday school and church and Enah went down to church and went to her mother's for dinner as Elva & Brant were down. They brought her home soon after dinner. We had a sick looking student take the service to-day. Just after dinner Ade Millman & his wife & her sister and brother in law drove in.They were headed for the beach hut it was looking like a bad thunder storm so they took shelter here. They went in the house but the minute they heard Frank had the mumps they fled as if the lions would bite them. Each family had a little girl and they were so afraid they would catch the mumps. It rained a little shower but soon dried off and they went on down town. Later Mr. Pickford, Irene & Mandie walked over and stayed till it was time to do chores. To-night Marj. wanted to go down and get the church money but it looked so rainy just as we were ready to start we didn't go and a great thunder storm set in.

Monday May 23rd

It rained very hard and for a long time during the

night and it was too wet to do any thing in the garden this morning. Dad. opened some ditches in the oats that had been filled with the harrows or had not been deepened enough but said the fields were all drained very well. I spent most of the morning doing chores and planting some dahlias that Aunty sent over. This afternoon Dad started to plough the garden and I tried to cut the lawn I didn't finish and it was a hard job as it has been let get too long. Frank was out to-day wandering around a little he looks pretty peaked and has lost 15 lbs. Marj. went down town to see Glad. Law this after noon and stayed there to tea. I went down to band practice to-night and Charlie Blake drove us both home. Dad's back is lame

Tuesday May 24th

We didn't do any thing to celebrate to-day but there have been a great many cars going past all day carrying extra loads in the shape of fish poles & picnic baskets and to-night I heard fire-crackers popping It has not been a nice day for an outing at all, cloudy & a cold east breeze. Dad. finished plowing what was dry enough of the garden and this after noon we disked and harrowed it although it was too wet to work nicely. Marj. & I went down after breakfast and got the Early Rose seed potatoes at Aunty Alice's. Then I cut some more of the lawn when I got back. Frank went drove Joe down town and went to interview the doctor this afternoon, he got some pills and now feels happier. Aunty was over for a few minutes this after noon to tell us that Miss Minty who has been up at the Bowlby's and who was a great freind of Dad's in early days and who was to have come down here to spend the day to-morrow is not going to be able to come. Dad's back has been very lame

Wednesday May 25th

We didn't do any thing much this morning but cut a little wood. Jack McBride was in visiting for a long time and Dad's back was very lame this morning but is quite a lot better tonight. I went back about ten o'clock to bring Belle up to the orchard as she seemed a little uneasy this morning when I was after the cows, but when I got back there I found she had a fine big sorrel colt with her

he was all right and had evidently been born for some time. He got up when I went near and is very strong on his legs. This after noon Dad. Tid & I went back and fixed the fence up a little between the pasture & the wheat. We also put Iveys cattle all back and fixed the fence above the creek where they had walked under. Frank & Tid. drove Mexico down town this morning and Aunty & Aunty Alice invited Frank down there for a few days to recuperate, so this after noon Marj. drove him down and left him there. Rained in the night. Cloudy but warm to-day

Thursday May 26th

Dad. finished working up the garden this morning and got some of the potato furrows run out. He finished them right after dinner. I did chores most of the morning and treated the seed potatoes we got from Aunty Alice. This after noon Marj. & I cut them up and she & I planted them we had more than enough to plant the furrows Dad ran. Enah planted seeds all the after noon. Some Mr. Johnson was in this morning to talk up Wild Mayo, Sir Adam Beck's throughbred, and wants to get all the good typey mares for him they can as he says the saddle horse trade is becoming very brisk but the stock is hard to find. Col. McEwen was also in to look at Wilkins. Douglas had told him about him, he thought he was a nice bull but too thin for what he wanted. Marj. & I went down town to-night but were pretty late for the bible class. I went to band practice and Marj. went down to Aunty's where all of Huby's & Cecil were playing cards with Frank, who is being slowly won back to health. There was great excitement for a few minutes to-night when the fire bell rang and all half the town ran down to the lake where Hank Misener's cork house was on fire The fire brigade got it out with out much damage being done. Hank losing his corks. Cloudy but milder

Friday May 27th

Dad. and I went over to Ivey's this morning and got another little jag of hay to last us for awhile. This after noon Dad. harrowed down the garden & started to plough the mangle patch. Enah worked over in the garden most of the day. I chored around, moved 15 little chickens down out of the loft, planted the rest

of the potatoes that were cut and Marj. and I took a walk around by Ivey's lane & woods when I went after the cows. I finished one of my final examination show card texts to-night. Nice day, cloudy but warm

Saturday May 28th

I did chores and odd jobs this morning one of which was to go out and level down the mound of earth that covered the turnip pit. Dad. is plowing the patch again for roots and the hole where the pit was & the mound had never been levelled. Dad plowed all day and nearly finished the piece. Ham Thompson was over for the wool-box but had to go on over to Tom's for it. Tom was in here at noon so stayed to dinner. I spent the after noon painting my show card examination over again but didn't get it to suit me quite as well as the first one. I went back after the cows about five o'clock and got caught in a terriffic downpour. It has felt like a thunder storm all day and it came. Dad. & I both got soaked. Enah was down town and got a little wet too. Frank was to have come home to-day but he decided it was too wet I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night and was in at Aunty's for awhile. Hot & sultry all day

Sunday May 29th

Marj. has been under the weather to-day so Tid. & I went alone to Sunday school & I went to church. Quint hailed me on my way home to look at a game he is making to run this summer and he wants me to paint letters on it for him. I spent the after noon reading to Marj. who didn't get up till tea time and then went back to bed again right after. She helped me count the church money to-night in bed. Hot and heavy thunder showers all the afternoon

Monday May 30th

Yesterday's & last night's rain had every thing so soaked this morning that there was very little we could do. Dad. drove Tid. down to school and did odd jobs during the forenoon and this afternoon opened some ditches I went back to pull cockle in the wheat and got over four loads. I had a sort of grumbling stomach-ache all morning and it was worse after dinner so I didn't go back very early. I went up one load & then went over to John Wess's. A heavy thunder storm came up while I was there so I didn't leave till about five John Wess lent me an old overcoat to come home

in and as I had my canvass shoes on I took them off and walked home bare footed. I met Dad. in the gully after the cows. We did chores up after tea and then Marj. and I worked till after eleven at the church books. She feels to-night as if she were getting the mumps. Very sultry.

Tuesday May 31st

I went back after the cows this morning and found the whole herd except Betsy & Agnes in the wheat, so I had to tramp through after them and as the wheat was laden with dew and a heavy mist that was just rising my trip was more like wading in the lake than any thing else I am sure I poured a pint of water out of each gumboot after I came out. The cows tramped the wheat and nipped of quite a lot of it. They had broken a wire in the old fence between it and the other back field. Dad. drove Tid. to school after breakfast and brought Frank home, he feels better but the doctor told him not to try to do any thing this week. Dad. & I went back before dinner and patched up the fence where the cows broke in and put in a couple of post and this after noon got a couple of rolls of wire to put along its border We got one roll from Jack McBride & one from old Walker the same kind of wire "Peerless". Jack McBride was in here at noon and brought the sheep clippers back. Marj. has been in bed all day and feels miserable. Her right jaw is slightly swelled and sore so we think it must be the mumps. Very hot & sultry but no rain.

Wednesday June 1st

Dad. & I have spent most of the day stringing up the new fencing along the old barbed wire fence. We couldn't make a very neat job of it stretching it with our hands but it will keep the cattle out of the wheat for the present. We have to go around the gully side of the field and do a little fixing yet. Aunty & Aunty Alice were over for tea to-night. Tid. seems quite delighted that Marj. has the mumps. They wont let him go to school and she can't give him lessons at home. Fair & cold north east wind. Looks clear.

Thursday June 2nd

Dad and I went back to finish patching the fence between the gully & the wheat and got started to burn

the brush in the bush. It wouldn't burn very well so we didn't finish either job before dinner. After dinner Dad took the dining room carpet up for Enah and it was pretty late when we got back but we managed to finish the fence and got a hole burned in one side of the nearest brush pile which will let us get into the woods with the waggon to haul up the rest of our poles. Frank went to Simcoe this morning with Jack Martin to the Sunday school convention and was gone all day. Lila was over this after noon for awhile. Mark was in to-night for a few minutes and said he & Tom were coming over to give us a day plowing corn ground when we wanted them. He said Tom & the housekeeper had gone off driving and he never saw a happier looking pair. He wanted Dad to take him on a bet that they would be married by fall. Hot.

Friday June 3rd

I spent the fore noon cutting the lawn and didn't finish. It has got long again so is a hard job. Dad. sharpened the scythe, cut a lot of grass around the lane and went out and topped some of the thistles in the oats. This after noon he put the dining room carpet down. It started to rain soon after dinner and looked like a bad storm so I started at another show card and worked at it all the afternoon althought the storm didn't ammount to much and soon cleared off. Tom. was in this after noon and told them that he was pretty sure of marrying the housekeeper, he hasn't asked her yet but he doesn't think he will be turned down. Marj. got up this after noon. Very hot and sultry all morning but high wind & cold to-night.

Saturday June 4th

We put some seed potatoes in to heat for scab this morning as soon as we got up and then started to cut them right after breakfast, Frank and I cut them. Dad. went back to catch the horses but couldn't do it alone as Billy wouldn't let Pommers follow the others, so I went back with him and caught them. He went out and got about an hour's work in on the potato ground before noon. This after noon he furrowed it out and I planted five rows it was all I had time for. The boys were supposed to come over here for a picnic in the gully to-night but only two of them showed up. Marj. feels miserable again. She is afraid she got up too soon. Sunny but cold raw wind all day

Sunday June 5th

Frank and I drove down to Sunday school and Tid rode his wheel down. Frank stayed down at Aunty's to dinner and Dad. & Enah drove down this after noon and he drove home with Enah. Dad. walked back. I spent the afternoon reading "As you like it" to Marj. who feels very sick. She says she never was so sick in her life before. I am going to sleep on the sofa in the hall to-night. Sunny but cold wind. looks fair.

Monday June 6th

As we were completely out of wood Dad. & I had to go back this morning with the waggon and haul up a small load. We didn't get started very early and it spoiled the whole morning for us as it took quite a while going all the way back opening gates & fences getting around in the woods loading & unloading This after noon I planted the rest of the potatoes and Dad. harrowed them in and plowed in the furrows. He also worked down the rest of the patch for mangles. I went down to band practice to-night and went & saw Dr. Cook for Marj., she still feels miserable, but better than she did.

Tuesday June 7th

Tom & Mark came over this morning with their teams & plows and they & Dad. got in a full day plowing corn ground over between the oats in the long field & the side road.They got a lot of ground turned over but it is hard in spots and will take a lot of work. This morning I did up the chores and then took the little team out and rolled & harrowed the potato & mangle patch and started to sow mangles. I finished this afternoon getting in fifteen rows. About four o'clock I went out and started to roll down what they had plowed. We were pretty late getting throug chores as I didn't get the cows {before nor?} they stop plowing till after six. Marj felt better this morning but her head was aching badly again to-night. Frank feels better but the doctor told him to be very careful of his heart so he can't do a thing in the shape of work. Fine day not hot, looks like more rain.

Sunday June 12th

I have not had a chance to write in this all week as we have been trying to rush the corn ground

preparation along and it has absorbed all the spare minutes. Dad. has kept the plow going steadily and Friday night had about an acre to plow but Lloyd Ryerse told him tnat Colin was coming up with the tractor to finish it for him so Dad. got in a day disking yesterday. Colin came yesterday after noon and plowed till they had to stop for a thunder shower but finished all but what Dad. would have had to plow any way. I have kept rolling and harrowing after him with the little team, and the chores have kept me busy as we are out of hay now and have to forage grass for the stuff that is in with the scythe. Marj. has recovered sufficiently to go down to Aunty's to stay for a few days. I drove her down this morning when I went to Sunday school and went down again last to-night, she is feeling much better. Frank hasn't done any thing yet but feels well and thinks he will start working this week. Roy came to stay over to-day last night. He hates Detroit but is glad to be at work. Aunty is under the weather to-day with a bad tooth and Tid is in bed with what we thought was mumps although he seems all right to-night. The little romance which has been developing since Tom & Mark. employed their young housekeeper about three weeks ago was brought suddenly to a head on Thursday when Tom. married her. Thursday morning we saw both Tom & Mark in the field with their teams and later saw Tom's team standing idle and Tom going to town with Charlie Butler, about one o'clock Tom walked through here on his way home and told us he had got in with Charlie when he went past & gone down town to buy the licence having borrowed money enough from Mark, he couldn't get one in Dover so had to go to Simcoe after it. He told me and I fancy nearly every one else he met, to keep it under my hat but he was going to marry the little girl at four o'clock that after noon. Mr. Johnson (who was back this week to gather up some of his stuff) was coming out to do the trick and Totie Smith to help Mark witness it. Totie didn't get out though and Charlie Butler & Mark were the only others present at the ceremony. About five o'clock I saw Mr. & Mrs. Tom driving to Dover on their honeymoon to get some groceries, and both teams were at work again the next morning. Charlie Butler was around

the next day warning all the neighbors out to a combined shower, "chivaree" and dance next Friday night. Dad. went down town this after noon to see Roy and I spent most of the after noon in the church books and then went down and took a walk over the back half of Flemming's place as it is for sale now separately.

Monday June 13th

Dad. has disked all day on the corn ground but didn't get a very early start as we had to go back and catch the horses. I spent most of the morning cutting the lawn and Frank and I seperated the lambs from the ewes and shut them up to starve them preparatory to dosing them for tapeworm. I rolled the corn ground this afternoon. Frank has been visiting blacksmiths trying to get one to shoe Joe. Hallam has a sore hand and can't & old John Evans won't. To-night I went down to band practice. Very windy and quite cool to-night. Tid is all right. Marj. just about well but Aunty's tooth is very bad.

Monday June 20th

Another week has rumbled along and fast and I don't seem to have had a minute's time to jot down the doings day by day so will have to lump it again. We have been very busy getting in our corn and I have been rising at half past four & five so hadn't much time in the mornings and as Marj. has been down at Aunty's all week I have spent my evenings going down to see her. Ham. Thompson came down and planted the corn for us on Thursday. Friday it rained and I spent the day painting at show cards. Dad. drove down in the after noon and brought Marj. home and to-night Friday we all went out to Tom's shower and dance where we had a great time. Frank cut half of his alfalfa and a little hay {illegible} but we have never done anything with it. Thursday night the band played in the park for the church garden party it was to have been at Jack Paine's but he is too sick to have it. Saturday I harrowed the corn ground and broke up a lot of the hard lumps which had softened with Friday's rain. Yesterday Dick came home for his holidays two weeks. Dad. stayed down yester afternoon with him and Marj. and I went for a drive. Saturday night I camped in the gully with the boys - never again! Hope

I slept through most of the night but every now and again would wake up and hear the other fellows rampaging around the fire and some time about two o'clock they all went over and raided Art Quanbury's strawberry patch, I didn't know any thing about that till morning. To-day I rolled the corn ground in the fore noon and hoed mangles this after noon. Dad. brought Belle out and we cultivated them. John Wess & Mrs. Cam. came over for a visit so Dad. went up to see them and Frank and I finished cultivating. Enah's brother and her father & Adelena were over here for tea and I rode down with them after tea and went to band practice. Marj. went down to Aunty's for tea and Chris brought us both home in his new Dodge car.

Tuesday June 21st

I rode Frank's wheel out to Lloyd Chrysler's first thing this morning to ask him about the Fleming place He gave me Ern's address and said it was still for sale. When I came back Dad. and I hauled in a couple of jags of hay on the waggon box to feed up and then we went back to the woods and got a load of wood. This after noon we hauled in Frank's alfalfa and Dad. went down to the mill with Charlie to look at Herb's horse which he thinks is foundered. Frank cut the hay on the corner field to-day. To-night I went with the band to a garden party at Lamb's {corner?} and Dad. entertained Mr. Johnson from Sir Adam Beck's place and they had a great saddle horse pow-pow.

Wednesday June 22nd

I went out right after breakfast and harrowed over the corn ground again with the big team and finished about eleven. I then cut a little lawn before dinner All the rest of the family picked strawberries this morning and got 35 boxes and Dad. got a bad attack of heartburn from bending over and felt very miserable most of the day. Dick came over for dinner and he & I walked down afterwards and I went to paint some signs for Quint, he didn't have any ready but I painted out the old one. I came home and helped milk and then Marj. & I drove Mexico down with butter eggs & cream for Aunty Alice. Frank drove Queen down to the Ward's. I went for a swim. Hot & muggy.

Thursday June 23rd

I hoed mangels this morning till nine o'clock and Frank hoed in the garden & Dad. did chores, by then the dew was off and we went out and shook up the hay where the alsike was heavy & green. Then Frank got the rake & raked the far side first and before dinner the heavy spots were fit to rake. Dad. & I cocked up for awhile before dinner and we all went at it this after noon and got it all up by to-night. Tom. Butler went by this morning with a load of pear and threw off a couple of forkfulls which were loaded. Dad. Tid & I shelled our hats full and took them up to the house for dinner and and Marj. came out with us and got two basketfulls more. To-night I went down to band practice & Marj. went with me & waited at Aunty's. Mr. & Mrs. MacElvie came to-day and are down at Aunty Alice's now. Chris gave us a ride down and all the way home in his car. Very hot.

Friday June 24th

Frank and I changed the rails and fixed up the bay over in the big barn to haul hay this morning and we moved the calves over there from the old barn. We hauled in one load of hay and pitched it off in the horse stable before dinner had an early dinner and hauled in three more this after noon, one we pitched off to feed to the bulls and the last one we left standing in the barn floor. Mrs. Walker brought Aunty Alice & the MacElvie's in for a few minutes this morning. They were just out seeing the town. Dad. & Enah went down to-night to see them and took Jack Martin down as they are both such admirers of Sir Arthur Meighen's & Mr. MacElvie has come direct from Parliament. Marj. & Frank went down to the Bible Society meeting to hear a native Chinaman Mr {Wang?} speak and Tid. & I stayed home to go to bed early. Dick was over for tea. Hot but nice breeze

Sunday July 3rd

Over a week this time without finding time to make an entry so will condense again. Saturday June 25th we finished hauling the hay that was cut and in the after noon I went to Simcoe to a Shorthorn meeting

while Dad. & Frank cultivated potatoes. Sunday was a very hot day, we all went to church & Dad stayed down and went down to the beach with Dick Marj. & I went for a drive in the evening. Sunday after noon was decoration day and the band went with the oddfellows to the cemetry. It rained a little Sunday night and Monday I went down to do some painting and got a couple of show cards to do for Ben Ivey which I worked at most of the day and sent down with Frank at night. Ben gave Frank a checque for $2.00 for them and to pay an old debt he had with Frank, he gave him at Frank's suggestion $3.00's worth of dance tickets I felt rather sick all day and went to bed early about ten o'clock we had a terriffic thunder storm which was followed by two or three more during the night. The thunder was deafening almost and a great deal of it. It drizzled nearly all Tuesday morning so I went down and with Aunty's help painted a very gaudy sign for Quint advertizing soft drinks. In the after noon I started at Ben's sign which he told me to go ahead at as he guessed Dyer didn't intend to do it. It was late when I got the scaffold fixed so I only got about an hour's work in on it. Frank cut some hay Monday after noon. Tuesday he & Dad. went up to Jack McBride's and got some fence & posts to put across the corner field to let the sheep in where the hay was taken off. Wednesday I was down town all day finished Ben's sign and got five dollars for it and got Quint's big game board all penciled out to paint. Thursday I went down and spent most of the day painting it but finished this after noon. Marj's father came in Wednesday night and she was with him most of the after noon. Dad. & Frank shocked up the hay to-day & Frank raked it. Friday was the great Dominion Day and there was a bigger crowd into Dover I think than ever before There must have been a thousand cars in town parked every where you looked and running all over, and the radial cars were packed. Frank Dad. & I cocked up the hay in the forenoon and Dad

took Aunty up to the dentist's. I was with the band all the afternoon and evening. We shifted around from Buck's to the dock and up to Powell park and in the evening played down on the end of the pier till the lake flies drove us out. The Galt Kiltie band was here too playing all after noon & evening. I didn't get a chance to hear them but Dad. thought they were fine. After we finished playing I ran across the family and later Marj. with her father, Mrs Bagley & Essie. We took a walk down to the beach and the crowd was dense in front of Ben's "Summer Garden" but the most amusing thing down there was to hear Quint & {Zeek?} and a little farther down Quint. yelling like crazy savages for people to try their luck at the games offering prizes of lucky ducks & Cupie {Kewpie} dolls and other things which really seems to prove that the world has gone "batty" for they seemed to get rid of an enormous quantity of hideous things. Dad. & I walked home and milked and I walked home at night and was glad to get here. Dad. was up at four o'clock this morning and after he helped me milk went up to help take Jack Paine's body to the station, the masons were looking after it and Charlie Ivey came after Dad. & brought him back They sent the body to Toronto on the 7.30 train.

Sunday July 10th

Another week gone and I have no time nor energy to write. We haven't done anything all week but work and work hard getting the hay on the field west of the lane and next the gully in. It was a very heavy piece we hauled twenty loads off it but of course it was bulky The other work is getting ahead of us. I got up at four o'clock a couple of mornings to hoe mangels but havent made much head way. The weather has been very hot and for a few days there was scarcely any wind but the last two or three days there was a very nice breeze, and Friday night & yesterday morning it rained luckily for us just after we finished our hay. Mr. Clarke has been over here most of the week but went to Nanticoke with Warrie Banfield yesterday. Cecil & Winnie were over for tea

Friday night. We let the sheep in on their new pasture yesterday after noon as Dad & Frank finished putting the fence up. Marj. & I found a cool spot down in McBain's orchard this afternoon & read "A Midsummer Night's dream"

Monday July 11th

Frank cut hay east of the lane this morning and then took the big team and cultivated corn this afternoon. Dad finished cutting the piece the width of the orchard east of the lane and then I started to rake, and got enough raked for a row of cocks around the field. I weeded mangles and dug a little in the flower bed this morning. To-night I went down to band practice. Still hot, a little breeze

Sunday July 24th

This being the 26th anniversary of the day on which I first condescended to partake of what this world had to offer in the way of a living and such a day being a fit occasion for making fresh starts and turning over new leaves, I think I will make one more try at writing this more regularly. Another factor influencing this resolution is a brand new non-leakable fountain pen which Marj. gave me this morning and which works beautifully. Another still is the fact that we are within sight of the end of haying and wheat harvest and I dont expect to be so rushed all day and tired in the evenings from now on. The week of July 11th we finished cutting all the wheat and hay and left it all in cock and shock for over Sunday. The first of the following week it rained and was cloudy & wet for two days so we didn't get any hauled but nothing was spoiled. Frank and I went back to set up the wheat shocks that were down and found that only the few that were flat had been wet through. We hauled hay Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Pickford wanted one of us to help him thrash out of the field on Saturday so he came over on Friday with his team and helped us haul wheat for the fore noon and all day we got in six loads not big ones as the wheat

was very heavy. Saturday Frank was over helping Pickford all day so Dad. and I finished hauling the hay and got one load of wheat up. We could unload the hay without mowing it as the last one put in, we put in the big barn in the empty bay. Mr. Clarke came back from Nanticoke on the 16th and came over here on the 19th. To-day Marj. Mr. Clarke & I drove down to church and we had chicken for dinner to celebrate. We three also went down this after noon and saw the deer. The buck has his horns back again now in the velvet and they look very sleek & fat. I culled out my chickens the other night and sold 17 all the white ones to Jack and Chris shipped six rocks to Toronto for me. I didn't get paid so I don't know how much I got.

Monday July 25th

To-day we finished hauling the wheat. Dad. & Frank hauled it up and while they were after loads Marj. and I weeded mangles and I helped them unload. This after noon Marj. and Enah went down to the first performance of the Chatauqua and Marj. and I went down to-night. The music was lovely.

Tuesday July 26th

Marj. and I finished weeding the mangles this morning and I drove her & her father down to catch the one o'clock car and they went to Brantford and Mr. Clarke stayed there to have Dr. Hicks examine him. I stayed down for the after noon and went to the Chautauqua and heard a man lecture on Soviet Russia, he was a prisoner there for some time and travelled over a good portion of it. I also got my hair cut and made arrangements with Ben Ivey to paint some more signs for him. George Zealand and I are to do it on Thursday if Ben gets the background painted. To night all the family but Marj. & I went to the Chautauqua to see Davis the magician which they enjoyed very much.

Wednesday July 27th

Marj. & I weeded two rows of potatoes this morning and Dad. & I we did some more this after noon Enah went to the Chautauqua and Marj. went and sat with Aunty and let Aunty

Alice go but they said the lecture was very poor and inclined to be coarse. We all went down to-night and saw the play "Contentment" by the John Qualen company the actors were very good but the play not up to much. Marj. telephoned Dr. Hicks and found out that her father will be operated on to-morrow morning. Mr. Bagley is going up.

Thursday July 28th

I went down this morning to paint Ben's sign but found out there had been a misunderstanding between Ben. & George Zealand and neither of them had painted the background so I told Ben I couldnt paint the sign, so I finished painting Quint's board instead and had dinner at Auntys I got home about five and found Dad. Enah & Tid had gone to the Chautauqua to hear the Ferguson light opera company which they enjoyed very much. Mr. Bagley came over as soon as he got home from Brantford at five o clock and told us that Mr. Clarke had come through his operation nicely but was very weak as he had been on the operating table for three hours. Marj. Enah & I went down and heard Hon. Percy Alden lecture on "The outlook in Europe, and Marj. & I thought it was fine although Enah & Frank who was there with Irene Pickford said they didn't care for him. Aunty Alice thinks Aunty is beginning to mend slightly, but she looks pretty sick.

Friday July 29th

Frank and I went over to Tom's & Mark's this morning where {plan?} was to thrash alsike out of the field and Dad went to Art Quanbury's where Sam was thrashing. Art finished before noon but we couldn't start till about eleven o'clock as the stuff was tough and it was a very cloudy & muggy morning. We thrashed till about half past two when a little shower came up and we had to quit for an hour, during that hour Tom & I went with Charlie Butler over to his place and got a jug of hard cider. We worked hard after that till about five when a real thunder shower came up and we all got pretty wet and had to quit for the day

We had tea over there and when we came home I drove down after tea and picked Marj. up, she had been at a party at Mrs. Freeman's and stayed down to telephone Dr. Hicks and found her Dad. was doing nicely.

Saturday July 30th

Frank went back to try to plow this morning but said it was very hard and the shear & coulter dull. Dad. weeded potatoes and I didn't do any thing much but clear up a little out in front of the house. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed to tea. I drove down after tea and we went to the station and met Dorrie, the train was late and she was pretty tired. Dad. Frank and I weeded potatoes this after noon and got nearly three rows done. A little cooler lately with big winds

Sunday July 31st

The Pickford's had a family picnic down the Lake Shore to-day so of course Frank had to go along. Marj. Tim & I went to Sunday school and Enah & Dorrie drove down to church. Mr. Doherty preached. Dad. walked down to see Aunty and he, Enah & Tid went to Clair Herring's for lunch. Marj. & Dorrie took some sandwichs down and ate them at Aunty's after church & then went on the one o clock car to Brantford to see their father who is getting on as well as possibly. I came home & did chores and slept for most of the after noon. Enah stayed down to play again to-night as Mrs. Andrews is sick or something & Dad. drove Mexico home. Dad. Frank & I had tea together and then I took Mexico down so that Enah & the girls could all drive home. It gives me the willies to ride behind him he goes so slowly so I led him down as far as the Ivey's where I found Larry & Tid & Herby Zealand who jumped at the chance of driving him down. I found Marj. & Dorrie had come in on the five car, gone to the Bagley's for tea and from there to church and the Barwells were going to drive them home but Marj. was good enough to drive me home with Mexico instead of goin in the car. Cooler.

Monday August 1st

Tom came over this morning and said they would start thrashing about 10 o'clock so I counted all the church money right after breakfast and then Frank and I went over with the team. We started as soon as it was dry enough and had a steady run all day till about half past five to-night when a shower came up and we had to quit with 10 or 12 more loads in the field. We found Cecil & Winnie here when we got home and they stayed for the evening. Winnie expects to take a holiday trip to Montreal leaving to morrow. Marj. & Dorrie went back to the woods and picked a nice lot of blackberries. Dad. went down to tell Landon Ivey about the death of his cow. She died Saturday and had a piece of wire next her heart.

Tuesday August 2nd

It rained all the fore noon so we couldn't do anything outside. Dad. took some milk down to Aunty's and Frank and I sharpened the binder knives then Marj. & I finished making out the church quarterly statements and Dorris addressed envelopes for us. I also curried Elgitha while Dad. milked her, she gave her hind teat an awful scraping some way yesterday and is very touchy about having it milked. After dinner I drove Marj. & Dorrie down town. Marj. deposited the church money and then went down to sit with Aunty Alice while Aunty Alice went to a party at Miss Buckwell's. I drove her up there. I drove down again after tea and got the girls who had tea at Aunty's and we went to the picture show

Wednesday August 3rd

Frank cut the oats in the field north & west of the barnyard to-day, they feel like a very light crop and were down in a good many places. Marj. drove Dorrie down to catch the one o'clock car and she went up to see Mr. Clarke, she says he looks much better than he did on Sunday. Marj. brought Mrs. {C.G.D.?} Browne & her two kids home with her. To-night Marj. & I drove Queen down to band concert and we brought Dorrie home, she had stayed for tea at the Bagley's. Mr. Bagley treated us to ice-cream. I got {$5?} from the band to-night. Cooler.

Thursday August 4th

Frank cut the oats on the old corn stubble finishing soon after dinner and got well opened up in the long field, he also cut his alfalfa with the binder. I helped Dad. shock up this morning but this after-noon went over and helped Tom & Mark thrash. We finished up over there about five and I came home for supper. Warrie Banfield & his family and his mother came in this morning and took Marj. & Dorrie up to Brantford with them, they filled the Ford pretty well, with five grown-ups & two kids but they got back safely about six had a fine day and found Mr. Clarke looking much better. Dad. has felt miserable all day but has been working

Friday August 5th

Frank finished cutting the oats to-day and we put the binder away for another year. It took him till about five o'clock to finish. Dad & I shifted the calves around this morning and then started to shock up. This after noon old Dougherty came over and followed us out to the field and stood around and chewed the rag half the after noon so that we didn't get much done & have about half the long field to shock up yet. Marj. & Dorrie went back to the woods to pick berries this afternoon and had a picnic down by the mound They invited me and I went back as soon as we were through milking Tid & Jackie {Cape?} also went back and joined the feast. Landon Ivey was over this morning and wanted a team to help them thrash their wheat {illegible} but Dad. got Pickford to go in our place

Saturday August 6th

We went out first thing this morning and hauled in the hay out of the orchard and put it over the granary {tied?} the rails to make a bottom for the oats. We then rolled oats for the rest of the after noon, we got in three loads of the field {illegible} the barn leaving about one load out there but it started to rain at noon and rained hard for awhile so we didn't get any more done but I painted a show card lesson. The last bunch I sent down all came back severely criticized. Marj. Dorrie and I had thought of going to the Picture show to-night but it rained again about five so we stayed home

Sunday August 7th

Marj. Dorrie and I drove down to Sunday school but as there was no one in sight to open it up Frank and I took a walk and Marj. had to do the job. Mr. Cornish the new minister came in late last night and was too tired to come. We didn't hear him as Marj. Dorrie and I struck off for Nanticoke right after Sunday school and spent the after noon at Warrie's place. We left Dorrie there to pay a few day's visit and Marj. and I came home in time to do chores. Dad. went down and stayed with Aunty to-night while Aunty Alice went to hear the new minister He made a favorable impression I think and there was a very large congregation at both services judging by the collection, which was the largest since Marj. & I have had the books. We did them up to-night as Bill Barwell brought over the evening receipts. The statements of arrears which we sent out probably had something to do with it but we got a total of $94.66 for the day. Mark was in for a short visit to-night. Frank drove Joe down to the {Cave?} to-night to see the folks before he leaves for the West. Cloudy & cooler

Monday August 8th

I spent most of the forenoon working out in front of the border and before noon I drove Marj. down town She did her banking and stayed at Aunty's for dinner and then went to Brantford on the one o'clock car to see her father, she says he looks much better, she came home at five and stayed at the Bagleys for tea. Dad. and I went out to Charlie Quanbury's this morning after noon and Dad. bought the old sow Schoolgirl?} for $40.00. We then came home and shocked a few oats up with the forks. Irene Pickford was here for tea, Frank brought her over. I went down to band practice to-night, Mid kept us there till nearly eleven. I then called for Marj. who was at the McQueens.

Tuesday August 9th

We didn't do much this morning but chores and put a ring on Wilkins Micawber's nose. We had a bad job at it and it took us a long time. Dave McBride came in and gave us a hand. He expects to leave for the West to-morrow with Frank. This after noon we shocked up some more of the oats. Frank has had

a busy day getting packed and ready and saying good-bye to all the neighbors. He stayed at the Pickfords for tea and Enah drove him down to-night. He is going to stay at Aunty's to-night and leave in the early car for Galt. Marj. & I went for a little walk to-night and were overtaken by the Doughty family who were bringing Dorrie back, they had been at Brantford.

Wednesday August 10th

It was rather late when we got the morning chores done up and then Dad. went over and got Bobbie Pickford to come & help us draw {our?} oats. We got in five loads all day and left the last one on the barn floor. There is still one load left in the corn stubble field. Marj. Dorrie and I went to band concert to-night. Fine & cool breeze.

Thursday August 11th

Bobbie came over again this morning and we started to build a stack. We got in two loads this morning and at noon Pickford and Arthur came over to help us. We got in four loads and then it started to rain and we had to quit. They weren't big loads but we could have finished I believe if it hadn't rained. Arthur Preston came over for a visit and went out with me. He & Pickford pitched on and they would pitch up about four or five sheaves at a time so all I could do was to climb on top of them and I didn't build much of a load. Arthur stayed and gave me some new points against the theory of evolution at which we both laugh. Arthurs latest find is some fellow sneering at theory by claiming that in the course of evolution all life should have disappeared from the earth during the development of the insect life as they being of a lower order than the birds which now it is claimed hold them in check would have destroyed all plant life and then starved to death thereby cutting short evolution in its earlier stages. I agreed with Arthur that that was very logical.

Friday August 12th

It rained more during the night so that we couldn't do much with the oats but Dad. & I drove down town and got the beaver-board from Reynolds to put

on the kitchen. We were down town till noon This afternoon we did up the chores and then went out and set up the last of the oats that were lying down. They weren't in bad shape either Perce Kind{--}'s boy came over to get three lambs which we promised him so we picked out the three biggest {illegible} lambs and weighed them up and the best one weighed 92 lbs. He is giving us 9 cts per lb. for them. We also caught one to kill for ourselves and Dad. got Pickford to come over to-night and do it and gave him a piece of it. It was a nice one too. Fine & cool.

Saturday August 13th

Cecil came over first thing this morning to put the beaver-board on and he and Dad. have been working at it about all day and got it all on but the kitchen is an awful looking place as it all has to be painted and papered yet. Bobbie Pickford came over about ten o'clock and he and I went out and turned out all the oats and hauled in one load before dinner and three more this after noon. He & Dad. hauled the last one and finished harvest. Dad. & Cecil helped us put the loads off. We didn't get through with the chores till long after dark. Winnie came over to tea and Mr. & Mrs. Millman came over after tea for awhile. They came up from Toronto in the car to-day. It has been fine and cool all day.

Sunday August 14th

Marj. Dorrie, Tid. and I went down to Sunday school and Dad. & Enah went down to church. Marj. Dorrie & I heard Mr. Cornish for the first time and liked him very much. The whole Millman family came in just after dinner on their way home. As soon as they left Marj. Dorrie and I went down and I went with the band and we gave the long suffering public a sacred concert in the park. Dorrie & Marj. called on Miss McQueen and then went to Aunty's for tea. I drove down and brought them home to-night.

Monday August 15th

Marj. was sick in bed all day. She & Dorrie had planned to go to Brantford this morning but and go to Miss McQueen's for tea to-night but instead

Dorrie went alone to Brantford this after noon & to Miss McQueens for tea. I drove her down to the car and brought her home to-night after band practice. Cecil has been over all day but hasn't been able to do much but paint the ceiling and put in some finishing nails as Reynolds hasn't got the stripping out yet. I havent done any thing much

Tuesday August 16th

I went down first thing this morning to get the stripping at the planing mill but it wasn't ready as Reynolds had promised it would be. Dad. and I went back before dinner and got one of the bolls of wire down and rolled that were between the wheat and pasture. This after noon Tid drove Marj. & Dorrie down and they stayed with Aunty while Aunty Alice went over to Mrs. Woodson's to play bridge. I drove down to-night and got them. Cecil has been over all day and they got the room papered and Cecil started to paint the lower part of the wall green and Enah finished it to-night after supper. I went to see Reynolds to-night and he said he would have the strips in the morning.

Wednesday August 17th

Tid. and I went down again this morning and they were at the strips when I got there so by waiting till nearly noon I got them. Marj. & Dorrie did up the church books and walked down to deposit the money and then rode home in the waggon. I spent the after noon applying filler that Cecil mixed up to the strips and Cecil at last got started putting them on, so the room commences to have a furnished appearance. I went down to band concert to-night and drove Cecil down with me. The girls had intended going down to Aunty's for tea but it rained hard all the after noon so they decided it was too wet and didn't go down at all. I found that their Uncle George had come in this morning and gone up to Brantford with Mr. Bagley this afternoon to see Mr. Clarke. and expected to see the girls to-night, but I told him they would be down in the morning. He is staying at the Bagleys. Mr. Bagley says Mr. Clarke will be able to come down to Friday and the girls are going up to come back with him. More rain to-night.

Thursday August 18th

The girls went down with Mexico first thing this morning and brought their Uncle George over and he was here for dinner and tea. Cecil came over and finished putting the stripping on the walls Dad. helping him. I started a show card this morning and worked at it off and on all day, but talked to Uncle George most of the fore noon. To-night Marj. Dorrie & Uncle George drove Joe down and I walked. Uncle George treated us all to the picture show which was very funny. We then took him up to the Bagley's where he spent the night.

Friday August 19th

I drove the girls down to the station this morning and then got Uncle George & Mr. Bagley and took them down to the station. The girls and Uncle George went to Brantford on the nine car to shop in Brantford and to bring Mr. Clarke down at five. I didn't do much all day. Cecil was over glueing up some chairs and he and Dad. & I went out and lined up the fence batten. This after noon Dad. and I went out and rolled the wire we had up to divide the sheep pasture from the oats and pulled the posts. I drove down to-night to bring Marj. & Dorrie home. Mr. Clarke was staying at the Bagley's for to-night. Mr. Bagley was to have met them at the Main St. stop with a car but went off with Mr. Bond and was eating musk melon up at {Mr.?} Dixon's where the car came in so Marj. had to go down town and get a car to go up from the garage to get here. Dad. who nearly fainted sitting up there waiting and scared poor Dorrie, but he feels pretty well to-night

Saturday August 20th

Cecil came over for awhile this morning and varnished the strips on the walls and ceiling. Dad. and I went out and put the iron posts in for the new fence. This after noon we took the waggon back and the plow to the back field and brought up the wooden posts that were there and then we hooked to the rack and hauled in Frank's alfalfa. To-night Marj. Dorrie and I went down town, they went in to see their Dad.

and then we went to get some {illegible} for sandwichs and to hunt up some body to take us to the band picnic on Monday. We went down to Ben's Summer Garden which was packed and there found Charlie Blake who had no one to take with him to the picnic and on that account had not intended going but he said he would take us, so Dorrie had a dance with him and then we came home rather late.

Sunday August 21st

Marj. Dorrie and I went to Sunday school and Dad. & Enah went down church. I walked home but Mr. Lamb drove Mr. Clarke over here after church in his car and the girls came over with him. We didn't do much but lie around this after noon except Marj. Dorrie, Tim & I went down to take a picture of Jack's deer. There was a great crowd down there looking at them. Enah went down town to tea as she had to play to day. Alan Law was in to-night to invite one of us down there to thrash to-morrow, which was rather provoking as Dad. had figured on plowing while I was at the band picnic, however I guess he will have to go to thrash

Monday August 22nd

We got every thing done up in good time this morning and Dad. started for Sam's and was down there all day Charlie Blake came along about 9.30 and picked Marj. Dorrie several baskets cameras coats my horn Marj's knitting & me and we set sail for Fisher's Glen. We called around at the town hall where the rest of the boys were congregated to see if there was any one else wanted to go with us. We found that Mrs. Doc. Lemmons had decided not to go on account of lack of accomodation so we went up there. She called the girls in to make sandwichs for her and after a great deal of flurry & fluster on their part and calm patient waiting on Charlie's & mine we got away and after a very nice drive arrived at the Glen first of all with Carl Colman hard on our trail. It was an ideal day and every body had a good time. I would have had a better time if they hadn't made me play baseball but as there was a great game scheduled between the heavy and light horns I had to take my place. We played about nine or ten innings with an indoor ball

and we got beaten 21-15. I guess I did considerably to help the light horns win but wasnt any worse than most of them. I made one home run caught a third man out when two others were on bases I was in the field . We played several times during the day so weren't left much to our own devices We had tea about five o'clock and got home by about half past six and all hands professed having had a good time. Dad. was milking but hadn't had his tea so I was on time to do my share of the chores, and every thing went fine.

Tuesday August 23rd

Dad. & I spent quite awhile doing chores this morning and then took the waggon back to the field and put on a jag of wood. We then ran out one of the ditchs back there and threw out the sods. Dad. cut it on both sides so it took quite awhile, just as we were coming out of the gully on to the road a bumblebee stung Dad. right over the eye and it has been very sore all day. We discovered they had a nest in the old gate post there. We thought we would have to go and help Pickford thrash this after noon but he came up at noon to tell us the machine would not be there till to-night, so we went back and nearly finished running out our ditchs this after noon Marj. & Dorrie went down town this afternoon and brought Glad Law over to tea with them Dorrie & I drove her home to-night. Fine & warm.

Wednesday August 14th

Dad. & I got things done up ready to go over to thrash at Pickford's this morning but could see that there was no machine there so we sawed a little wood while we were waiting for it to come and then as there was still no sign of it Dad. and Mr. Clarke drove down to see where it was Pickford said they had some tampering to do to the engine and wouldn't be up till after noon. They came at noon and Dad. and I were both over there till tea time. They finished and Pickford got about 270 bushels all told and his oats were very big. I got another show card lesson nearly done this morning while I was waiting. To-night I went

down to band concert but as the Doughty's came in just before I left the girls didnt go with me but Dick Doughty took them down later and we walked home to-gether. By. Williams drove Harry & Lizzie Langs in to-night and they are coming over here for dinner to-morrow. Fine with nice breeze.

Thursday August 25th

Dad. and I went back this morning and finished throwing out the ditchs in this side of the back field and Dad. started to plow around the whole thing. I came up about eleven and soon after I came up By Williams brought the Lang's in so I took Harry around the farm and we came up with Dad at noon. This after noon we just visited till it was time for Dorrie to go to the train then she & Marj. drove down in the cart and took Dorrie's trunk with them. Harry & I walked down and I went to the station in time to say good-bye to Dorrie. Gosh I hated to see her leave. Enah drove Lizzie down with Joe & took her up town. Marj. & I met her at Aunty's and we drove Joe home. Mr. Bagley was over to see Mr. Clarke.

Friday August 26th

Dad. has been ploughing all day and going all the way around the two fields. It is very hard and a slow job. His coulter came off this morning and he had to change at town which took him a long time as the clevers were rusted. I dug post holes around the old garden and put posts in. I would have finished to-night but I struck a stone just at five o'clock and had to leave it. After dinner I drove Mr. Clarke down and left him at Uncle Ward's and went after him this evening. Enah went down to choir practice to-night and Dad. went down to see Aunty who is ever so much better. Dr. Cook had her & Aunty Alice over here for a drive this after noon.

Saturday August 27th

Dad. and I have been all day putting up the fence between the old meadow north of the old garden and the oat stubble, and around the north & west side of the garden so that the cows can't get in although there is precious little

there for them to destroy except a beautiful crop of weeds. There will be great pasture for the cows for awhile in the piece that we are fencing off as clover has come on fine since haying although it wasn't seeded. We had to go back to the gully after dinner for one of the 30 ft. rolls back there although we only had a few yards in the fence to finish. J.C. Ross was over this morning looking at the sheep, he is going down to judge at Toronto next week. Marj. drove her Dad down with Mexico & the buggy this after noon and left him at the Bagley's for a day or so I went down to-night and got my hair cut.

Sunday August 28th

Marj. Tid and I went down to Sunday school this morning and Dad. & Enah drove down to church. Marj. and I walked around by the Bagley's after church for a few minutes to see how Mr. Clarke was, he had been to the Presbyterian church with the Bagley's as they & the Methodists are havi{ng} Union services for a few weeks. Dad. brought Aunty & Aunty Alice over for dinner and took them home just before tea. Aunty is ever so much better but pretty weak yet. The {Warrie?} Banfields and Mrs. Banfield came up and were here for the after noon. I went to bed soon after tea. Bill Fallens barn with all his this years grain and 3 or 4 hundred bushels of old grain was burned yesterday afternoon They claim it was spontaneous combustion but Dad. snorts at the idea and says no barn was ever set on fire by that, through grain heating

Monday August 29th

It started to rain soon after breakfast this morning and we had a heavy thunder storm for most of the fore noon but it came out hot & sunny this after noon I spent the morning painting my last show card lesson and Marj. posted them this afternoon. Dad. wrote letters to Frank and Dick most of the morning. This after noon we separated the ewes & lambs and put the ewes across in the little front pasture. I worked all the after noon building a fence

and bars at the corner of the drive house. Dad. went back and ploughed for awhile he said it went quite a bit better at the bottom of the hill & in the low spots but up on top was as dry as ever I went down to band practice to-night.

Tuesday August 30th

The bandit hogs, the twin marauders who being spoiled children and allowed to follow their own sweet will ever since they nestled in their fond mother's arms (as it were) must now suffer for their sins by forfeiting their freedom. They have led a life of wickedness first robbing and plundering our crops which were near at hand, pillaging the oat field back of the barn and the strawberries and corn in the garden but not content with confining their operations to the limits of this place where they are tolerated, they were finally seized with the wanderlust and like pirates have been making daily forays into Jack Martin's clover and corn and at last into Billy Mill's garden where they ruthlessly destroyed the kids pop-corn. So a warrant for their imprisonment was carried out last night yesterday morning. Dad. shut them in their pen and thought he had them solid, but they are hardened criminals and did not hesitate to add to the crime of jail breaking to the long list of their evil deeds and to-night Billy Mills chased them home and in an indignant tone recounted their guilty charges so Dad. shut them up again this time right in the pen but this morning they were free once more so once more they were shut up with Gladys, and the door barred and nailed and it seems at last as if they were safely confined, but its hard to say. Dad went back and ploughed this morning and Tid. & I went out with Art Quanbury and brought old Schoolgirl home. I went off and forgot to turn out the windmill and Dad. had to come up to turn it out. Just before dinner Marj. and I drove up to Miss McCoy's to pay her for some hay and stopped in at the mill on our way home & got some shorts for the bandit hogs and some rolled oats and bran for the lambs. This after noon I drove Aunty over here to stay for a few days. It began to rain about five o'clock and we had a heavy thunder storm.

Wednesday August 31st

It was pouring rain when I first got up this morning but cleared off and has been very hot and sultry all day. I haven't done a thing but chores all day. Dad. got a pretty good day in ploughing but the flies nearly drove the horses crazy. This after noon Marj. & I drove down town and brought Aunty Alice back with us to stay all night. I went down to band concert to-night. I got the cows up early and went down early and practiced "The Holy City" before the concert. Hal. Steele played it for cornet solo

Thursday August September 1st

This has been another very hot sultry day and has looked very rainy and thundery but did not rain. Dad. and I got all the ewes over in the colony yard this morning and milked out the ones that needed it. Art. Quanbury came in to invite us out to Charlie's to thrash this after noon. Dad. ploughed all day and I took Aunty Alice down this morning. I stayed there till noon and cut the lawn and dug some potatoes for her. This after noon I started for Charlies to thrash, but stopped at John Wesse for quite awhile as the machine wasn't at Charlie's yet. Cam. came up from the field to get a wire to poke out {the axle?} holes in his sulky plow, and invited me into the house where he treated me to a big piece of watermelon, and told me about the trials and triumphs of the Lemmon's orchestra. Mrs. Welsh has been doing her best to knock it because they wouldn't let Glen play his clarinet that he wouldnt practice on. It is going out now though to various engagements and charging so is doing fine. I got over to Charlies about the time the machine got there and we thrashed for about two hours. Charlies crop aggregated the magnificent total of 95 bushels 18 of which was good wheat the rest very poor oats & barley mixed. I drove down to-night and got Marj. who had been at Miss McQueens for tea and had gone afterwards to the Sunday school teacher's class which Mr. Cornish took and which she said she enjoyed very much as Mr. Cornish was so good.

Friday September 2nd

This ink seems to be getting redder all the time although it was blue when it was put in the pen. Dad. has ploughed all day and it has not been quite so hot. I went back this morning and ploughed a couple of rounds while he changed the coulter on the other plow. Marj. went down and had lunch with Aunty Alice and this after noon went to Simcoe to the Auxillary deanery meeting, she got home on the seven o'clock car. I went down this after to dig Aunty Alice's potatoes but as it was pretty late when I got the calves watered I didn't get many dug. I went for a swim before I came home. Quint has bought an old Ford car and is going around to the Hall fairs selling Hot Dogs. He went to Cayuga yesterday.

Saturday September 3rd

Dad. ploughed all day again and got quite a nice lot done. I spent most of the morning just doing chores. Aunty Alice came over this morning with the awful news that Cousin Loll was dead. She was as well this morning as she has been for a long time and was walking down the street with Cousin Clare who had gone over to ask her to go to Simcoe with her this after noon. They parted about opposite the Hoan's house and before Cousin Loll got to her own house, she fell. Mr. Bagley & Mr. Hoan were up at the corner and saw her lying on the grass so ran down but she was unconsious and died in a few minutes. Of course Aunty Alice and Aunty feel terribly. Enah drove Aunty down this after noon and she stayed down. Marj. & I drove Joe down and Marj. took the church money to the bank and I dug some more potatoes. At four o'clock I went for a swim with Tid.

Sunday September 4th

Marj. Tid and I went down to Sunday school & church and Dad & Enah went down to church. Dad. Enah & Tid stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and Enah stayed down for tea. Marj. & I came home and I did up the noon chores and we drove Queen down to meet the three o'clock car as Marj. expected her Dad on

it, he having gone to Waterford the other day to visit his sister. He didn't come on the three o'clock car so as it was too hot and the flies were too bad to keep Queen out till the five o'clock car came in, we came back home and read till five when we drove down and got him. We nearly had a mess up on the bridge coming home. We met Jack Walker in his car on the bridge and when I pulled Queen to the extreme edge to pass him, she caught sight of the water below or something rattled her so that she wouldn't pass the car and backed off the bridge, however she didn't do any damage and waited quietly till the car passed her. Dad. got home from town about the same time we did and Enah got a ride home after church. Very hot.

Monday September 5th

I went over to Art Quanbury's first thing this morning to thrash and as there were only five jags of oats it was only about an hour's run. Dad. ploughed all day and Tid. took Mr. Clarke down to spend the day with Uncle Ward. This after noon Marj. Tid and I went back in the waggon to get a load of wood, but as Marj. got jolted so she & Tid walked back through the gully and looked for mushrooms but didn't find any. To-night Marj. & I took some cream down to Aunty and called at Uncle Wards on our way home for Mr. Clarke. This was Labor Day and the reunion at the school house. We had intended going but didn't. Quite a sharp thunder shower at noon and hot & cloudy the rest of the day

Tuesday September 6th

Dad. ploughed all day and as it has been cooler he got quite a lot rolled over. I did up the chores this morning and then Mr. Clarke and I drove out to Art. Quanbury's to get a couple of bushels bags of old oats which Dad. bargained for this morning. We went all through Art's house which is going to be a dandy. This after noon I hadn't any thing in particular to do so I meandered down to the creek and wandered all over Flemming's place and then lay down under a tree for half an hour and wished I had money enough to buy the place. When I came back I went down to the mill to get a bag of flour for Enah

Tim started back to school this morning and was very down in the mouth about it. He didn't expect to have to go this after noon but was disappointed and it was with a great deal reluctance that he was persuaded to go, but Enah drove him down in the cart. Marj. & her Dad were down town with Mexico most of this afternoon. Marj. & I did the church books to-night.

Wednesday September 7th

Dad. didn't get much ploughed this morning as the horses all went back to the gully last night and it took me an awful long time to catch them this morning, then Mark's brother was in for a few minutes to see us, he came up from Toronto to see Mark and was going back this morning. I just did chores this morning and this after noon we all went down to Cousin Loll's funeral. Bill Barwell took us down. They had a very short service at the house and another at the church. Mr. Cornish & Mr. Robertson both officiating. Quint was at the church & Dad. Huby, Quint and I went up to the cemetery. It was a terribly sad affair. Bill Barwell brought Enah and me home and I had the milking done when Dad. got home. He waited down to take Tim down to the dock to see the dredge work. Marj. & her Dad. stayed down at the Bagleys for tea and I went down to band concert to-night and brought them home. To-night was our last band concert. It is and has been very hot.

Thursday September 8th

Dad. has ploughed all day and has got over far enough to start ploughing off the little hill on this side. I did up the chores and then hooked up the little team to the waggon and took the harrows back and brought up a load of wood. This after noon I took the rollers back and rolled all the after noon. It was very hot and the flies nearly drove the little team crazy. It seemed like a crime to work them. Evans came over at noon & borrowed the drill to sow wheat this afternoon. Marj. and her father went down to Aunty's for tea to-night. They walked down after dinner. Marj. went to the Sunday school meeting to-night and I

drove down as soon as I could after tea and Mr. Clarke and I went to the picture show which was rather funny and picked Marj up at Auntys after.

Friday September 9th

Jack Martin came over first thing this morning and told Dad. he wanted both of us to help thrash this after noon, so as Dad. thought we had better try to have them come here next in spite of the fact that we didn't get any manure out, he didn't go back to plough but spent the fore noon clearing up the barn. He asked Jack if we could have his waggon to go down and get a load of coal and Jack said that the box was on it, but when I went over I found the rack was on it and Billy wanted it to put between the two stacks to pitch into the machine from so he helped me take the rack off and put the box on and I got a load of coal but had to unload it again and take the waggon back. This after noon Dad. and I both went over but Dad. didn't have much to do and came home about four o'clock. We had a very slow run as the stuff was very tough and plugged up every little while. We didn't get both stacks quite thrashed out. Still very hot & sultry.

Saturday September 10th

I went over to thrash this morning and Dad. said he would go over as soon as they got started at the big barn. We finished the stack down at the Vyse place in about an hour and moved up to Billy's barn, but Sam got tinkering with the separator and found some thing wrong that he said would take him till noon to fix so Dad. & I came home about ten. We thought they would start up this after noon but kept waiting & watching all after noon and they didn't start so our day was wasted. Proper came over to get Dad. to look at his horse which Dad. says has lymphangitis.

Sunday September 11th

Marj. Tid and I drove down to Sunday school with

Joe this morning and Dad. Enah and Mr. Clarke drove Mexico to church at least Dad. rode as far as the corner and then walked down. It rained last night and the road was muddy. Cecil & Winnie were over for awhile this after noon and then they went with Marj. Mr. Clarke and I down to see the deer and we took a walk around Jack's place and peeked in the windows of the house to see the renovations. It looks very stylish with the hard wood floors and mahogany wood work, the dining room is all panelled in dark wood. We then wandered around the chicken yards awhile. Just as we got back Mr. Barwell drove the Tibbits in all but Dick & Molly. Little Tinker had a great time with Tid. riding on Mexico. Bill Barwell came over after tea to take Enah to church and brought her home after. Mrs. Andrew's has quit the organ so Enah had to play.

Monday September 12th

Mr. Clarke left for home to-day He intends making the trip in easy stages and get there the end of the week. Dad and I thrashed all day at Jack Martin's and finished up there a little after six o'clock. We were stopped quite often as the barley stack was very wet, but Sam got mad at Charlie who was feeding and gave him a calling down eventually and then Charlie was more careful but very peeved and never helped Sam move to night. Arthur Pickford and I carried away and had a very easy time all morning, but had to work a little harder this after noon when the burrs began to fill up. I got some hickory nuts this morning and we spent most of our time eating them and drawing pictures in the granary. Dad. came home at noon and did up the chores and we both came home before supper to-night as we wanted to get the milking done before Sam. moved over here. He came in just as we were finishing and by the time he got in the barn and left, it was about half past eight and we had to have our tea after that. Marj. went down town this after noon, stayed at Aunty's for tea and went to a girl's meeting to-night. I went down to come home with her. I intended to go to band practice to see what they decided about practising from now on, but it was so late when I got down that I didn't go, but heard since that we are going to take a rest for a week or so.

Tuesday September 13th

We had a very steady run to-day, didn't have to stop at all except to change the table from one side to the other and once we had to wait for Alan to bring a tank of water. We finished up soon after dinner Arthur Pickford and I carried away and got 450 bushels of light oats which was all we looked for but the wheat was rather a disappointment as we only got 156 bushels. It looked like such a fine crop before it was cut that we thought it should have been good for at least 200 but there seemed to be a lot of shrunken wheat in it. We finished up about three o'clock and Dad. & I put the little jag of alfalfa that was on the rack in the barn. Sam. left the engine & machine here for a day or so as he wants to go home & put his wheat in.

Wednesday September 14th

Dad. ploughed all day, he didn't get started very early as it looked like rain but it didn't amount to anything. I took Tim. down to school this morning and went on down to Aunty's with some cream, she got me to go over to Uncle Ward's and get a couple of baskets of grapes for her. I spent most of the rest of the day moving in loose straw from around the stack into the barn and got quite a lot in. It was a beautiful moonlight night to night and Marj. & I went for a walk down to Mrs Battersby's place and sat around for awhile down there on the bank overlooking the pond.

Thursday September 15th

I drove Tim to school this morning took some cream to Aunty Alice and went around to the canning factory to show them an ear of our corn and find out if it was ready to pull. Woodyer hardly looked at it but said it was all right. I picked some ears last night and again this morning and was greatly distressed to find every ear had a kind of worm in them eating around the top of the ear. I asked Woodyer about them but he only said "You've got em too" so I guess they can them along with the corn. As soon as I got home I walked over to Charlie Butler's through Tom's & Mark's place and borrowed his waggon & corn

rack, he said if I would bring our waggon over for him to use he could have his as long as we needed it. After dinner Dad. & I took the rack all but the bed piece off the waggon and then I went out and cut a couple of roads through the corn field Marj. had gone out right after dinner and started to pull ears, and Enah went out later, and they pulled about a load and left it in piles while I took the little team over to Charlie's to get the rack. I got back and started to load about four o'clock and quit soon after five although I didn't have quite a load on nor all that was pulled but it was getting fairly heavy for the little team to pull and so late I went with it. I found I had 1620 lbs of a load, and when I got to the factory I had to wait for three or four others to unload who were in ahead of me. Willard Butler came in after I did with a big load of over 2 tons. It was after dark when I got home but Dad had the milking done. He ploughed all the after noon,

Friday September 16th

They wouldn't let me haul any corn to the factory to-day as they are so filled up down there. Mr. Bond told me at first not to bring any down till Monday but when he saw that it was in nice shape to pull, he said Saturday. Dad ploughed all day and I did up the chores and then took the little team back and rolled what was ploughed except on the side hill. The flies were very bad and as I couldn't change the doubletree from the roller to the harrows, it being too thick for the clevice to go over it, I came up early and did up the chores. I had an awful scare to-night and Dad. had a narrow escape from being killed. He was milking Cnocfierna who with next to Bobbie stands next to the far wall of the cow stable. Bobbie's pin had come out of her stantion while I was milking her and she was standing loose. I had finished milking and was halfway across the barnyard when I heard a terrible commotion in the stable and Bobbie & Cnocfierna rushed out. Then I heard Dad. groaning terribly and I thought he was terribly hurt, but when I got to him he was leaning against the wall and covered with mud from head to foot. What

had happened was that Bobbie had got frightened we suppose of Tim & young Charles Aikens who were playing up above in the loft, and backed out suddenly upsetting Dad. & his milk right back of Cnocfierna's heels and stepping on him as she went out. All that racket of course scared Cnocfierna and she surged back and broke her stancion and backed out right on top of poor Dad. I had been washing off their bag so the floor behind them was awfully mucky so that he was a terrible sight but fortunately not seriously hurt but pretty badly bruised. I stayed scared for a long time and when I saw Mr. Charles Aikens I told him to get off the place and stay off.

Saturday September 17th

It rained hard this morning so we didn't go to get a load of corn. It came out very hot after the rain and Dad. and I just did chores and odd jobs, one of which was to get the lambs in and trim them up. We took the team & waggon out to the corn field and got a lot of the stalks and picked up most of the piles of corn that were out there and brought them up here to feed. The bulls seemed to relish the stalks very much. Alan & Sam were up here most of the day tinkering at their seperator.

Sunday September 18th

We had quite an exciting time this morning by the woodshed chimney catching fire. I was getting ready for Sunday school when Marj came in and said the chimney smelt as if it was on fire but when she told the others they didn't pay any attention to her but in a few minutes Enah came in and called me in a very excited voice and I rushed out to find the woodshed black with smoke. I went upstairs and found every thing was all right up there. Enah put some salt on the fire and in a few minutes it died down and no damage was done. Marj. Tim and I went to Sunday school and Dad. & Enah drove down to church Dad. drove Aunty up to church, the first time she has been all summer but she was pretty tired afterwards. Marj.

and I stayed down at Aunty's for dinner and all the after noon. We came home about five and I helped do chores and Marj. got tea as Enah went down to play to-night. Quite a cold breeze all day.

Saturday September 24th

We have been so rushed this last week that I haven't had time or have been too tired to keep the old diary written up so will have to lump the weeks doings and by so doing can just about condense it to "Hauled corn". We have been at it every day but to-day and they wouldn't let us haul to-day as it would mean too big a pile to leave unhusked over Sunday There were two days when we only got down one load a day on account of rain but have hauled two every other day. Enah. Marj & I have been at it pretty steadily picking. Marj. has helped pick every load so far. Aunty Alice came over two days and helped us and got pretty tired. Win came over for a visit one day and we pressed her into the service & Dad picked quite a lot, but has been trying to get as much work as possible on the wheat ground. He finished ploughing the piece west of the little gully and isn't going to try to get any more than that in. I found I couldn't pull a big load out of the field with the little team as Queen wouldn't get down to it and pull like Joe, so I have them been hauling with Harry & Joe & Dad. has been disking & harrowing with Pommers and Queen and once or twice in order to get a real load we put Pommers and Harry on the waggon to haul the load up to the road and then changed Pommers for Joe to haul it to the factory and in spite of the fact that Charlie Butler told me the capacity of the waggon springs was 3000 lbs but that we couldn't overload them with that box we put on 3110 one load but we generally hauled about 2200 and two loads were as small as 1590 and 1640. The corn was coming in to the factory in great quantitys the early part of the week but not nearly so much to-day, and they hope to finish up Tuesday. The weather has been fine except for a couple of showers. No frost yet.

Sunday September 25th

It rained quite hard this morning for a short time so Marj. Tid. and I drove down to Sunday school in the buggy. Enah & Dad. drove Mexico down to church and Dad. drove Aunty up to church. Marj. and I didnt go to church but took Mexico home. We drove up to the Laws as Marj. wanted to see Essie and we went down to Auntys for awhile Aunty Alice was there getting dinner ready as Dad. Enah and Tid stayed there for dinner. I got all I could stand of riding in the cart with Mexico when we got across the bridge so I got out and walked home. Marj. and I had dinner by ourselves and just got through with it when Huby & Lila came over Huby was hungry after the walk so he had something to eat. After I got the bulls & calves watered we all went back to the gully to look for mushrooms and see the cattle & colts. We didnt find any mushrooms that were any good as someone had been there before us. Huby was greatly taken wih the colts. He & Lila just left before Dad. & Tid. got home and they of course were very disappointed to have missed him Tid especially. Enah didn't come home to tea but stayed at her mother's and played to-night in church. The Barwells brought her home afterwards Marj and I worked at the church books to night. We have to get the statements out this week so wanted to get every thing ready. Huby said he and Lila went to church this morning and Lila is very strict with him and gets mad if he doesn't behave himself but she started the talking this morning. They sang "For those in peril on the sea," and Lila asked Huby for whose benefit it was. Huby said "I don't know. The Harding girls were having a little sale yesterday. I guess its on that account." The Hardings did have a sale at which Enah bought half a dozen nice dining room chairs for 10 cts a piece. The Hardings have sold the place to Chart Wooley who is going to establish a dairy plant there and they are going out West to keep house for Harry. The cause of the hymn this morning was the Hobbs' departure for England yesterday. Fine, cool wind

Monday September 26th

Dad. Enah. Marj. and I all went out to put on a big load this morning and took out Harry & Pommers. Marj. didn't feel at all well and had to quit before we got it on. We hauled it up to the drive house with the big team and then I hauled it down to the factory with Queen and Joe and Dad. went back to fill in his ditches with Harry & Pommers. He finished them and didn't get up till half past twelve for dinner. This after noon Marj. didn't go out to pick but Dad. Enah and I put on a big load, 3100. I was pretty late getting it unloaded and then I went up to the Hardings and got the chairs Enah bought at their sale, so I was quite late getting home. Marj. went down with me on the load and stayed at Aunty's for tea as she had to go to a girl's meeting to-night. I drove down after her to-night. Huby and Ada. were there at Aunty's so we stayed for quite awhile and talked or rather listened to Huby talk, and then we brought Ada as far as her place with us. Beautiful day.

Tuesday September 27th

We all four got out in the field this morning to pull corn as this was to be the last day they were going to take it at the factory and we wanted to haul as much as possible. Marj. felt better and wanted to be in on the finish. We put on what we thought was a good big load and hauled it out with Harry & Pommers and down town with Harry and Joe, but when I got down I found I didn't have on quite a ton and a half. Winnie came over for dinner and she helped pull this afternoon and we put on all that we could possibly stick for the last load and we nearly skinned the field all but a few hundred lbs at the far end and the crows had it pretty badly stripped. Marj. went down with me and saw Woodyer weigh it and it came to 3200, the biggest load of all making an aggregate of 16 tons 700 lbs. Marj. went up town to get a registered letter from Dorrie and I picked her up at Aunty's. Win. and Enah drove down in the cart and picked TId up. We are all glad the corn picking is done and think it did well.

Wednesday September 28th

Dad disked crossways all day on the wheat ground but didn't get all over it. He wants to harrow and roll it again before it is drilled I took the little team and Charlie Butler's waggon out and gathered up all the corn stalks that were cut along the roadways so that Bill wouldn't have to drive over them with the corn binder. I piled them along the fence between the corner field and the one the corn is in. This after noon I took the waggon back to Charlie & Marj. went with me to call on Mrs. Butler Charlie wasn't home when we got there but came while I was waiting for Marj. He talked to me for quite awhile and then had me tie the team up and go down to the flats where the corn field was and get some pumpkins to take home. When we came up he was bound I should sit down and hear a few records on the Victrola so we heard Humoresque which Charlie had bought on Mr. Tibbit's recomendation and which he didn't care for at all when he got it, but was getting to like it more the oftener he heard it. Cory said she liked it, she gets so tired of their silly pieces but she could never get tired of that one, then Charlie played one of his silly ones and then Nellie Gray sung by Alma Gluck. We didn't get home till five o'clock or after. There was a rag & bone man drove in just ahead of us and wanted to get enough straw to fill a tick I told him to help himself and he insisted on giving me a quarter for it. Marj. worked pretty steadily all morning and after she got home to-night on the quarterly statements for the church and got them pretty well finished.

Thursday September 29th

Bill Donald came in this morning on his way over to Jack Martin's to tell us that he would be here shortly after dinner to cut our corn, but he got through a little earlier than he expected at Jacks and came over here before dinner. Dad. went back to disk this morning and had a visit from John Wess who promised to come over this after noon and help him, he did come with his disks and three horses and they finished disking. I spent the fore-noon doing chores and cleaning

out the chicken house which I didn't quite finish. This after noon I was out in the cornfield with Bill all the after noon. I had to cut around a few places for him to get through and I had to throw the sheaves away from the headland so that he wouldn't turn on them. As soon as he got the field opened up so that he could use three horses, (he put old Harry in) I started to shock up. He stayed at it till nearly dark and got cut up past the water hole. He was in Brantford yesterday to see Seeley the rupture expert, and was so taken with his efficient methods and peculiar manners with his patients that he had to tell Dad. the whole tale including the most minute details, and then repeat it almost word for word to Wilbur Ryerse when he happened to go past this after noon so that delayed things a little. I had heard of Mr. Seeley before as Dad. consulted him once in Simcoe and told of his extremely rough and vulgar speech but also his frank kind-heartedness and his great knowledge of his business. He told Dad at that time there was only one smarter man at the business that he was and that was his father, but the old man has died since so he told Bill there was just one smarter man in the United States than he was and that was his brother. He knew enough to stay home and be satisfied with $30,000 a year while Seeley was fool enough to want $100,000 and run all over the continent to get it, and Bill judged by the way it was flowing his way yesterday he got it all right. We were surprised this after noon by a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Millman. Paw came up to see about getting apples for his evaporator in Vittoria. They stayed here for tea and went down after to see Aunty & Aunty Alice and brought Marj. back with them, she had been down for tea and to the teacher's meeting. The Millman's stayed here all night. Looks rainy.

Friday September 30th

It was very cloudy and threatening early this morning and about half past six Dad. noticed a perfect rainbow which seemed rather unusual but which we remembered was considered an omen for sailors to beware of a storm, but just barely before seven it began to drizzle. The rain

developed into quite a little storm and came at intervals all morning but cleared up pretty well this after noon, but for awhile after breakfast there was a regular hurricane. It seemed to blow from all quarters and created a great commotion but its fury didn't last long and soon quieted down to an ordinary high wind for the rest of the day. Mr. Millman left about ten o'clock when the storm was pretty well over and went up to Vittoria. Mrs. Millman went down to Aunty's and they stayed there to-night. Tim's delicate state of health prevented him from going out in the rain to-day so he has been home from school again all day. Dad decided we had better clean up our seed wheat this morning so cleaned out the barn and got the fanning mill working. Tom came over this morning to see if he could borrow the mill, the same idea having struck him, so Dad. told him to come over about four o'clock and we would be finished. However he and Mark came over right after dinner so they helped us put ours through and then took the mill, we just cleaned up 11 bags as we thought that would sow it. Bill Donald came back this after noon to cut corn and cut till dark, and has about 50 rows yet to cut. Gint Rankin came over this after noon with seven cats the kind they have at shows and offer premiums of good cigars for knocking one over, three throws for 10 cts. He wanted me to paint cat faces on them, so I got a picture of a cat and did my best, painted a face on both sides of each cat and soaked Yint $1.50. He seemed quite satisfied and started off for Langton where they are holding a fair to-morrow. Quint has been up in Kitchener all week where they were holding some sort of old boy's reunion. Quint is selling hot dogs & cupie dolls.

Saturday October 1st

Bill came over bright and early this morning to finish the corn and I went out with him and took old Harry out. He finished about ten o'clock and left his binder in the yard here as he drove over in his democrat and doesn't know where he will go next with the binder. He is bound to go to the telephone meeting this after noon. The telephone company here is about fixed. They got a grant from the Railway Board to raise their rent

and put on a five cent toll for tallking through different centrals, so nearly all the rural subscribers refused to pay and their 'phones have been taken out, and the subscribers are meeting this after noon. I shocked up as long as Bill was cutting and then came up and did chores till noon. Dad. went back this morning and rolled about half the field and started to harrow. This after noon he took four bags of seed and the drill back and put that much in. I harrowed what was rolled and then rolled a little more. Dad thought by getting that much in we could easily finish Monday. There has been a very high cold west wind all day.

Sunday October 2nd

Marj. Tim & I went down to Sunday school and then to church. Dad. & Enah drove down and drove Aunty up to church. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over here after church Aunty drove over with Dad. Enah & Aunty Alice walked with Marj. & me. Tid went around and got Huby and brought him over to dinner. We just sat around and visited all the after noon and Aunty Alice Marj. and I went and gathered up some hickory nuts. Huby had to go home early but Aunty & Aunty Alice stayed to tea and went down with the Barwells when they came after Enah to take her to church. Marj and I spent most of the evening looking at house plans as we are thinking of building one next Spring out under the hickory nut tree. Feels very much like Fall, high wind & cool.

Monday October 3rd

It rained a little this morning and threatened more so we were late getting back. I took the rest of the seed back and then finished rolling the field this after noon. I put on a jag of wood this morning and brought it up at noon. Dad. drilled nearly all day but couldn't quite finish the field as he ran out of seed. It will take about a bag and a half to finish the field and sow the headlands. Marj. went down to Aunty's for tea to-night and went to the girl's meeting afterwards. I walked down after tea and went up to as Mr. Cornish about the Tuxis Boys. He has never had any thing to do with them but said he would help me any way he could.

Tuesday October 4th

There was a white frost last night, we noticed it on the stable roof but nowhere else. It is the first we have seen although Bill Donald said he had seen it before at his place. There has been a very cold north wind all day and every now and then a driving little drizzle which didnt wet any thing but which was strong enough to make the sheep huddle in a bunch and the colts hump around with their backs to it. I went over to Tom & Mark's this morning to borrow a couple of bags of wheat. Dad thought that as they had the mill they would have some cleaned up, but they hadn't used it yet. They were both out working on their wheat ground but came in and cleaned up a couple of bags for me. I took it right to the back field and Dad. drilled it. I harrowed after the drill and this after noon Dad. ran out the ditches.

Wednesday October 5th

Marj and I struck off this morning on the nine o'clock car to take in the Simcoe Fair. We parted when we reached Simcoe and I went out to the Show Grounds to take part in a Judging Competition and Marj. went to see Miss Hogg and to get a pattern for a dress. We had three classes to judge, sheep, hogs & dair cattle and I didn't place any of them right according to the other judges so of course didn't get any thing. There were eight others judging. I saw Neff up there, he is here picking his apples. I went back to town at noon and met Marj. and we had lunch a very poor one as far as quality went but costly {illegible} down at Gettas' the Greek restaurant. Marj. also bought some cookies which we took to the park and devoured We then went out to the Fair again and poked around among the crowd all the after noon They had a big midway this year and we spent considerable time looking for Quint who was with Gint some where on the grounds with some sort of booth but we couldn't find them. We took a walk through the sheep pens and saw McEwen who told us that things were still pretty dull in the sheep business. There was a big exhibit of Shropshires this year {Belzner?} was there with quite a flock and so had Waterbury. Ham Thompson had

a few up and got 3rd on a ewe and he said she would have got first if she had been fitted. There was a big crowd around Mr. Cantelon's art exhibit and he was selling pictures right and left. When I was up this morning there was some fellow in there that asked me if Mr. Cantelon was dead. I said no that I had seen him that morning but what had caused the mans concern was a white slab that had been used last year in connection with the "Abolish the scrub bull" campaign that had the words "Gone but not forgotten" painted on it and last year had been stuck up over an imaginary grave. To-day they had it parked to be out of the way just at one end of Mr. Cantelon's exhibit. I told the man what it was, so he thought it ought to be turned around so went to do it and came back looking rather amused and whispered " Did you see what is on the other side of it." there lies the scrub Bull." so he didn't turn it, but this after noon there was a newspaper over it. Marj. and I didn't see much of the races and as she got pretty tired we left the grounds in lots of time to catch the five o'clock car and had to wait at the station for quite awhile. We went up to Aunty's when we got to Dover and as Marj felt too tired to walk home she stayed for tea and I drove down after her to-night. It was a fine day but there was a high rather cold wind.

Thursday October 6th

Dad. and I finished cleanin out the ditches in the wheat field to-day. He got some done yesterday and we worked at them this morning and finished this after noon. When we got these done we went out and tied the corn shocks at the end of the field that I had set up and put up quite a few more. When we came up to do chores we found Jack Quanbury & Gordon Steel staying around waiting for Tim to come home. He & Enah were down town and Marj. had gone down to the teacher's meeting. The boys told us that two fellows had been in in a car but they didn't know who they were but Enah said she had seen Ham Thompson down town and he told her he had been here. He wants a man to help fill silo in the morning I walked down to-night to come home with Marj. and as I was too late to go to the meeting I went up

to see Perce Ryerse and got some estimates on building a house. I showed him some plans which Marj. got out of the Pictorial Review and he thought they were very good. We had rather picked on one small house plan which was arranged to save space and was about 20' x 20' on the ground Perce said that if I hauled all the gravel and material for it this winter, he thought he could put it up for between 12 & 15 hundred, in the spring. I went down to Aunty's and Marj. met me there, she had been at Miss McQueen's for tea. Fine but a raw wind.

Friday October 7th

It was raining first thing this morning so that I didn't go up to Ham's but Dad. and I intend driving up and seeing what they were going to do about silo-filling but just as we were ready to go it started in to rain again and has been raining all the after noon. I just did chores this morning and started to do the church books. I worked at them this after noon and practised painting a little. We did the chores up early and Marj. and I went to bed soon after tea to get warm as the house is chilly these days

Saturday October 8th

Dad. & I did up the chores this morning and then drove Queen up to Ham's. He said they were going to fill silo this after noon he thought if the machine got there. We drove down to Aunty's for a minute or two and I carried a couple of plants upstairs for them. They are expecting Walter and Elsie this after noon. Marj. and Tim drove Mexico down and Marj. deposited the church money. Dad. and I did up the chores before dinner and went back and closed the gaps into the wheat field. I went over to Jack's after dinner to see if Jack's men had gone up to Ham's and I ran across Sid and Else who didn't know but who talked chicken to me for a while, so by the time I got started up to Ham's they had started filling. I helped Frank Awde pitch on in the field but the cutter broke down and we were stopped for an hour or more, so didn't get one field quite cleared. It was a nasty day cold with driving little showers every now and then. Jack has sold 15 acres of the back end of the Flemming place to some McMullen another chicken man and they are moving him into the Johnson house this after noon although he intends to hibernate and build in the Spring on his own land.

Sunday October 9th

It rained hard again this morning and made things very sloppy but it cleared off about breakfast and has been sunny and windy all day but not cold. Marj. Tim and I drove Joe down to Sunday school and Dad. and Enah drove down to church with Mexico. Walter Elsie & John were in church. John is a great boy, very quiet, but not bashful and aparently very cheerful. Marj. & I drove home with Joe & Dad. & Tim with Mexico. Enah stayed at her mothers for dinner and went to Vittoria this after noon with the choir They went up to swell the musical part of the harvest home service which the Vittoria congregation held to-day. This after noon Dad. & Tim drove Queen down and took Walter for a short drive around town. Marj. & I went for a walk around by the Upper Pond where Marj. had never been before. We noticed Henry Misener had a nice lot of apples so went in to see if we could get some for Mr. Clark. Henry said we could. {Hazel?} is there with her twins so we had to have a look at them. They are rather a hard looking pair. The female twin doesn't seem to be doing very well for the feed it is getting. The Barwell's brought Enah home after church to-night.

Monday October 10th

It was raining hard when we got up this morning and has kept it up all morning. It cleared off this after noon pretty well. I spent most of the fore noon doing up the church books. Pickford was in to see if he could get a sheep from us to kill. Tom Butler was also here feeling very bue at their financial prospects. Tim couldn't go to school in the rain this morning so Dad drove him down this afternoon. Marj. went down to deposit the church money and stayed down to tea and went to the Girl's meeting to-night. She rode down with Pickford & Arthur who were taking some old hens down to ship and come in here to sell one to Enah. I rode with them as far as Billy Mills and found he had gone up to help fill silo so I started up. Dad. picked me up and we drove as far as the mill and met Billy & Frank Awde coming back as it was too wet to work. I puttered around doing chores and fixing the fence a little in the chicken yard and Dad. drove after Tim at four o'clock. We did the chores up early and to-night I drove down to bring Marj. home and we sat for quite awhile talking to Aunty, Aunty Alice and Elsie. Fine night but doesn't look clear yet.

Tuesday October 11th

I went up to Ham's this morning and we managed to get the silo filled to-day. We had to wait quite awhile this morning for them to get the machine started but then we had a fairly steady forenoon Frank Awde and I were pitching on in the field back by the woods so as there were four teams hauling they kept us pretty busy. It looked very black in the north when we went back after dinner and we just nicely got started to load when a terrific wind got up, it got very dark and eventually started to rain, we finished putting on a fair load and then we got under the waggon for shelter. Whiteside's scotchman was teamster and he turned his team with their backs to the storm. We sat there for some time but as it didn't show any signs of letting up we went up to the barn. I only had a sweater on for extra clothes so got pretty wet and pretty cold. We found the rest of the gang in the barn so we sat around in there till the rain was over. Then Billy Mills, Frank Awde and I went back for another load & just nicely got back when it started up again and rained fairly hard while we were loading. I had my coat on over my damp sweater and so it got soaked. When we came up that time Ham. took my sweater to the house to dry and brought me out a pea-jacket and in the meantime I lay down in the hay with bags around my shoulders. The sun was soon out and back we went again this time with two waggons and when we got them loaded, we had enough to fill the silo but I felt rather tough. To-night Dad. and Enah went over to a party at the Martin's and had a fine time. Dad. was greatly taken with the newly fixed house.

Wednesday October 12th

I intended going down and driving Tim to school this morning and then going on down and getting some lime to white wash the chicken house but Pickford & Arthur came in just as we were going to sit down to breakfast and I had to go and help him catch a ewe, as we promised him one to kill, we got a nice one, weighing 132 lbs and sold it to him for 5 cts a pound. Just as good a ewe as we sold two or three years ago for $35.00. That delayed me so that I couldn't go with Tim, so Dad. drove him to

school and Marj. and I went down later in the waggon so that we could get Jack's sprayer on the way home. We had to get some things up town including a bottle of creatin to put in the whitewash and when we got down to the lake Clare Deal told us they had just sold the last bag of lime that if we had been there at nine o'clock we could have got some, however we met Chris. on the way over and he said they had some we could borrow. It was noon when we went in after the tank but I got {Name?} to help me load it. I felt tough after dinner for quite awhile in fact all the after noon but mixed up some whitewash and about four o'clock got Marj. to help me as Dad. had gone down after Tim. Marj. put on overalls and an old raincoat and came out but although I pumped and pumped nothing happened except that I kept feeling rottener and eventually we quit trying. Dad. tried to make it go but had no better luck than we did. Fine day.

Thursday October 13th

I thought I felt a little better this morning and went down to the corner with Dad. when he drove Tim to school and went down to Martin's to find out why the sprayer wouldn't work. I saw Chris. and he said it probably needed priming and explained how to do it. I came home and primed it and it did work all right then except that a lot of the juice came up through the pump at the piston rod. Dad. fixed that so that it ran back into the barrel so we didn't waste much. Dad. and I sprayed and mixed whitewash the biggest part of the day but we got all the chicken houses well sprayed and took the pump back. Marj. went to a party at Mrs. Jack Martin's this after noon at which Elsie won the bridge prize. Marj. went down to Aunty's for tea and then over to the teacher's meeting. I went down after tea intending to go to a special band practice they were having to get their lips up for Donnybrook Fair on Saturday, but by the time I got to Aunty's I felt too miserable to go on up. Walter came back to-day from Hamilton where he has been as lay delegate to the General Synod, but as he, Aunty Alice and Elsie were up at Cousin Bessie's I didn't see him as I felt to tough to wait and Marj. and I came home soon after she got down from bible class. Lovely day.

Friday October 14th

I haven't done any thing much all day except feel rather tough although not as tough as if I had moved around more. Marj. went down about eleven and brought Aunty, Aunty Alice and little John over in the cart and Walter and Elsie walked over and arrived at the same time. They were here most of the after noon and little John seemed to have a fine time seeing the little pigs and other animals and picking up chestnu hickory nuts. Aunty Alice went down a little earlier than the rest as they thought there was a possibility of Vernon coming but she didn't. Marj. took the others down before tea. It was a beautiful day, breezy but mild.

Saturday October 15th

I felt quite a lot better to-day but not quite up to the mark yet. We didn't got the sheep all up this fore-noon and picked out 11 of what we considered the best ewes and put them over in the other field with old Archie. We also picked out the six best ewe lambs and marked them. The others we will sell if we can, but the sheep market is very poor, in fact so is any livestock market, and buyers are scarce. This after noon Dad. and I went out and set up four more rows of corn shocks. I didn't work very hard at it The band went to Donnybrook Fair this after noon but I sent them word that I couldn't go. I went down to-night to a meeting of theTuxis boys but there were only three out, it being the first of the season. Walter Elsie and little John left to-day. Another beautiful day

Sunday October 16th

Marj. and I celebrated our first anniversary to-day. Enah made a double decked cake and stuck one candle in it. Tim. gave Marj. some handkerchiefs and Aunty and Aunty Alice gave her a box of notepaper this being a paper wedding day according to Aunty. We went to church and sunday school this morning and stayed at Aunty's for dinner and all the after noon. This was harvest home service in the church and they had it beautifully decorated Doc. and Mrs. Lemmon sang a duet. Mr. Cornish had sent out a circular letter containing an invitation to attend the service and to offer a thank

offering which was to go towards wiring the church and Sunday school for Hydro. We didn't get one but several Methodists did, anyway the people responded very well. Marj. and I counted the money to-night and the special collection ammounted to $252.55 besides the regular collection in the duplex envelopes. They figure they will need 350 or $400 to wire the building, so they are going to spoil things by having a social to make up the necessary ammount. Bill Barwell took Enah down to church to-night and brought her home, soon after church Mark came in with his car and took Enah. Marj. & me for a drive to Simcoe and back.

Monday October 17th

Dad. and I finished shocking up the corn to-day. It has got pretty well bleached out from lying out to the weather so long but there is a lot of good feed in it yet. We expected to have to go over to help Jack fill his silo to-day but they never sent after us and they had a record run for over there, finishing up about five o'clock. We got through with the corn early and got the chores done early. Marj. went down town for tea and this evening went to the Girls' Auxillary. I went down to band practice but met the Tuxis boys first over in the sunday school to arrange for a feed next Saturday night. I also went over to see Mr. Cornish about it for awhile. His freind John Dunn was there and he said he would come over and help things along.

Tuesday October 18th

I told Dad. yesterday that Marj and I wanted to go after chestnuts some day as last year was the first we had missed a trip to Charlotteville in quest of nuts for seven years and the horoscope decreed that we should miss the seventh year as we had other nuts to crack and we explored the wilds of Haliburton instead, but we didnt want to miss again this year so Dad. suggested that we go to-day. Marj. made a lunch up and we set off with Joe and the old buggy, the same outfit we have always used and which has meant more downright good times and happiness to us two than all the super-sixes and baby-grands or tin-lizzies that were ever made meant to any one. In fact old Joe & that

old buggy seem so closley affiliated with that deep down happy spot, that we both know in our lives that it sometimes seems that if it had not been for them it would not be there, but this isn't writing diary. We set off at nine o'clock and wended our way to Normandale stopping on the Turkey Point road to eat our lunch. There were no chestnuts in sight there from the road, so we went back after dinner to a wood above Fisher's Glen that we noticed we could drive into and where we saw some trees. I missed the turn above Normandale and we drove through Spookey Hollow and there had to drive back again towards the Glen to find the woods. When we got there we found the trees in the woods were no good for nuts although there were piles of burrs under them where the squirrels had been working but in a field opposite were three old wrecks of trees and they proved a great find, their burrs were wide open and as there was a high wind the ground was thick with nuts and we soon got all we wanted. We came right home from there and got here before six. We had a fine time the best yet although the wind was strong and it threatened rain several times but merely threatened. Huby & his freind who is here taking his place while he takes a holiday, Mr. Farnsworth, were over here for tea and this evening Mr. Farnsworth entertained us with his singing. He had been telling Huby what a great singer he was especially for sacred music and Huby said he thought from what he told him he was a regular "Prima Donna". He told us during tea about his choir so we were looking for something wonderful however he didn't prove to be anything out of the common except that he had a rather harsh voice and no more expression than a fence post. Cecil, Winnie & Lila all came over for the evening. Mid Thompson came over in the midst of our concert and took Mr. Farnsworth down to clear the "Louise" as it was getting rather rough and she wanted to start for Buffalo, but he brought him back before long. Cecil and Dad. sang one of his songs "The Big Bass Viol" during his absence, better than he did.

Wednesday October 19th

Dad. and I didn't do much but chores this morning he went back and brought the team up but had

to make two trips as the colts and Pommers wouldn't follow the first time. He brought Belle up and we trimmed her feet. Bill Sidway came over after a ram, we only had one ram lamb left and Bill was rather dubious about taking him as he was small but a very blocky little fellow. We persuaded him to take him and try him so we caught him and shut him up as Bill didn't want to take him in the buggy so in about half an hour he was back with the waggon and a crate. He gave me $9 for him if he will do. This after noon Dad. got the mower out to cut down seed but it began to rain as he was hooking up that he had to come in and it rained hard nearly all the after noon. I spent most of the time lettering a card for Dad. to mount his 10 ct bet on that he won from Harry Moon at Pinafore concert.

Thursday October 20th

It was too wet to do much here this morning so we went down town to get a load of slates as Dad found out from {Draper?} that we could. Howey told us they were $1.50 a load so we hauled one load this morning and two more this after noon. Marj. went down with us this morning to get Molly to help her with the boys supper on Saturday night, she didn't come home for dinner so when we put on the first load this after noon I went down to Aunty's to see if she was expecting a ride home but she said she would walk. I waited there till I thought Dad. would be back for the next load and then went up, but he wasn't there yet so I went on over and talked to Quint for awhile. He was {siding?} the back wood shed. Huby went to Turkey Point for a day or two to-day. Dad. and I didn't get home till after five and then we noticed the horses in on the wheat so had to go back and put them out and it was well after dark when we got the milking done. We did the other chores after tea and spent about an hour sorting out the chickens after Dad. and Tid. helped me catch them. Cold & drizzly

Friday October 21st

I went over to Jack's this morning and sold him my cockrels, all he would give me was $2.00 apiece but I came home with a couple of crates and put in 26 some of which I thought he would cull out but he didn't although he said he thought he

would have to kill about half of them. He paid me for the old hens he got in July and for some eggs so I got a cheque for $83.1{4?}which I thought wasn't so bad. He gave me $1.20 apiece for the hens & 60 cts a doz for the eggs. I went on down town from there and got some chairs that Aunt Ida had promised to Enah and which were at Aunty's. This after noon Dad. and I had to go and fix a piece of fence that had either blown down or been pushed down between the gully & the new seeding on the wheat stubble and the cattle were all on there. We then took the waggon out and piled on all the loose corn stalks we could. Enah went down to the Cornish's for tea to-night and then to choir practice.

Saturday October 22nd

Dad. went down first thing this morning to get Joe shod. I was supposed to go out to Charlie Quanbury's to thrash at nine o'clock but as Hugh McQueen was coming over with the new stove I had to wait and help lift it in. It is a Doherty and looks like a fine one. I then went over to Charlie's and got there just as they were ready to start We thrashed his red seed about a bag out before dinner and started on the alfalfa. Chris came out in his car and took the gang all except Tom, Harvey Evans & me over to John Quanbury's for dinner and Charlie drove out again in the hay rack. We stopped off at home for dinner. We thrashed alfalfa which didn't ammount to much and five loads of alsike this after noon and finished about five o'clock. I came home and helped Dad. milk had a little tea and went down to the Tuxis boys supper. Marj. & Lila were there looking after things assisted by several of the boys. Mr. Cornish & John Dunn came in for tea Mr. Cornish spoke to the boys and Mr. Dunn played a little for us but they had to leave early to meet a freind. Manning came down about nine and kept things moving till about half past ten. By that time Marj. was so tired that we went down to Aunty's and stayed all night. They were in bed when we got there but got up to fix our bed. Pickford came over this after noon and killed a ewe for us. Irene was here for tea. I made Arthur hopping mad at me this after noon by getting into a scuffle with him and sitting on him & slapping him. I didn't mean to make him so sore but he swears {illegible}

Sunday October 23rd

I got up before five this morning and came home and did up the chores. Marj. stayed at Auntys for breakfast. As there was children's service in church to-day there was no regular Sunday school but they all met there and went over to the church. The choir consisted of children and Nancy Dyer sang a solo. Bill Barwell read the lesson and a couple of boys took up the collection In the midst of it Mr. Cornish christened Bill. Wamsley's baby. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner to help celebrate Quint's birthday. Quint was there and had half a dozen very gaudy Cupie dolls with which he decorated the sideboard much to Aunty Alice's horror. He played his phonograph for us most of the after noon. We came home fairly early so as to get the chores done and let Dad. get away to attend church with the masons as they all went in a body to-night. Cecil and Winnie were over here to tea and spent the evening but left before Dad. & Enah got home. They went up to Doc. Lemmons to practice some song for the reception they are giving Mr. Cornish Tuesday night.

Monday October 24th

I started to dig potatoes this morning but about ten o'clock Dad. came out with the mower and wanted to trade jobs so I cut clover seed for the rest of the day and got the piece south of the mangels cut. Our old mower is pretty rattly and Frank had it wired up but it seemed to be getting looser so at noon we took it up and Dad. went down and borrowed {Proper's?} It went better although it had a broken section in it. Dad. got over two rows of potatoes dug but didn't pick them up as it doesn't feel like frost to-night. Marj. went down with the church money this after noon and stayed at Aunty's for tea and then went to the girls meeting I went down after tea and charted Andrew Lowe and then went to band practice. Nice day

Tuesday October 25th

I started to cut the piece of clover seed north of the mangles this after noon morning and nearly finished by noon. The old mower bothered considerably the first few rounds when the grass was tough and I couldn't get any speed out of the old team but Dad. got me a {goad} and things went much better after that.

This after noon Dad. finished cutting the seed and Marj. and I picked up the potatoes that were dug. Mrs. Percy & Bessie Patterson were over to see Marj. this after noon but didn't. Mr. Johnson the horse enthusiast was also in to have a look at Josie. We were entertaining faint hopes that she might raise us another colt and Mr. Johnson was as anxious to see it aparantly as we were as he admires Joe's build so much, but it is beginning to look now as if our hopes were vain. Enah Marj. and I went down to the reception for Mr & Mrs Cornish to-night. The Sunday school was full to overflowing. Cousin Willie was chairman and he, Mr. Barwell, Jack Martin, Dr. Cook, Col. Smith, W.J. Thompson & Sam Morris all made rather silly speeches, the flattery of which must have made Mr. Cornish feel queer, he replied to them and didn't seem to be enjoying himself much. Then we had coffee & cake. Marj. and I took Mrs. Wood to the affair and afterwards Dick Tibbitts brought us home in his car. Mr. Farnsworth invited himself to sing and Molly & Doc. & Mrs. Lemmons also sang according to pre-arrangement though.

Wednesday October 26th

Dad. went down this morning and took Tid. to school then went on down to say good-bye to Aunty Alice who left on the nine o'clock car for Hamilton to stay for a couple of days with Cousin Clare Herring. Enah brought Aunty over here to-night to stay till Aunty Alice gets home. I raked up the clover seed that was cut first this fore noon and this after noon we bunched it and hauled one load in. It cleared about half the part that was raked up. Dad. had a lot of trouble this morning with a couple of yearlings that got through some way into the corn, he got them out of that but couldn't drive them into the gully or the lane. This after noon they were in the corn again and about four o'clock disappeared and we don't know where they are but think they are over at Pickford's. This after noon Billy & George got into the wheat and Dad. went over to put them out George attempted to jump the barbed wire caught on the top and threw himself scratching his breast quite badly and breaking the fence but Dad. said he wasnt really hurt much. Cold wind

Thursday October 27th

Dad. & I went over to Pickfords first thing this morning and found our two yearlings were with his cattle so with his help we drove them down the road and into the gully. We then came home and put off the load of clover seed and got another one, all that was raked up, on and off before dinner. Joe Field was over to ask Dad about a sick cow but didnt delay much. I went out right after dinner and raked up the clover seed north of the mangels and Dad. came out when he got the chores done and cocked about half of it up. When I finished raking I hooked on to the waggon and we put on what Dad. had cocked which wasn't quite a load. It was about half past four when we got to the barn and then Marj. and I went down and got a lot of plants from Miss McQueen. They are getting all ready for their sale on Saturday. Marj. stayed at the Bagley's for tea and went to the Bible study class to-night. I went down after tea to chart a couple more boys but they didn't show up. Marj. and I went up to the Bagley's for awhile. It was very mild all day & raining to-night.

Friday October 28th

It didn't rain much last night but we couldn't do any thing with the clover seed so I went down and got a load of coal as Clare Deal sent word over yesterday that there was a car in. I went over first and saw Billy Mills and borrowed their waggon as we can't use our old one. I went on down and saw McMullen and he said he would be over next week to buy a couple of ewes. When I got down town nearly to the track I met Harve Leany and he told me I would have to go to the canning factory to weigh as the scales were broken at the coal office, that delayed things and I didn't get home till nearly noon. This after noon I went down and got another load and then took the waggon back. Pickford came over after dinner and got another ewe for $6.50. Aunty & Marj. planted out a lot of the things we got from Miss McQueen. This after noon they all went over to the Martins. Dad. and Enah went down to choir practice to-night and I spent part of the evening cutting an ugly face in a pumpkin for Tid's benefit. It has been a beautiful day, very mild, fog to-night.

Saturday October 29th

I took Aunty back home first thing this morning after breakfast as Aunty Alice came home on the 11 o'clock car and Aunty wanted to have the house warmed up when she got home. When I got home Dad. and I put off the load of clover seed that was on the barn floor and went out and got a small load of corn stalks. We gathered up all the loose ones and a couple of shocks that were down. We put them off before dinner. This after noon Dad went out and bunched up what was left of the clover seed. I helped him as soon as I got the chores done. We went out about four o'clock to load it. We cleared the field but it took a lot of running around and we didn't get in till nearly six. Marj. & Enah went down town this after noon and Marj. intended going to Miss McQueens sale but there was such a crowd she didn't go. I went down to a Tuxis meeting to-night and we initiated Andrew Lowe. I then went up to Harry Dyer's and got my hair cut. They say the mill (Penman's) is going to close for an indefinite time for lack of orders, so the shadow of events that destroys the world intrude even here. Business all over is in a chaotic state and it looks as though the world was in for hard times this winter.

Sunday October 30th

Marj. and I went to sunday school and church and Dad and Enah drove down to church. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over here for dinner but I drove them home before tea. Uncle Ward and Harry Moon were in for awhile this after noon. We did the chores up early and Marj and I went down to church to-night with the Barwell's when they came after Enah. John Dunn read the first lesson to-night and Bill Barwell the second and they did very well. Marj and I did the collection to night, but didnt enter it. It has been lovely weather this last week very mild & no frost to hurt yet

Monday October 31st

It rained a little during the night so Dad had to take Tid to school I did chores while he was gone and when he came back we put off the load of clover seed and took the rack off the waggon and put the box on, then before dinner we cleared out the cellar ready to put the mangles in. This after noon we hauled mangles and got in two loads, two rows to a load, but didnt put the last load off. Marj. went down town this afternoon

to bank the church money and intended going to a women's political meeting which was being held in Meighen's interests but she didnt find anyone to go with so stayed away. I went down to band practice to-night, there werent many out owing to Hallowe'en gathering I suppose. {Merit?} Walker was having a dance in the hall and there was a big crowd there. I went up to Cousin Bessie's to bring Aunty Alice home safely but we didn't run across any depredations. It was a year ago to-night that she nearly broke her neck on the fence across the sidewalk by John Shand's. It has been a beautiful day no wind and fairly hot.

Tuesday November 1st

There was a decided change in the weather during the night and it has rained steadily all day to-day with a high north & north east wind turning colder. Dad. took Tid to school this morning and I did chores and Marj & I trimmed the gladioli corms and got them ready to put away. Dad. cleaned up the barn floor and we put through a few oats before dinner and cleaned the dirt & a lot of the light oats out. They had quite a weight to them as if they had been through the mill. I didnt do any hing but chores this after noon. Alan Law came and got the clipping machine to clip one of his horses. Dad. took off the screen doors and put a fire in the hall stove as they expected Huby & Mr. Farnsworth Aunty & Aunty Alice over to-night but as it was such a bad night none of them came. Dad. went down at four o'clock and drove Tid. home. He went down to see if Aunty would come over and she was half inclined to but they both thought the weather was too bad. Marj. & I sat out in the hall all evening and enjoyed the coal stove warmth and I laid out a showcard lesson

Wednesday November 2nd

It froze quite hard during the night or this morning but the sun came up bright and it has been a fine day but a little colder than we have been having It was a little too wet to work at the roots first thing. Dad. drove Tid. to school while I was doing chores and then I went over to Henry Miseners to see if he had saved me the apples I had spoken for, but as I expected he hadn't and as

I think everyone elses apples are disposed of I am afraid I wont be able to get Mr. Clarke's barrels filled. We got notice yesterday that they had come Dad. put the load of mangles off while I was gone. This after noon Marj. and I went down town in the waggon right after dinner and got the barrels and the fleece of wool that {Name?} shipped to the exhibition and which won fifth prize. It has evidently been at the station for some time Marj. went on up town but I came straight home, stopping for a minute at Uncle Ward's to get some cabbage and help him retreive his gate which the boys had thrown into Down's orchard on Hallowe'en night. When I got home Dad. & I put on another load of mangles a small one and four bags of potatoes which he had bagged up and got them up and unloaded. Marj walked home. To-night we had a call from Mr. & Mrs. Tom. Butler.

Thursday November 3rd

Dad. didn't take Tid to school this morning and as soon as we got the chores done we went back and put on a load of mangels and got them off before dinner Marj. went down after the Hardings this morning and brought them over in the cart for dinner. They expect to leave soon for B.C. where they are going to keep house for Harry. It started in to rain soon after dinner and kept it up pretty much all the after noon so we didn't go back for another load. Dad drove Queen down after Tid and took the Miss Hardings with him. I didn't do much but a few chores and block the holes in the chicken yard and make a trough for them. Cold.

Friday November 4th

It started to rain soon after we got up this morning and has kept it up steadily all day, part of the time raining hard, but it has not been so cold and to night there is a very high wind. We havent done any thing outside to-day but chores and Dad. took and went after Tid. Marj. drove part way down town with Dad. and walked on down to see if she could get some apples from old Maneer for her Dad. She didn't see him but Miss Maneer told her she could. She walked home. I spent most of the day painting a show card lesson. Marj. spent the evening telling me Barnaby Rudge which she read the other day.

Saturday November 5th

It has been cloudy and raw all day but didn't rain so Dad. and I got in two more loads of mangels and put them down cellar in pretty good shape. Marj. and Enah drove down with Mexico this after noon to wish Aunty Alice a happy birthday and Marj. stayed down and went to a tea party at Bessie Paterson's in Marj.'s honor. Mr. Cornish was over this after noon for a few minutes ro give Enah the numbers of two of Canon Scotts hymns which he wanted for the soldiers service tomorrow I went down to a Tuxis boys meeting and met Marj. at Huby's Aunty & Aunty Alice were there having been there for tea to celebrate Aunty Alice's birthday

Sunday November 6th

Marj. Tid and I went down to Sunday school and and Dad & Enah drove Queen down to church. It was supposed to be church parade for the vetrans and about 26 were in church but there should have been twice that number. Sam Morris got the thing up and invited them in an offhand way so that a great many didn't come. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and most of the after noon Glad Law invited us up there for tea so I went home early to do the chores up and Marj went and called on the McQueen's before she went to the Laws. Dad thought it would make the milking too early if we did it before tea so we let it go and didn't milk at all. Marj. and I had a very nice tea and evening at the Law's and then as it was raining hard when we came away we went down and stayed at Auntys all night. Cold & cloudy, snowed a little

Monday November 7th

I didn't get over till seven this morning, as I overslept, so by the time I got my clothes changed Dad. had finished milking. We got in two more loads of mangels to-day and there is still about one load out there. Enah has been down looking after her father all day as he has had a bad attack of neuralgia but is better to-day. This was Thanksgiving day and Tid has had Billy Cornish over all day to play with him. They make a lively pair and Marj. had a lot of fun with them. Nanny, Gordon Zealand and young Vallance

went through here to-night armed with shot-guns. They have spent what I suppose they call an ideal holiday unless it would have come nearer perfection if they had had more than the two rabbits which bulged the back of Nanny's coat to show for their tramp. Cloudy and raw.

Tuesday November 8th

Dad. took the big team and started to plough in the corner field this morning and I hooked the little team to the waggon and took Mr. Clarke's barrels down to old Maneer and he promised to ship them to-morrow. I left some oats at the mill for chop on my way down and went back that way to get them but had to wait a long time for them. When I got home I went out and got three shocks of corn (all I could pile on the waggon) and hauled them into the barn. It turned out a very rough after noon and Dad. and I just did chores. I had intended getting in the rest of the mangels but it started in to snow about noon and this after noon developed into a heavy snowfall and to-night the ground is covered several inches deep with it still storming. Marj went down with the church money soon after dinner and stayed at Aunty's for tea going to the girl's auxillary to-night. I walked down after tea and as it was such a stormy night we both stayed at Aunty's all night. Old Dover looks to-night like old Mrs. Newrich with a new set of jewels as she is gorgeously illuminated with the Hydro Electric which was turned on this after noon. It is hard to judge just how grand they are to-night as the snow makes the night quite bright any way, but it is like being in a lighted room in the immediate vicinity of the lights. They are placed high upon the poles and make the few gas lamps of which we were once so proud and which are now nearly all out of commission look like puny candles in comparison. That the latter are still lighted is a great source of grief to Aunty Alice who considers it a shameful waste of gas when it is so scarce. Dad found the black & white heifer out back of the barn with a calf this morning.

Wednesday November 9th

We are having an early taste of real winter weather, but are hoping it is only the squaw

variety to be followed by the Indian Summer. It froze ice in the woodshed last night and we have been wading around in snow all day. It has been cloudy and either snowing or raining sleet all day so to-night the snow has a crust on it. I came home from Aunty's this morning about seven o'clock and shovelled their snow for them before I left. I was home in time to do chores. After breakfast I drove Tim to school and drove on down to Aunty's and picked Marj. up. We haven't done anything all day but chores but they have taken more time as we had to find everything. Pickford came in after dinner with our cream cheque as Lampkins forgot to leave it. We was telling Dad. that he had a fat cow to sell that would weigh about 1200 and he asked Neil Eliot $45 for her, but Neil told him he couldn't give half that and make any money on her. Probably he was lying but he didn't buy her. It seems rather tough when a couple of years ago she would have been worth well over $100. There is mighty little money in farming these days but still it is better than being out of a job in the city. There is no need to go hungry here. Mark was through here this after noon. He had been up home over Thanksgiving and left his Ford up there. He was moralizing as usual and informed me that happiness did not depend on external conditions but was a state of mind. Charlie Butler was happy because he was content to live on small means and keep a good driving horse, but what he (Mark) craved was excitement. I asked him why he didn't go to town and start something, but he said it was not vulgar rough-neck excitement he wanted but something refined and cultured, such as an afternoon tea. I told him I thought they were the tamest affairs I had ever attended, but he said no not where sparkling wits were matched and duets were fought by brains. Dad. and Enah went down to Auntys for tea to-night so Marj. Tid and I had the house to ourselves this evening. The Cornishs and Huby were down at Aunty's too.

Thursday November 10th

The sun came out beautifully this morning and warmed us up but it clouded up before noon. It has been very soft all day though and is trying to rain to-night. There is still snow all over and the walking is very bad while the roads are in some places next thing to impassable. Dad. drove Tid. to

school this morning then fed up the cattle and drove Enah down town to get some meat. I did chores and cleaned up the old barn floor. This after noon Enah and Marj. went to a party at Ada's, and Marj. went on down and had tea at Auntys then went with them to the Bible Class. Dad. and I hauled out the stuff I cleaned off the barn floor and dumped it in the lane then I went on out and got a shock of corn to feed to-night while Dad. went after Tid. Old Pommers got feeling gay when I was coming in with the corn and kicked over the tongue and skinned his leg a little. To-night I went down to band practice but went around to the Bible Class for a little while first. After band practice I went down to Aunty's where Marj. was waiting for me but as the walking was so bad and Marj. felt so miserable with her cold we stayed down there all night.

Friday November 11th

I came home early this morning and got here before Dad. had gone out to do chores. Marj. stayed down to go to the service Mr. Cornish held at a quarter to eleven to observe Armistice Day. She came home before dinner. Dad. and I spent the day doing chores and gathering up the snow fences to put around the stack but didn't have time to fasten them up. We also brought in some more corn stalks. Tid has a bad cold and didn't go to school to-day. To-night Dad and Enah went down to choir practice. The Washington Conference on the Limitation of Armaments is supposed to start to-day. There seem to be great differences of opinion regarding the outcome of it. In spite of the fact that Harding issued a warning not to expect too much right away, a great many people are looking forward to the millenium starting in right away. Mr. Cornish is very hopeful that some thing wonderful will come of it especially if the public aid with their prayers. There are others, skeptics, who try to point out that it is no new idea and that this conference will be as helpless to cope with the spirit of militarism as the others have been, while about all the hope that is held out by the Americans is the opinion that for now the only move will be to scrap the old types and obsolete warships but not make any changes

in the present building programme, and the Japs British and Americans are building some ships which surpass anything yet planned in the way of deadly destructiveness. It seems to me that the most hopeful sign is fact that all the strongest nations are going to meet at one table and appear to have a desire for peace while I don't believe public sentiments were ever quite so much aroused and popular opinion more decidely opposed to preparations for war.

Saturday November 12th

Dad and I put the snow fences up around the stack this morning. Five of them didn't quite reach all the way around so Dad. made a short panel out of slabs and put in. If the cattle dont break them they should be plenty of protection and enable us to save the straw for most of the winter. This after noon I didn't do any thing much except chase the colts out of the orchard. They seem possessed to get in to some sort of mischief Dad. spent most of the after noon fixing the fence they broke between the horse stable and the barn. Marj. Enah & Tid walked down town this after noon. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to night and Oliver announced an impromptu debate. They chose the resolution that steel ships were better than wood and argued at great length on the subject finally winding up with a tie. Mild day but freezing hard to-night.

Sunday November 13th

It froze very hard last night but was a lovely morning. It soon clouded up and has been raw all day. To-night the wind has moved around to the south and is much softer but still raw We all went down to church this morning & Marj. Tid and I went to Sunday school. Marj & I came home for dinner, the others staying down at Auntys The Miss Hardings are down there and Aunty Alice thought it would be Dad's last chance to see them before they went west. I spent the whole after noon doing chores. Pickford was over this after noon and again later when Dad. was home. His mare has a touch of lymphangitis and he wanted to ask Dad. about her. Enah stayed down to tea to-night and Jack Walker brought her home after church. Mark was in to-night.

Monday November 14th

Dad. drove Tid. down to school this morning and took Enah down to her father's. He has been quite sick with neuralgia and had to have a couple of {illegible} to-day. I spent most of the fore noon doing chores. Art. and Charlie Quanbury came over to borrow the waggon and hog rack. Dad. went out when he came home and bagged up some of the potatoes that were in the field in piles, and after dinner I went out with him and finished the job, then we got Charlie Quanbury to haul them up when he came back with the waggon Dad. drove down after Tid and Enah but Enah walked home before he found her. Marj. went down right after dinner and stayed at Auntys for tea & went to the Girls Auxillary to-night. I went down to band practice to-night and we both stayed at Auntys all night. The band boys got paid off for the summer concerts to-night. I drew nine dollars.

Tuesday November 15th

Dad drove Tid down this morning and I did chores About eleven o clock we went out with the team and put on a load of mangels we thought we could haul up all that were left out there in one load but found we couldn't so didn't haul a very big one this time and put it off before dinner. The parts of the mangels that stuck above ground have been frozen through but they seem fine. We don't know how they will keep so we put them in the barn to feed up right away. Marj. came home about eleven and Enah went down town right after dinner to see her father. Dad. had to go down to the bank to renew one of Frank's notes so he drove her down He got back as I was putting in the last of the second load of mangels so went up to the barn with me and then had to go after Tim I unloaded them. Enah had a letter from Marion Sutherland to-day, she is in Ireland. Much milder.

Wednesday November 16th

Dad got started ploughing again this morning and got in a fair day although he didn't get a very early start as the colts were over east of the orchard and we had to get them back. We turned them and the cattle on the field where the mangels were and the cattle have spent most of the time eating the mangel tops. I chased them off once but they wouldn't stay. It doesn't

seem like very first class feed for them but maybe it wont hurt them. I spent most of the forenoon doing chores but went out about eleven and opened some ditches for Dad. and then came up and dug the dahlias. This afternoon I chored around and cleared up the dahlia tops and put the roots in a crate and went out and dug a few potatoes, besides doing a few other odd jobs. Marj. went down town this after noon and to-night feels tough with a headache. Much milder to-day. Sunny this morning, turning cloudy.

Thursday November 17th

We got a good early start this morning and Dad. got a good day's ploughing in. I did up the chores this morning and then went out and dug all the potatoes I could carry up in a bag and a pail. I couldn't dig any and leave them out there on account of the cows. There are a lot of nice ones out there but in places it is too wet to dig them and I am afraid they will rot. I didn't do any thing much this after noon but chores as it drizzled and rained most of the after noon. Marj went down town this after noon and I went down later and we had tea at Auntys. I was late for tea as just about dark Schyler brought two fellows in to buy sheep. It is so long since we have seen anyone on an errand of that kind that I felt very rejoiced and sold them eight seep at $10 apiece. The fellow was Death of the Syndicate farm at Simcoe. He wants them bred and I am to deliver them in a month. The price is low compared to former years but is away ahead of butcher's which is 3 cts per pound. To-night I went with Aunty, Aunty Alice & Marj. to the Bible Class.It was very interesting. Cousin Willie was there and he & Mr. Cornish held a long discussion afterwards concerning various points of belief which was also entertaining.

Friday November 18th

I got Dad's team harnessed for him before breakfast this morning but it started to rain soon after so he couldn't do any thing at the ploughing all day. We just did chores and odd jobs all day. We cleaned up a few oats this morning but didn't get at it this after noon. Tim. was sick in bed all day, and Dad.

read to him quite awhile. Enah went over to Mrs. McLaughlin's to a bridge party this after noon and Marj. went over about five o'clock and had tea I went over about six with the lantern to meet them as it was very dark and waited out by the cook-house till the party was over.

Saturday November 19th

Dad. went out and ploughed this morning. I did up the chores and went out about ten o'clock to open some ditches in the corn field. I ploughed for Dad. while he went over to look at Pickford's mare This after noon it rained nearly the whole time Tom. Butler came through on his way to town and he helped us put the sheep in the colony yard and Dad. & I picked out the ones for Mr. Death. We could only get six young ewes from the ones we culled out so we had to put in a couple of our own flock and we put in the two old ones 17 & 18 which are good ones in to replace them. We got pretty wet working with them. Aunt Hattie from New York came this morning for a few days. Enah went down this after noon to see her. Marj. & I went down to-night. She went to Miss McQueen's & I to the Tuxis meeting.

Sunday November 20th

Marj and I went down to Sunday school & church and stayed for dinner at Aunty's. We came home soon after dinner so as to let Dad. go down to see Aunt Hattie but he thought it wasn't worthwhile so didn't go down till to-night. He and I had quite a time with Wilkins this after noon. The heavy chain that we had around his neck had worn or sunk right into his neck and sort of grown fast. It was a horrible mess and of course very sore and it was with great difficulty that we were able to hold him and get the chain out. Enah went down to church to-night. Fine & sunny but cold wind

Monday November 21st

Dad got in a good day ploughing to-day. I did up the chores this morning and then went back and dug all the best potatoes about two bags and got them pretty well all off the sand knoll. I brought one bag up in the wheel barrow but it was very heavy wheeling so I carried the next one upon my shoulders which was easier but it got pretty heavy before I reached the house. Enah wanted to go down to see

Aunt Hattie before she left and show Tid. to her so I hooked Joe up for her this morning and she went down to dinner. Mexico is getting past the stage where he can lug the cart through the mud. Marj. went down right after dinner and stayed down to tea. I spent most of the after noon moving the hay back over in the big barn to fix a pen for the lambs which we want to put in and feed a little before we sell them. To-night I went down to band practice. It has been fine and mild to-day

Tuesday November 22nd

I was late getting up this morning and Dad. had the milking nearly done when I went out He felt very miserable he said and didn't eat any breakfast but went out to plough. I went out about ten o'clock when I got things done up and he felt worse so came up to the house and has hardly raised his head all day. He says all his bones ache and his head aches. I ploughed all day and learned more about the ancient art to-day than I ever did before. I made two strikes and two finishes and although they are anything but beautiful, they are my first attempts so there is some excuse. I did the chores up alone to-night and it was pretty late when I got through. Cloudy all day

Wednesday November 23rd

Dad. has been better to-day but hasn't felt like doing much although he helped me milk to-night. I got up at five this morning and was able to get a fair start at ploughing after doing up everything. I ploughed all day and I believe made a slight improvement in my work. Marj. went over to the Pickford's this afternoon and presented them with the two small kittens belonging to the house cat. I had to take time this morning to chase the ewes which we had west of the lane out of the field by the old garden as they have found holes under the gully fence to get through. At noon I had to chase old Gladys out of the corn field. She goes out there every day now and roots around the shocks for little ears. If she can't get out through the field she goes all the way around by the road. She has the fence at the north end of her yard broken down and we haven't had a chance to fix it yet. Cloudy & damp. Freezing all the after noon

Thursday November 24th

Dad. has felt much better to-day and would have ploughed this morning but it was such a miserable fore noon he didn't go out and we just did chores and odd jobs. The ground froze last night but turned softer in the night and rained or drizzled most of the morning. Dad went out and ploughed this after noon and I just did chores. Marj. went down this afternoon and stayed at Miss McQueen's for tea. I left Dad to do the milking to-night and went down to the Father & Son banquet in the Methodist church sunday school about six. I needn't have hurried as we didn't have tea till after seven and it was after ten when I got down to Aunty's to call for Marj. Capt Tom. Best of the Y.M.C.A. was the speaker.

Friday November 25th

This has been the nicest day we have had this month. It was mild and even sunny which is a rare treat these days. Dad. got a good day's ploughing in, at least to-gether we did for I went out when I got the chores done up this morning & ploughed till noon while Dad. came up to fix the fence where old Gladys gets out of her yard. Win. came over to see how the invalids were and stayed to dinner. She & Marj. went down town this after noon and Marj. went to the station and got an express parcel which she had sent to Eaton's for. I hooked up the little team and went down to the mill and got some corn, buckwheat & rolled oats for the chickens a bag of flour for the house and some heavy chop for the twin pigs. I was gone about an hour & did chores the rest of the time.

Saturday November 26th

This has been a miserable day, cloudy, cold and drizzly. The mud is getting fairly sickening. The cattle are in a bad plight as there is scarcely anything for them to eat in the pasture and the yard is too muddy feed them in or to draw feed through. I have spent most of the day trudging around in the mud doing chores. Dad. and I castrated the seven boar pigs this morning which was a job that should have been done before.This after noon Dad. walked down town to see sick folk. John Quanbury & Mr. James and Aunty who has had a bad cold and been quite sick

Jona was up to day to look at Wilkins & McMullen came over & picked out three ewes one of which was an old one which I sold him for $25.00 I went down to the Tuxis boy's meeting to-night although I didn't feel much like it. Marj. went down with me for the sake of the walk and waited for me at Aunty's. I went up for a little while to hear Hon. Hugh Guthrie speak in the interests of John Sutton who is running on the Government ticket against Alex Wallace who is U.F.O. candidate.

Sunday November 27th

I have felt rather tough all day and was glad I didn't have to work. Marj. & I went down to Sunday school and church. They made changes in the classes in Sunday school this being Advent Sunday & about half the school is dissatisfied over it. I got four of Mrs. Smith's oldest boys who didn't want to come nor were wanted very badly and it was the same with some of the other classes. Enah went down to church but Dad. stayed home with Tim who doesn't seem so well to-day. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's for dinner and most of the after noon. Quint was there for dinner but left right afterwards. Enah went down to church to-night & Jack Walker brought her home in spite of the bad roads. Cloudy & raw.

Monday November 28th

I still didn't feel up to the mark to-day but managed to slop around and do chores all day but nothing else. Dad. ploughed and got in a fair day. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed at Aunty's for tea and to-night went to Girls Branch but I didn't go down to band practice as I thought I would feel better if I stayed home, so Marj. stayed at Aunty's all night. Rotten day, raw east wind & cloudy.

Tuesday November 29th

We were late getting around this morning & were delayed before breakfast first by {Proper?} coming to borrow the waggon and then by Fred Krell coming to see if he could buy some mangels for his chickens Fred talked a blue streak on chickens for a quarter of an hour at least. Dad. just about finished the field to-night. He has about two furrows yet on the headlands but has to put shorter doubletrees on the plough to get up to the fences. I went down to Art Ryerse's this morning and got a piece of meat from a beef they killed the other day. I did chores all after noon. Milder to-day but cloudy.

Wednesday November 30th

November left us with a smile which we are devoutly hoping will be caught by December as it comes in. This has been a very nice day above the mud level. It was cloudy this morning but the sun came out before noon and has been shining more or less steadily all day & the wind which was westerly although it had a tang to it was not cold. Dad. finished his field and ran the ditchs out in it and in the one east of the orchard at least part of them before dinner. This after noon he cleaned the ones he ran in the corner field and opened them through to the road and I threw the sods out of the two he ran out in the field east of the orchard. I spent the whole fore noon doing chores. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed at Auntys for tea. I went down right after tea and foud Ada & Lila there also. We all went up to the Bible Class and from there all of us except Aunty went to the Picture show to see the "Charm School". Aunty Alice told Mr. Cornish that she would like to get away from the bible class by 8.30 (why she specified that hour I don't know as the first show isn't out till after nine) but she wanted to be on time. Mr. Cornish I think abreviated an interesting discussion and chalked Cousin Willie off from presenting all his views so that he could close sharp on the hour, the consequence was we saw about two reels of the first show and came out as soon as we got to the scene that was on the screen when we came in, then just as we all emerged from the show who should be coming up the street but Mr. Cornish with John Dunn & Mr. Gibbon. We smiled

Thursday December 1st

Dad. went out this morning and ran the rest of the furrows in the field east of the orchard and got started ploughing it this after noon. I did up some of the chores this morning but Art. Ryerse & Colin came up to look at Wilkins Micawber. Art wished he was a yearling so that he would be easier tamed. I told him I wished he had taken him when he was a yearling but that I thought he would be all right as soon as he got used to things, he is very nervous but not at all wicked. "Well" Art said. " I'll tell you what I'll do

I'll take him down there and if he gets quiet so that we can handle him I'll give you your fifty dollars, but if not I'll just make it forty, because there's no use a-talkin'. I aint agoin to take no chances with an ugly bull and if he doesn't behave will just put a bullet through him." I told him we would take him down as I thought he would go better if there were no strangers around him. Art. said he just wished he felt like he used to and he'd just put a bridle on him and ride him down "and he'd go dont you never think he wouldn't." I went out and helped Dad. throw some sods out of the ditches he was running till he finished about eleven o'clock and then we came in and got old Wilkins. Dad. thought we had better take one of the cows along to keep him company so we took Jessie. The scheme worked fair. I led Jessie & Dad. had Wilkins with the stick & a rope in his nose ring. They both walked right along and we had no trouble whatever. We tied him up down there in a box stall where I think if they treat him decently he will be all right. We got home soon after twelve and found Aunty & Aunty Alice here for dinner. I went out this after noon and helped Dad. get his headlands struck out but spent most of the after noon doing chores. Phil Shaver came along and talked for quite awhile. He wanted to buy some little pigs, but didn't want eleven & Dad. doesn't want to sell part of his bunch & keep part, as whoever bought them would want to take their pick. Phil. didn't think he was asking too much. Fifty dollars for the 11, 2 mos. old. Aunty & Aunty Alice went back early this after noon & Marj. went part way with them. It has been another beautiful day. Fog this morning but sunny & mild.

Friday December 2nd

It rained pretty steadily all day and we have done nothing outside all day except what chores we had to. Dad and Enah drove down town this morning to get some coal oil and Dad. got his hair cut. I laid out a show card lesson while he was gone and practised a little at it. This after noon Dad. did go out and open up some ditches and had a wild chase after old Gladys who

was bound to get into the cornfield. Marj. went down town this after noon and stayed for tea at Miss McQueen's and then went over to the Bagley's. I went down after tea and got my hair cut and then went up to Percy Ryerse's to see if he had done any figuring on the house yet but he hadn't. I went into Mrs. Bagley's where I found Marj. We stayed there for awhile & then went down to Aunty's where a party was just breaking up so we partook of coffee & cake and got home about twelve o'clock.

Saturday December 3rd

Dad. ploughed to-day but didn't get a very early start and was bothered quite a lot to get his strikes in the right place as he can't see the old dead furrows. I went out after dinner and helped him measure off one & set stakes. I spent most of the fore noon doing chores as well as most of the after noon. I went over to Martin's this morning to see if I could pan off any more cockrels on Jack, but Sid & Else said he was pretty well loaded with them just now and Else advised me to wait awhile. He gave me his ideas concerning hens laying at this time of year and he thinks they should be shut right in now. He says the hens he is looking after are laying the best of any over there. Marj. went down to Auntys this after noon to celebrate her birthday. Aunty Alice was having a bridge party so it worked in very nicely. I went down to the Tuxis boys meeting to-night & thanks to Marj. thinking up some things for them to do we had a good meeting. I went in to Auntys and called for Marj. and had some party cake. It has been cloudy, windy & raw to-day.

Sunday December 4th

Marj. & I went to Sunday school and church this morning and went up to the Bagley's for dinner where we had spare ribs in honor of Marj's birthday. After dinner Mr. Bagley took me out to see his chickens and then we went down and had a look at the new rink, which has the roof and sides on now but has no grading done inside and to complete it, it should have about

200 loads of earth in it yet, but as it is getting so late they will probably fill it with ice. Mr. Bagley and I then took a walk over to the greenhouse and saw their new office building which is a fine building and when they get their terraces all sodded will look very pretty down there. Marj. and I stopped in at Aunty's on our way home Aunty Alice was alone as Aunty had come over here to dinner with Enah We got home about five and Enah and Aunty were just going down for tea. Enah went to play at church to-night and Jack Walker brought her home after they had a Christmas practice Sunny but raw

Monday December 5th

When we got up this morning we found the ground well covered with snow and it has been snowing pretty much all day. Dad. and I haven't done any thing much except chores but now that the snow has come and all the stock has to be fed and stables cleaned, they take most of our time. We haven't got any of the young stock colts or sheep inside yet but feed them on the ground now that the snow makes it clean enough and the ground is partly frozen. Dad. went over to see John Quanbury this morning for a little while and thought he looked a little better but his voice is gone entirely. They told him over there that Charlie was in the doctor's office yesterday when Oliver Mann & young Percy Reed came in each with their right hand badly mutilated from playing with dynamite caps yesterday after noon They had been over at the brickyard and picked up some detonated caps which had been used for blasting over there and each one had a cap and was picking at it with a nail. Both caps exploded at once and consequently Olive thinks he will have to lose the end of his first finger and the first joint of his thumb while young Reed's first finger was blown off and Karl Coleman says it is sticking to a Hydro pole in front of the house. Both boys' right hands were wounded but they say they are both left handed. Marj. went down town this after noon and went to the Girl's meeting to-night. We got the night chores done up early so I went down town before six and stayed at Auntys for tea. After tea

I went up town with Aunty Alice & Marj. Aunty Alice went over to Cal. Smith's to play bridge. I went down to the Cooks for a few minutes. Young Doc. is in bed with a cold. From there I went down to the Mann's and took Oliver a couple of books from Aunty. I had arranged to meet him to-night anyway to chart him. I charted him although it wasn't very satisfactory as Nanny & young Reed were there. I went to band practice from there and after band practice which lasted till after 10.30 I went over to the Smith's to call for Aunty Alice as I had promised. We had coffee & cake after I got there so it was pretty late when we got back to Aunty's where Marj. was waiting for me and quite late when Marj. & I eventaully got home and she was pretty well tired out.

Tuesday December 6th

This was election day and I didn't vote. None of us in this household did. I was rather undecided about it but as the roads are so fierce and I was sure of losing my vote anyway and I was busy all day doing chores I didn't feel much like going out to Wiggins just to lose my vote. I went down to the mill this morning and got some more heavy chop for the pigs and some of Charlie Iveys new patent John S. Martin poultry mash. Marj. went down town this after noon and I walked over as far as Martin's with her but didn't see anyone but Else as I think they were all down voting. Dad. went down to see Aunty & Aunty Alice to-night but I didn't go down. He saw Jack Martin who told him that Wallace had beaten Sutton by about 500 which wasn't as big a majority as his freinds predicted. South Norfolk went fairly well Conservative and all the municipalitys except Waterford gave Sutton a Majority. Charlotteville was the only township that didn't vote U.F.O. The Conservatives got a bad beating in the house. Meighen himself and about half his cabinet was defeated and they only have about 50 seats left, five of the provinces not having a single {scored out word} Conservative seat in Quebec and Nova Scotia went solid Liberal so that King will have to form the next Government he having about 118 seats & Crearer 64 - Too Bad.

Tuesday December 13th

Owing to procrastination, laziness & cold weather I will have to make a skip of a week but as there has been very little of any importance going on, I guess the future history of this 187 acres of the earth's surface won't suffer much. I have not been getting up so early this week so couldn't write before breakfast as I have been doing as it has been too miserable to do any thing but chores and nearly every day this last week we have just sat around for an hour or two after dinner and read. The weather has been rotten. Cloudy mostly and generally raw winds and terribly muddy. Dad. and I moved some rails over in the barn and covered them with straw and got in one small jag of corn stalks but the cornfield was so boggy we couldn't take a team on it for a real load. The snow that was on the ground early last week is all gone by now but to-day it is colder and there was a little flurry of snow last night. Jack McBride was in Saturday and bought the wether lambs for 9 cts a lb. and we took them down yesterday. They averaged about 84 lbs apiece & the nine of them brought $67.00. We brought home a little soft coal with us. This morning Dad & old Gladys went out to Welshs. Aunty Alice had a party last Wednesday & Dad. & Enah were down at it. Marj. & I were at Bible Class Thursday night & I went down to Tuxis meeting Saturday night and Marj. went up to the McQueens where I called for her. I went up Thursday night and asked Mr. Smith (W.H.) if he would give the boys a little talk next Saturday but he didn't promise definitely Sunday Aunty & Aunty Alice came over here for dinner & Cecil & Winnie were over for tea and spent the evening while Dad. & Enah went to church. Last night I went down to band practice & Marj. went to the Girls branch & we both had tea at Aunty's. Ed. Moon turned in his horn for Ira Ivey to take but Ira wanted mine as he didn't know how to get on to the other so I took the old B.B.b again it is the one I had in the first place and is the best horn. Marj. had to go to the dentists at ten o'clock this morning so we stayed down all night and I came home early this morning. Tid. has not been out of the house all week and doesn't feel very well yet. His neck has been swollen and he spent one or two

days in bed. Cecil brought him a {sand?} dumping machine Sunday which he has had a lot of fun from. Mrs. Cornish has been very ill all week and for a day or two they were very anxious about her but I think she is doing nicely now. Now that the federal elections are over, interest here is very keen over the next municipal council. Jack Martin is going to run for reeve in order to give the faction in town that wants to see progress a chance, he seems confident of success and surely ought to get in as his opponent is none other than Andrew Innes, who is making a general canvas of the town and whose only promise seems to be that he won't spend any money. Taylor seems to have dropped out of the scrap and will work for Andrew everyone supposes. Pickford was in this after noon and tells us that Bobbie has been expelled & Pickford is going to the next school board meeting to have it out with Mr. Watson. It seems Watson accused Bob. of laughing the other day and called him up to strap him Bob. said he was not guilty so instead of taking the strap walked out of the room & naturally was expelled but Pickford thinks he has a grievance so is taking the matter before the board. He said that when Bob. went back to get his books on Monday that he told Mr. Watson that he would leave it to the rest of the school whether or not he was laughing and Ralph Fisher said he hadn't seen him laugh when Mr. Watson questioned so Bob said something to Mr. Watson which ammounted to caling him a liar, before he went home. Pickford however went back and made Bob apologize for that

Wednesday December 14th

It was frozen up pretty solid this morning so after Dad and I got the chores done up we hooked Joe and Harry to the waggon and hauled up a small jag of corn stalks. We got it from the far end of the field and found the mice had cut about half the bands on the sheaves, I suppose to make nests of We just put on about three shocks and unloaded them before dinner piling them around back of Moonshine This after noon we went out and got a much bigger load and piled them on more carefully. There were not so many cut bands on them whether that was because there were not so many ears left on them or not I don't know. We did not unload it. Enah went down to a party at Mrs. Holden's this after noon

and then went over to her mother's this evening as her sister Mrs. Johnson came down this after noon. After tea it was such a beautiful night full moon & still and frosty that Marj & I thought we would take a walk. We took Aunty's milk & cream down but they weren't home and {Else?} met Enah who told us they had gone up to Huby's. We had thought of going up there but Marj. remembered that Lila was having her literary club meet there to-night so we went up and spent the evening with Mrs. Harry Moon.

Thursday December 15th

Last night was the hardest frost we have had & it has been cloudy and frozen up all day but not much wind so not a bad day. It seems to be a little milder to-night. After we got things fed up this morning I went over to Frank Ryerse's to get Wilbur to kill pigs for us to-morrow. He & Dave McBride & Frank were all in the house at Frank's place. Wilbur said he had to kill a beef for Frank Lemmons in the morning but could do our job after dinner. I came home through Tom's & Mark's place and found them cutting down an old elm on Charlie Butler's line. It fell on top of their saw just as I came along so I stayed there till they got the saw loose and then they induced me to go up to the house and have some cider, so we went up there and chewed the rag over the election results for quite awhile. Tom said some fellow gave him $15.00 to vote for Sutton but he didn't go out as he wouldn't vote for a liberal and Truman Walker was up at one of Wallace's meetings and told them that a returned soldier got up and accused Wallace of saying in 1917 when he was running as a Laurier liberal, that if he was elected his police would be "Not another man, not another dollar for the war". and Wallace did not deny it, so Tom wouldn't vote for him nor Mark either. I told them I didn't believe Wallace did say such a thing in an open meeting or he would have been mobbed. Mark told me he knew the U.F.O. didn't buy any votes this election and he knew by Tom's experience that the other fellows did or tried to, but I suppose the U.F.O. were sure of their man as all the ones who would be liable to sell votes in former days are staunch members of the organization now. I just did chores this after noon. Marj. went down town and stayed for tea I went down after tea and we went to Jack Misner's

lecture; which we enjoyed very much. I heard him before in Guelph but I didn't mind hearing him again. He is very illiterate but not in the least vulgar and although his humor would sound very silly from most people and his sentimental touchs soft, it seems to suit him very well. He couldn't read nor write till after he was grown up and his little boy got him to go to Sunday school but he has been well educated by experience & observation and what he has done with wild geese and other birds is wonderful. He is a philanthropist because although he gets help now from the Government for a long time protected the wild geese & ducks at his own expense and one year fed them 1500 bushels of corn. He showed us slides of his birds and his farm and must have it fixed up very nicely. He has a 2 1/2 acre ball ground just for the boys and Ty Cobb who was visiting the place one day told him he thought it was one of the nicest little diamonds he had ever seen, that pleased Jack very much. One fellow said to him once that the thought it was all very nice but could see where he was making it pay. Jack says that is how a lot of fellows value everything in dollars & cts, but he said I get my dividends in seeing the boys out there playin ball and knowing that they are going to be a lot better men than if I hadn't helped them along." He is evidently deeply religious and quotes Scripture for game laws and to prove his own observations. He is so sincere and so keenly interested in his peculiar vocation that his lecture in spite of his inelegant mode of expression is next thing to enthralling.

Friday December 16th

I spent most of the morning doing chores and Dad. got things ready to butcher the bandit hogs He had to go over to the Quanbury's to borrow a boiler so as to be sure of enough hot water. Wilbur and Dave McBride arrived right after dinner armed with rifle and knives and it wasn't long till they had two bandits hung by their heels behind the shop. Dad. cleaned out their pen yesterday and they broke out of their yard for the last time and now their evil career is ended. They were not at all fat but made fine carcasses one dressed

160 lbs & the other 166. It began to turn soft last night and this after noon was quite mild and very cloudy and about tea time began to rain so that the pigs didn't get chilled out very well. Dad. & I carried them into the shop to-night. Enah's sister Mrs. Johnson came over for dinner to-day and stayed all the after noon and for tea. To-night she Marj. and I went down town. Marj. had to go down & help the girls fill candy bags for the Sunday school Christmas tree, as they were having a practice in the Sunday school they worked at Frances Slocomb's. I went up with Mrs. Johnson and then went down to Aunty's where I went to sleep till Marj. came in and we came home. It was a fierce night for walking as the mud was awful but it was very mild. We made a great procession going down. Marj. had her flashlight and was going ahead and showing Mrs. Johnson the way while I brought up the rear with the Quanbury's boiler under my arm. It was pitch dark and when Mrs. Johnson went to step over the ditch in Jack's field she slipped and went down on her hands & knees in the mud. I went in to the Quanbury's for a minute. John has had a bad day of it.

Saturday December 17th

It has rained pretty steadily all day and is still at it to-night, so that the mud is getting as bad as ever again although the frost isnt quite out of the ground yet. I haven't done any thing but just the chores to-day and Dad has spent the whole time cutting up the pigs. It wasn't a very nice job as they didn't get hard at all. Marj. went down this after noon to see Miss McQueen and stayed up there to tea. They are all going to leave for California just as soon as school closes Marj. is going to miss them very much. I went down after tea to-night to the Tuxis meeting. Mr. Smith came but not many boys were out. However we all sat together around the stove in the back room and he gave them a fine talk and told them of a good many of his old pupils that have made names for themselves in various parts of the world. Marj. and I stayed at Aunty's all night as the walking was too bad for Marj. to attempt I got my foot soaked on the way down gettin across the ditch out here.

Sunday December 18th

Last night was a fierce night. I woke up

two or three times and heard the shutter banging and the wind howling furiously. Marj. Aunty & Aunty Alice didn't sleep much but it didn't keep me awake long at a time. I got up before six and came right home. The storm was raging wildly I thought the wind would blow me off the sidewalk and when I got up on the hill, it was stronger still and the snow drifting in clouds. It was not bitterly cold as the wind was from the south west. Dad. was up when I got home but not expecting me. I went out before daylight and discovered the door had blown off the hen house and it was full of snow. I went over to the old barn to get some chicken feed and saw that the end of the shed at the big barn was out of place and on further investigation I found that the whole roof except a piece at the west end was blown off the shed and a piece of the barn roof off too. It was an awful looking place.The debris was scattered all over especially loose shingles which were scatered in all parts of the barn yard and the sheeting & rafters were all down in the shed on top of the machinery. I expected to find some dead sheep but luckily not one of them was hurt and all the damage it did to the machinery was to break one shaft on the big drill and a slat in the apron of the manure spreader. We couldn't do any thing with it until the wind died down as we were afraid of something falling on our heads. We milked and after breakfast crawled under the wreck again to the barn and fed the calves which were in there with Mexico and threw some hay out in the yard for the young stock. We let the colts in out of the storm. I didn't try to get back down to Sunday school or church but Enah walked down to church and stayed down all day. I went down to Aunty's for dinner and Marj. and I came home soon after dinner Quint. and Win. were down at Aunty's & Quint said the storm wrought great havoc down at the beach. Their bathing houses are in ruins part of the building smashed to atoms with the ice which is piled several feet high on the beach, and part of it has been carried half way to the park fence by the water which was very high. He says the ice smashed one of the ice cream parlors down at the beach all to pieces and it is strewn along the beach all the way to the dock. Ben Ivey's dance hall is not hurt, it being too high above the water for the ice to harm it. When Marj. and I

got home we found W.J. Thompson here. He had come over to get Dad. to be Santa Claus at the Sunday-school Christmas Tree but Dad. told him he would have to stay home with Tid. and suggested Cecil to him as being equal to the job. We got the chores done up in fair time and Dad. went down to Aunty's for tea and then to church. The Bishop was here to-night and held Confirmation service. Cecil was one of the ones to be confirmed. Marj. Tid. & I stayed home The storm died down by noon and except for the wind was not a bad after noon at all.

Monday December 19th

The first thing Dad. & I did to-day after we got things fed up was to string a piece of wire from the barn to the horse stable to keep the animals from the yard from wandering around the wreckage and running nails in their feet. We had to put one post in to stiffen it. Dad. had to go out to the old garden to get a piece of wire. Lloyd Ryerse came in to see if Dad. would act as chairman at the Shand's school concert on Friday night. This after noon we spent most of the time gathering up rubbish from around the barn but didn't get much done except knock down the big piece of roof that was blocking the driveway and doorway into the barn and got the driveway cleared out so that we could get through without difficulty. I didn't go down to band practice to-night and Marj. didn't have her girl's meeting so I tried to blow my horn at home a little but couldn't seem to get the tone of it very well. It has been a nice day to-day, cold but sunny & not windy

Tuesday December 20th

We didn't do much except chores and a little more clearing up at the shed. Aunty and Aunty Alice came over for dinner to celebrate Tid's birthday and he was able to walk part way home with them. He is feeling a lot better. Marj. went down town with them and stayed to tea. Aunty Alice urged us to try to take Jack's lambs over to him this after noon so I went over to see if Billy had a place ready for them yet, but Jack had never mentioned them to him although he told us he would last week. Billy had to go over and interview Down's to see if he put the lambs in his shed and then he wanted me to help him take a heifer over here so by the time we got here it was too late to

take the lambs. To-night Enah and I went down and met Aunty, Aunty Alice & Marj. at Aunty's and all went up to the Sunday school concert. The hall was full so we had to sit way back under the gallery. The concert proved a great success and the young ones all did their parts very well. Innes Coleman danced the Fisher's hornpipe beautifully and Agnes Sterling also danced well. The main part of the programme was a little play "The Sleeping Beauty" which went off very nicely. After all the concert they had the Christmas tree so it was pretty late when the thing broke up This has been a beautiful day sunny & quite mild.

Wednesday December 21st

We woke up this morning to find a decided change in the weather. The wind had changed around to the east and it was cold & raw & trying to snow. Dad. & I got the team out and loaded the lambs and took them down to Down's barn. Billy came down and helped us unload them. There were ten of them all the lambs we have left now are the six ewe lambs that we are going to keep. It was about noon when we got home and we did chores this afternoon.

Thursday December 22nd

I went down this morning to replenish our fuel supply with a load of coal as Geordie Tisdale sent word over the other day that we had better get down soon and take the load of chestnut he promised Dad. to save for him. Dad. started down with me but we met Billy Mills so Dad had to return with him. Joe weighed the waggon and informed me that I couldn't get any chestnut coal so I put on a load of stove. I went up to Aunty's and waited for Dad. who walked down and got a stick at the Widespread to make a stancion in the cow stable to replace the on Cnocfierna broke when she nearly finished Dad. We hauled up a small jag of corn stalks this after noon. Dad and Enah went down to choir practice to-night.

Friday December 23rd

We were late getting around this morning as indeed we have been for the last few weeks and I had just time enough to go down to the mill and get some chicken feed and low grade flour

for Dad's little pigs and we werent able to get up a load of corn stalks as we had hoped as I had to get ready to catch the one o'clock car to attend a meeting of the Shorthorn Breeders in Simcoe. The meeting wasnt called till two o'clock so I had lots of time on my hands and prowled around looking in the store windows. I saw a large toy aeroplane in Fall's toy display and recognized it as the one Quint made last summer to run with his game and which he was not allowed to run at the fairs, it being too much of a gambling enterprize. I took my watch in to the jewelers and had it fixed so that it would run soberly instead of making an hour in about fifty four minutes. I also got a nice copy of "The Angelus" for Marj. for Christmas I was the first of the Shorthorn Breeders at Bramhill's office and it was some time before enough drifted in to warrant starting the meeting, however Ham, Lorne Forrest, and two fellows I didnt know Duckfoot and Blayney came in so we got started and then Charlie Dunkin and some Murphy from Walsingham arrived much later. Ham was president and Bramhill secretary and the discussion that followed consisted principally of Bramhill reading forms of bylaws and business {illegible} by other clubs and suggesting that we adopt them. Ham asking for the opinion of the assembly, me moving that all resolutions be adopted some one else seconding the motion and the rest signifying assent in the usual manner. Lorne Forest did make a few remarks about patronizing the shows more and also in his most oratorical style gave us his opinions in the same manner he did at a former meeting concerning the influence feed has in making animals either scrubs or pure breds (in appearance). Charlie Dunkin also made some sensible suggestions but the others might as well not have been there except to give formal authority for our actions. I came away before the rest in order to catch the five o'clock car but the business was about wound up. We formed an association named it The Norfolk Shorthorn Breeders Association adopted a set of bylaws decided to carry on an "Abolish the Scrub Bull" campain to organize a calf club and to ask the Dominion Shorthorn breeders for a grant for the County Fair. I got home in time to help Dad. milk. To-night Dad. and Enah went out to the Shand's school entertainment as

Dad. had to act as chairman and Enah had to play for them. They walked as the roads are so rough and I dont know what time they got home. Marj. and Tim hounded me into fixing their Christmas tree in place and then they decorated it, and they decorated the walls with the greens we three got last Wednesday down on Dicky {Name?} side hill

Saturday December 24th

Dad. and I managed to get in a small jag of corn stalks this morning and then we went down to Aunty's for dinner to meet Dick who came in on the one o'clock car. He was down till about four o'clock and then we did the chores up. Dick & Quint came over about six for tea but didn't stay long afterwards. Marj. and I went down town with them to-night as Marj. wanted to take some Christmas presents to the Bagleys, but we stopped in at Aunty's and while we were there Essie came down with some she wanted to leave there for Marj. so we didn't have to go up town. Dick and Quint went off but Marj. & I went home early Dick stayed down at Aunty's all night.

Sunday December 25th

Marj. and I went down to Sunday school this morning but were late. Everybody from our household came out to church but much to everyone's disappointment Mr. Cornish was not able to be out. He is evidently played out completely after all the work & worry he has had, but Mr. Cornish is able to be up and around. Cousin Willy took the service and John S. Martin gave a short address on the Christmas lesson and they had the Christmas music. Dad. Enah & Tid went around to the James' after dinne church for dinner and Marj. & I went down to Aunty's Dick was there too and before we got through Dess came in with something for Win. so she had a cup of coffee with us. I came home right after dinner and did up the chores. Dad. & Marj. came home about four and Enah & Tid about six. Marj. spent the evening fixing up candy boxes and decorations for to-morrow.

Monday December 26th

To-day we celebrated Christmas with festivities. Dad.

and I did up all the chores we could this forenoon and Dad. drove down in the cutter to fetch Mrs. James over. The sleighing wasn't much good but he got there. We had a gay old dinner party about two o'clock, seventeen of us all told sat down to demolish the big turkey Huby provided and a lovely haunch of venison that Marjs Dad. had sent her along with two brace of partridge (wer didnt have the partridge to day though) All from Huby's were over including Cecil. Mr. & Mrs. James, Elva & Brant & of course Aunty Aunty Alice & Dick. After dinner we stripped the Christmas tree and all drew a lot of nice presents I came out with new neckties, handkerchiefs {illegible} candies, Christmas number of "Life" and a renewal subscription to "The Literary Digest" which has lapsed since last summer although the magazine has kept coming We had to get at the night chores as soon as the tree was stripped and soon after we came in the party began to break up although most of them stayed till we had a little music & Cecil & Win stayed and played Parcheesi (an abominable game) with Tim & me till about nine o'clock, Dad. drove Mrs. James down and took Aunty & Aunty Alice as far as the sidewalk. He had hoped to go to Nomination meeting but thought it wasn't worthwhile This is the first Christmas Dick has been home for several years and there seems a touch of the romantic in the fact that we three boys the prototypes of the Q & T & D of the wondrous fairy tales that Aunty Alice used to create for us when the interior of the old garden fence was our world, are gathered at Christmas once more after the adventures that two of that trio have gone through. Since the days when barefooted skalleywags used roam the dense forest behind the barn and the wilderness beyond under the peppin tree, or swim in the beautiful green sea of Fa's silver beet bed, or work like navvies digging pits for some forgotten or never known reason in the garden or make mud pies for Taylor, or march on the warpath "wearing" our war-"hoops" which were formerly barrel hoops and at night run to the front gate when the seven o'clock train came past to wave at and be waved to by Mr. Young and then make futile resistance at having Aunty wash our feet & put us to bed but listen eagerly to the chapter she read & often beg for a second if it was about David, what varied

experiences we have had. Q. & T. & D. of fairyland saw many thrilling scenes but fairyland is not the only country where thrilling things take place. During our school day period (during which none of us ever distinguished ourselves as scholars although by regular attendance and a reasonable share of brains we never failed many examinations but were eager to leave after a year or two at High School) the difference in our natures developed and became more manifest. I know I always held that I would be a farmer and my feeling was at a high pitch when Dad. bought Flossie. Ester Moon's Jersey cow for my benefit, and I used to rush home after four to clean out her stable and carry her off, or in the Spring I remember my back used to ache from digging my garden and of course the horses were always a great source of pleasure to me. Nothing in the form of sport could compare in my estimation to a ride on Josie although in those days I was quite incapable of managing her properly and she used to tear around town at a gay speed absolutely uncontrolled, with me on her back, but no harm ever came of it. I never played on a team game in my life never killed any thing with a gun except a {illegible} and never had a steady boy chum although I loved to skate & tramp through the woods, and swim and was on good terms with all the boys. Quint was more like me in his love for outdoors & the creek & woods but besides was a keen hunter & trapper. He was at one time one of the best if not the best shot in town, and his traps & night lines were the undoing of many a small inhabitant of the creek and marsh. Neither was he ever very proficient at organized play and enjoyed his own company as well as anyone else's. I used to love to tramp the countryside with him although never had any desire to use his gun and in spite of the fact that my excitement would grow tense when a rabbit or squirrel would present a good shot, I never had the hunter's joy or satisfaction at bagging it but would be filled with remorse at the sight of the little thing lying limp and bloody when a second before it was so full of activity and the joy of life. Quint was much more clever with tools than Dick or I and had an inventive and mechanical turn of mind. He used to like I did start a garden in the Spring but would stop tending to it before I got tired of mine, and I never remember him cutting the lawn of his own accord while I one time worked

like a slave to get the patch of long grass in front of the gate on the street cut and levelled like other boulevards. Dick was very different from either of us. His chief delight was to play ball with a crowd of boys and always had some pal with him. For years he & Ferdie Wiser were inseperable companions. He was quicker at school and went farther in the High School than we did. He loved to read stories and to spend his money. One time some one gave him five cents so he posted right off to spend it. Aunty cautioned him not to spend it on anything foolish so he returned with a loaf of bread. He never cared for the tramps in the wood as much as Quint or I and I believe he was half afraid of the horses, unless they behaved themselves very seemly. He had the reputation for being a very slick diver and good swimmer, but was noted mostly for his neatness and for being particular to have his clothes just right. I was always an awful ragamuffin. He was a favorite with the girls and could always have a good time with them while I could only wish I could but could never think of any thing to do or say when I was with them and I don't believe Quint in those days had any use for them whatever. So there we stood as schoolboys with natures very different although we played in the same old garden learned the same lessons from the same teachers and were entertained by the same fairy tales. Since then old Dick has been trained as a Cavalry man and Artillery man riding on gun carriages at breakneck speed over the roughest of ground with the roughest of men. He has tended horses in the Veterinary corps and ridden all the way across Canada in a boxcar with horses for his sole companions, and enjoyed it. He has sailed across the Pacific Ocean and back in troopships of ancient design and has spent months as a soldier in one of the gruellest of foreign countries among people who for customs, manners & morals couldn't be very much different than we are if they tried. He has experienced all the peculiarities of life in a {Prairie?} Village and now finds himself where the commercial pulse of the Nation beats the hardest, the largest of our cities & in constant contact with men to whom world finance is an open book. He still sings and dances and talks the same as of yore but not so much and is gradually assuming the air & manner of a typical business man. Quint's life has been as varied as Dick's and more. For two years he was a sailor on the lakes running from Fort William & Montreal, then he started out to learn

the cotton-mill business in New Bedford, but as might have been expected his love of freedom revolted at that and he spent a few months with the gas drillers, then a soldier right through from the bell tents of Camplife to the dug-outs in the war zone, he has breathed the breath of battle and suffered the hardships of actual warfare. He has heard shells whistle and crash and machine guns (his own) rattle. He has seen men killed at their guns and has had his own companions blown to pieces by the same shell that by a miracle spared him. He can talk most interestingly on the manners of the people of France & England and tell more about the cities of Germany & Great Britain than most books. He has very keen powers of observation and as he has read very little his impressions & expressions are original and unconventional as indeed are all his activities. Because of that unconventionality he is held in disrepute by the good people of Dover although I must admire him for it at least I think I do, maybe I just admire him in spite of it. Of course I can't help agreeing with people when they shake their heads and say it is too bad Quintin is content to waste his time selling ice cream and tempting the public with cupie dolls to throw at stuffed cats instead of turning his time & talents to some account and yet I would hate to take him to task about it for he would argue "Why should I forgo the pleasures & freedom I now enjoy in order to be a slave so that when I am old I could say I know a good trade and have a little money in the bank for a rainy day. As it is I have more money to spend than you have and have some in the bank too besides running the chance of making more and my time is my own." I might as an older brother should call Quint aside and say, "You know, old boy, you shouldn't knock around with that bunch of toughs you do and you should leave the liquor business alone as it is now unlawful." but Quint would smile and politely undertake to prove to me the very obvious fact that although he has consorted with toughs more or less for the last ten years and he is far from being a tough himself, and as for the liquor business, according to his code of morals it is no crime to defy a law that he considers unjust and made by a fickle democracy that doesn't know its own mind for two years hand running. I know there are answers to these arguments but Quint. has his own ideas and as far as the fundamental principles of honor are concerned

I maintain that he is as true to them as any man in spite of anything that may have happened. He is not a tough in any sense of the word either in speech or habits and he can claim the admiration of the sternest of his accusers simply by his personality, polished manners suavity and ready flow of well thought out conversation. So much for Q & D, as for old Tobe he has "just plugged along through it all not a mile away from the high board fence of the old garden, a farmer just as he always said he would be, proud of the name and loving the profession, enjoying the music of the north west blast of January and the song of the first Rosingnol of Spring and the poetry of an aching back at sundown as well as a fresh cut meadow in the morning. I think that his what holds him to it, the music & poetry of it all certainly not the money he has made, although even there he can't complain he has always had plenty to eat, plenty to wear and a house over him which is more than the other two have had always. It is true of course that when his old pals were on the march to the call of the bugle, he often strained hard at the bit, but never kicked over the traces, but it is also true that while in the trenches of France or the barracks of Siberia the other boy's hearts were being excited by the world-old activities of war, in the shady byways of his own beloved country, old Tobe's soul was in transports of happiness from the still older activities of love, and in his one short trip to the hills & lakes of Haliburton, he drank deeper of the pure joy of life than they ever have or probably ever will, though they should go halfway round the earth & back.

Saturday December 31st

It is now four weeks since Christmas but I have dated this to wind up the records of 1921. Christmas excitement and disturbed conditions have prevented me from writing and so I will have to lump the doings of the week following the holiday and probably for January of 1922. The day following Christmas or rather the 26th day we celebrated I was about all in with a miserable cold and didn't do much that day foll after that Dad. went down with Dick who was here for dinner and stayed to tea with him at Aunty's. He left on the 7 o'clock car for Brantford where he boarded the Montreal train and was there Wednesday morning. Dad. & I have not done much all week but odd jobs and chores. We probably hauled a few cornstalks in and fed them

up but I don't think we did anything else in the way of teaming. McMullen was over on Tuesday and bought the two old ewes the only ones that were left. I told him there was every chance of them raising lambs this Spring but as they were so old I let him have them for $5.00 apiece. We did deliver Jack's lambs to him one day but I forget whether it was before or after the New Year. We took down what we thought were ten lambs but when I was looking up their numbers to have them registered I found one was a yearling. I went down to Jacks to investigate and sure enough found a yearling amongst them and she appears to be in lamb. I guess we will leave her there. It leaves one lamb not accounted for and the only thing I can imagine is that Dougherty got her last summer. Aunty & Aunty Alice were over here to dinner one day and on Friday morning left for Detroit to pay Roy & Vernon a month's visit. Quint. Huby Marj. & I were down to see them off on the nine o'clock car and were very pleased to be able to leave them in charge of a Mr. Well's, Walk's brother who was going right through to Windsor. Marj. and I went down there Thursday night and are now encamped there till they get back looking after the house for them and having a whale of a time. I have breakfast and tea down there with Marj. and stay here at the farm for dinner. John Quanbury who had steadily been going downhill for the last month or six weeks died on the 27th and was buried on the 30th. We were over at the funeral and Dad. was one of the bearers. His death was a sad blow for the family as they never suspected anything serious the matter with him till Dr. Toll told him when he quit work that there was a growth on his lungs for which nothing could be done. We are all waiting anxiously for the results of the election next Monday. At Nomination Jack Martin and Andrew Innes were put up for reeve and C.W. Barwell, Landon Ivey, Harry Misner, Capt. McCauly, Quinn & Jim Austin are running for councillors. Andrew is of course leading the old party of knockers and seems confident of winning probably counting the strength of his gang to be as great as in the days of Vyse. Jack is equally confident of success and with Barwell & Landon Ivey should make the best council for progress and good standing that Dover has had for a long time.