One of Harry B's.

Peter, Peter, pun'kin eater,

Had a girl & couldn't keep her,

He put her in a pun'kin shell,

And there he kept her very nicely.

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Another one

Simple Simon, met a pieman, going to the fair

Said Simple Simon to the pieman, "Let me taste your underwear."

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Query from H.B.

"Do they have turkey in heaven for Christmas?"

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H.B. "Mother, how do you get whiskers?" Mother "I don't"

1927

Conversation between H.B. & Gay.

H.B. "Do you know how the rain gets in the cistern Gay?"

No answer from Gay.

H.B. "Say Yes or No."

Gay. "Yes or No." Loud Ha. Ha's from H.B.

H.B. "Say No" Gay - "No". H.B. proceeds to explain that it comes in through the drain.

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Mother asks H.B. to do something

H.B. "I won't"

Mother "That is very rude, you must never speak that way"

Gay - "Noo! I wouldn't say that, I'd say "NO!!! I don't want to!!!"

Monday January 25th 1926

I went over home this morning and got there in time for Frank and me to bag up five bags of oats and take them down to the mill before dinner. This after noon after hearing a few records on the phonograph (Tim's apprehension that his Grannie's choice of phonographic music ran almost exclusively to hymns were evidently ill-founded) Frank and I went down and got a load of Pokohontas coal. We stopped in at Aunty's on our way down and Aunty Alice presented me with a bottle of beef iron and wine and extracted a promise from me that I would take it regularly after every meal. Since they had got it I had to promise. They all have an idea that I am run down and need winding up. Frank and I went around by the mill and got my grist and came out here with the coal past Henry Misener's but the sleighing was poor there and we warmed the horses up before we got here. We unloaded the coal in the new wood-shed and Frank took the team back alone. Ina came to-day and stayed all night and as she was here with Marj. and it was a beautiful crisp moon-light night with plenty of good walking, I went down to band practice but found there wasn't any. I inquired at Bob. Smith's and he

told me that they had decided to suspend practice till after the rink closed. I sat talking to him for awhile and then went down and visited Aunty till about half past ten. Aunty Alice was up at the Freeman's with Quint playing bridge. They had a letter from Dad & Dick to-day saying that they arrived in New York safely. Cold, cloudy little snow.

Tuesday January 26th

I walked over home this morning and in spite of a rather high wind Frank and I managed to get on a fair jag of straw from the stack and it over to the horse stable. I drove home here to dinner and this after noon I drove Marj. down town and she went to Miss Kerney's funeral. Ina looked after all the kids while we were gone and I drove her home before tea. I went back to the farm from town to wait for Marj. but a very nasty east storm had developed and it was altogether too rough for Frank and me to attempt hauling in any corn stalks so we went over to Pickford's. Mrs. P. told us Jack was having a bee getting some wood in his own bush but we didn't go back. She invited us to have some cider so we sat talking to her till about four and just as we were leaving Pickford came in and insisted on drawing some more cider for us. I felt first-rate when I left there but by the time I had walked over home I felt better and after going in the house and reading a letter from Mr. Parks and coming out in to the cold again I felt still better, in fact extremely joyful. I let Queen go down town on the run I believe and picked Marj. up at Auntys. Aunty Alice treated me to a glass of wine which I really didn't need as I wasn't at all cold. Marj. and I went up town and got some groceries she had ordered at Schram's and we then got home with out any mishaps. Marj. under the impression that Aunty Alice's wine was especially potent this year. Very rough, not very cold.

Wednesday January 27th

I went over home about eleven this morning and although it was cold and windy Frank and I went out before dinner and tore down half a dozen corn shocks which we hauled up to the barn this after noon. We then put on a load of straw and hauled it out here. The little oat straw stack went over during the night with out hurting anything, so we put part of a load of it on and topped out with wheat straw. Frank took the team back and I stayed here. No wind at all as we were coming out here with

the straw, but there is a high wind to-night from the south west. To-day's paper tells of a terrible storm on the North Atlantic and mentions the Mont Royal along with other liners having reached New York badly mussed up. She docked yesterday so Mr. Parks would be two days later.

Thursday January 28th

Now it so befell that to-day a great blizzard raged.This our cot hath been beaten and buffeted by such a wind and ever and anon hath given voice to divers, groans and creakings as would make one think that her timbers must forsooth be torn asunder. With out there hath been such a swirl and burl of wind and driving snow and so bitter cold withal, that truly I had not set foot o'er threshold had it not been for the necessity of foddering the cattle and fetching the fuel Pokohantas. I whiled the time away by sitting by the fire and reading aloud Sir John Dering by Jeffery Farnol, while Marj. baked bread, and had fair luck in spite of the weather. It took all day to rise and she baked it this evening. I did not turn the cows down to the creek to-day as it is piled high with snow drifts but carried water to them.

Friday January 29th

The wind had gone down this morning but it has been very cold all day and quite a breeze too. I went over home about eleven and helped Frank bag up 50 bushels of oats which he promised to take to the mill for Jack Martin. We took them down right after dinner and went on down and got another load of Pokohontas for the farm and I got some corn and bran at Billy Laings. I felt rather tough to-night with another cold, went to bed early about 10.

Saturday January 30th

The wind shifted to the south during the night and the change in the temperature this morning was almost unbelievable. From somewhere in the zero region yesterday the mercury went up to around 40° to-day. It was thawing this morning before sun-up. I caught all my leghorn cockrels this morning and put them in bags to take over to Jack's in the buggy. I also killed and picked a Plymouth Rock cockrel for ourselves, so I didn't get started over much before noon and as I had to call for Frank at Pickford's we didn't get any thing done before dinner. Pickford has been laid up with a cold and lumbago ever since his wood bee. When we

got over home I put my cockrels from the bags into a crate and while I was at it one escaped. Tim and I chased him out around the barn but he lit out at such speed across the orchard that we couldn't begin to follow him so let him go. The last we saw of him he was half way across the ploughed field north of the orchard. What will become of him I don't know but I suppose someone will shoot him if he doesn't freeze to death. That just left me eleven to take over to Jack. After dinner Frank and I bagged up another fifty bushels of oats and then had to change the box from the sleighs to the waggon as what little snow there was on the road has gone off to-day. Jonas came along as we were loading the oats and he was bound for Jack's too, to collect his wages for dehorning some cattle so we all went over to-gether. I weighed my cockrels up and they weighed 34 lbs and then we dumped Franks oats in the feed bin at the Long house, but as Jack was down town none of us got our money. We all thought we would catch him at home to-day. Chris said he would get my chicken money for me. Enah got a letter from Dad. to-day saying he hoped to leave New York to-day and get home sometime to-morrow. Fine day, more like the end of March than the end of January.

Sunday January 31st

We were late as usual this morning getting up and had breakfast about nine or half past so didn't have any noon meal. I did up the chores and swept the school house and dug out the deepest part of the lane before noon and this after noon we all drove over home in the buggy to see if Dad. got home but as Frank was the only one at the farm and he was getting ready to leave we drove on down to Aunty's. We waited there till after the three car came in but Dad. & Dick were not on it. We came home about four o'clock. I did up the chores and then walked over to Trum. Walker's with the milk pails to leave one and get a quart for to-night. Trum hadn't milked so I had to wait and by the time I left it was pitch dark and snowing quite hard from the east. We had our chicken dinner after I got home about seven. Very mild and nice all day, but raw east wind late this after noon when we came home & east blizzard to-night.

Monday February 1st

We were late as usual getting around this morning and found every thing blown full with snow from last night's east storm. It was still blowing and

snowing this morning but quieted down later and got bright, and it has been quite mild all day. I walked over home just before dinner and found Dad. there feeling rather tough after his trip. He and Dick arrived last night on the 5 o'clock car. Dick had given Dad an entertaining time in New York but the city and change has been too much for him. He has a bad cold and indigestion. Dad. says New York has changed completely since he was there twenty years ago. Then he thought that if forced to live in a city, it would be the ideal one but now he couldn't be persuaded to live there on any terms. He was thankful to get out of it alive. His ideas of the people seem to have undergone a change too as he seemed terribly shocked at their actions over there. His trip was highly satisfactory as Aunt Hattie agreed not to fight. We were all sure she would agree and she told Dad. she would have agreed not to even if she didn't get a cent out of it. It was too bad that Dad's present to her couldn't have been a surprise. Mr. Parks told him that after the court proceedings Manning had studied the thing up and found an old judgment of a similar case and Aunt Hattie would not have had a chance at all. He said that Gavin Symonds was he thought very sorry he had mentioned the subject as he had no idea it would cause so much trouble and Roper & Whatly were disgusted. Mr. Parks says he is a young counsel and thought he was doing some thing clever. The fight now is just between Dad. & Harry B. and depends on the decision of the Name & Arms clause. Mr. Parks is quite confident though and says all will be over and Dad. declared heir at law by the first of March, - but - we shall see. After dinner Dad. and I walked down town and I called in at Jack's and got the money for my leghorns $23.70 40 cts a pound for the pullets and 25 for the cockrels. I went right up and cashed the cheque and paid several little bills around town. I then went up to Dr. McLaughlin the dentist as there seems no hope of Bill being back for a long time yet. He looked me over and told me I had pyorrhea and about half my teeth needed filling and one needed pulling and yet Bill has been telling me all along that they were all sound though I doubted him. I went down to Aunty's and Dad. and I walked over as far as the farm to-gether and I came on over here through the fields as Lea Marshall gave me a bundle of cheques for Chas. Munroe.

Tuesday February 2nd

I spent most of the morning cleaning out the porch. It was full of snow from Sunday night's storm and I had to move every thing to get the snow out so I moved some of the stuff away altogether consequently it is now much tidier and roomier. I also cut the boards for another shutter and put them in place but didn't nail them together. The porch is now all closed in except the east side and it is the smallest opening. This after noon I drove down town and got a bag of wheat at Billy Laings. I took Harry B. with me and left him at the farm while I went on down town. Dad. feels very miserable. Ina was here all day and I drove her home when I got back from town. Milder

Wednesday February 3rd

I went over home this morning and Frank and I put the rack on the iron-wheeled waggon, took Queen & old Charlie and started about eleven for Archie Long's for my load of hay. We had no idea what time it was we got there or how long we were there but it took a long time to dig the hay (thrashed bluegrass) out and pitch it on. We took the team off the waggon while we were there and put them in the stable which afforded a little more protection than outdoors but every thing down there looks rather dilapitated and as there is no one living there it is desolate. That farm alone is enought to give aptness to the title of the whole region down there, which is called "The Swamp of Misery." We put on a good fair load and got it hauled through the snow drifts in the lane safely and the road was fairly good wheeling. It began to snow just as we left and soon settled down to a steady orderly fall of fine flakes which didn't seem to cover the road very fast but soon had us white. When we got to Clarence Welsh's he told us it was about three o'clock. We didn't know it was so late. We got as far as the lane here without any mishaps but coming up it, I got too near the wheat and the off wheels of the waggon went down so far into the snow that the team couldn't lift it so we had to throw off a big pile on the wheat which we left there. We took the team off as soon as we had pulled into the barn and we had dinner, which Marj. had ready for us. It was about five o'clock when we left here. I went over with Frank and helped him a little with his chores. Dad. was out putting the cows in when we got there but he feels very miserable. I got back here about seven and was dog tired to-night. Raw east wind this fore noon. Milder & still snowing to-night.

Thursday February 4th

We all went to town to-day and were at Aunty's for dinner. The snow last night patched up the sleighing so we went comfortably in the cutter. This after noon I went up and had my hair cut and then sat in the library till 3.30 when I went up to the dentist's. He poked around at the tooth that had the big cavity in it till he began to hurt me so then decided he would have to kill the nerve and whatever he did made it a little sore to-night. Marj. sold her eggs and did her trading and spent the most of the after noon up at Bessie Patterson's. I took some eggs over to the house for Amy and Mrs. Turner talked to me for about 15 minutes, standing in her open doorway so I suppose she will have a fine cold. We stopped in at the farm on our way home and I told Frank I would be over to-morrow to get a load of coal and then haul ice. Dick intends going to Montreal to-morrow to report as his two months is up. I think he intends to apply for more leave until things are settled up in England. Cold but fine & sunny this after noon. One of the baby's upper teeth came through to-day.

Friday February 5th

I took Harry B over to the farm with me this morning We went over about 10.30 and Frank and I put another load of straw in the horse stable loft before dinner. This after noon we went down and I got a load of Pocohontas. I brought it out alone as Frank wanted to get his chores done up early. The Dramatic Club goes to Woodhouse to-night to put on their play "Making Daddy Behave". They had it here last night and Frank said it was a success. We stopped and saw Val. Leaney on our way down town and he said they would be at the ice for three or four days yet but advised us to get it as soon as possible. Aunty & Aunty Alice were over at the farm this after noon to see Dad. who still feels very much under the weather. Dick left for Montreal at one o'clock. I let the cows out and cleaned the stables while I was home here with the coal as it was about five when I got back to the farm with the team and about six when I got back here with the Niblits. Marj. has felt about all in with a bad cold to-day and we were both feeling tough this evening. I went to bed early but she thought she had to sew.

Saturday February 6th

I drove over home this morning as early as I could get away and Frank took Queen & Charlie and got one load of ice before dinner. It took us a long time to get

it and the second one unloaded so we were only able to get three loads hauled but the last one we unloaded in short time as it was on the second tier in the ice house and there was no frozen sawdust at the edge to bind it. It was blustery this morning but has been getting milder all day and has been cloudy and almost raining. I started to walk home to-night as I was afraid I could not get in the lane with the cutter it was drifting so badly this morning. I got a ride home with the Tom Stones. Dad. doesn't feel much better.

Sunday February 7th

We were very late getting up this morning so as usual we didn't have any mid-day meal. I did up the chores and swept out the school house and about half past two we packed Gay & the baby in the hand sleigh that the Cornishs gave us and went over to the Lampkins. I pushed the sleigh and Marj. and Harry B. walked. I left them there and went on over to Trum Walker's and got the milk, then came back to the Lampkins. We came home about five in time for me to do up the chores before dark. It turned colder but has been a nice day, with north-west breeze.

Monday February 8th

I started to walk over home this morning but got a ride part way with Billy Mason. Frank had gone down after his first load of ice when I got there and he got one more before dinner. Quint came over to help us. I went down town right after dinner as I had to go to the dentist's this after noon but Quint & Frank got two more loads in and only need one more to fill the ice house. The dentist filled another tooth for me and changed the filling in the first one. He decided it was the one that was making my face swell and says it may have to come out yet. I drove Queen home to-night and got in by driving over the wheat and missing the lane. I am to take Harry B down tomorrow to visit Auntie & Aunty Alice for a day or two. Mabel was over here when I got home getting Marj. to show her how to make valentine's. Miss Morgan died early yesterday morning and is to be buried at ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Walker Waddle is to be buried in the after noon. He died Saturday. East wind, fairly cold but nice day.

Tuesday February 9th

Harry B and I drove over to the farm this morning in spite of a rather nasty east wind & snowstorm. We didn't get there very early and Frank thought we

hadn't time to harness the team and get a load of ice before dinner so we bagged up a grist. Quint came over just after dinner and he and I tied a pulley to a little 2 x 2 in the ceiling of the ice house to pull up the last load of ice as the ice house is so full there isn't room to fill the hole at the door from the inside Frank took his grist to the mill and went on down to get the load of ice which we managed to get into the ice house by the aid of the pulley without very much trouble. Frank and I then went down to the mill and got the chop but were delayed down there. Arthur Preston came down after his mail and I conversed with him. Some skallywag had played Arthur trick, by which I had some fun with him. Arthur having heard that some of the dairymen around were knocking calves in the head thought he might get one cheap and veal it so put a sign up on the mill door Wanted - calf to veal - A.W.Preston; and some Lake Shore humourist hit on the brilliant idea of changing calf to girl and the "v" in veal to f. If it had been anyone else but Arthur, it would have been a flat joke, but to see Arthurs dismay and chagrin was funny. He of course tore it down feeling no doubt that on such an occasion it would be an advantage & relief if he could only say damn it. It was about five by the time Frank and I got back with the chop & got it unloaded and then I hooked to the cutter and Quint, Harry B and I drove down to Auntys in a nasty snowstorm. I didn't go into house down there but left Harry B very cheerfully waving goodbye to me and I got home as fast as possible stopping at the farm with some groceries for Enah & to load on a bag of oats for myself. Very stormy & to-night a howling blizzard.

Wednesday February 10th

It has been very cold with a strong east wind to-day but sunny. About five o'clock the wind went down entirely, but to-night there is a west wind and it is very cold. I didn't do anything outside but chores I sat around and read and sgushed flannels for Marj. I cleaned the loose litter out of the old hen pen just after dinner and put fresh straw in. Bill Donald was in to say that Ina wouldn't be here this week. To-night I started to walk in to a hockey match but got a ride in from Art Quanbury and a ride home from town. The Juniors who have only lost one game all season & so won their group were playing Kitchner to-night in the first home & home game, but our boys were out-classed. There was no score the first period but K scored 0 in the 2nd & 3 in the 3rd Final score was 8-0. Dover did some nice work though.

Thursday February 11th

Marj. has had to stay in bed all day to-day so I have had to be in the house. I pulled the couch around near the stove and Marj. has been lying on it all day and she slept on it to-night. Harry Blake was in this morning on his annual assessing business. To-night just before tea I went up to Shand's and telephoned Huby and asked him to let them know at Auntys that we wouldn't be down for dinner to-morrow, as they were expecting us Froze the pump in the kitchen again last night. Sunny.

Friday February 12th

I chored around outside & in the house this forenoon. Marj. lay on the couch till after dinner and then got up. She feels very weak though. This after noon Gay and I drove down town and I went to the dentist's again and he changed the filling in the teeth he is treating. I left Gay at Auntie's and she & Harry B. had a great play together and were delighted to see each other. Harry B was quite willing to stay down longer though, so I left him as it is much easier for Marj. when he is not here. Aunty Alice gave me a fine roast of beef as we were not able to get down to dinner. We drove around to see Dad. who still feels tough. Sunny & much milder.

Saturday February 13th

Marj. got up this morning and got breakfast and has been pretty busy all day trying to clean up the house after the state I let it get in. I went over home right after breakfast and Frank and I put on a load of straw and brought it out here. Dad. helped us change the rack and says he feels a little better but is not well yet by any means. We got out here with the straw before dinner and unloaded it part of it out on the strawberries and the rest in the barn. After dinner we went out and got the pile of hay that we had to pitch off in the lane the other day, and put it in the barn. We then went back home and tried to get some corn stalks but they were frozen in so tightly that we only took a few sheaves from one shock. When we got up to the house we found Cecil there alone. Dad. & Enah had driven down town. Cecil had drawn off some cider from the centre of the barrel as it is frozen and we all had some together with some more of his & Frank's home brew consequently I came home joyful again. My legs would hardly hold me when I got home and I didn't dare come to the house to stay so went out and spread the straw on the strawberries, and by the time I got that done and the chores done, I felt safer but was no good after tea.

Marj. thought I was tired though, so didn't urge me to wash the dishes and as she was tired out herself she went to sleep on the couch and neither of us woke up till after midnight so by the time we got the baby fed and had a prolonged argument before I consented to wash my feet it was three a.m. before we got to bed. I never felt so useless in my life, but I got the strawberries covered which I wouldn't have done if I had been sober. It has been a beautiful day, fairly hot in the sun but east wind.

Sunday February 14th

We didn't get up till nearly nine to'clock his morning and didn't do much before noon except have breakfast. I went over and swept the school house and did the chores. As soon as we could get ready we all drove down to Auntie's and were there most of the after noon. Harry B. was asleep when we arrived and slept till Aunty Alice woke him as she was so anxious to see how he would act when he saw us but when he came down he barely looked at us, he was so sleepy. When he got well awake he was quite willing to come home with us and said he had had a good time, which he certainly had as both Aunty & Aunty Alice saw to it that he was entertained. We came away from there about half past four and called in home and in at the Donald's to find out Ina's plans for this week and then in at Walkers to get our milk so it was nearly six when we got home. Harry B and Gay both seem tickled to death to get together again, and have had several disagreements already. They have been independent long enough to each want his & her own way more than ever. Cloudy, very soft but raw east wind.

Monday February 12th

We got an early start this morning as both our clocks stopped last night and we set them about a half an hour fast. I got over home about half past nine so Frank Cecil and I got a fairly early start for the Swamp of Misery after another load of hay. We would have been back in good time but for several delays, first at Pickford's then at Jack Mason's to say nothing of several along the road - as those fellows were bound to bring a crock along. Fortunately the stack was a small one so or we would all have broken our necks as we all fell off of it several times, the crock being nearly empty by the time we got there. After about three hours of pitching and climbing back on to the stack we

got what we called a load, and started for home. Except for taking out a gate post all went well till we got to Black Creek bridge which was bare of snow and when the sleigh runners struck a cement piece just at the end of the plank floor of the bridge they stuck fast and the team couldn't budge them. We started to carry snow in our arms to throw under the runners but Anson Abbott saw us and brought a shovel down and got a rail and lifted the front runners so that we could throw snow under but when Frank tried them again he broke the doubletree, so then Anson and Cecil went up to the house and got another set that couldn't be broken and with them we pulled on to the plank where she slid all right. We got home without any more mishaps about three o'clock by the right time Marj. had had dinner ready for us at one and had just about given us up, but the wait hadn't hurt the dinner any and it had done wonders for our appetites. We had the roast of beef that Aunty Alice gave us. We put the load off after dinner and Frank & Cecil went back alone with the team as I thought I would be so late by the time I went over home & back. It was mild & inclined to snow this morning but cleared off and was colder this after noon with a westerly gale to-night

Tuesday February 16th

I walked over home this morning and got Queen & the cutter. I called in at the Lampkin's on my way and they asked me to get them some raw oil down town for their cow. They also invited us over there to-night as the Shands & Evans are to be there and make some music. I sat in the house at home for a few minutes. Dad. is feeling better. He had two teeth out yesterday and intends having some more out right away. The dentist told him they should all come out. It was about half past eleven by the time I got down town. I got a bag of bran at Billy Laings and then before I came home I drove down to Anson Abbott's and returned his doubletrees, so it was after noon when I got home. Right after dinner Marj. Harry B & I drove down town again. Ina was here so we left Gay who fell asleep at the dinner table with her as well as the baby. We left Harry B at the farm. Marj. and I both went to the dentist's and I had a tooth out. It was the one that Dr. Lemmons was treating & Dr. McLaughlin was going to fill it to-day but there had been a gumboil on it so he decided it had better come out. I thought so anyway and so was glad to be rid of it and there was an abscess on it which he said could

not have been cured. It pulled hard but I could barely feel it and except for being a little sore has not bothered me since. He started to kill the nerve in one of Marj's. We got home just before dark and then I drove Ina home. She was up most of the night at a U.F.O. supper & dance so didn't feel very frisky but put out a big wash never-the-less. Aunty & Aunty Alice are coming out Thursday if it is a nice day so if alls well we intend going after another load of hay to-morrow. Marj. went over to the Lampkin's to-night and left me to set bread so I have got to get at it. Cold & windy last night and cold to-day but bright.

Wednesday February 17th

I went over home this morning but we didn't get a very early start. I mixed up an overdose of bread last night and Marj. mixed it down before breakfast and it took her a long time but it turned out to be a beautiful baking. Frank and Cecil were all ready for me and to-day we went down past Art Ryerse's where I got a bag of potatoes. The boys had their little crock along but we didn't mix it at all to-day so all stayed quite sober. We got into the house down at Archie's and Cecil built a fire in an old wreck of a stove and heated the cider in an old cream can lid which just held the jug nicely. We only put on a small load as the sleighing is poor in spots and to-day we took a shovel along and threw snow in the bad places leading up to the bridge, so got home without any accident. We got here about three o'clock and were well primed for dinner so filled up on Marj's fresh rolls & Willie Grants. Frank & I put the load of and Marj. bribed Cecil to help her wash the dishes by offering him a loaf of bread. I didn't go back to the farm with the boys so will have to walk over to get Queen. To-night I went over to the Lampkin's to see how Dave was and took him some of the cough medicine we had as Marj. said he looked so sick with his cold last night. He is in bad shape but thinks he feels a little better to-night. I fully expected to have a sore mouth to-day but have not felt my tooth in the least. When I went out to the barn this morning I found one of my grain bags with large holes chewed in around the top of it. I was surprised as I didn't think the cats would let a rat do so much work, but was more surprised when I went out again after breakfast to find the hay in worse shape that before, in fact the whole thing was just rags. I saw a huge tail of some animal disappear in to the hay and am quite sure it was a muskrat, as two or three times I

have seen muskrat tracks leading from a hole in the ice off the creek up to the barn and back again. Very mild all day but raw south west wind this morning I saw Ed. Austin down at the Ryerse's this morning, he says it is 18 years since he left here.

Thursday February 18th

I walked over home this morning to get Queen. Frank had a small jag of straw on the rack and I helped him put it off in the horse stable loft. I then drove down and got Aunty & Aunty Alice first going up town and trading a couple of dozen eggs for some coffee & sugar. I also drew five dollars from my account to pay for the potatoes I got at Art Ryerses and to pay Trum Walker for milk. I got out here with Aunty & Aunty Alice a little before noon. We had a nice visit this after noon and I drove them back about five o'clock. It snowed a little during the night and has been very cloudy & half raining all day but turned to snow this after noon & was snowing hard & fast when we went into town with an east wind. Mabel came over to spend the night on account of the storm. I saw the muskrat two or three times to-day and was able to get very close to him.

Friday February 19th

Things were pretty well snowed up this morning and it drifted a little but there is a better covering of snow on every thing that there has been at all I think. I spent the fore noon doing chores and mowing the hay back over the cows, first taking what little alfalfa off the rails and throwing it down to have for feeding the calf. This afternoon I drove over and paid Art Ryerse 1.75 for the bag of potatoes I got - they are selling for $2.00 a bushel at the stores, and then Jonas went with me over to Colin's barn and after a wild chase around the basement he captured the Leghorn cockrel for me. He has been down there living on the fat of the land ever since the day he escaped from us & Colin picked him out of a brushpile on the side road so he was in good shape. I called in at the farm for awhile and then went over to Jacks with the cockrel. I went on down town to post a letter so Chris gave me an armfull of chicken catalogues to post for them. The post office floor was covered with mail bags and Alice Miller said that the Eaton's catalogues were in. I met Ina at the gate starting for home so I turned around and drove her home. The Dramatic Club are going to Selkirk in the big Dover Transport track to put on their play. Sunny but cold north west wind.

Saturday February 20th

We were late getting up this morning and by the time I got a few chores done, it was nearly noon when I got over home to help Frank bag up some more oats for Jack Martin. I took Harry B & Gay with me and they had a fine time as Tim played with them all day. He is certainly good to them. Dad. was out at the barn and Frank had not got home yet from Selkirk. Tim went down to the Coleman's this morning and found that some of the party had telephoned up saying they would have to stay all night as there was a spring broken in the truck. Frank got home about the middle of the after noon. He said they didn't get down there till ten o'clock last night but put on the play before a big house finishing up after midnight. The players stayed all night in the hall. He said the roads weren't bad till after they left the highway at Nelles' Corners. I helped Dad nail up some wire to keep the stock away from the straw stack but didn't do any thing else all day, except sit around and read. We came home about five o'clock and I swept the school house before dark. Marj. has had a busy day recovering the old armchair and she has not felt at all well either. Cloudy with fine snow all day.

Sunday February 21st

We all went over and spent the day with the Charlie Butler's arriving there about 11.30 and staying till between four and five. Harry B and Gay had quite a time getting acquainted with the new dog over there as he is a big Boston bull pup and very playful. Cory went at him with a club and made him behave, exclaiming "My Gosh. He wouldn't hurt them, but he's just a great big silly thats what he is and just wants to kiss "em. He's just too saff for any thing." Charlie had to build a wood box with a lid on it to keep him from chewing up the wood as Cory says he is teething and has to have something to chew on. Charlie is still manufacturing furniture in his spare time and has the house full of little tables, stands and hall trees with underpinning heavy enough for a grand piano. He has a set of bob sleighs under construction now for the Munroe kids and if they can lug them up hill without the aid of a horse they will do well. Cold and raw east wind all day, cloudy.

Monday February 22nd

We got up very late this morning and Trum. Walker came in just as I was getting dressed to tell us he

had spilled most of our milk when he was putting it in the mailbox so he took the other pail and sent up a little more with the kids when they came to school but at that we only got about half what we should have. I just did chores this morning and did some squshing for Marj. and this after noon I spent down town at the dentists. He filled three more teeth for me. It was about six when I got home. Marj. invited Mabel & Mrs. Walker over to tea so that she would have company while I went to band practice to-night. Mabel came but Mrs. Walker didnt get here till about seven o'clock and we were nearly through tea. I went down to practice and we had a good one although there weren't many out. There was an exhibition hockey match on between Brantford & Dover Intermediates. Brantford won 8-6. Cold day & frosty but fine night.

Tuesday February 23rd

Marj. Harry B. Gay and I all went down to Aunty's for dinner to-day leaving the baby in Ina's care as she was here washing. I had to go over to Trum's before we left and get the milk as they didn't send it this morning. Marj. went to the dentist's before dinner and her tooth hurt her afterwards. I went over to the Canning Factory and contracted for 2½ acres each of peas & corn. They have raised the price of peas to $40.00 per ton. Quint and I set up a foundation for a hook mat for Aunty Alice this after noon. Marj. and Harry B went up town after dinner with some eggs for Amy and I went up late with Quint for the mail and met them up there. We ran across Warrie Banfield. We came home about five and I drove Ina home. Fine & sunny.

Wednesday February 24th

It was a cold night the mercury dropping to zero and there was a heavy fog this morning with the trees all coated with a beautiful rime. It has been a beautiful day, sunny with what little wind there was from the south but changing this afternoon to the east. I went over home this morning and Frank and I went down to get a load of coal for over there and I intended getting a load for here this after noon but as they had nothing but the old soft coal we just got one load and each took half as Hubert said they expected some Alberta coal in right away and we heard to-night that it came this after noon. We came out here this after noon with the coal and then went back and put a little jag of straw on and hauled it over to the horse stable. We took Marj. and the kids over

with us in the bob-sleigh and they drove back with me in the cutter. It was such a nice day Marj. thought the drive would do them good. Marj. went over to the Lampkins to another party to-night and I set bread. Marj. played crokinole and got the indigestion as usual. The John Evans, the Charlie Butler and Mrs. Walker & Mabel were the other guests. Mabel an Mr. Evans furnished the music both vocal & instrumental & Charlie & Marj. the wit & humour.

Thursday February 25th

We woke up this morning to find it pouring rain and coming from the east. It rained hard till after daylight when the wind veered to the south & south west and it partly cleared but the wind has been rising all day and this after noon it has rained most of the time. The flats were pretty well covered to-night. I didn't do any thing but chores and sit around the house reading sleeping & playing with the baby. Marj. baked bread but has felt all in so lay down for most of the after noon.

Friday February 26th

It turned colder during the night and has been snowing and very blustery, but has cleared off & quieted down to-night. I just did chores this morning and went down to the dentist's this after noon. He filled the tooth he has been killing the nerve in and it is darned painful to-night. I got my hair cut much to Aunty's distress as she is always afraid I will catch cold. I was in there for a few minutes and saw Dick who returned from Montreal Wednesday night. I was in at the farm for a few minutes. Dad. has a very badly swollen face as the dentist broke a piece of a root of one of the teeth he extracted and made his jaw sore digging for it. Dad. got a letter from Mr. Parks to-day, the first he has had since Mr. Parks got back. Marj. should have gone to the dentist to-day but it was too rough to take the kids out as Harry B. has a bad cough.

Saturday February 27th

My tooth has been sore all day to-day so I have kept out of the cold as much as possible. It is better to-night. I just did chores and did a little squshing for Marj. and swept the school house, spent the rest of the day sitting around reading and fooling with the kids. I carried water to the cows from the pump as I was afraid to have them go to the creek the hill was so slippery but I turned them out for awhile and they went down in spite of having been watered. Bright but cold N.W. wind.

Sunday February 28th

As usual we were very late getting up this morning and as we were booked for dinner at Mrs. Walkers we had to hurry around to get ready. We spent a very nice after noon. The kids had a gay time as Clara Tupper who was over there skating with Trum's kids came in and the whole bunch played very boisterously. I spent most of the after noon looking at Topsy's snapshots. Strong raw south west wind and snow this afternoon. Milder to-night.

Monday March 1st

We all went to town this morning and had dinner at Aunty's. We had quite a party as Dick, Quint & Frank were there too. Frank and I went over to the farm right after dinner with Queen and came back with the bobsleigh for a load of Alberta coal. Two cars came in and they are nearly gone. Marj. went up to the dentists' and had a tooth or two filled. I went up too but he was so busy I didn't wait. Marj's throat is very sore to-night. Very mild & cloudy rained this morning S.W. wind.

Tuesday March 2nd

It froze hard last night so the roads to-day are very icy after yesterday's thaw. I drove over home but it was too slippery to take old Charlie out as he has no shoes so Frank and I went over to Pickford's and borrowed old Joe and put him with Queen and went down to get some Alberta coal. It was nearly noon when we got there and the car was about empty but they let us have 9 cwt. We came right out here with it and had dinner here. This after noon we took the sleigh back home and sat around over there for awhile and then Frank went over to Pickford's with me and led old Joe behind the cutter. I came home did up my chores shaved and dressed up and drove right back to town again to attend the band social. I drove Ina as far as the corner. It was after 6.30 when I got to the hall but I was in plenty of time for supper as they waited for Jim Ryerse who was supposed to bring milk and he didn't show up at all so finally they went out and bought milk. We had a good supper and a good crowd, besides the bandsmen and their familys, the reeve & councillors were there with their familys and several ex-bandsmen including Mr. Smith, Mr. Bagley & Bob Leaney. They played progressive euchre for a couple of hours after

tea. I didn't join in that game but sat & talked to Karl. Coleman, Ed. Steele & Harry Moon. Harry has just returned from a two months visit to New York & neighboring cities so has a lot to talk about. About eleven o'clock the Steele orchestra struck up and we danced from then till about one. We had a good time, as there wasn't too big a crowd and every body knew every body which made tings more sociable. Mabel came over and stayed all night with Marj. Marj. has a very sore throat.

Wednesday March 3rd

It has been very windy and cold all day and this after noon it snowed most of the time and was very blustery. We sat around the house most of the fore noon till Marj. suddenly remembered that she had to have dinner ready on time for Mabel. I walked down to Art Quanbury's this after noon and bought a couple of cockrels to mate with my hens. He charged me $2 apiece but I didn't pay him. Art is busy making a radio set.

Thursday March 4th

It froze very hard last night but has been a very sunny day with a cold north west wind. I did chores this morning and after dinner drove Marj. Gay & the baby up to Flossie's to a Women's Institute meeting. Marj. didn't decide to go till noon as her throat and chest are very sore and she can hardly talk but it was such a nice day and on several other occasions when she has been invited up there something has prevented. Harry B & I drove over home and he told Dad. that Mum-mum, Gay and baby sis had gone to a hin party. I left him there and went on down to the dentist but I was late for my appointment and he was so busy he didn't do anything to me. Martha Bonfield and Ruth were both there Dad. had all his remaining teeth out this morning so his face is pretty sore. Harry B and I drove up to Shand's and collected the family before we came home.

Friday March 5th

I did up some of my chores and helped Marj. do some of hers as she feels miserable with her cold and I drove down and had dinner at Aunty's so that I could get up to the dentist's early. Frank was there to dinner, he having been to the dentist's this morning. I went up soon after dinner and had two more teeth filled. He has them all filled now

except two wisdom teeth which he says are not worth filling. He still has to give me three or four treatments for pyorrhea. I wasn't going to have it treated as I told him I hadn't the money to pay for it but he said he didn't mind waiting for his pay and strongly advised it so I told him to go ahead. Poor old Bill Lemmons died to-day. I was in at Aunty's for awhile before I came home and I stopped in home for awhile so it was about five when I got home. Dad. heard again from Mr. Parks yesterday saying that they are having difficulty in getting an affadavit from Mrs. Quintin Dick as it seems she gave birth some years ago to a 6 months child and doesn't know whether it ever had a separate existence or not she is communicating with some relatives to find out for sure as it seems if it had, they will have to argue on the conversion after all. It is so technical that we can't understand it and are beginning to wonder whether it is really the hand of fate or the machinations of men that is hurling so many obstacles in the course of justice. Mr. Parks is very provoked as it will probably cause more delay. It has been bright and not so cold to-day but is freezing hard to-night.

Saturday March 6th

I didn't do any thing but chores to-day and help Marj. do a few jobs around the house. I swept the school house this after noon. Marj's cold doesn't seem much better. Mrs. Lampkin's came over to-night for a visit and brought us some delicious looking cookies, but as they tasted so strongly of oil we only took one bite apiece. She told us that they had been unable to use one batch of butter as it tasted so of the oil they had been giving the cow. We suppose that it still tastes of it but they have become used to the taste as we can't imagine her deliberately trying to pan off such vile tasting things as those cookies were on us. I walked part way home with her. It has been milder and partly cloudy to-day and the wind has swung around to the south east. Very cloudy to-night.

Sunday March 7th

Had a late breakfast as usual and just sat around & read & played with the kids all day, except for doing a few chores and going over to Trrum Walkers for the milk. Had an early supper or dinner at night of stuffed beef steak. Wind back to the West. Rained nearly all day. Colder to-night. Marj's cold still bad.

Monday March 8th

I killed a pair of old hens this morning one for ourselves and one for Aunty Alice and also did a little squshing for Marj. I intended going down to Doc. Lemmon's funeral this after noon but couldn't get ready in time. I did go down with some eggs and Aunty Alice's chicken and got some groceries and feed at Billy Laings. I went to both banks to see how my accounts stood. I had $7.54 at the Standard so as my feed came to $7.22 I gave Billy a cheque on the Standard, and I had $8. something at the Royal, so I drew five dollars and paid Art Quanbury four for the roosters and with the other dollar & the hen money will pay Trum. Walker for milk tickets and then trust to Providence. Maybe the fortune will come soon, but I doubt it. I saw Dick up town and he accompanied me on my various errands I think his holidays are beginning to pall. Aunty Alice is having a bridge party for him to-night and is asking the Charlie Ivey's much against her wishes to please him. I think he is going to Toronto the end of the week to see Frances Henry. Dad. & Frank were both at the funeral Dad a bearer. Frank drove home with me. Marj's cold still bad, she is going to stay in bed to-morrow. Windy & blustery.

Tuesday March 9th

Marj. has been in bed all day but sat up for awhile this evening. She has been busy sewing and got my socks all darned and two dresses finished for Gay. I have tried to keep house and the house looks like it. I seem to have been busy all day with out getting any thing done. I boiled the chicken and gave Marj. a piece at noon. She said she was starving hungry as it was about two o'clock before I got around to it, but the chicken was so tough she couldn't eat it. I turned the kids out for awhile this morning and they all went to sleep this after noon while I went out and did a few chores. Mr. Weidrick the Insurance man was in at noon just as I was in the act of getting the kids some dinner, and he sat and chewed the rag till Harry B. came & told me that Mum-mum said to get him (HB) some dinner and Gay asked him to put on his hat. Beautiful day cold wind.

Wednesday March 10th

I spent the morning doing chores around the house and feeling tough, but Marj. got up at noon and soon straightened things around. I felt miserable

this after noon, besides a toothache I had a weak & watery feeling around my middle. Marj. thought it was something terrible like dysentary so was bound I should go to the doctor or have him out. I disapproved of both proposals so she sent Harry B over to the school house with a note for Mabel asking her to lend a couple of boys to go over and get Dad. Stanton Munroe and Norman Dove answered the call and Dad. came out and reassured Marj. Sunny but cold raw wind.

Thursday March 11th

My tooth was not quite so sore this morning and I felt a little better so we all packed up and went to town according to arrangements. Ina came this morning and stayed here alone getting a great stroke of work done. Enah had been up at the dentists this morning and she and Dad. were at Aunty's for dinner. Dad. & Dick went to Simcoe on the one car to see Frank Reid and show him the court proceedings. Dad. was delighted at having found his watch which he lost a week or so ago. Mrs Andrew Innes picked it up on Hallam's crossing the day he lost it and Alex Spain told him this morning that she had found one. I went up to the dentists right after dinner and had my sore wisdom tooth pulled. There were a couple of abscesses on it. He froze it and then did some work for Roy Dell while the freezing was taking effect. Marj. was supposed to have some teeth filled this after noon but Enah came up there and told me Marj. didn't feel like coming up so I had a pyorrhea treatment in her time. I went into the bank on my way home as I had notice from them that I had overdrawn my account so I renewed my note and borrowed another $100.00 The freezing was going out of my face by the time I got down to Aunty's and it was pretty sore. They got me hot salt water to rinse it with and that helped it a little. Dad. went down to the lake for me to see if there was any coal as we are just out. Mid. told him they had none but if I came down he would borrow some soft coal for me. We got home about five o'clock both feeling pretty tough. Ina stayed and got tea ready and then walked home. She would have stayed all night if Marj. had coaxed her but as She was counting on going to an Horticultural lecture in the Hall to-night, Marj. didn't like to keep her. We both felt all in to-night and went to bed early. Bright & sunny but a little cold N.W. wind. Very cold to-night.

Friday March 12th

I had to chase around this morning and get some rails cut up for the kitchen fire although I did manage to scrape up two pails of coal. We let the kitchen fire out last night and it was one of the coldest nights we have had dropping to below zero and freezing the pump in the kitchen. It was nearly 11.30 by the time I got over home and by the time Frank and I got Queen & old Charlie hooked to the waggon and down town it was noon, so we put the horses in the barn at Auntie's and had dinner there and then Quint went with Frank down to the lake and got me 1200 of soft coal. I went up to the dentists right after dinner and got some more of my teeth cleaned and then Frank and I came out here with the coal and Frank took the team back alone. In Mr. Parks last letter which came to-day, he says they are going to try to get before the judge as soon as Carden's papers arrive if they are in order and will not wait for Mrs. Dick to make her affadavit as if the judge goes by the ruling of a former chief justice and declares the property all realty instead of personalty they will not need to argue conversion anyway. Poor old Dick Faulmsbe died to-day. He was alone for a couple of days with pneumonia and then crawled out to the doctor. Bright but cold.

Saturday March 13th

I spent the fore noon doing chores around the house for Marj. as she has been baking and flying around getting ready for her party on Monday, and to-night the pantry displays a supply of provender in the form of pies cakes and tarts such as would give an appetite to a dyspeptic. I had to go over home this after noon to get Queen & the cutter so I walked on down town and took in a few eggs. I stopped at Art Quanbury's and spoke for some Jersey cream on Monday and I got a bottle of sour pickle for Dad's special benefit and also some beef steak to make Hamburg's for him as we didn't think he could chew roast beef without teeth. The sleighing is very bad but I got home all right with the cutter. Marj. forgot to set bread last night so she will have to bake to-morrow. Very cold.

Sunday March 14th

Marj. has been busier than ever to-day getting things straightened up and cleaned and trying to keep them that way which involves constant warfare with the kids. She baked bread and was a little disappointed in it although it was by no means a failure. She thought she hurried it a little too much as she

was afraid somebody would come in and catch her baking on Sunday. I helped her a little as I couldn't escape being caught in the vortex of her industrial activity but I am not cut out for big business so I went over and swept the school house and then went over to Trum's and got the milk. I was over there quite awhile talking to Trum. & Wilbur who with {Olph.?} & the kids were at Mrs. Walker's for dinner. Wilbur bought a milking Shorthorn cow down at the Caledonia sale and a Holstein heifer out at Challand's. He & Trum were discussing the merits of silos and sugar-jacks I never heard of the latter but it seems there are a lot of them being installed up west and Lorne Roberts is putting on it. As near as I can understand they make any kind of dry fodder into a food equivalent to silage but make it as it is used. Trum. has hauled a lot of gravel for a silo but has decided to abandon the idea of building as it means too much work at filling time. Froze hard last night but has been milder to-day.

Monday March 15th

It was a beautiful morning and very much milder but it clouded up and snowed about the time I went after Aunty and Aunty Alice so Aunty Alice predicted a bad day. She says it is always bad weather when they come out as it snowed the last time. There were only one or two little squalls of snow storms and the rest of the day was lovely. I went over to the farm to get them as Aunty Alice insisted on walking that far with Dick who rode out with Dad. and Enah. Dinner was ready by the time they all got here and went off in great shape. The pudding was prime Marj. was afraid all the time it was cooking that it might have gone mouldy or rancid or something hanging on the porch all winter but it was O.K. We only ate about half of it as it was bigger than it looked. Dorothy Mary in whose honour the party was slept as usual till the middle of the after noon but then woke up and enjoyed herself. Harry B. opened her presents that they brought her, and I suppose as it was all wearing apparel & cold cash, it didn't appeal to him much as he exclaimed "Well, this isn't much of a birthday!" but he enjoyed it never-the-less. Mabel came over after four and seemed rather dismayed to run into a party but she stayed to tea and for the evening so I went down and stayed to tea at Aunty's and went to band practice. I didn't hurry home after practice as Huby Quint

and Dick were all at Aunty's playing bridge and I thought Mabel would stay all night here, so it was about midnight when I got home. It was snowing hard a heavy wet snow when I left and by the time I got home I looked more like a snow drift than anything else. Marj. & Mabel were still up Marj. tired out and Mabel thinking she should go home. I tried to persuade her by telling her it was a brute of a night but she thought her aunty would be anxious so I took her and it was unwillingly that Queen & I turned back into that storm as we had both been thinking all the way home that of all domestic joys, crawling into a warm bed when cold & tired is about the chief one. It was so dark going over to the Walker's that we could hardly see the road, but when I turned to come home the road was lighted up as if it was moonlight under the clouds. I couldn't figure it out as I knew there was no moon and thought it was too late and the light too bright for the radial. When I turned the corner at the Winding Hill, I knew what was going on as the whole northern sky was luridly aglow with the ruddy flames of a fire. My first thoughts were of course of this place but I couldn't believe that this house could burst into flames when it was all right ten minutes before. However I was relieved when I got up the road where I could see the ridge of the barn black against the red sky. My first real guess was Willie Shand's barns but when I got to the top of the hill I could see them against the fire so I knew it was the Dove's place but couldn't tell whether it was the house or barns. I drove in here and told Marj. who was tired out and in bed that I would go over and if any of them needed shelter I would bring them back. Marj. said there was bedding warm that she had been getting ready for Mabel. I urged poor old Queen along as fast as I could and by this time it had stopped snowing. Harvey Shand's house was in darkness when I passed and I yelled in but didn't wake any of them. I heard another buggy behind me just about there and it proved to be Herb. Law who was just returning from seeing his girl. He & I arrived at the fire about the same time and tied our horses to the fence on the road. Just as I drove up I saw Wiillie Shand running across the snow from his place and when I got to the house, all that were there were Tom Stone & George his man and Willie Shand & Tom Aiken. Tom Aiken & George were throwing water on the

wood shed just back of the house but nothing else could be done as there was nothing but the walls of the house standing and the wind was blowing directly away from the barns. Tom Stone told me the family had escaped in their night clothes and were all over at his place. He said Norman who had grabbed his boots as he came out had come over and awakened them up and when he & George got over the whole place was in flames and nothing could be done. The family were out in the barn trying to huddle under a horse blanket and Edward was the only one who had anything on his feet. Tom told them for Heaven's sake to get over to his place so they hooked up and drove over. I stayed for awhile but as there was nothing to do I came home and got to bed at last. I knew Marj. would be wondering if I would be bringing anyone with me. I noticed when I got home a car came down the road from the north and another from the west.

Tuesday March 16th

Ina came this morning, and when Marj. told her of the Dove's disaster, she was very much concerned not only for them but for Nina, whom she knew would be in a very upset state as her nerves are so bad at any time, so Marj. suggested that she go over there instead of washing here. Marj. had hunted out a lot of underwear and other clothes and Ina mended at them till I had my breakfast and got ready to drive her over. We found Nina as we expected terribly agitated and hardly able to keep from crying as he talked to us. Tom. had gone down for the doctor for Mrs. Dove. They are afraid for her as she is so delicate and in no condition to stand such shock & exposure as she is expecting a baby next month I think. I stopped on my way back at the scene of the fire where old Dove and Edward were poking among the ruins. The old man pointed out several articles that he said were of no value in themselves but had a sentimental value to them and besides all their household utensils were brought with them from England and were better than they could buy here. Mrs. Dove had a chest of woollen blankets & bedding that she had brought from England and never used, and besides these things he had $125.00 in bills in his coat pocket. I came through Willie Shand's place and Willie said some of the neighbors were going to canvas the neighborhood this after noon for them. Willie & Tom Aiken went over to

Tom. Stones at 2 o'clock last night each with a bundle of clothes for them. We went down town this after noon as Marj. had to go to the dentist's. Aunty & Aunty Alice gave us a big bundle of good things for the Dove's, which I took over to-night when we got home. I met Ina on the road on her way home from Nina's and she told me that she & Mrs. Harvey Evans had been sewing all the after noon at the things that had been sent and were getting the family pretty well clothed. Just after I got there Fred Misener & Albert Gurney came in from a collecting tour with a whole buggy load of clothes and provisions & $36.00 in cash. Tom Stone & Willie Shand had collected a lot more stuff and cash. Charlie Shand was also out and Les Mitchell & someone else on the back road. I met Bill Donald & Lloyd Ryerse who had been at a sale west of Simcoe & Bill had been telling the story up there but as they were all strangers he only got about three dollars. He is going to Simcoe to-morrow however as it is dollar day for the sole purpose of collecting. They were not going to say anything about it to the Dove's but Fred Misener "blatted" as Nina said all out to Edward this morning and I heard him telling them all as they sat around Nina's tea table to-night that he thought "He & Albert done pretty good they got $36.00 but Willie & Tom beat us they got $38.00 "Albert Gurney" he said " has been out collecting all the after noon and he give five dollars. He says that little affair last fall" meaning the time Albert had Dove arrested for assault "is all forgot now." If Fred's brains were as active as his mouth he'd be a wonderful man. Fine day and not so cold.

Wednesday March 17th

Marj. didn't feel very well to-day so I didn't do much but help her a little in the house. Bertie & Norman Dove came here for dinner. Ina told me last night that they had them rigged out well enough to go to school so I told Nina to send them here for their dinner and save herself the trouble of putting up lunches for them. I cleaned out the colony house this after noon and to-night put the two black hens & the leghorn hen in there so that I can save the other eggs for Chris. Mr. Cornish was in here for a few minutes. He had been out to the Dove's with some clothes. Cousin Willie sent out $25.00 to them and a note of sympathy telling how well he could feel for them having had the same experience. Much milder to-day. It begins to feel like Spring at last.

Thursday March 18th

I had to be at the dentist's at 1.15 to-day so went down to Aunty's for dinner. I went over to the farm this morning to see if I could get a load of straw on the rack and then haul it out here this afternoon. Dad. wanted to get some cornstalks in before we changed the rack from the sleighs to the wheels so we went out and got a jag of them and by the time we got up to the house, it was time for me to leave so that I could get to Aunty's for dinner. I went to the dentists and had another pyorrhea treatment and he found another cavity which he filled. By the time I got back to the farm it was too late to put on a load of straw but we changed the rack and I got a bag of oats to take home. Dad. had a letter from Mr. Parks enclosing an opinion of Gavin Simmonds which Roper & Whatley had let him have, saying that they should get proof of the death of the doctor & nurse who attended Mrs. Dick and then less reliable sources of evidence whould be admitted to prove that her baby had a separate existence. If that could be proved Capt. Dick as next of kin of his son would in Gavin's opinion be able to include all the property except the real estate in his residuary estate and consequently it would go to Mrs. Dick. That is as nearly as I can understand it. Even in that case though Dad. would still get the ground rent of the London mansions which is £8000. a year and also the rentals from the Irish lands provided they don't trip him up on the name & arms clause and give it to Harry B. Mr. Parks thinks that Justice Romer will be governed by the decision of a former chief justice who in this case or a similar one declared all the property except the heirlooms to be realty in which case it all goes to the Barrett family. Fine & mild.

Friday March 19th

I drove over home this morning and Dad. helped me put on a good load of straw. The stack is about demolished. I didn't get over very early as I tried to dig a passage through the lane before I went but the snow is frozen so hard I decided it would take too long so will have to drive on the wheat for awhile yet. It was just about noon when we got the load on and it was starting to rain quite hard so I came right home thinking it might rain all the after noon. It didn't and was a beautiful mild spring like after noon with an occasional shower. It took me some time to put the straw off alone, and as I was late having my dinner and did a

few chores, by the time I got back here after taking the waggon home, it was dark. I took the old harrows over to John Evans for him to sharpen them. Dad. & Enah drove in about four with a bundle of clothes they were taking out to the Doves, who evidently will not lack for plumage.

Saturday March 20th

We all went to town again to-day and had dinner at Aunty's. Quint was there and had his new clock on the sideboard which he has been building for the last few weeks ~ clock not sideboard. It is walnut and certainly is a beauty. Marj. had to go to the dentists this after noon and Quint and I went up and got Aunty's mail stopping in for awhile to visit Mr. McLean in his workshop. He is another worker in walnut. Dad. & Enah were down Dad's tooth is still very sore. Another mild Spring day but rather cloudy.

Sunday March 21st

I swept the school house out this morning and did a few odd chores and about noon Marj. & Harry B went up to the Shands. Marj. wanted to see Flossie about taking the Dove kids for dinner. Marj. has had them all this last week and Flossie said they would take them some time as Marj. has to go to the dentist again to-morrow she wanted to be free of them. She left me to boil the potatoes and feed Gay. and said she would be back as soon as Flossie got home from church. I boiled the vegetables but Gay went to sleep before they were done so I had a most enjoyable and peaceful read till the baby woke up and then I played with her as I didn't know what to feed her. Marj. Harry B & Flossie came back about half past four and Flossie stayed for awhile and then Marj. got me some dinner and I did up my chores. Beautiful day.

Monday March 22nd

I spent the fore noon cleaning the two chicken houses, as the dropping boards hadn't been cleaned all winter it was quite a job. I let the chickens all out as it was a lovely day and let the chicken house floors stay bare all day to dry and then put straw in to-night. We all went to town this after noon and Marj. and I both went to the dentists and got finished up with him. We left all the kids at the farm as Aunty & Aunty Alice went to Simcoe to get a carpet - but didn't have any luck. They were home before we left town. We saw three robins in Jack Martin's colony field on our way home. Very mild S.E. wind raining a little to-night.

Tuesday March 23rd

This has been a very disagreeable day. Cloudy raw east wind and raining or snowing most of the time. I cleaned out the cellar but as I didn't work at it very hard it took me most of the day. It was in bad shape as all the old pumpkins & squash that I put down there had rotted. I have been cudgelling my brains all day to figure out some way of relieving our financial situation as it seems useless to wait much longer for the fortune to come. We are about $300.00 in debt besides the mortgage of $300 and I have got to do some fencing this year and the barn needs shingling. I also want to get a couple of good cows and set out some more fruit and if I could only finance it would try to run my brooder again and raise about 500 chickens. We looked over my insurance policy and could borrow about $225.00 or $280 after the next premium is paid on it, but that wouldn't pay our debts, so I think I will have to try and raise about $700 on a mortgage if I can find the money.

Wednesday March 24th

I went over home this morning and Frank & I bagged up a few oats for me before dinner and this after noon took them to the mill and went on down town and got some groceries, coal oil, my can of milk at the dairy, and some feed at Billy Laings then came back by the mill and got our chop. It was nearly five when we got to the farm so left the load there and I drove home in the buggy. I saw Chris and spoke for space in his incubator for enough eggs to hatch 500 chicks and he said he could put them in next week or the week after but advised waiting till the week after next as he thought they would hatch better. I also spoke to Hall for 100 rods of fence & 50 steel posts so will have to raise money some place. Dad. counsels waiting awhile and if I have to mortgage going to Frank Reid. He got two letters from Mr. Parks to-day saying that all the counsel think it would be unwise to try to get before the judge until this premature baby case is settled & proved as the judge would probably shelve the case anyway till then, so Mr. Parks says it will be the middle of April after the Easter vacation anyway before the case comes up. He said Mr. Farwell, my Counsel, was going to see Gavin Simmonds privately and suggest a settlement as there is the possibility of them appealing the judges decision if it goes against them and that would cause more delay. Dick wrote Aunty saying Nita is very dangerously ill in the hospital. Mild, rain to-night.

Thursday March 25th

I drove over home this morning to get my load of stuff that I left there yesterday but Dad. said that he would hook Pommers & old Charlie up and bring it out for me and save me coming back with Queen so I took out a bag of oat chop & the coal oil in the buggy and was in no hurry for the rest so Dad. said they wouldn't be out with it to-day as he trimmed Pommers feet this morning while I was there and wouldn't get out before dinner and wanted to write Mr. Parks this after noon. I came home to dinner and spent most of the after noon taking down the old wire fence along the west side of the orchard that the cows had so much fun jumping over all last fall. I won't put it up there again but move it over to the brow of the hill along the trees where it evidently was originally & include the strip between the orchard & the woods. I don't know what Charlie's idea was in putting it up where he did anyway, but I have never been able to figure out Charlie's ideas in making any of the changes he did. There must have been something divine about Charlie, he worked in such a mysterious way his wonders to perform. Ina was here to-day. Fine day with rather cold west wind.

Friday March 26th

I spent most of the day rolling up the wire that was on the orchard fence. It took me quite awhile until I got on to the job to roll it and keep it from springing. I rolled each strand separately and found that by rolling in a zig-zag way I could keep it tight. I finished a little before four and then cut a soft maple that was dead at the top and got it trimmed up. Fine, cold wind, freezing to-night.

Saturday March 27th

I cut a beech down below the house this morning that was dead at the top, and just got it down when Marj. wanted me to go over to Mrs Lampkin's to buy some buttermilk I started over but saw Dad. & Frank & Tim coming with my chop so came back. Dad. wanted me to go back with them as Dick was to be at the farm for dinner and he wanted a family gathering to discuss Mr. Parks last letter. He said in it that he had found out that Mrs. Dick's prematurely born child's birth was never registered but that Mr. Farwell my counsel had had a chat with Gavin Simmonds and had suggested a settlement with him for £5000 or £10,000 but Gavin had refused to consider the offer saying

there were too many of the Right Heirs for it to be divided among but that they might be tempted by an offer of £50,000 which Mr. Farwell said was out of the question. Simmonds said further that he would fight it to the House of Lords if necessary. Dick is of the opinion that it is all crooked work and would like to them do their "durnbest" but we all agreed that it would be better to settle with them even for £50,000 than to have them appeal the case and cause indefinite delay. Of course they have yet to prove that the child was born alive and if they fail to do that will have no basis for a claim. Mr. Parks thinks their chances are slim even if they do prove a separate existence, as he is of the opinion and so are the other counsels that the judge will declare the property all realty, he also thinks that the fact that the birth of the child was never registered will go much against them but he thinks it would be better to settle than have the uncertainty of them appealing although he thinks that is a bluff. He said he might go down to Wales where the baby was born and see if he could find out any thing either from the local undertaker or Capt. Dick's gardener about its burial. Dick got back from Toronto last night and says Nita is better and didn't have to undergo an operation after all. He talks of going back to work after Easter. He & Dad. went down town after dinner and I went over as far as Martin's with them to see Chris. He said my eggs tested pretty well. I came home about three and spent the rest of the day doing chores. Harry B has been quite upset the last couple of days and Marj. is trying to keep him on a strict diet but as the poor kid is half starved he cant resist stealing any morsel of forbidden food that he finds, which causes considerable turmoil in the camp, as well as in his "innards" Cold. N.W. wind.

Sunday March 28th

I didn't do much but chores and sit around and read to-day. Marj. Harry B & Gay went over to the Lampkins for about an hour or so at noon and this after noon I went over to Trum's and got the milk. I let the cows out this morning and for the first time they crossed the creek and went down to the end of the gully and got out on the alfalfa so I put up the bars there and then they got out here where I took the orchard fence down. Cloudy & cold raw NW wind.

Monday March 29th

I went over to Willie Shands this morning and spoke for some eggs to set. He thought they could let me have 20 doz. by a week from Thursday. Ina thinks they could save 15 doz. and we should have 15 doz. of our own and I saw Art Quanbury this after noon and he thinks he could let me have 15 doz. I still want 15 doz to make up to 80. Marj. & I drove down town this after noon and took Harry B leaving the other two with Ina. Marj. wanted to get some wallpaper & muresed {Muresco} to prepare for house cleaning next week. I saw W. J. Thompson down town who informed me that he heard I was going to join the Masons. I said I didn't know anything about it and he said Jack King had my application all ready for me to sign. I said something about joining to Dr. McLaughlin and I suppose he has suggested me for a prospect. I told W. J. I couldn't join as I didn't have money enough to buy tobacco whereat he produced a package and invited me to fill my pipe. I drove Ina home before tea and this evening walked down to band practice. Dad. & Enah were at Aunty's when I went in there after band practice, they having been at church and Huby & Quint were at Aunty's playing bridge with Aunty Alice and Dick. Dad. had another letter from Mr. Parks saying that he had consulted Mr. Manning and he had agreed that they give Gavin Simmonds till the 13th of April when court opens after the Easter holidays to prove the birth of Mrs. Dicks son and then apply to the judge for a hearing. Mr. Manning stipulated that they ask the judge to permit them to cross-question any witness Simmonds produces and if the judge wants to delay the case till he gets more evidence to have him argue the name & arms clause anyway so that if Dad. is the heir at law and not Harry B. he can collect his ground rents right away on the real estate. Froze hard nice day.

Tuesday March 30th

I took the 30 doz. egg crate that I borrowed from Chris over to Willie Shands this morning and didnt do much but chores the rest of the forenoon. I sat around for awhile after dinner and then went down to Roy Hammonds to see about eggs but as I ran into Cam. Harvey Evans & Herb Law at the corner I didn't get down to Roy's till about four. Wilbur was there watching Roy tear paper off the parlour wall and I sat there and talked to them for some

time. Roy couldn't let me have eggs as he is saving for himself but he called up Clarence Welsh and found I could get them there. Cloudy & cold. Froze & snowed last night.

Wednesday March 31st

We woke up this mornng to find every thing coated thick with ice and a cold rain falling forming more. It has rained all day but turned a little milder during the day and most of the ice has disappeared. I couldn't do any thing outdoors but chores so helped Marj. in the house and did some painting in the kitchen. The storm must have delayed the cars as we got no mail to-day. We both have bad colds.

Thursday April 1st

It was snowing this mornng and has been blowing a fine blizzard all day. I walked into town as we were out of butter and I got my eggs that I left at Chris's the other day and took them to town and sold them. I then walked home carrying the crate with groceries in it. The roads were heavy and the blizzard was blinding between Art Quanbury's & Evans so I had an enjoyable walk getting home about half past one. I didnt do much but chores the rest of the after noon. The papers to-day tell of great havoc being done by yesterdays ice storm especially to the hydro and telephone & telegraph lines. The power was off in town and people who depended on hydro for light had to go to bed with candles.

Friday April 2nd - Good Friday.

This has been a fine day and but not much milder and the change in the weather was most welcome after what we have had lately. I spent a couple of hours this forenoon sawing up and splitting the maple tree that I cut the other day and Harry B and I carried it all into the porch. I didn't do much this after noon but trimmed up some of the beech tree I cut down.

Saturday April 3rd

Marj. has felt very tough all day so I stayed in the house all day and did housework except for doing the chores, Marj. didn't stay in bed but sat and sewed. I couldn't have done anything outside anyway as it has rained nearly all day. We burned up nearly all our wood & then couldnt keep warm. East wind.

Easter Sunday April 4th

Aunty Alice was very anxious to have us go to church to-day but Marj. felt too miserable to go out or to have me go and leave her alone with the kids so we all stayed home and put in a quiet day. This after noon Harry B. and I drove over home as I wanted to make arrangements to go for hay to-morrow I am right out. We got the milk on our way home. Cloudy & raw inclined to drizzle.

Monday April 5th

The ground was white with snow this morning and it snowed a heavy wet snow all forenoon but cleared up and got colder this afternoon. I drove over to the farm this morning and took Harry B. as he is going to stay there during the Easter holidays. We didn't start after the hay till after dinner when it had stopped storming. We took Queen & old Charlie and the iron wheeled waggon and the road between Wilbur Ryerse's and the cheese factory was so heavy it was all they could do to pull the empty rack so could only put on enough hay for a day or two and we found the stack was soaked through so it was more like silage than hay and very heavy. Bill Donald stopped us on our way down to give us a bid to a shower at Roy Hammonds on Wednesday night for Roy's new hired man who has been working for Porter and who is marrying Porter's hired girl. The girl is from the home & the neighborhood is very much worked up over the alleged hard treatment she has been receiving at the Porters. They claim she has to work from half past four or five in the morning till eight or nine o'clock at night milking & doing heavy outside work besides the housework and that one day this winter old Wilson went down and as the man was thrashing at {Ganley's?} he waited till the girl got the washing done and then took her to the woods and had her help him saw up 25 logs with a cross cut saw. Whether it is as bad as they all think or not I don't know but they want to give the pair a good send off anyway. I didn't go back with Frank.

Tuesday April 6th

I walked over home this morning and Frank and I got a load of coal for me, but as they wanted to take a grist to the mill first I walked down town with some eggs I had and got some things up town and met Frank at Aunty's

He went down with me to get the coal and then went back to Aunty's for dinner as he had to go to the dentist's this afternoon. I came home alone with the coal getting here about one. I put the team in and didn't unload the coal but had dinner and went over to Dove's sale, and there I bought a cow, a little bit of a {red on coming four and fresh about two weeks?}, she sold for $75.00 and was the highest priced one sold but Dove and the others who know her say she is a good one. Trum Walker backed my note. The cows hadn't been milked since last night so I milked quite a lot out of her before I brought her home. I had very little trouble with her as she is as quiet and gentle as a kitten. After I got home I had to unload my coal and then take the waggon back home and bring the buggy back here so that it was well after dark when I got back. Tom Stone overtook me just as I was turning in the lane and stopped to talk for awhile. He was just returning from taking the last of the Dove's possessions down town to them as they went down to their new home to-day. Tom said he wasn't at all sorry they were gone. He didn't know the night of the fire that he was going to have such a prolonged visit from them. Fine & milder.

Wednesday April 7th

I took Gay down to Aunty's this morning or at least at noon, we started out about eleven but I went up first to Willie Shand's and got 21 doz eggs that he has saved for me and then we stopped in at Art. Quanbury's to see about his eggs but he hadn't them ready so he said he would take them in for me in the morning We had to leave our eggs at Chris's and by the time we got down to Aunty's they were half through dinner & had given us up. I went up and got my hair cut after dinner and then came home thinking I would be too late to go after Donald's & Welsh's eggs this after noon. It was cloudy all morning and was beginning to rain when I got home, and Marj. had decided that it was too wet to think of going to the shower, but we got ready anyway. About seven o'clock it seemed to let up a little so I persuaded her to make a try as I thought we would never have as good a chance to go again and we never have been at any of the neighborhood shines, so we rolled the baby up well and struck out. It was an awful night for rain, mud & darkness but wasn't cold. We took a lantern but by the time we got to Roy's it was coated with mud. We

were the first ones there with a horse so I got Queen in the barn and didn't have to unhook her. We were surprised at the number that turned out as we thought we were the only ones foolish enough to venture out on such a night but most of the others walked, although Mrs. Hammonds mother & brother were there from way back at Wiggin's. I didn't see anything of Marj. for an hour or two after we arrived as she was in the front part of the house with the ladies while I found myself herded with the male element in the kitchen, finally however, Less. Marr. got his fiddle out, they moved the piano out to the kitchen & waxed the floor so then we started to dance. I only had a couple of square dances and then went into the other room where Marj. handed me the baby, who was having a whale of a time, and I spent most of the remainder of the time with her although Ina took her for awhile. Marj. & Charlie Butler kept the floor hot. About midnight they had refreshments and Dick & Rose who were married some time during the day opened their shower gifts, which were numerous and useful and with which they were delighted. After that ceremony all hands as well as feet went at the dancing again but my partner like most of the other youthful guests went to sleep and I held her in my arms for a long time, after awhile she woke up still as cheerful as ever and stayed awake till we came home. From time to time during the night some one would look out at the weather and report that it was still pouring down so no one cared much to venture forth and Orph Ryerse who was there with the whole family kept saying she would like to stay till daylight, but about four Roy came in and announced that it had stopped raining and was beginning to freeze which quickly broke up the party. When I went out to the barn for Queen it was pouring rain, but it didn't rain so hard going home. it was just four when we got home and Marj. gave the baby a bottle and she went right to sleep.

Thursday April 8th

I got up about seven or a little after and did up the chores and ate a few fresh rolls that Marj. baked yesterday. I had to collect the rest of my eggs but as it was still raining I waited till nearly eleven to see if would stop as there was no sign of it by that time I started off in the rain. The baby slept through till ten

o'clock and Marj. didn't get up till nearly that time. I went down to Donald's and found Ina just at her breakfast. I got 12 doz. eggs there and then went down to Welsh's and got 8½ doz. The roads down that way were enough to make a strong man quail so by the time I got back to Chris's it was after noon. Art hadn't brought his eggs in yet so Mrs. Quanbury said they would wait till he came to set them. He is going to take in 15 doz which will make 70 doz all told. I had been figuring on 80 doz. but that was all the space they saved for me, and unless they hatch better than they have been I won't get my 500 chicks. It was about two o'clock by the time I got to the farm and I put Queen in and went in as I was wet cold & hungry. They had had dinner of course but Enah got me some and I stayed there most of the after noon and got warmed up. Ina was here when I got home & she & Marj. have started on the house cleaning, she is going to stay till Saturday night. It cleared up towards evening. Cold.

Friday April 9th

I went over home this morning intending to go down and get a load of coal for Dad. and then going down to George Hammond's for a load of hay. Frank and I went down before dinner to get the coal but we didn't get it unloaded till after dinner and it was then too late to start out for hay so we put side boards on the waggon box and I took enough from there to last me over Sunday. I was just out and they wont have any more than they need and will probably have to buy. Ina has been here all day washing & house cleaning. Milder to-day

Saturday April 10th

It was such a nice bright day and warm that I started in to finish shingling the woodshed. I was at it all fore noon and got the north side done but the wind had got so strong by then that I couldn't hang on to my shingles so I didn't do any more but spent the after noon cleaning up a little around the yard and putting the manure out of last year's hot bed on the rhubarb, but the hens promptly scratched it off. I drove Ina home to-night.

Sunday April 11th

Mrs. Lampkin invited us to leave the baby with her this morning, go to church and once back there to dinner

so we attempted it but didn't start soon enough & consequently were very late for church. I let Marj. out at Anderson's corner and she went on up to church while I took Queen down to the barn. I found Joe already in the barn so I tied Queen to the fence outside, and as Aunty Alice & Gay were in the house I went in and stayed with them till Marj. got back. Dad. came in soon after I did as he had been late too. Joe stepped on his foot this morning and it was very lame. We came back to the Lampkin's and found the baby had slept while we were away & had been good. We spent the after noon in the usual manner, except that we didn't have the kids to keep us awake. Marj. & Mrs. Lampkin had the baby so Dave & I snoozed by the stove in the dining room after Dave had recounted a portion of the Pilot Mound adventure. I went home about five to see how the fires were over here and to let the cows out and got back there about six to find that Mrs Lampkin had tea ready for us so we stayed to tea. Cam had brought her some suckers that he caught the other day and as Marj. was fish hungry she had them but as I had previously announced that I didn't care for fish she had beef specially for me. We came home right after tea and just as we got home Flossie & Charlie came in. I had to milk & Marj. had to wash up some of yesterday's dishes so they helped us. They stayed till about ten o'clock, then when Flossie said they must go Charlie said we hadn't had lunch yet much to Flossie's horror and everyone else's amusement. Bright but cold wind.

Monday April 12th

Frank came over this morning to help Marj. paper the spare room. Marj. glue sized the walls before he came so that the paper would stick and it aparently worked. We all put in the day at the job and finished it up. Mabel came over and helped us put the last strip of border on as Frank had to go to a practice. I intended going to band practice but fooled with a set of printing blocks that Mabel brought to Harry B. till I was too late. Cloudy and raw.

Tuesday April 13th

I went over home this morning and got the waggon and put the hay rack on it to go down to Geo. Hammonds

after hay, Dad. wanted me to help him fix the barnyard fence before I left and by the time we got the rack on & the team harnessed it was nearly noon when I got started. I went through town and down the Plank Road as the other road is so bad, and I wanted to weight the waggon on my way but as it was noon when I got down there the scales were locked up. I got to Hammonds just as they were at their dinner they having waited for Kenneth who had gone to town with some hogs so they invited me to have it with them which I did. We then put the hay on and George said I could have another load. The roads were good most of the way so that I could get along with the ordinary rack except in my lane which is very bad. I got home here the middle of the after noon and was so hot riding up the side road that I had to take my coat & sweater off. I put the hay off and then took the waggon back first going back to town to weigh it. I had 620 lbs net of hay. It was tea time when I got to the farm so Dad. persuaded me to stay there and it was after dark when I got home. Ina & Marj. housecleaned the front room & murescoed it to-day and waited tea for me to-night so were rather peeved when I came home & said I had had tea. Harry B. wanted me to stay over there all night, and said Granny couldn't spare him to come home.

Wednesday April 14th

Ina stayed all night and she & Marj. have been house cleaning the dining room to-day. I took the stove pipe down and cleaned it and put it up again as it is too cold to take the stove down & besides we have no place to put it so I think will have to leave it where it is all summer. Marj. wanted me to put some roofing paint on the roof so that it wouldn't leak & spoil her new paper so I went down to Art's & borrowed his tar brush. I didn't get any on before dinner but got one lap on after dinner when Dad. & Dick drove over. Dick intends leaving on Friday so came over to say goodbye. They had been here only a very few minutes when it began to rain and they went back. It continued to rain and grow colder all the after noon except for a few intervals when it snowed or hailed. Ina stayed for tea but wanted to go home so I drove her and it was a very cold night with high wind. The

Northern Lights were so bright that it was almost as light out as bright moon light except that there were no shadows. Freezing very hard.

Thursday April 15th

It was cold this morning but bright and as Marj. wanted some paint & stuff for the house and I wanted to go over and take some oats to the mill we went to town. Marj. stayed at Aunty's for dinner but I went over to the farm. Frank had just left with his plough & tractor to do some ploughing for Jones up at the Halfway House and Dad. & I didn't get the oats bagged up before dinner, so by the time we got them bagged up after dinner and I got down to the mill with them I decided it would be too late for me to wait for them and take them home so I went back & put the team in and went down after Marj. She was still up town when I got there. Aunty Alice is sick enough to be in bed but won't ease up much on her activities. We brought Gay home with us. As who ever hauled the cream yesterday failed to collect our can I went over to-night and asked Mrs. Lampkin if I could take it there and churn it and as the Harvey Evans were there I went with them down to the corner and got the can and left it with Mrs. Lampkin. Cold wind. A cablegram came from Mr. Parks to-day Friday April 16th reading "Judge has appointed 5th May for hearing argument "in" (obiously should be "if") evidence on child is complete. As anticipated Simmons releases claim to actual realty so name & arms will be argued on that day anyway."

Friday April 16th

I was up before daylight this morning owing to Gay's return but it turned out a rotten morning, rain hail snow & high wind from the west, took the joy out of life for a few hours but this after noon it cleared off and was not so bad. I intended going after my chop this fore noon but put it off owing to the weather and went over to churn instead but when I got there Mrs. Lampkin had it all churned & worked. I went over to Trum Walkers and got $1.07 refund on our unused milk tickets. This after noon I went after the chop. Dad. Enah & Harry B had all gone down to see Dick off but as he left at noon they missed him.

I brought my chop home around by the Charlie McQueen road which is in bad shape and then took the waggon back, and found that Harry B had decided to come home, so I brought him and his "trunk". Tim. wanted him to stay over Sunday but evidently seeing Gay & the baby yesterday & seeing us all go off and leave him had made him a little homesick. We stopped in at the Lampkins and got our butter, which she had put up in 5:1 lb. five one lb prints, which we considered was pretty good for the little cow and as we have used a lot of milk. The kids are happy & quarelling again once more.

Saturday April 17th

I drove down town this morning to sell four pounds of our butter. We thought we had better keep one pound as Mrs. Lampkin would be hurt to think we would use creamery butter when we had the chance to use hers but as we can get the money for the dairy butter now and don't have to pay for the other for a month or more and furthermore are in dire need of funds at present while we have the hope though ever so faint that we will be ridiculously wealthy inside of a month we thought it better to cash in on the butter & what eggs we had so that I could get enough to pay for my brooder chimney at Hughs. I sold a couple of pounds to Aunty Alice & the other two to Jackson for 37 cts per lb. I got my chimney and called around by the farm and got a bag of oats. It was after dinner noon when I got home and I didn't do much this after noon but a few chores, have a snooze & help Marj. with dishes. Froze hard last night. Cold north wind all day & freezing hard to-night.

Sunday April 18th

This has been a fine day and fairly sunny but the wind has been cold. I spent the fore noon doing chores and writing this up and then Harry B and I burned off the grass in the little orchard, it was just in good shape to make a clean job of it. I spent most of the after noon asleep.

Monday April 19th

I went over home this morning and got Dad. to go with me down to Hammond's after a load of hay. We took the big team & hay rack and I thought we put on a fair load but when we weighed it we only had 1390 on. We got here about three o'clock with it and

I went back with Dad. & brought Queen home. Dad. didn't have a bite to eat as he said he couldn't eat with his teeth out anyway I had a couple of sandwichs. I walked back to band practice to-night. Mid. has to be away for awhile now settling up Minnie's affairs so they propose getting Ernie Knight down for leader if he will come. There have been a chapter of sad happenings lately. Tom Reynold's little 3 year old daughter sat in a pail of scalding water & was so badly burned that she died. Alan Law's sister died of heart failure leaving five children and to-day word came that Holbe's daughter who was married last fall, her husband and a friend were killed when a train struck their car. Sunny but bitter north wind all day Freezing to-night.

Monday Tuesday April 20th

I spent an hour or two this morning burning the grass on the side hill next the school house & in the little timothy flats. I then killed all the roosters on the place which was five including one that I lent Dad. awhile ago and brought home Saturday. They were not very fat but I thought it was no use keeping them any longer. Karl said they were paying 25 cts a lb for them. I killed the last one after dinner and had to chase him all over the place to catch him as he got away from me. I shut them all up in the crate last night. This after noon I put the new chimney Hugh made me on the colony house. He didn't make it the right angle and it slopes to the south but I think it will work all right. I cleaned out the colony house and raked up around it and Harry B and I lit a bonfire of the leaves and litter. Ina was here to-day and I drove her home to-night. Nice day, milder, S.W. wind.

Wednesday April 21st

We did up the morning work as speedily as possible and all went to town early. We took down the roosters and got 6.75 for them and Marj. did some shopping and we got back home for dinner. Marj. weighed herself and discovered she was getting fat (146 lbs) so wanted some exercise and we cleaned out the old shed this after noon. It was in awful shape but looks vastly improved now. Marj. was tired out to-night. Bobby had a red and white bull calf this morning when I went out. Art Quanbury came in this afternoon & got their garden drill. Fine & warmest day yet.

Thursday April 22nd

I intended going down to get my fence wire first thing this morning but as it was such a lovely morning Marj. wanted me to dig a spot in the garden for some seeds so by the time I got that done it was too late to go before dinner but we had an early dinner and I went down right after. I went home first to get the waggon and found nobody home so I got old Charlie & the waggon and went down alone. I got 3 rolls of 30 rod. 9 wire fence, fifty posts, a spool of barbed wire, brace wire and hooks I also went down and got a bushel of alfalfa seed at Harry Misners. I came home by the farm as I wanted to tell Dad. about Bobbie, she not having cleaned properly yet, but Mr. Cornish was there and he couldn't come out to-night but said he would be out in the morning. I came home unloaded my wire & then went back & got the buggy so it was dark when I got through. Very warm all day high wind this after noon.

Friday April 23rd

I sowed the alfalfa on the wheat this morning first thing before breakfast while there was very little breeze. We weighed out enough seed last night to sow 20 lbs to the acre and I went over it twice with the seeder set to so 8 pints and I still had some seed left so went over the south side of the field again for a couple of rounds so I suppose it is sowed thicker than 20 lbs and the other side not so much. I spent most of the morning & part of the after noon fixing up the fence along the front door yard to keep the chickens out. I put in a couple of steel posts but found I couldn't put the clips on without the tool for the purpose so I walked over home after dinner and got it and the wire stretcher. Dad. & Enah came over about eleven and Dad. took the afterbirth away from Bobbie. It was not much of a job after all as he was only about two minutes at it. Mabel and her sister were here for dinner and this after noon Mildred and Harry B. went to the woods for flowers and after I got home from the farm Marj. went over too. I raked over the spot that I dug yesterday and Marj. planted some garden seeds. I put in enough steel posts across the north end of the gully to string a couple of barbed wires on so I can let the cows out there & save the rest for awhile. Very warm & fine. Every body is on the land.

Saturday April 24th

I went down first thing this morning to stretch the barbed wire on my steel posts and clip it on and thought it would only take me a few minutes. I got the wire stretched across the flats with out much difficulty but when I went to put the clips on the posts I found it was no easy job as I couldn't spring the wire around the post far enough to get them on. I worked long enough to have dug two or three post holes and got four clips on and then the wire broke so I had to leave it. I couldn't understand it as I knew that it was not hard to do over home as I have helped do it. Marj. came down to help me but we couldn't manage it. I thought as everybody is out working on the land that I would be able to plough so harnessed the team and tried the corn stubble. I made one strike out and ploughed a couple of rounds on one of the strikes I made last fall but the ground was far too wet to work except on the clay knolls down near the road. I had to stop any way as it began to rain and poured down for an hour or more just at noon. The roof leaked and in spite of me going up into the attic and putting vessels under the leaks it came though on the new muresco in the front room & the new paper in the bedroom. It cleared up after dinner and I spent considerable time trying to coax one of the black cats out of a hole that is under the eave of the old part of the house just were the nursery roof joins it and that leads to the small space above the kitchen. It is just about large enough for a cat to crawl in and as we saw the black cat that is very obviously an expectant mother go up the roof and in there we feared that she contemplated that spot as a suitable place to rear a family, and while it wouldn't be so bad if she reared them all the consequence would be most unpleasant if any of them died in infancy and she failed to remove them, as there is no way of getting at them without tearing the ceiling off, so we thought it best to coax her out and plug up the hole. However she refused to be enticed in any way so I had to leave her there and do like Steve Brody. I then then hooked up and drove over home to see if I could find out what was the matter with the clips or the posts that I had such a time this morning. Dad. was alone and he got a post which was just the same

as mine but when he looked at the clips he said they were different so he got one of theirs and it was about twice as long so we decided that the ones I had were not meant for steel posts at all but for putting on wooden pickets. I went down town and changed them for the proper kind. I went down to Aunty's & they gave me some grated horseradish and some hollyhock roots which I set out when I got home. I went over to the Lampkin's to-night as they got some groceries that I ordered the other day at Cecil's and then forgot to collect. I asked them to get them for us before I knew that I would have to go down. East wind this morning changing to west after the rain. Not cold.

Sunday April 25th

It was drizzling this morning but it did not last long but it has been cloudy, cold and windy all day. We spent the day sleeping reading and doing chores. No one came in or left the place, nothing happened.

Monday April 26th

We all went to town this morning and as we got a good early start and got down about ten o'clock Marj. got every thing she needed before dinner and we came home soon after dinner. Marj. went up to the Bagley's and to see Glad Law. I worked at my fence after we got home but didn't quite finish. Mabel came over for tea and to stay all night so to-night I walked down to band practice. The walking was good across the fields. Ernie Knight took the leadership but said he hoped we could get a local man soon to take hold of it. Frank was down at the hall practicing for one of his plays and we walked home to-gether. We stopped in at Aunty's where we found Quint and Huby, they having just finished a game of bridge Huby said when we went in "Why, she let you out early to-night, Frank," and Frank not noticing the "she" said "Yes, we didn't go through the third act," which reply provoked great mirth. It was cloudy and a very cold wind all day but cleared off towards evening & was a fine night but freezing quite hard. It froze hard last night.

Tuesday April 27th

I finished fixing the fence across the flats & creek this morning. Harry B. was down with me having a whale of a time throwing sticks in the water. I let the cows

and horses out as soon as I got through and left them out all day. They seemed to get a little picking but were keen for their hay to-night. I spent the remainder off the day raking up leaves around the yard and while I made quite a clearance there is still a large part of the yard unraked. I also wheeled some manure & mulched the little apple trees on the lawn as well as the currant bushes, rhubarb, roses and any thing else that was showing after first forking around them Harry B and Gay were out playing all after noon. Gay slept nearly all morning but Harry B was out from breakfast time till nearly dark except for a short nap after dinner. Mabel was here for dinner. Ina was here all day and I took her home before tea as it was looking like rain. Marj. varnished the nursery floor and is about all in to-night. It was a very fine day although the wind was rather cold, till the middle of the after noon when the wind changed from west to south east and it clouded up. Raining hard to-night.

Wednesday April 28th

It rained nearly all night and was drizzling a little this morning but did not rain much to-day but has been cloudy and windy, clearing this evening. Marj. was in bed all day so I had to be in the house most of the time and it was too disagreeable to let the kids outdoors. While they were all asleep this after noon I went out and managed to get the wood shed moved over the width of itself but didn't get it levelled up. I wanted to move it so that I could build a lean-to back of it and not block the pretty view up the gully from the kitchen window. I had to set bread to-night and by the time I got tea and the kids to bed and the dishes washed it was nearly midnight and I was about all in. I always seem to get knocked out when I have to stay in.

Thursday April 29th

Marj got up this morning but felt pretty weak and it was late by the time we got through breakfast. I levelled up the wood shed first thing getting Harry B. to sit on the end of the lever while I placed bricks. I had to use a window box full of earth yesterday to hold the lever down. I spent most of the day making a coal bin in the end of the wood shed and now have one that will hold 4 or 5 tons probably more than I can

ever afford to buy. I tried to put some tar on the colony house roof but it was cloudy and to cold to work properly. I walked down to the corner to-night and got my cream can which has been there since yesterday. I took some of Marj's rolls to Mrs. Lampkin but they were over at the Evans and Miss McBride was there. Cloudy all day but mild, showery to-night.

Friday April 30th

I had hoped to get away this morning for a load of coal but it was drizzling after breakfast and showery all morning so I didn't get away till after dinner. Mary had a red bull calf first thing this morning down in the gully and if it had been a nice day I would have left them there all day but when it rained I carried the calf up to the shed and to-night I tied it up in the alley way in front of Mary. I had thought of vealing both calves but the kids especially Harry B. seem to like them so I guess I will raise Mary's. When I got over home after dinner there was no one home so I took old Charlie & Queen & the waggon and wen down for my coal. I got about half a ton and then went up to Bill Laing's and got a lot of feed for my chickens. I will have to get the baby chicks to-morrow. After I unloaded my coal in the new coal bin I threw on all the old wire and a lot of old tins that were kicking around and took them down to the marsh so it made me late getting home and after dark when I did chores. Tupper & Art were working on the road and Tupper told me to dump the rubbish at the corner as long as I threw it on the east side of the road so it wouldn't wash into the culvert and as everyone else throws rubbish there I might as well have, but I hate the look of it so I denounce everyone else for doing it that I wouldn't do it although it did make me late going down town with it. Dad. has had four letters from Mr. Parks this week none with important news in them. He is still very hopeful of the outcome on the 5th. He has seen Mr.Gover. Harry B's counsel and says he won't fight very hard against Dad. and is of the same opinion as the rest of them about the property being realty. Mrs. Dick has not yet made her affadavit concerning the child and she too is on Dad's side and wants him to get even the heirlooms.

Saturday May 1st

I started the fire in the brooder stove first thing

after breakfast and after doing chores went down town with some eggs and to get my chicks at Chris's. By the time I got every thing I needed in town it was noon when I got over after my chicks and Chris was home. We filled the two egg crates with chicks putting about 100 in one & 50 in the other and Chris lent me a regular chick box which held 100 and that was all I could get in the buggy so I came home with them and Marj. helped me grease all their heads with lard and put them in the brooder Harry B and Gay were out with us and greatly interested in the "burdys" as Gay called them. As soon as we had dinner I went back after the rest and got about 150 more so that as near as we can count there were 409 chicks and I killed a cripple out of those. They are a healthy looking lot although there are a few weaklings I walked up to the Shand's about six to call up the Co-Operative to see if they had any hay for sale but they hadn't. I swept the school house on my way back as I had to milk Mary to-night and give the calf a lesson in pail feeding which he refused to take, it was late when I got through to-night and Marj. & I were both pretty tired. Marj. raked up the lawn in front & north of the house this after noon. I went out a couple of times before I went to bed to look at the chicks, as they were screeching loudly and I am a little afraid they aren't quite warm enough, and since I loosened the nut on the regulator, it hasn't been hot warm enough to raise the top damper, and I don't know what else to do. It has been an ideal day for moving them. Sunny & very warm, cooler to-night.

Sunday May 2nd

I woke up at five this morning wondering how my chicks were so got up and went to look fearful least I should find them all chilled as they screeched so loudly last night, my fears increased when I went out and didn't hear them this morning so it was a great relief to find them running around and contented After breakfast I took out seven dead ones from under the hover evidently the weaklings. It has been unseasonably hot all day to-day so they have been plenty warm enough. I tinkered around all forenoon with the chickens and other chores ably assisted - from their point of view - by Gay & Harry B.

Marj. gave me a square cake tin for a water dish for the chicks and I made a rack to fit over it so that they wouldn't fall in. I also mixed up a mash and gave them a little but they didn't seem hungry so I didn't give them anymore till this after noon and they ate it a little better. We tried to put all the kids to sleep at noon and succeeded with Gay & the baby but couldn't get Harry B off so we took him with us and went over to the woods and dug up some wild flower roots mostly May flowers but a few trilliums and planted them over by the gully fence among the trees there. When Gay woke up Marj. took Harry B & her over to the Lampkins. I carried the baby and helped them across the creek and then came back here with the baby and fed her. They didn't stay long as there was no one home at the Lampkin's. I sat around and read and dozed till tea time and did chores after tea. Marj. was tired out and went to bed early but I took a walk over to the Lampkin's to ask them if they wanted any clucking hens as there were about half a dozen on the nests to-night. They said they would be glad to have about three. At Marj's suggestion I took out five or six of the dumpy looking chickens and put them under one of the broody hens & she was very pleased with them.

Monday May 3rd

I drove over home this morning with Harry B and Gay to see if we coukd go after hay, but Dad. was down town getting his teeth. Frank was home but not feeling up to the mark and Enah and Tim were both sick with colds. Frank helped me bag up some oats for a grist for myself and Dad. but we didn't have time to go to the mill with it before dinner as he cows got out and we had to chase them in and fix the fence. This after noon I took the grist down and Dad. & Frank went back to patch up the gully fence after which they let the young stock go back. I went down town while the oats were being chopped and got some oranges and went around by Aunty's for a minute. I then took the basket that had the chicks in back to Chris. It was after four when I got back to the farm and as it was getting very cold I decided to get home with the kids as soon as possible so left the chop there. It has been cloudy all day & the wind from the north west and cold, freezing quite hard to-night, terrible change from yesterday's heat. Another letter from Mr. Parks saying Mrs. Dicks mother was not present when child was born or rather when miscarriage took place. Jack also wrote announcing arrival of son & heir & wants Dick for a godfather.

Tuesday May 4th

I drove over home this morning and Dad and I went down the Lake Shore to Snider's and got a small load of hay, nice bright timothy, I brought it out here but we arranged to go for another load to-morrow for Dad. Dad. went home from the corner to do some chores and I came on out with the load had some dinner and put the horses in & Dad walked across and helped me put it off. He took the team back so I didn't go. Ina was here all day and she had to walk home. Three more chickens died to-day and several look sick we put a few more under the old hen. I went out after tea to-night and shook the stove fire down and sat down out there to watch it for awhile and the first thing I know Marj. was pounding on the wall calling me. She said she had been looking for me for an hour and couldn't make me hear, reason being that I hah been sound asleep. She had gone down cellar for something and thought the odour she has been complaining about was worse and upon looking into the cistern discovered a "demmed, damp, disagreeable body" and thought it was a rat, but when I got wakened up sufficiently to go and dip it out with a pail I discovered it was a muskrat. Whether it is our long lost barn pet and how he got in there I don't know, but suppose he must have gone through the wall where the eave-pipe enters. Sunny and nice day but cold wind. Froze ½ inch of ice last night.

Wednesday May 5th

I was up at five this morning and hurried as much as I am capable with my chores but what with the little chickens and feeding the calf which is slow learning to drink it was 9.30 or later when I got over home. Dad. had the team harnessed so we were not long getting started. We just got nicely out the lane when Enah called us and said some one coming up the road had signalled as we drove out. We stopped and Dad went back to meet Aunty Alice walking over with a cablegram which she said needed an immediate answer. It was a long one from Mr. Parks and as nearly as I can remember read, "Wire if you agree to give Toby's infant one fifth of sum you recieve. Advise you to agree. Case adjourned till 12th when I think judge will declare you entitled to ground rent and

Irish land. Think Toby will recieve interest during infancy of his son. Conversion will not be argued till evidence complete whether Dick had son." Dad. told Aunty Alice to cable back word that he would agree. We thought at first that the case had come up and the judge had reserved his decision until they found out whteher Dad. would agree or not, but on looking at the date we found the cable was sent yesterday so suppose the counsels have decided on this among themselves. Dad. and I went on down and got the hay getting back to the farm about two o'clock. We had dinner and then put it off over the horse stable. Dad. harnessed Pommers and was going to take my chop out in the waggon and let me drive the buggy home and so save me coming back but just as we were ready to start or were waiting for the big oil tank which was in filling Frank's {bands?} to leave, Wilkinson from Martin's drove in and asked Dad. to sign a certificate to the effect that certain birds had been inspected by him & that their shipping crates had been disinfected. As Dad. had never seen the chickens, he most emphatically refused to sign it so Wilkinson asked him to go back with him, so I went over too and we found the birds had been shipped about a week ago. Dad. told Sid he couldn't and wouldn't sign any inspection certificate for birds that he never saw, much as he would like to do any thing for Mrs. Martin, so we came back again. It was raining hard when we got back so we decided not to try to take the chop, and after waiting for a few minutes to see if it was going to let up and concluding it wasn't I came home in the rain. I found Marj. pretty tired, she having cleared & whitewashed the cellar, or part of it. Gay is rather under the weather to-day. Cloudy & threatening all day. Mild

Thursday May 6th

I have spent the day doing odd jobs around the place. Took a couple of setting hens over to Mrs. Lampkin's this afternoon morning as two of the others failed to sit. Harry B. went with me and took her some rhubarb about the first we have got. I uncovered the strawberries fixed a pen outside for the little chickens with a couple of boards and raked up more of the yard. Dad. was over with my chop after dinner. Marj. did more whitewashing & helped me with the chicks. Ideal day

Friday May 7th

I made another attempt to plough the corn stubble this morning but it was still too wet so I harrowed it over, thinking that if the top was scratched up a little it might dry better. I also harrowed the hill next the school house this after noon but it was in better shape and I believe would plough. As we had 15 doz eggs to take to town and I didn't want to take the time Marj. drove down and did her trading. She tried to get Glad Law, Essie, and Belle Smith in town to go with her and hold Queen for her while she was in the store but as they were all otherwise engaged Belle sent Mr. Smith down with her. She called around by the farm and said Dad. & Frank had all the sheep sheared but three. She left me to feed the baby and by the time I got that done and the little chickens herded back into their brooder house, when it began to get cool outside, I didn't get much else done except a little more of yard raked. They celebrated Arbour Day at the school yard to-day and Harry B. attended representing the family. He went over and came back all by himself and said he had a good time. I saw him over in the woods with some of the boys. Fine & warm.

Saturday May 8th

I spent most of the day ploughing on the corn stubble. It was still pretty wet in spots but didn't go too badly for the most part. I didn't get a very early start this morning and after dinner Marj. and I spent quite a little time chasing all the chicks outdoors so Marj. could sweep the colony house, which needed it badly. I got about four lands ploughed and rolled down but had to work till after six. Marj. had a busy day cleaning things up and finished whitewashing the cellar. Harry B & Gay played out in the mud all day and got themselves & the house plastered. Warm NE wind

Sunday May 9th

Spent most of the fore noon doing chores and odd jobs, fixed a couple more pans for the chickens to drink from and went over to the school house. This after noon we all drove down town for awhile stopping in at the farm to get some oats. Fine day with cool N. wind.

Monday May 10th

Ploughed all day and got on fairly well. Marj. tended to the chicks which helped me out. She made an improve

runway for them this after noon and cut a larger opening in the brooder house. Mrs. Lampkin was over this afternoon and brought a mixed up Johnnie cake all ready to add soda to and bake. Mabel came over to tea and stayed all night while I walked down to band practice. I walked across and told Mrs. Walker that Mabel was staying and then cut across the fields through Tuppers, Pickford's and home to town. I stopped in home for a few minutes. Dad. had a couple more letters from England. I didn't read them but he said that they did meet the Judge on the 4th so had evidently sent the cable after seeing him. Mr. Parks said also that they had gone down to Wales to try to dig up more evidence concerning Mrs. Dick's miscarriage but had been unsuccessful. The doctor down there said he had not been called in until after the London doctor had arrived which was a day or two later than the child's birth. He also said that Mrs. Dick had called at the office to see Washborough while Mr. Parks was away and said it would be to his advantage to hear what she had to say but when she heard that they were down in Wales, she was furious, but Mr. Whatley is going to impress on her the unpleasantness of publicity if she kicks up much fuss

Tuesday May 11th

I finished ploughing the corn stubble to-day and rolled down to-days ploughing. It was a hard job turning over the red clay along the road and on the side hill next the lane, in fact I didn't turn much of it but merely rooted it up. It was hard work for poor old Belle and I had a hard job making her walk in the furrow. A fellow has a slim chance of salvation when he has to plough with a team like that as swearing is absolutely necessary. Queen is so quick and Belle so slow that they pull the plough all over, and turning at the ends Queen steps over her traces nearly every time because Belle doesn't pull up her end of the doubletree. I was dead tired to-night and my feet hurt. I went to sleep in the hay at noon after dinner and would probably have beeen there yet only Marj. suspected me when she didn't see me at work and came out and called me about two o'clock. She was tired out to-night as she has taken full charge of the little chickens and she had Ina here to-day washing & house cleaning and Mabel for dinner. Ada called for Ina to-night so saved me a trip. Fine day but cold N. wind.

Wednesday May 12th

I harrowed and rolled the field to-day but didn't get any more than that done to it. Old Belle seems lamer and slower than ever and I couldn't seem to get away to-day. I hoed the raspberries sat noon that I set out last fall, the ground was very hard around them. I quit work about five and helped Marj. enlarge the chick's run. To-day the case was to come up again but we don't look for news till to-morrow. Fine & warm.

Thursday May 13th

I disked the field lengthwise this forenoon working till about one o'clock and this after noon Marj. Harry B. & I went down town. We were out of bread & flour so had to go. I had intended trying to get my seed peas but we got such a late start I didn't try and Dad. is going down to the factory to-morrow after Frank's seed so will get mine at the same time. Harry B. went over to Mrs. Lampkin's this morning with a note to ask her if she would keep Gay & the baby, so we left them there and they behaved very well. There was a cable from Mr. Parks to-day reading "Case adjourned 19th". The big strike over there is called off, so they can get down to business.

Friday May 14th

I didn't do any thing else to day but harrow disk the field crosswise I got a late start this morning and cut some of the lawn at noon so got out late this after noon too. I found out that poor old Belle's sweat pad had got pulled too far around her collar and the edge of it was making a sore spot on her shoulder so I moved it and raised the draught, and I think she has gone a little better to-day. Fine and warm looks a little like rain.

Saturday May 15th

I harrowed the field over this morning and had dinner a little before noon then took the team over home right after dinner to get the drill & seed peas. Dad. had just finished drilling in some oats over there before dinner and was coming out with the drill so I hooked to the waggon and brought the seed out and he brought the drill. I started to roll the field as soon as I had put the seed out and Dad. followed with the drill. He thought the ground was in good shape. He finished before six. Harry B and Gay went over to Mrs. Lampkins this morning to return a dish and Harry B found an old mouth-organ so was very pleased & proud of himself. Fair & warm.

Sunday May 16th

Marj. wanted me to go to church this morning but as the cows have got through the barbed wire that I put up in the gully the last two days, I had to go down and take it down so that they could get in the lower end of the gully with out going over or through barbed wire and cutting themselves, and so couldn't go to church but as it turned out such a beautiful warm day Marj. decided she & Harry B would go so I got Queen ready and off they went after I had cut Harry B's back hair. While they were gone I cut some of the lawn, shaved and fed the baby and was just about to light the fire for dinner when Marj. H.B. & Glad Law came back Marj. had cooked up lots of provisions yesterday so was keen for company to help eat it and Aunty & Aunty Alice couldn't come as they are having Dad. & Enah down there to dinner celebrating their 20th wedding aniversary so Marj. went up after church and got Glad. to come. Just after dinner Mid Thompson and Essie B. drove out in Minnie's car and after a little visit and looking at the chickens Essie proposed going for a drive so we all piled into the car and Mid drove us up this road to the Provincial Highway along it to the Blue Line down it to the fourth con. and down it to Shand's corners and home. I then came up to the house with Gay and the baby while the rest of the party went across the road for awhile to pick trilliums in the woods, and then Glad. went home with Mid. & Essie. Beautiful day, sunny & warm but very dry. The woods are now at their most beautiful stage with their hazy tints of greens, browns and reds.

Monday May 17th

We spent quite a time this morning blocking up the bottom of the colony house so that the chickens couldn't get under it and then we opened one side of their yard so they could have free range. They have been out all day but didn't go far away and it was so warm that they took no hurt. We had no trouble getting them in to-night as they couldn't run under the house. I harrowed the pea field before dinner but didn't have time to run the ditches and I spent the after noon string up a fence along the woods west & south of the orchard to keep the cows back in the gully. I had to get Marj. to help me tack it to the trees. Dovey was not with the other cows to-night and after quite a search I found her

over in Dave's flats, she had evidently crawled through the fence as the staples were all out of it, but I could not drive her back that way so had to bring her home around by the road. Mabel send word over to-night with some of the kids that she would come over and stay with Marj. to-night if I was going to band practice but she had to take her car home first so she walked up after tea. I was pretty late but walked down through the fields and we had a good practice. I called in home and Dad. showed me a letter from Mr. Parks which came to-day but which didn't explain the cable he sent on the 4th at all. He said he had been searching the files of the Public Record's Office for the Lord Justice's decision concerning the conversion question made years ago, he said this decision was binding on Justice Romer as it had been made by a higher court.

Tuesday May 18th

I took the drill back first thing this morning as Frank told me last night that he had 2 acres of the back field ready for it. I took it up there and Dad. was there with the team having just brought the seed back. When I got home I ran the ditches in the pea ground and then started to plough the side hill facing the school house. It works up like a garden all but the red clay nubs of the hills and they are pretty waxy. I cleaned out the ditches in the pea ground after dinner so only got in about an hour's ploughing this after noon. Ina was here to-day and Marj. drove her home to-night. Warm.

Wednesday May 19th

It rained from early this morning to nearly noon and then cleared up partly and has been a little cooler this after noon. I didn't do any thing much but chores this forenoon but chores and read the paper. This after noon Marj. drove down town taking Harry B. and got some corn chop for the little chickens and wheat for the hens, and marketed the eggs but as it looked so threatening took all but Aunty Alices to the store and so Mrs. Skey & Amy didn't get any. I herded Gay & the baby and worked a little at the flower beds. Marj. brought home two letters from Mr. Parks one the one that came Monday & the other one as I suspected was written first but arrived yesterday. It was a very dolourous one in which Mr. Parks said he felt quite discouraged over proceedings as he couldn't

get Harry B's counsel to agree to reasonable terms. He Mr. Gover suggested at the consultation they had prior to the sitting that Dad. should get 2/3 of the fund I should get 2/3 and Harry B 1/3. Mr. Parks would not agree to this and told Mr. Gover that he did not need to concern himself with any but his own client (Harry B.) which apparently peeved the gentleman as he left the meeting immediately saying he had an appointment overdue. Later on however he got the counsel to agree on his terms which were Dad 4/5 Harry B 1/5 and me to get the interest on H.B's share during his minority. He said Mrs. Dick is an impossible woman and had sought another solicitor, but the judge had said that there must be no more delay over the "child" question but that Mrs. Dick must either make an affadavit or they must file evidence that there was no child. That part of it is evidently in the hands of the Master again. I don't understand about the Name & Arms question. The judge seems to have adjourned the case in order to let the counsel arrange terms among themselves so whether they have argued the point or not I can't make out nor can any of us.

Thursday May 20th

I ploughed to-day but didnt get a very good day in. I had to fill up the chicken's hoppers and nail up the line fence in the gully between Dave & me. This after noon I dug a place for Marj. to plant some flower seed under our bedroom window and fiddled in about an hour around the flower garden a thing which is very easy for me to do. Marj. Harry B & the baby went up to the Harvey Shand's about four o'clock and I wheeled the baby up as far as the school house for Marj. and back up the lane. It was much harder work than ploughing. Fine and warm but cool west breeze.

Friday May 21st

I ploughed this fore noon but this after noon we all went to town as Aunt Ella is here at Aunty's and they wanted her to see the children. She was delighted with them professed to be anyway. Marj. Harry B and I drove up town and took Mrs. Skey & Amy their eggs and got some meat. We then collected the other two kids and came home as it was looking very rainy & Marj. had bread ready for the oven. A cablegram came to-day reading "Sitting yesterday & to-day Adjourned June 2nd." Enah says they skip next week on account of Whitsuntide holidays.

May 22nd Saturday.

It rained quite a shower during the night but there has been quite a high west wind all day and it has been getting colder. Marj. was under the weather so stayed in bed most of the fore noon and I had to stay in the house most of the time doing her chores, but was able to get my own done all right and about eleven Marj. got up and I went out and cut most of the lawn. I ploughed this after noon and rolled down what I had ploughed. After tea I walked down town and got my hair cut. I took a walk down to the lake to see what was going on at Ben's dance hall as he has started opening it Saturday night's now for the season Quint also had his shack open but was not doing much business. While I was talking to him Frank came over from the dance and I went back with him. It was so late that I didn't pay to go in and waited in there till midnight and then walked home as far as they went with Frank & Jonas. I heard Mr. Cornish telling Dad. the other day that he never saw any evidence of drunkenness down at the Summer Garden and attributed the fact to the beneficial effects of Probition although as I remember the old Pavillion dances in the wild and wicked days of the open bars it was always an orderly crowd of merry makers & Buck did not find it necessary to keep a burly man of brawn at the door to prevent drunks from entering, but Ben does, and Mr. Crook stands at his post for that purpose and spent most of his time while I was there trying to keep Leonard Powell and an inebriated pal out. They managed to get past him and as we were leaving he had successfully ejected Leonard who was with a great deal of staggering &profanity preparing to make another dash past the portal. Quint told me that Milton Jones who is Captain of the Elsie Doris this year and normally as sober as anyone I never heard before of him being full - was pickled to the ears to-night. He had fallen in with a young coon whose father had put him on the "Vigilant" years ago in Milt's charge and to-night he had a whole suitcase full of various liquors and to please him Milt had to sample them all. While I was in the barber shop, the barber was commenting on the spiflicated condition of some one on the street, and on the way home we fell in with Jack Pickford, who told us he had called in at a house to borrow a match and had run into a party and before before leaving they had

produced a bottle of the "real thing" and given him a couple of hookers. When we first saw him he was coming out of Alfred Smith's house so I suppose that was the scene of the party. This is the first Saturday I have been down town at night for a long time and of course Monday is a holiday but it looks to me as if the Prohibitionists, give a great deal of credit to Prohibition, which really belongs to high prices for booze and that about the only ones who benefit much from it are the bootleggers. Cloudy and very cold wind.

Sunday May 23rd

Except for finishing cutting the lawn and levelling up a step that Marj. made for the side door out of an old window casing that came with the rubbish I got at Mrs. Woodson's last fall I kept the sabbath in the most approved style. Harry B. Gay and I took a stroll down through the flats and gathered a nice bunch of violets which are thick in the pastures and old meadows, true, we were on our way to the corner to get the cream can which I forgot last night but we were very leisurely about it and paid the Lampkins a short call while we were on our way. We all had a snooze this after noon and I had a long one. I also sampled some books that Aunty Alice gave us the other day that they had duplicates of. We were very glad to have them. There was a copy of Moore, "The Ingoldsby Legends" which Marj. has been chuckling over." Kingsly's "Hypatia." The Wandering Jew and Lever's "Roland Cashel" and she is going to give us a Shakespeare complete in three volumes so they make quite an addition to our library. Sunny and bright but cold wind.

Monday. May 24th {There is a wee sketch of the Union Jack.}

I did not intend to take a holiday to-day but as it was a rainy morning early I didn't do very much but odd jobs and chores among them sweeping the school house. I got the horses up and harnessed them about eleven and got out early after dinner and ploughed all the after noon but didn't quite finish the field. It turned out a beautiful day when it cleared off and there have been a lot of rigs & cars on the road all day most of them bristling with fish poles. Tim walked over this after noon armed with his rifle and had shot a groundhog & thought he shot a crow.

Tuesday May 25th

I ploughed all fore noon and finished the side hill and ploughed a headland up as far as the strawberries to what I ploughed last fall. This after noon I rolled the fresh ploughing and harrowed the whole thing. Ina was here to-day and Marj. brought took her home to-night and they went down to Welsh's to get another cream can as the one he left had a hole in the bottom. Dad. drove over for a few minutes this morning, he had been at Evan's so came on out to see how we were getting along. He had two more letters from Mr. Parks telling of the court sitting on the twelfth. It is hard to understand it but things are not going very satisfactorily evidently. The Judge raised a point as to who should argue the Name & Arms clause and appointed Gavin Simonds to argue for Fenton which looks to me as if possibly even Harry B. may be out of it yet. Fine and warm.

Sunday June 6th

For nearly two weeks now the pressure of farming and other things has prevented me from indulging in the frivolity of diary writing so I don't intend to rack my brains trying to recall the detail of each days happenings. The weather for the most part has been dry and cold with only one or two really hot days and the same number of showers but no soaking rain such as is needed along with good hot weather to make things grow. Wednesday May 26th I disked up the piece back of the barn where I hope to put roots and ploughed out a furrow for potatoes. We have about enough Early Rose seed that Aunty Alice gave us to plant a row. I went to band practice at night and Chris asked me if I could let him have the money I owe him for the chicks before the first of June. I got a ride home with the Lemmon's and brought my horn as Ernie Knight asked us to go to Simcoe on Sunday. Thursday the 27th Dad. Enah Tim. Harry B and I all went to the circus. Aunty & Aunty Alice disapproved of Harry B going but I was anxious for him to see the animals that he knows now only by pictures. Marj. drove him down in the morning while I planted the potatoes. He stayed at Auntys for dinner and I walked down & met the rest and we all went up on the one o'clock car. Lee Bros. the proprietors of the circus proved to be true disciples

of P.J. Barnum as far as adhering to the creed that there is a sucker born every minute was concerned. Dad. paid the shot for all of us and it must have nearly broke him as they soaked him 80 cts a ticket to get into the outer tent and another 80 to enter the inner shrine. They had very few animals and what they had were a pretty moth-eaten looking bunch, and I never saw such dirty and ragged boys as the chore boys were.The inside performance consisted almost entirely of the animals tricks as there were very few acrobats or clowns or any thing else that generally goes with a circus except a large crowd. However it was a success as far as Harry B was concerned as it was the best he ever saw so I was not sorry he went. He stayed at Auntys all night and I walked home & was dead tired when I got here. I didn't stay all the after noon at the circus but went down and interviewed Frank Reid about borrowing some money on a mortgage. I gave him the particulars but will have to take Marj. up and arrange with Mrs. Quanbury to pay her off before the payment falls due. I hate to put another mortgage on the place but it seems the only thing to do. We are about $700.00 in debt and people are wanting their money. Dad. told me on the way home that he could lend me enough to pay Chris. and that I had better wait to hear the outcome of the hearing on June 2nd so I decided to do it. Friday the 28th Frank came over with his tractor and ploughed nearly all my corn ground while I went over there and helped Dad pitch manure to put on their corn ground. Saturday 29th being Harry B's birthday I drove down and got Aunty & Aunty Alice and brought them out for the day, and we had a very nice day & I got nearly all the flower garden dug. Sunday the band went to Simcoe to a memorial service in the Baptist church. Carl Lemmons, Frankie & Jim Ryerse called for me about nine o'clock and we assembled at the Armouries were strengthened by some of the members of the defunct Simcoe band and marched to the church where we sat for nearly two hours and endured a very tiresome and silly service or programme I don't which they called it. We got home about two oclock and I spent the remainder of the afternoon snoozing. Monday Frank came out here and finished ploughing the corn ground and worked it up and I went

over there and helped Dad. haul out manure. I was late getting over so we didn't get in an extra good day. Frank coolly informed us when we came home that he was going over to plough for Roy Hammond to-morrow as we wouldn't be through with the manure so I went over again Tuesday and helped Dad. although I had figured on being home. Wednesday I didn't go over but as Queen's harness was over there I couldn't work the team but just did odd jobs around here. Thursday being the King's birthday school was closed and Tim came over here with his rifle to shoot groundhogs in the after noon and I foolishly went with him so didn't get much done. Marj. was very provoked at me. She was over at the Lampkin's all the after noon as poor old Dave was laid up again with his legs swelled up. Friday June 4th Dad. brought the spreader over and we covered the corn ground putting it 8 loads to the acre, and we didn't use quite all there was in the yard. Saturday 5th I went over to Dave's with Queen and got his Dock and sowed his oats & harrowed them in for him. I sowed them by hand and as I never tried the job before and as the ground was rough I am afraid I made a poor job of it but it is so dry I don't think they will come anyway. In the after noon I brought Dock over here and with him and Queen rolled my peas and disked the manure into the corn ground. I also rolled the summer fallow which I have decided to do with the side hill facing the school house. Sunday June 6 has long since past so I will have to continue in the same manner, the Bagley's were all out for dinner that day, and it rained a little. Monday 7th I went back over to Daves and with Queen & Doc. rolled his oats & harrowed them again and then came over here & harrowed & rolled my corn ground. Tuesday 8th I went over to help Frank plant his corn but it was such a rainy after noon we didn't finish. Not much rain fell but ever now and then a sharp shower would make us hunt shelter. We sought it twice at Pickford's and the first time he came back with us but it was too wet after the next shower. Dad. came out here to mark out my field but didn't finish owing to the rain. I went over to Mrs. Quanbury's and as she had 700 & she was very anxious to put out I borrowed it.

it and wrote a card to Frank Reid to say I wouldn't need to get any from him. It looks as though this fortune was gradually fading from our ken. They finished the argument on June 2nd but the judge has reserved his decision for a week or so which looks as if he was not at all convinced that Dad's claim was good. Wednesday 9th Frank came over this morning before I finished marking out the corn ground and started planting and we finished about four o'clock. Thursday 10th Marj. & I went down in the afternoon and signed the mortgage at Gibsons and Charlie Quanbury met us there with the money. I spent the rest of the after noon paying debts.

Thursday July 1st

I have been too busy during the daytime and too dead tired at night to write and I can't remember the daily happenings of the last three weeks. The weather is still cool and dry although we had a couple of good rains. I have cultivated my corn one way once but it is growing very slowly. We got the garden in but nothing is up yet except some corn & potatoes and the chickens are ruining it. I can't keep the little divils out. They are growing fast and are too big to go through the fence but they can now fly over it. I had Cecil & Frank over here for three days last week and we shingled the north side of the barn roof a job which it is a great relief to have done as it was in very bad shape. The alfalfa is very late this year but is fit to cut now Dad. cut his yesterday or the day before. Cousin Harry & Cousin Lizzie from California have been here now for a week or so & are leaving to-morrow. We have had very few strawberries lately so far but they are beginning to ripen faster now. The Band went to Selkirk for the Oddfellows on June 13th & stayed down and gave an evening concert for a supper of salmon sandwichs & lemonade & half the collection. We got home about 9.30 and it was after midnight when I finished my chores. We went to Simcoe on the after noon of the 16th to the horse races and had a lot of fun getting back before tea. I drew $2.50 to-day for both trips. Last Sunday we went up to the cemetery with the Dover I.O.O.F and Monday night next we are booked for Jimmy Ryerse's to serenade him as he & Katie Smith got married on June 10th.

Dad's letters from Mr. Parks have been none too cheerful lately, he hopes the judge will decide in Dad's favour but there is an old case that may prevent he said, but the other day Dad. got a cable from him reading "Decision July 1st. Don't worry." which Dad thought meant that he and heard something in confidence from the Judge's clerk. Dad. was possibly right for to-day two cablegrams's came one from Mr. Parks reading "Successful" and the other from White's saying "Judge decides you solely entitled to land. No steps can be taken until Fenton decided whether to appeal or not." They came just before noon and Aunty Alice showed them to me when I went in for my horn at noon and I took them over to Dad. on my way home for tea to-night as he wasn't down town all the after noon. It is the best news we could hope to get but it will be better if we hear that there will be no appeal. It has been a beautiful day for the "First" I drove down to Aunty's about 8 o'clock this morning & polished up my horn. I then came back changed my clothes & had lunch and we all drove down. I was with the band all the after noon and Cousin Harry took Marj. & Harry B around so that H.B. is so excited to-night, he can't talk fast enough or loud enough to get it all told about. They all went for a ride on the merry-go-round, had ice cream & came home with two balloons. We came home to tea and I walked back afterwards to play to-night. I was too late for the first half of the concert but played in the second part. John S. Martin congratulated Ernie Knight on his band and I think he deserved it.

Friday July 2nd

Harry B and I went over home first thing this morning to help Dad. & Frank cock up hay as it looks a little rainy and it is a beautiful crop. It is his first crop of alfalfa and it is thick in most places with alsike & timothy besides the alfalfa. Dad. only had part of it raked up this morning but finished before dinner in spite of interruptions and we got it nearly all up in cock by to-night. We were not particularly excited over yesterday's cablegram but we found by to-day that the rest of the county is and to-night the old burg will be humming with the news as is not hummed for many a day, as a cable despatch was sent out from London to-day by the Canadian Press

telling of the judges decision and it was blazoned on the front page of the Brantford Expositor to-night with a heading nearly as big as that announcing the defeat of Meighen's government by one vote. First thing this fore noon a big car drove in the lane & a young man came over to where Dad was raking and held a long interview with him. Finally Dad. called me over and introduced him as Mr. Pearce of the Simcoe Reformer. He said a press despatch had come through from Toronto this morning and he wanted all the details he could get. Dad. was loath to say much but when he found the papers had got as much as they had he thought it was no use trying to keep any of it quiet. Pearce had not been gone long when Mr. McKinnes the Presbyterian minister drove in & said that a friend of his on the Hamilton Herald had called him up and asked him to come over and get an interview with Dad. About five o'clock Mr. Barwell drove over. He was half dead with a bad headache but he said he couldn't resist coming over to congratulate Dad. & showed him the Brantford Expositor which had under big headlines the following despatch to-gether with a note from their Dover correspondent probably F.H. Stringer. "London. July 2 - Justice Romer, in the Chancery Division has given judgment in the summons issued by the trustees of the will of "Quinty" Dick, who died in 1858 leaving property in Ireland and elsewhere said to be worth more than $2,500,000. A claimant to the estate was found in William Henry Barrett a farmer of Port Dover, Ont. The question was whether his claim was barred by a clause of the will, which stated that the person entitled to the estate should adopt the surname of Dick, and that if he refused or neglected to do so within a specified period, then the estate would go to the next person entitled. The judge said that the person who became entitled was entirely ignorant of the will, and, therefore, could not have "refused or neglected" to comply with the condition". It is not much wonder the old town is agog with that being passed around. A Globe reporter called Dad. up to-night but he wouldn't go to to talk to him so Frank went. I drove home here about three o'clock to get Marj. as she wanted to go down and have a foot specialist who is at Coley's show store pass judgement on her

feet, they have hurt her so much lately. He prescribed some sort of support which she ordered and told her she had been wearing shoes that were too short. Winnie Shand was here when I came home but didn't stay long, she came over for a couple of cans of dextri maltose for her baby. Marj. told her she had a couple of cans on hand to dispose of. I drove Marj. over to the farm & Enah went on down town with her while I cocked hay till she got back. Enah stayed down to go to choir practice to-night. Dave's cows had been in on my alfalfa to-day & poor old Dave had hobbled over to tell Marj. & was rather peeved so I fixed the fence after I got home to-night which made me pretty late getting through.

Saturday July 3rd

I got the mower out to cut the alfalfa this morning but as the seat was gone and I couldn't get the old seat ready without taking it to Evan's Marj. decided she had better go to town this morning instead of this after noon and she took the seat down to Evan's for me. She took down about a dozen boxes of strawberries which she had picked and sold them for 18 cts per box. I cut some seed potatoes while she was gone and cut the alfalfa this after noon. To-night Marj. dropped the potatoes that I cut and I hoed some of them in.

Sunday July 4th

We did a few odd jobs this morning and then all snoozed till about four o'clock when we drove over to the farm for awhile. Aunty was over there We read the account of the fortune in The Globe which gave a much greater space to it than the Mail & Empire. Warm and dry quite windy

Monday July 5th

I went over home this morning and got the rake and raked up the alfalfa before dinner and got part of it cocked this after noon but quit early and got ready for Jim Ryerse's serenade to-night & then Harvey Bose & Harper called for me before I had shaved. We had a great spread out there and a sort of practice. Walt Steele pretended to lead us as Ernie Knight had a blue streak on and wouldn't come down with Sid Beaumont, much to the latter's disgust. Marj. was down town this after noon peddling strawberries

Tuesday July 6th

I was over home all day to-day and we finished getting the alfalfa in in seven big loads and a lift. Dad. & Frank put five in yesterday making twelve loads off that field. Andrew Lowe came out here this morning and I left him to cock up the rest of my alfalfa and do some hoeing. Ina was here all day and Marj. drove her home and took Andrew as far as Pickford's corner. Hot & very dry

Wednesday July 7th

Dad. celebrated his birthday out here to-day and we got my alfalfa in. We only hauled three lifts to a load and made it in four trips & one lift extra, but it took us a long time to gather it off the hill so we were all day at it. Andrew came out and went back with Dad. He mowed away and hoed between loads. He is slow but a steady worker and a very nice fellow to have around. Hot. I walked down & back to band concert to-night. Very tired

Thursday July 8th

I cultivated corn all day with old Belle and as I went crosswise and twice in a row I didn't finish the field. Andrew was here and hoed steadily all day and has the mangolds tomatoes and nearly all the strawberries hoed. He stuck steadily at it although I strongly recommended an occasional rest as I was afraid he might get sick in the hot sun all day when he is not used to it. He walked home to-night through the field and said he couldn't come again till next week. I told him I could use him when ever he could come at $1.50 a day and his dinner & supper. Still very hot. Wind has been easterly but now west.

Friday July 9th

I should have finished cultivating my corn this morning but as Marj. wanted Queen this after noon to peddle berries I thought I would take the team this fore noon and cut the little flats by the school house and the weeds in the young orchard & this side of it and finish the corn this after noon but it didn't work out that way First of all I broke a breast strap and had to go up to the Shand's to borrow one and as there were none of the men at the house had to go back to the field next the woods where Charlie was cultivating corn to ask him where I could find one. I got the piece nearly down when

a rivet came out of a section of the knife & it worked under another section and loosened all the rivets in the head of the knife. After dinner I went back to finish what I had left with the scythe, and worked & sweltered down there till three o'clock when I came up and got Queen ready for Marj. She took Harry B & Gay with her and left the baby with me I thought she would play in the sand pile by herself but she "howled dismal" if I moved ten feet away for her so I took her with me back to the little meadow and sat her on a pile of hay with her tin horn while I mowed the grass around the fences and then it looked so much like rain that I came up. Harvey Shand was mowing the school yard and he cut the little piece of timothy & marsh grass that I had had to leave for me which was very decent of him. I tried to put the baby to sleep and did get her off but she woke up as soon as I put her down and by this time it was so late that it was no use going out to cultivate so I weeded a little in the flower garden. It rained a short shower. Marj. & the kids got home after six some time after having terrible times. They put Queen in Clark Horn's barn when the shower came up Mrs. Horn unhooked her for Marj. and Clark hooked her up again. Marj. had to carry her berries around to sell them and when she got Queen hooked up again the flies were so bad she wouldn't stand worth a cent.

Saturday July 10th

It rained during the night and was too wet to work at the hay so I hooked to the rack and went down town after some chicken feed and coal oil and took my broken mower knife over home to fix. I misjudged the time in some way and didn't get to town till noon and it was after one by the time I got back to the farm. I just got there in time to miss a heavy shower. After I had dinner there Frank and I went to fix my mower knife but broke the lower iron that the sections are riveted to so I had to take it over to Evan's to be welded. It was nearly six by the time I got home. Dad got a typewritten copy of the judge's decision to-day together with clippings from the London Times & the Daily Mail and letters from Mr. Parks & Wasborough It rained several little showers during the after noon and turned much colder with the wind in the north west.

Friday September 3rd

Great events since the last entry. The first installment of the fortune has come and Dad. has booked his passage on the Montroyal which leaves Quebec a week from to-day. It doesn't seem true yet and we can't realize that we are in the millionaire class so don't act like it. The most important thing to us yet is the crops and Dad. hates to leave to "mess about" with a pesky fortune with so much work around the farm to be done. I don't know whether he will feel any different when he gets back or not, habit is a terrible thing and it beats all what some people "won't" do for money even millions of it. After the excitement of the judge's decision died down, things dragged along through July without much happening. Mr. Parks was busy with the unborn babe business and finally got the master's certificate saying no child had been born, this news he cabled and about the end of July sent word over that the Judge had declared Dad. entitled to the whole fund on the strength of the master's certificate without any argument in court. During this time he couldn't find out for sure what the Right Heirs were going to do about appealing and asked Dad. if he would be willing to compromise with them. Mr. Manning at first advised against a compromise as he said they had absolutely no claim and shouldn't get anything but as they had a right to appeal and by doing so could delay the case until nearly Christmas and possibly for a year or two, Dad. thought it wisest to settle & since all the counsel have agreed with that decision. Early in August Mr. Parks made them an offer of £35,000. and not long after they accepted but as they all had to sign and he had to send a document out here for Dad. to sign giving his authority to the Trustees to pay over the money it was not until last week that the final message came saying "Cheerio." and Dad. did not take any steps towards arranging for the trip across until Wednesday when he knew for certain that Mr. Parks had cabled £1000 to the bank for him. Now he has to step lively to be ready by the 10th. Dick we expect home to-day and he will go with Dad. Enah & Tim. Marj. & the kids are going to Haliburton while Dad is away and I am going to take the cows over there and stay with Frank. Dad wrote to George Pelly to come so we expect to have quite a time among the three of us. Dads funniest experience so

far in connection with the affair is the number of letters he has received from all over the country begging for money, some of them are rather pitiful but as he can't inquire into the circumstance of the writer's he doesn't answer them. He has had three from Holland one just asking for his photograph & autograph and one written in dutch which he had to send to Montreal and have translated. One was from Quebec written in French which Aunty could read and others from almost every province in Canada and two or three from Ireland, some of them claiming relationship to either the Barretts or Dicks. One long letter came from a woman in Saskatchewan who hailed from Haliburton. Marj. knew her family well. She wanted to go in for raising orphans. Dick arrived safely to-day and everyone is on the move to get things in shape to leave. Dad Enah Tim & Dick are going over to England and Marj. & the kids are going up to Haliburton while Dad. is away and Frank & I are going to keep batch at the farm to be joined we hope by George Pelly as soon as he can get here from B.C. I am going to take my cows over there to avoid running back and forth to do chores. Farming operations in this corner of the earth have been unsatisfactory lately. We had ideal haying weather and got the hay in in fine shape but it was too dry for the corn and small stuff my corn is a failure and I had hoped for a good crop with sweet clover & manure ploughed down. As soon as harvest commenced the rainy season opened and we hadn't a chance for three weeks or so to do any thing with the crops some managed to get the wheat in between showers and we hauled this little piece of mine in one load before the rains were over but it got badly weathered. We are just at the oats now. Frank has all the oats south of the gully cut and a few rounds in the back field but he broke a part of the binder and now is contemplating turning the cows in on them as they are rusty and down and a mess with sweet clover. We finished hauling the field west of the lane next the gully today. Dad. got his second crop of alfalfa cut this week & it is a beautiful crop. We hope to haul it or most of it to-morrow. Mr. Barwell took Dad. & Enah to Simcoe to-day to get some clothes and they are going to take

Enah to Brantford tomorrow D.O. and Barwell wanted Dad. to go too but Dad. said if it was a fine day he was going to haul alfalfa. Barwell tried to persuade him that a mere field of alfalfa was nothing to a millionaire but Dad. doesn't see it that way. He says he may not care but the sheep & cattle will suffer next winter if we don't save it in good shape. The principal event of this summer for us was a month's visit from Miss Bain & Dorrie. They were here from the middle of July till the middle of August and we had a very enjoyable time of it while they were here and hated to see them go. I had Andrew Lowe out here for a couple of weeks hoeing mangolds & helping with odd jobs but he got a job at the fish shantys and now the mangolds are all weeds and most of them have not been thinned. We had a big family picnic out here one day while Dorrie was here, and all from Huby's Aunty's & the farm were out, the kids all had a fine time to-gether. They had another picnic down the shore with Nell Marchington's kids. Mr. Bagley took them down, he was very good about toting us around whenever he could. The Doodle-bug can walk well now but she is a puler the worst of the whole bunch.

Saturday September 4th

Had hoped to rush in the alfalfa to-day but rain prevented. Rained most of the fore noon and dark & drizzly this after noon. I killed and dressed the 8 cockrels I had in the crate this morning and took six of them down town this after noon, sold a pair to Colman's a pair to Clare Herring gave Aunty Alice a pair and we kept a pair, bought a new hat for myself, got home late. Marj. went up to the Shand's with Queen when I got home and telephoned Clara who insisted on us all staying with her Tuesday night.

Sunday September 5th

A rainy morning or Sundays it is always a great temptation to me to lie in bed, and as both conditions prevailed this morning the temptation was doubled and I yielded, and stayed in so long that I felt tough when I did get up. Spent most of the fore noon doing odd jobs & shaving. We had a combination dinner & breakfast about 11 o'clock and then all went down to Aunty's to see Dick who is leaving tomorrow for Ottawa to get the trans pass-ports fixed up. Dad. & Enah were there for dinner. It was dark when I got through milking & Marj. has gone over to the Lampkin's to say good-bye to them.

Monday September 6th

It has been a fine day but too wet from yesterday's rain to do any thing with the hay so I spent the day here at home putting the roof on my new chicken pen. I got what little sheeting is necessary for a tin roof on both sides and got the roofing on the north side I didnt make a good job of it getting it started crooked in some way but it will afford some shelter for them. Ina has been here all day helping Marj. get ready. I picked a couple of bushels of early apples in the young orchard this after noon to send to Dorrie & Phyl. I forgot, but it it did rain one very heavy shower early in the forenoon

Tuesday September 7th

Frank came over before we were through breakfast and helped me take the three cows over home. The yearling wouldn't go out of the yard and the calf got as far as the end of the lane and then went wild and bolted back so we left them here in the gully to keep old Belle company but I imagine they will be pretty lonely themselves and the calf will miss his milk. I drove Queen over to the farm and left her there and walked down town Dad had gone to Simcoe with Mr. Barwell but left me a cheque for $200.00 at Aunty's which I took up and deposited saving enough out of it to get our tickets and send Marj. off with. Quint drove me back here about noon and took the trunk and apples back with him to the station. After dinner I walked up to Harvey Shand's with the school house key as Ray doesn't know yet whether he is going to stay here or not. Mr. Bagley came out for us at 3 o'clock and took us down to Aunty's and then called for us again and took us to the train at 4.40. We had an uneventful trip to Toronto. Mrs. Kerr & her two boys went down too. The kids were very good. Harry B. intensely interested & rather excited over it all. Gay excited and a little frightened at the sudden noises especially when we passed another moving train which we did once or twice and the Doodle bug, very pleased with everything and highly excited and rather resentful at being confined to one spot. Clara met us at the station and drove us right to their house, which is a brand new one and very nice. It looks small but has an amazing number of large rooms in it. It is just west of Bathurst St. on top of the hill. We gave the kids their tea and put them to bed then had ours

and visited with Clara for a short time. {Bud?} is away before going to bed. Beautiful day. It is a rather depressing sight the condition of the farms along the track, field after field of oats in shock and very few in, any amount of alfalfa standing in cock badly weathered, and most of the summer fallows green & untouched. I only noticed one field sowed.

Wednesday September 8th

I was awake before daylight this morning and up soon after. I got Harry B. dressed. I slept with him & Marj. had the other two with her. I took a little walk before breakfast and Harry B & Donny had quite a romp together in Clara's little backyard. Her young Scotch maid was delighted with the "bonny wee kids" We were all up in plenty of time but dawdled a little too long over our breakfast and then had an awful scramble to catch the Haliburton train which left at 7.45. Clara drove us right down to the tracks as we thought we would save time but we had to climb through between two other trains to get our own and just got on board as she pulled out. I hadn't time to say goodbye properly and to pick out a decent seat but had to jump while they were on the move. I went back through the station to the street and after some little time found Clara to tell her they were off safely. She had had trouble finding a place to park her car. I was too late to get a train back home via Hamilton but had just time to get the fast train to Brantford. I was about an hour there getting into Dover on the noon radial. Quint met me and drove me up to Aunty's where I had dinner and waited till Dad. Enah & Tim came down. Mr. Barwell drove them down and took them up town to get their tickets from Gibbie, fortunately they came at the last minute and they had a letter from Dick saying he had no trouble getting the passports. All of us but Aunty & Aunty Alice went to the station to see them off & there was quite a crowd there. I think most of the town has said goodbye in the last day or two. The good old burg seems to be more delighted over Dad's prospects than we do. We still feel as if we would wake up and find out it isn't true, and rosy as the future looks we couldn't help feeling a little heavy hearted to see them going so far away. It is the first big change to be made in our peaceful life and no matter what time has in store for us it can't discount the good

old times we have had, for in spite of worries and hard scratching the old life has been a happy one for the most part, and for sentimental conservative folk like us changes even pleasant ones are not made with out some misgivings. New shoes always pinch a little and old ones are mighty comfortable even if they do leak. After the train left Frank went up town to get some provisions and I walked home and hooked up Queen and drove over here to get my old clothes and a few other things. This place looks lonely and desolate but it sort of accords with my mood to-night. I saw Ray & George and they said the two calves have been very distressed all day. I fed the chickens and gathered the eggs & then went back over home. Frank had the cows up and got tea while I milked. I went down to Horticultural meeting to-night and he went down to Pickford's as Irene returned from the Old Country on Tuesday. I got a ride home with Irvin Jones and was in bed when Frank got home. Fine day but pouring rain to-night & the alfalfa turned out.

Thursday September 9th

It rained most of the fore noon but cleared this after noon and is quite cold to-night. Frank and I have done nothing but chores all day and he went down town with Pickford this afternoon and I sat in the house and read and I am afraid caught cold, as my throat is sore. We went to the show to-night and saw Kelly & Cohen a good show. Aunty is all in to-night. She went up to the dentists and had three teeth and two roots out without saying a word to any one about it. Frank and I got a little medicine for our colds to-night and I think feel better.

Friday September 10th

There was a very heavy dew last night so we couldn't do any thing with the hay or oats till noon but we went out home and gathered up some apples for cider. Frank drove Queen out on the buggy and I took the team over and we brought the waggon back. Ray came over while we were there and I left instructions with him to feed the chickens. He doesn't know yet whether he is going to stay or not. Quint came over at noon with a card Aunty Alice had got from Dorrie saying Marj had arrived safely but was tired out and asleep. I got one to-day with the same news. Quint said Aunty was better. Just as he got out the lane he met a reporter from the Simcoe Reformer wanting all the news he could get as well as pictures of Dad, the house and anything of

interest. Quint came back to get me and I went down & interviewed him I didn't know what to do about it but he said there was a long article in a Hamilton paper so that if they are going to print it anyway they might as well have the facts. It was Capt. Ralph Smith and he was very decent. After he left Frank and I shook out alfalfa till chore time. It is soaked through and just about ruined. I went to bed right after tea after taking a hot drink in an endeavor to break up a cold which I feel coming on. Frank went down to Pickfords Fine and quite warm, wind still in the west.

Saturday September 11th

We had a couple of delays this morning first by Pickford coming after his milk and then Billy Mills who came to get the drill. By the time we got the team hooked up and our apples over to Charlie's it was nearly noon. Frank rode on down town to get Bill Laings to put me up some chicken feed and we went down to-night and got a bag of it in the buggy while I was milking. This after noon we shook out the rest of the alfalfa and had a look at the oats. They are grown fast to the ground and Frank thinks he won't try to haul them. We separated the ram lambs and put them in on the alfalfa and shut the old ram in the stable. To-night Frank and I both went down town. He went to the dance with Irene and I went up for a short time to a political meeting and heard John S. Martin. He is far short of what I would call a good speaker the popular verdict to the contrary notwithstanding. Stansell spoke before I got there and Pratt after I left. Fine & warm.

Sunday September 12th

It was a very dark morning and Frank and I slept in later than we should have and consequently Frank was late for Sunday school and I for church I went down to Aunty's for dinner and spent the after noon writing to Marj. Frank went down to Pickford's for dinner and came back here to do noon chores. Bob was here with him when I got home at 4 o'clock and they have both gone back there to-night. I drove out home as soon as I milked & had tea and shut some the chickens up so that I can catch some to ship tomorrow. Very threatening all day.

Monday September 13th

Frank was ploughing at Roy Hammond's all day and I went out home to crate up some cocrels and ship them. I found Ina out there washing and the Bagley's all came out while I was there and got some crab apples

It was noon before I got away with the chickens and I came back over here and had lunch then on down town and shipped the chickens. The mail came while I was here and there were letters from Dad. & Enah written on the boat and sent ashore with the pilot at Father Point. I went back out home and although it was four o'clock when I got there I cut my alfalfa. It took me till dusk and I didn't get back here till after dark. Frank had every thing done but milking. He left as soon as he helped me separate so I had tea in solitary grandeur but he had provided a good one for me. Fine and cool.

Tuesday September 14th

Sid McBride took Frank and me out to vote this morning first thing. We picked up the John Evans on our way and out and coming back went in to get Art Quanbury He demurred so Frank and I offered to throw on a load of manure for him while we was away, but they were gone for so long that it was nearly noon when we got home. We hauled in two loads of alfalfa this after noon. To-night Pickford and Bob. came down and we went down to hear the returns. They were being posted up in Pat's drugstore window as they came in and were any thing but encouraging for us Tories. They were very incomplete when we left but it looked as if we had lost a good many Ontario and Maritime seats and gained nothing in Quebec. Meighen was way behing his opponent in Portage-la-Prairie and King had an easy victory in Prince Albert. Dover gave Stansell a majority and they thought when we left he was elected by a small majority. We fell in with Cecil down there and waited till about 11 o'clock for Gibbie to show up as we were going to get him to drive us over but he didn't come so we walked over leaving a note on his car to come over. He arrived after midnight. The scene that followed after we got here was to disgraceful to describe in writing and I am afraid I was the biggest fool of the crowd. We had lots to drink and I took more than I figured on. We caroused around till about two o'clock and then Pickford fell out the back door and hit his head, so Frank and Cecil put him to bed. Gibbie got sick and I went to sleep on the sofa. Gibbie Frank and Cecil took Bob. home in Gibbie's car. Gibbie started to drive but Cecil had to take the wheel to keep them out of the ditch. When they got back Cecil and Frank went to bed in Tim's bed and Gibbie curled up in his car where he spent the night. Raining to-night

Wednesday September 15th

Pickford woke the household this morning running around calling "Lily, Lily, is it time to get up yet." so the rest of us got up and I managed to wobble back and get the cows up and milk but was no good for any thing else. I felt awful tough and repentant, couldn't eat and finally went back to bed. Cecil took Gibbie home and put him to bed and then came back here with the car and he and Frank went down to Bob {Leiths?} and got some jacks to jack up the barn down at Aunty's and Frank stayed down till about one o'clock and got his hair cut Cecil & Frank kept in good shape all through the performance and this morning straightened up the house so that there was no sign of any irregularity. Aunty Alice said she was going to come over but as it poured rain all morning we didn't expect her, however she came and found me in bed and Frank away. She got dinner for us and was here most of the after noon Frank took her home about four o'clock. I felt better this after noon and ate a good supper. We heard great honking of horns & shooting of guns this after noon so Frank and I started to drive down to see what was going on and found it was a Liberal parade. Just as we got to the corner the van-guard of it had stopped in front of Jack Martin's to make life miserable for him for a few minutes. They have cause for rejoicing as to-day's papers give King a working majority and the latest reports are that Taylor defeated Stansell in Norfolk-Elgin. Frank went for a drive to-night and I snoozed on the sofa while he was gone and finished a letter I started to Marj. this after noon, after Frank came home. Rotten day warm.

Thursday September 16th

It was too wet to do any thing much this morning I drove out home about noon and picked a basket of crab apples for Aunty and some flowers. The garden out there is a mass of bloom. It seems to bad for Marj. not to be there to see it as she spent so much time planting it. This after noon Frank and I drove down town and I took some eggs down. We got some supplies. I got a pair of rubber boots a new cap and a couple of good victrola records. Tonight Frank went down to the Pickfords and I went over to Sid Goodwin's and spent the evening. We played pedro and Sid and I beat Mrs Goodwin & Bessie Bessie also played and sang for us. Frank was in bed when I got home. Very cloudy drizzly & threatening. Warm

Friday September 17th

I went down this fore noon to help at the Horticultural show but found I wasn't much needed. Frank and I turned alfalfa this after noon and tonight went to the Horticultural show. I went with the band. Cable "All Well" from Dad. to-day.

Saturday September 18th

Frank and I went down in the waggon this afternoon fore-noon and got my chicken crates and some oat chop. This after noon I walked over home while Frank did housework. We had a fierce time with the roan heifer of Elgitha's that lost her calf. Full description of event in Dad's diary, which I have kept up-to-date, neglecting this one.

Sunday September 19th

Frank, Draper, and I spent whole forenoon getting the heifer caught and milked. We went down to Aunty's for dinner as we were too late for church. We both came back to the farm early after dinner. Cecil Win and family were all here and stayed for tea. Frank drove Irene out home where they got some nasturtiums. We all went down town to-night. George arrived just as we were starting out. He came up this after noon with Ada and stayed over there for tea. We called in there on our way down and picked up Ada, then all went around home with Cecil & Win and on down to Aunty's. Clear and warm all day.

Monday September 20th

Went over home and picked crab apples for Dorrie while George & Frank picked her some plums. Aunty Alice also picked a basket of plums down there so this after noon I went down and expressed her 3 baskets of plums & {1?} of crab apples. George & Frank raked my alfalfa this after-noon and cocked part of it. I went out to-night & shut up chickens.

Tuesday September 21st

I rode Tim's wheel out home this morning and sorted out and crated 30 more cockrels. George & Frank came out in the waggon and we finished cocking the hay and this afternoon took the chickens down town and shipped them. We all went down to Pickfords to-night.

Wednesday September 22nd

We went over to my place to-day and hauled in the alfalfa in two loads. Had our lunch out there. Ina was there making catsup for Marj. Threatening day.

Thursday September 23rd

Too wet to do any thing to-day. Frank and George went up to Simcoe Fair in the rain this after noon but I went to sleep instead. They rented a Ford car up there for $10 till after Sunday. Intended going down to Dr. McLaclan's to hear the Dempsey-Tunney fight come over the radio but it poured rain so we stayed home.

Friday September 24th

Frank and George put up the stove pipe on the inside kitchen stove this morning and I went over to Martin's to borrow the snips for them. I went down to Quanbury's to hear the fight returns. Tunney won on points without a knock out. Just 10 rounds. We hooked up to haul alfalfa this after noon but had to put the team back on account of rain. I had to strip part way and wade for cows to-night.

Saturday September 25th

This was a dismal day as dogs got in last night and played havoc with the sheep killing and wounding about a dozen. Will McNielly came up and valued them and I went down to the council with him this after noon. We will get $280.00 for them. Pickford dressed 3. Cold & rainy all day.

Sunday September 26th

We all three went to church this morning and up to Win's for dinner.This after noon George drove us out to my place and Cecil and I went in and figured on a few jobs there while George took Win & the kids for a drive in the rented car. He had hoped to be driving Ada around in it to-day but she went to London instead of coming to Dover.

Monday September 27th

George and I were at Art. Quanbury's thrashing to-day we started a little before noon and finished a little after so didn't get much else done. Frank took the car back to Simcoe and came home on the radial. Cloudy & cool

Tuesday September 28th

We hauled the rotten alfalfa or some of it off the field and piled it back of the barn. It is no good for any thing but manure now. Quint brought Aunty and Aunty Alice over this after noon and they stayed all night. Cool.

Wednesday September 29th

Frank and I finished the alfalfa. George was sick all day. Quint came over to dinner and took Aunty & Aunty Alice home. Cloudy

Thursday September 30th

I drove down town this morning and ordered some asphalt shingles from Sutor for the house out home and got some chicken feed which I took out this after noon. Puttered around out there and got back here about dark.

Friday September October 1st

We three went out to my place this morning and Cecil, Quint and Avery Bush also went out so we got the house all shingled. Frank got dinner for us out there. Very threatening rained a little in afternoon

Saturday October 2nd

George went to Hamilton to-day to meet Ada. Quint, Cecil and Avery Bush went out to my place to shingle the old shed but just got the roof cleared and it began to rain so they came back to the farm. It didn't rain much however and they fixed the squirrel cage. I drove down to Sid's to get Queen's shoe set but Sid was too busy. I came home by the Lemmon's and {invited?} Frankie & Carl to the band party on Monday night. Aunty Alice was over for awhile this after noon. I walked down town to night and bought some more phonograph records.

Sunday October 3rd

We all went to church this a.m. and Frank and I went to the Pickford's for dinner. George went to Huby's with Ada, and Aunty & Aunty Alice. Frank went to church to-night. Warm and cloudy.

Monday October 4th

Cecil & Co. finished shingling north side of old shed out at my place this morning but didn't work this after noon. George and I drove out in the waggon and got some tables and chairs out there for our party to-night. We then went down town and got some edging at the box factory. Frank and George got a load of coal this after noon and Cecil and I made sandwichs for the party. It came off to-night in spite of rain and every one said they had a good time. Pickford and Frank spent considerable time mixing up a little cordial that looked like new cherry wine but which never the less had a kick to it, and by the shank of the evening most of the boys were in fine fettle. Pickford & Roy Dell especially. Roy pounded ivory for all he was worth and Pickford "sang?" The only marring feature was Carl Coleman gashing his finger

Tuesday October 5th

We all spent the forenoon washing dishes and cleaning up the house and this after noon I wrote to Marj. and went down town to post it. Herb Law was over to-night and spent the evening Rain

Wednesday October 6th

We started at the corn to-day, got some pulled but didn't take the team out. Field very wet. Cloudy & drizzly.

Thursday October 7th

Frank hauled down a small load of corn on the waggon box with side boards and George & I cut road and pulled more. It is a very poor crop and large patches drowned out. We all went down to see Sid Goodwin to-night but there was no one home. We went on down to Huby's but they had callers so we went from there down to Aunties but they were just going to bed so we came home. Cool and cloudy.

Friday October 8th

Hauled more corn to-day & got some chicken feed some of which I took out home this after noon. Froze last night.

Saturday October 9th

Hauled 2 loads of corn to-day but last nights frost nipped it. Bond says another frost will make it unfit for packing but it is milder to-night.

Sunday October 10th

We all went to church this morning but were late. Harvest home service. George and I had dinner at Auntie's and Frank and Irene went for a picnic up the lake shore in the rain. I came home early and did chores. George stayed down to see Ada off and then came home and got my supper. Very mild.

Monday October 11th

George and I built a plank bri ge over the mudhole in front of the cow stable door as it was getting so deep we were afraid of losing a cow in it. We then pulled all the corn there was left. Ben Ivey came over at noon to demonstrate his new $4650. Stutz car. He drove us up to the halfway house and back at about 50 miles an hour and had George & me scared stiff. He hit the railway track going at high speed and just about put me through the roof of the car. When we

got back there was a card in the mail from Marj. saying she wanted mouse-ear for the kids as there was Whooping cough in Haliburton, so I had to ride Tim's wheel out home to get it. Ray rode over just before I left to say poor old Belle was in a hole out there and couldn't get out, so George walked out and shot her. I hated to have it done but it was the only thing to do. I rode down town and posted the mouse-ear to Marj. and then came home and milked as Frank & George were down with the corn till after dark. Lea Marshall and Mr. {name?} as stock-salesman were in and delayed me for some time selling stock in the new comany Hamilton Dairys. Fine and mild.

Tuesday October 12th

Frank and I brought Roany & her calf up this morning then trimmed some ewes and Frank killed another badly wounded one. One of the wounded lambs died last night. He thrashed at Ryerse's this after noon. George & I drove down to Sid's and had Queen's shoe set had a cold lunch at my place and spent the after noon burying old Belle but didn't finish. Went down to-night to see the prize fight pictures. Phoebe operated on to-day. Very sick. Fine day.

Wednesday October 13th

Rained during the night so was too wet to do anything with my corn. I went down and called up Clara to tell her I would go down Friday night and go up to Haliburton with Marj. on Saturday. I got word from Marj. from Toronto saying she was coming back home here next week. This after noon I went out and finished covering up poor old Belle. George & Frank went down and got a load of old rubbish to burn from Aunties.

Thursday October 14th

I spent the day over home and had dinner at Mrs. Lampkins. I moved the glassware out of the sideboard down cellar so that Cecil & Co can move things around when they go at the floors. I dug some potatoes this after noon. There are a good many rotted but the early ones would have been a good crop. George and Frank dug up the old culvert in the lane which was plugged full of roots & mud, and Frank got Clare Deal to bring over some new and larger tile. They didn't quite finish the job.

Friday October 15th

I went over home for a while this morning and saw

Quint Cecil & Avery Bush started on the veranda out there. This after noon I went down town after dinner and got a hair cut & shave and left on the 4.30 for Toronto. I disembarked at Sunnyside and after much chasing around and inquiry joined Marj. at Mrs. Gorrie's. Bud & Clara took us from there to their own place in their car. The baby was at the Gorrie's with Marj. and had to be waked up but took it quite good naturedly, and then kept us awake with her crying most of the night. I don't think she knew me.

Saturday October 16th

Bud took us to the train this morning in plenty of time and we spent the whole day getting to Haliburton and came within an ace of missing our train in Lindsay as we thought we had a half an hour longer than we had. We had dinner there. Dorrie Harry B & Gay met us at the station. It was dark & pouring rain when we arrived but Dorrie had a car there. Miss Bain had tea ready for us and to-night I went with Dorrie & Madeline the understudy at the P.O. down to put flowers in the church. it was a beautiful fore noon but started to rain at noon and kept it up till after dark to-night. I almost think though that the gloomy day rather enhanced the beauty of the Haliburton scenery, although those woods, lakes & hills are beautiful in any weather.

Sunday October 17th

It was a fine morning but crispy & cold. Marj. Harry B. Dorrie & I went to church which is new and very pretty. The young parson whom Dorrie liked very much has been "called" to a better job in Kingston or some city so is leaving this little parish where one would think there was much need for his services, to depend on students and weekend supply till they can find a man (?) who "likes the place" well enough to settle, - and then they wonder what is wrong with the church. Dorrie. Marj. the three kids and I went down to see old Mr. & Mrs. Potts this after noon. Dorrie was the only one of the family to go to church to-night but she Marj. and I went for a walk after church. Clear & frosty.

Monday October 18th

Marj. has spent a busy day packing her trunks but as it has snowed steadily all day long I haven't done

much but sit around the house and read. Late this after noon Harry B. and I went for a little walk as Dorrie found me a pair of overshoes that fit me and we got a pair of rubbers for Harry B at the store. We went up to Laking's saw mill and saw them making shingles. I also gathered up some baskets and took them down to the station and expressed them to Dover. Seems milder to-night but still snowing.

Tuesday October 19th

We got up about 4.30 this morning had breakfast & then trudged through hard frozen snow to catch the six o'clock train. Dorrie went to the station with us and had Mr. Keefer call and take our trunks down on the mail barrow. It might have been a January morning by the feel of it. We have spent a long and tiresome day on the train, saw the sun rise and set from the car windows. The woods with the snow on them though were lovely. The snow disappeared by the time we got to Linsay, and it was quite pleasant in Toronto where we had lunch. Marj. & the kids didn't leave the station there but I walked a little way up Yonge St. and got a record for George and a tie for Frank's birthday. We left Toronto about two o'clock and had to go all the way to Woodstock where we caught the night train for Dover, arriving here about seven o'clock. The kids got pretty tired but were good. Frank met us at the station with a car he has rented for a short time and we stayed at Auntie's all night.

Wednesday October 20th

It rained nearly all day except for a snow storm this after noon so Marj. didn't come over to the farm. I came over first thing this morning but haven't done much all day except help get the Quebec heater up in the dining room. George and I went down to Auntie's to-night.

Thursday October 21st

Frank brought Marj. over in the car this morning and George took us both on out home where Marj. got some bedding and inspected the work done. The boys have the floors all laid. George drove me out again this after noon and I varnished one bedroom floor but the varnish didn't work properly on account of the cold. George and Frank brought the kids over this after noon so here we are at the Farm which is Bachelor's paradise no longer.

Friday October 22nd

Rained all forenoon so I didn't do much but help Marj. get straightened around in the house. George & Frank cleaned out the chicken pens. Frank went to Simcoe with the Pickford's this after noon and George & I went down and got a load of hard coal but broke the waggon tongue trying to back it into the wood shed.

Saturday October 23rd

I was out home most of the day and got the snow apples picked. Quint and Avery Bush were out there and got the stairs built up to the attic. They spent most of the day I think figuring out how to do the job. George took the after noon off and took Ada for a car drive up to see the Reforestry station. Fine day.

Sunday October 24th

I was all in to-day with a cold, and didn't do anything. George & Frank went to church. Frank came home to do noon chores and then he & Irene drove to Port Rowan and came back here for tea. It was pouring rain most of the day, but weather doesn't seem to affect their plans in the least.

Monday October 25th

George and Frank took Dicky Smith down to the car this morning and got $60.00 out of Niel Elliot for her. Niel bought her the other day for $55.00 but came over this morning and asked Frank if we were going to bring her down and raised the price 5.00 when Frank said we weren't. Frank lied as we had her in the stable and would have started out with her in another half hour, but shady dealings with Niel seem almost justifiable. Frank & George drove Marj. & the kids over to see Mrs. Lampkin this after noon and then went over to Roy Hammond's to get the tractor but couldn't get her to work. Marj. said Mrs. Lampkin was overjoyed to see her and nearly hugged her head off. I went down to band practice to-night. Rotten cold day.

Tuesday October 26th

Frank & George hauled up the binder which has been sitting in the back out field since before Dad. left. Art. Quanbury came over and sized up the cow stable roof situation, it caved in on Sunday & we have to make temporary repairs for the winter. George & I cleared up the debris this afternoon while Frank was getting chicken feed etc.

Wednesday October 27th

George Art. Quanbury & I spent the day fixing the cow stable roof and much to my surprise finished it and got the end nearly boarded in. Art only asked 35 cts an hour too. Cecil coaks me 60. and I don't think is a bit better workman. Frank went to Toronto to-day with Jack Walker. Jack has been at him to go before. Irene went down with them to hunt up a job. Frank got home late to-night with a nasty cold. The Bagleys went out to our place this afternoon to get some sweet apples and called in at the farm & took Marj. with them. Fine day, mild.

Thursday October 28th

I went down in the waggon this morning to get some lake sand & cement for Frank Slocombe to fix the cistern and Frank drove Marj. & the kids down in the car for supplies. I wanted to get a load of coal but there was none. I got some roofing for the veranda and took my load out after dinner. George and Frank picked apples. Cecil & Co were working out at my place & have the veranda about finished. Long letter from Dad. Lovely day. Raining tonight.

Friday October 29th

George & Frank went to Simcoe this morning to return the car and took me out home on their way. We went down town first and I ordered lumber to finish up my chicken house. Cecil Quint & Avery out there. I picked apples. Sutor brought the lumber out in the after noon and got stuck in the lane & had to unload. George Mace set up a radio outfit at the farm this after noon for a demonstration. He is agent for them. Marj. & I went out to the school house to-night as Mabel was having a Hallowe'en concert and wanted Marj. for a witch. George & Frank herded the kids who were in bed when we left. We were very late as the concert was a long drawn out affair. All of Charlie Monroe's family were there Charlie has taken Mrs. Tupper's place on shares and has been over there ploughing

Saturday October 30th

It has rained steadily all day long so nothing was done outside but chores. A female book agent was here for about 2 hours and roped Marj. & me in for $60.00 for a set of Children's books, "Journey's to Bookland" a good set but too much money.

Sunday October 31st

Marj. George & Harry B walked to church this morning while Frank and I did house chores and looked after Gay & the Doodlebug. Frank got in line with several church services over his Radio. Harry B. stayed down at Aunties for dinner and Marj. the other two and I drove down and got him this after noon. We got St Paul's {Toronto} service quite plainly by Radio to-night all except Canon Cody's sermon.

Monday November 1st

Frank and George went down to Pickfords to help him load some pigs this morning and then Frank made a corn horse and this after noon we all started to cut the corn by hand but it blew and drizzled rain so that we got sick of the job and all went down to the creek for a while. Our curiosity was first aroused in that direction by a white object down the road which on closer inspection proved to be John S. Martin's new manure spreader that had been the object of a Hallowe'en prank and treated to a coat of white wash. Cecil & Co. finished the house to-day. Marj. & I went to the picture show to-night.

Tuesday November 2nd

Marj. the kids and I drove out home this forenoon and Marj. hunted out some extra clothing while I killed and picked a chicken for Aunty Alice. Frank and George picked up 20 bus. of apples this morning and this after noon took them over to Charlie's and had them converted into cider. I picked a couple of hampers of sweet apples this after noon. The boys were so interested by our account of Harold Lloyd in the show last night that they went to see him to-night.

Wednesday November 3rd

I went over home this morning and took my lunch Frank Slocomb & Bronsie {Name?} went out and patched the cistern. I picked some more apples, killed 3 more chickens and pulled some mangolds. Frank & George were at Martin's all day thrashing. Milder but cloudy

Thursday November 4th

Marj. had Mrs. Waldick over to help her do some cleaning to-day so George & I decided that it was no place for us and went thrashing over to Jack's, and persuaded Frank to stay home and help the ladies. Fine day.

Friday November 5th

This being Auntie Alice's birthday we celebrated over here and Quint brought Aunty and Aunty Alice over for dinner and to spend the after noon. Quint & Frank went down town again after dinner as Frank wanted to telephone McEwen about a ram. I had to go over to Proper's to thrash about the middle of the after noon. We thrashed his oats out and then they started on the buckwheat which Art Quanbury just finished cutting. Frank changed places with me then and I came home to help George milk. They had a cablegram from Dad. to-day saying they were leaving to-day for home.

Saturday November 6th

I went over home and took my lunch to-day and did several odd jobs took up the carrots & flower bulbs and piled up the mangolds and covered them there were only about a couple of wheelbarrow loads pulled. Frank went over to Proper's and finished thrashing. He & George did some odd jobs and cut some more corn. I met them at the top of the gully going after the cows when I came home bringing the cows with me. Fine day but rather cold wind.

Sunday November 7th

Marj. Harry B. and I walked down to church this morning but as Mr. Cornish had strained his back lifting a stove he was laid up and there was no service so Marj. went to see Mrs. W.J. Thompson and Harry B. Cecil David and I went for a walk up the beach and on our way back stopped in at Dave Waddle's to hear his old fashioned music-box. We left Harry B at Aunties for the after noon. Marj. & I drove out and saw Ina this after noon and arranged with her to go over home to-morrow and start putting things to rights. From there we drove down town and got Harry B. George stayed home with Gay & the baby this morning as Frank went to a party at Alec. England's about 11 o'clock last night and didn't show up till about 3 this after noon.

Monday November 8th

Auntie Alice came over to-day and kept house & kids while Marj. & I went out home to colaborate with Ina in settling the house. It was a beautiful day and we got a fine stroke of business done. Squaring things around was greatly simplified by having easy access to the attic as we carted an enormous ammount of

superfluous matter including the old armchair and old sofa up there. The attic which was next thing to useless before is now about the most useful place in the house. George and Frank trimmed up most of the ewes this morning and Frank cut corn this after noon while George celebrated Thanksgiving day by taking a holiday. Ada being home for the day.

Tuesday November 9th

Our fine weather came to an end as it rained nearly all day, and is getting colder to-night. Frank and George trimmed the ram lambs and did a few odd jobs while I chored around the house. Marj. and I went down town this after noon and left the family in charge of their uncles. Marj. did some shopping while I went down to the Custom's Office to tell them to be on the lookout for Dad's shipment of silverware, which will have to be taken directly to the Royal Bank vault. Huby was down on the same errand so I was saved the necessity of telling Mr. Quinn the man who is relieving Norman Holden for a couple of weeks. He said he had just cleared a rum runner for Eric. He was still in harbour load full of all kinds of choice booze.

Wednesday November 10th

This has been a day which would have been cold in the middle of January. The ground was covered with snow this morning and it has been freezing and blowing a gale from the North West all day. We kept the cows in the stable and went out in the waggon first thing and brought in a few shocks of corn to feed them. George and I then drove down town in the waggon and took some apples to Auntie and Huby. and got some house provisions and chicken feed for me. This after noon I took the chicken feed out to my place along with most of the furniture which we brought over for the night of the band party. I had Dad's mackinaw on and the buffalo robe around me but had to get out of the waggon & walk to keep warm. I found Ina over there doing some further cleaning. Frank & Marj. spent most of the day cleaning out the cellar and I guess had a big job as it hasn't been properly done for years.

Thursday November 11th

Everything was frozen solid this morning but it was a fairly nice day, we decided to cut corn. Frank went over

and saw Billy Mills about sending a man over to return threshing time and about 11 o'clock Milt Ried came over and this after noon Jonas Ryerse came up to return for the time Frank spent down there threshing so by to-night we had well over half the field cut. To-night Marj. & I walked down to the picture show which wasn't much good but we thought it would be our last chance for awhile. George went to a returned men's banquet at Henderson's to commerate Armistice Day and Frank spent the evening with a new Radio Set that Alan Wicker brought over.

Friday November 12th

It was still frozen this morning but has been getting steadily milder all day. Cloudy however with a raw south east wind. We finished the corn at 3 o'clock this after noon. Jonas & Milt came back and helped us and were here to dinner much to Marj's dismay as she had no meat on hand. When we finished the corn George & Frank went out and got a load of corn stalks on the rack and Marj. & I drove down town after provisions and took the kids with us. We left them with Aunty Alice while we went up town.

Saturday November 13th

George Frank and I spent the forenoon hauling gravel from the pile of "frustrated plans" under the hickory tree and putting it in the mud hole in the lane where the boys put through the new culvert. It was becoming nearly impassable and I don't know that we improved it much but it will be better I think when the gravel gets mixed with the mud and is then filled again. This after noon George and I took another load of stuff out home while Frank went down town to order chicken feed & other articles and then George and I drove down town and got the things as well as some soft coal there being no chestnut coal in town. Mrs. Waldick was cleaning up the house all day, getting it ready for the return of the travellers. Auntie had telegram from Quebec to-day saying they would be home Monday.

Sunday November 14th

Marj. Frank and Harry B. went to church & Harry B stayed down at Aunties' for the after noon. After dinner Marj and I, Gay & the baby drove out home and around by the Donald's and then went down and got Harry B. I did the milking alone to-night as George was down at Ada's for the evening. Mild but cloudy

Monday November 15th

George and I went out home this morning in the waggon with more luggage and while out there cut up the beech stick that was below the house, leaving some fuel as Ina promised to come over this after noon and light the fires & get things ready for our return. We brought over part of the load of soft coal that we got Saturday. It was after noon before we got back to the farm. Frank went down to Auntie's for dinner to be on hand to meet the folks when they came in on the noon car as we figured they would and which they did. The rest of us didn't get down till the middle of the after noon. Enah was at Aunie's but all the male element of the family was at the station to collect baggage which had just come in on the afternoon express. I took Marj. up town for some groceries and then went down to the station too. We met Tim with Aicara (?) Dimbula (I don't know the spelling) on a leash. He is the Labrador Retriever that Mrs. Quintin Dick presented them with. When I got to the station I found they had left but Frank & George came up with Johnnie Walker to get a second load of the silverware which came in to-day along with the rest of the luggage. I helped load it and went up town with the boys and as we got to the Royal Bank a wild scene and one which caused Dover to open its eyes and mouth; presented itself, as there were the 13 heavily crated chests with Dad. Huby & Ade Millman pounding & prying to get the crates open so as to put the chests into the bank vault. Quint. Dick. George Frank & I joined in the work and added to the general confusion so that after working for an hour or so that portion of Main St sidewalk lying in front of the Royal Bank was so strewn with boards burlap & nails that it looked as if a cyclone had been there. The chests were nearly all large and heavy made of oak with stout iron handles and a brass plate with Capt. Quintin Dick & the number of the chest on it. It took a lot of heavy lifting to get them stowed in the vault which is very narrow and we had to pile the chests 3 deep and now the vault is so full that I don't where the bank staff will put their books. We took one chest down to Aunties and Dad. opened it down there. It contained the flatware in five or six trays. Dad says they told him over there at the Bank of England where it had been stored that this collection had been borrowed on different occasions for functions at Buckingham Palace and that it was second only to the collection there and not a bad second at that.

It seems rather incongruous to see such costly and beautiful stuff so far removed from its elegant surroundings. Mrs Dick. told them that it belonged originally to the Duke of Buckingham or some Duke and that when his estate was sold these things were bought by Quintin Dick. Quint & Dick took the other luggage up from the station and over to the farm except two of the cutest and most comical little bicycles that Dad. got for Harry B & David. They are strongly built and fully equipped with front & coaster brake and pneumatic tires, but small enough for the children to ride. They also presented Marj. & I think Aunty & Aunty Alice & Win with brooches. Marj. was delighted with hers. It is made up of a saphire and diamonds. They gave Gay & the baby little gold chains. It was after five when we left for home and the northern sky was inky black with rain clouds. It began to rain soon after we got started and was raining hard by the time we got to the farm where Marj. had to collect still more belongings. Ade passed us on the road taking Enah home and Dad. drove home alone with Josie. When we got to the farm there was a fine line up. Quint had made an attempt to get up the lane with his car and the luggage and consequently was settled down to the axle in the middle of the lane. Just behind him was George Mace and behind him again Ade. It was raining so hard that Ade offered to drive Marj. & the kids home so I was very glad to let him. He had intended starting for Toronto before dark. I drove on out ahead and got here just before they did. I waited for them at the road and by the time they all got loaded into the buggy with the stuff there wasn't room for me and Queen was dancing to go so we had plunge through the miry lane with me walking or running along the side holding the lines and leaving Ade to get away by himself. Like a fool in the excitement I forgot to tell him not to try to turn around here and he hacked down the bank so we heard afterwards and had quite a time getting started nearly upsetting. We found the house in darkness as Ina had left thinking we had changed our plans but she had left the fires going and the place was like an oven and in wild confusion. So much stuff had been brought over the last few days and none of it put away. We were all pretty tired so went to bed soon after we had our tea. This ends the first phase of the fortune. Now to see if being wealthy is as much fun as wishing for it. It has been a perfect day but is a most imperfect night

as Aunty Alice was nervous and afraid of burglars with it in the house. Just as we were leaving a reporter for some Buffalo paper came along to see Dad. He had been there interviewing Aunty earlier in the day. Dad. told him in very decided and uncomplimentary verbiage what he thought of reporters as a class but the boy was Irish and I guess got most of the facts he wanted. When we got to Alan's corner where the scribe had parked his car we were acosted by his running mate who begged & pleaded for a picture. Dad. refused with the same polite language that he flailed the other fellow with but stopped long enough for the man to click his machine. He was much distressed however because Dad. wouldn't pose properly but wore his cap backwards. It was dark by the time we got home with the kids, but Ina. consented to stay with Marj. all night and I had to hurry & have my tea as Chris Quanbury told me this afternoon that the band was going to Simcoe to-night to a political meeting and that he would call for me at 6.35 so I didn't have time to milk, or do anything but eat a few sandwichs and change my clothes. The meeting was in the Armouries and was addressed by Ferguson. John S. Martin & a Mrs. Fallis. There had to be an overflow meeting at the Court house. Fine day.

Thursday November 18th

It has rained pretty steadily all day. I had intended going over home to help haul coal to-day but didn't on account of the rain but about four o'clock Frank came over here with a small load. There were just two cars in and it is going fast so they hauled all they could putting some of it in the barn down at Aunty's as the lane at the farm is so bad. I spent the day puttering around trying to tidy things up a little but there is so much to be done I hardly know where to start. I did start in the wood shed and got it straightened around and a lot of stuff stowed away in there. Ina was here all day again helping Marj. and they have got the house looking quite like home again. I drove her home to-night. I didn't chain Bob up before I left with Ina and when I got back he was gone. Followed me to the road I suppose, then went home.

Friday November 19th

I didn't do much this morning but odd jobs as it was snowing and I thought it would probably quit by noon. I was wrong though for it snowed harder than ever this after noon and there are 5 or 6 inches on the ground to-night. I intended walking down town after dinner to get Gay a pair of rubbers for her birthday but

when I saw the ammount of snow that had fallen I decided I had better go and hunt up my two head of young cattle that have been strayed since about the time we killed old Belle. The heifer I knew was up at Shand's and I was pretty sure the steer was with Sid Marsh's cattle. I went after the heifer first and found her in their orchard. They helped me get her to the road and after chasing her past my gate a couple of times I finally got her in with the help of a man on the road. I decided it was tool ate to go to town by this time but went over to see if I could locate the steer calf. I saw cattle tracks in the snow around Marsh's barns and followed them through his orchard into Shand's Wiggin's place, and after a long tramp located my calf and three cows in the old Wiggin's orchard.The calf was wild and I couldn't do anything with him alone so walked over home to ask the boys to come over and give me a hand in the morning. I found them trying to push Trickey the security man out of the mud at the end of the lane. Dad. had been entertaining him and a couple of insurance agents all the afternoon. It was after dark when I got home and I was pretty tuckered from tramping through the fresh snow. I did the chores after tea and had to carry in about 2 dozen chickens that were huddled around the fences in the snow. I brought Bob back with me.

Saturday November 20th

I met George & Frank at Herb Law's this morning at 9.30 and we went over to get the steer calf. We didn't have much trouble getting him separated from the cows and on to the road and he went quite sedately as far as the top of the Winding Hill, but then he decided to give us a little Wild West exhibition. He jumped from the road into Dave's wheat stubble up that into his orchard, over the orchard fence breaking off a post on to the field west, up to the line and over the fence into Dave's gully then over or through into mine. We followed him about a mile behind and thought our chase was over when he got into his home pasture, but he ran the full length of it, and disappeared in the bush next Willie Shand's. I went up and let the cows out thinking he would be content when he saw them but when I went up into the corner to see where he was I saw where he had cleared a four foot fence and was out of sight somewhere in the west end of Sid Marsh's gully. The boys had gone over to head him off and by the time I got into Marsh's gully. They & the calf were heading towards my place again on the south hill We thought we might get him back through the creek but instead he jumped Marshs gully fence and struck for the barn. He made two attempts at the fence which was a good woven wire with barb on top. The first time he fell back

and rolled over but the second time he went through between the barb & top wire and lit on his back. He seemed dazed for a minute but was up and away before George could get to him & hold him down. When he got up to the barns we got him with two of the cows into Sid's horse stable & Frank went over to Herb Law's and borrowed a rope which we put on him and finally got him home and tied up in the shed, but it was nearly noon. Tim was here with his dog & gun and the three boys went home to-gether. This afternoon we all went to town much to Aunty Alice's disapproval as it turned out a horrible afternoon. Marj. went up town with Gay and got her some rubbers for her birthday and I went over home and had a shave. I forgot and left my razor there when we moved so hadn't shaved all week. We got home soon after dark and I did chores before tea

Sunday November 21st

Nothing of import happened to-day. It was a nasty raw day with occasional snow flurries but not cold. The baby and I went over to Mrs. Lampkin's for a while this afternoon.

Monday November 22nd

I left here at nine a.m. telling Marj. I would be back for dinner. I intended going over home, getting the team and going down after a load of coal but I found the boys were using the team to haul corn stalks so I walked down town and got some things and came back to the farm for dinner. After dinner we all went back to bring the cattle up from the gully but we found them looking quite contented on the north hill from which the snow had gone so we left them there. We then all three went down town, and got 1380 of nut coal, some chicken feed at Bll Laings and some doors and trim at the Widespread, as George is going to cut a couple of doors over there and change the present kitchen into the dining room an improvement which I have been advocating for the last 15 years. Frank came out here with me and took the team back. It was dark when we got here. Raw wind, milder and thawing, snow to-night.

Tuesday November 23rd

I spent the whole day working at the new chicken house except the time it took to do chores, which have been the same as winter ones the last few days. I got the south half of the roof on this morning and this after noon got the north side nearly boarded up. Ina was here washing. It was a beautiful fore noon and has been very mild all day but very cloudy this after noon. It is thawing fast to-night.

Wednesday November 24th

Spent most of the day working at the new chicken pen but didn't get a great deal done, owing to interruption such as taking the cream to the corner and going after it and putting the unused siding that was on the veranda and getting spoiled by the kids up in the attic. Soft all day but raw & cloudy. Freezing to-night.

Thursday November 25th

We all went down and had dinner at Auntie's to-day and Marj. spent the after noon visiting and shopping I got my hair cut. We left Harry B down there for a few days. Dad. & Enah went down before tea to stay all night as they are leaving for Courtright to-morrow morning to spend the week-end. Froze hard last night, fine & milder.

Friday November 26th

I killed a couple of chickens this morning for to-morrows dinner and then drove over to the farm where I got the team and waggon and got Frank to go with me down town and get some 2 x 4's for the chicken house joists a cider barrel at the canning factory and Marj's congoleum at Sid Butlers and the bed at Frank Taylor's besides some stuff from the stores. It was about one oclock when we got back to the farm and pouring rain. Frank got off there but I came right out here with the stuff, put the team in had my dinner and about four o clock went back with the waggon and brought the buggy home with Queen. It was after dark when I got here and had been pouring rain all after noon. Bob. who went back to the farm yesterday morning came back out here of his own accord this after noon, followed me back to the farm again and then back out here. Ina here all day & staying all night.

Saturday November 27th

Spent forenoon putting in two broken panes in storm windows. Frank & George came over about noon & had dinner and cut a door in the west end of the shed to make a sheep pen of it, as Frank wants to buy some ewe lambs of Ham Thompson's and wants me to winter them as they have no room over there. It will necessitate fixing up another pen in the barn for the calves. They didn't stay late as they were anxious to get home and get their chores done early. I spent the after noon after they left in cleaning up the old shingles in front of the old chicken pen. I took Ina home before dark. We put down the new dining room congoleum while the boys were here. Cold.

Sunday November 28th

It froze up solid again last night but has been getting milder all day and is thawing to-night. The wind has been from the south but quite raw. We got up very late and didn't have breakfast till about 11 o'clock so did without dinner. This after noon we all went down to Aunty's for a while and brought Harry B. home with us, much against his will and in spite of loud and long protestations on his part. Aunty Alice wanted us to leave him till he was in a more willing mood, but he was in quite good spirits by the time we got home, and the three had a hilarious romp to celebrate his homecoming.

Monday November 29th

Marj. didn't feel up to the mark to-day so first thing this morning I mixed down her bread for her, and luckily it turned out a handsome baking, so good in fact that I took a pan of buns over to Mrs Lampkin for their dinner. I spent the rest of the day when not doing chores working at the chicken pen. I got part of the floor laid this after noon. It rained again during the night and has been very gloomy but mild all day. Marj. had a note from Essie exorting her to vote day, meaning for the O.L.A.

Tuesday November 30th

I drove over home this morning and picked up some apples for cider and took them over to Charlie Quanbury's this after noon. I only got about 27 gals of cider but didn't have time to pick up any more apples and didn't want my barrel full anyway as it is too heavy to handle. Ina was here washing and we had a wood fire on in the kitchen as Mrs. Fasken told Aunty Alice that Hugh would be out to put our new fire brick in to-day but as might have been expected he failed to put in an appearance. Marj. had Val. Ward in to visit her this after noon. He told her that Sam. Thompson spoke to Hugh a year and a half ago to come & fix his furnace and that yesterday he got tired of waiting and so went and got the Jarvis man. To-night I started to walk in to John S. Martin's meeting as the band was out but I got a ride in with Alex England & some Evans & a ride part way home with Fred Misener. The meeting was addressed by young Mr. Cody, son of Canon Cody who was very good and W. F. Cockshutt of Brantford, as well as Jack himself. Cloudy. Mild.

Wednesday December 1st

We spent most of the forenoon voting. Frank came in

just as we finished breakfast and said Bill Nixon was at the end of the lane with a car and had Dad. & Enah so Marj. went with them while I stayed with the kids and washed up the breakfast dishes. Just as Marj. got back Art Quanbury. came after me, he was driving Jack's car and had Billy Mills. They had to go to Marburg to vote so by the time they took me out to Wiggins and then went down to Marburg and back it was getting on to noon. We then Art & I went up to see how the Lampkins stood and were quite a few minutes talking to them. They hated to vote agains John S. but some of the prohibitionists had got them to promise to vote dry as they call voting for the O.T.A. There are good many in the same position. No-one has any critisism to make at Jack or the Government as a whole as they have to admit that it is about the best one we have ever had and they know that Jack is better qualified to represent us than any other man in Norfolk, but they are either too pig-headed or too blind to see the harm the O.T.A. is doing and are afraid Government Control will do more. Dad. supported Jack although he still has faith in the O.T.A. Enah of course does the same as he does, and Marj. I guess has had her eyes opened since the plebesite was taken and she paired off with me on the question, and she also realizes what a foolish thing it would be to turn down Jack Martin. For my part I have always been opposed to the O.T.A. on principal and so voted for Jack with a clear consience. This after noon we all went to town as Marj. had to get some provisions. She went up town and the rest of us stayed at Aunty's where Dad. was unpacking his books. He Quint & I staggered in from the barn with one big case just as I got there so I helped unpack it. It is a wonderful collection of beautiful books, all heavily and luxuriously bound in leather and dating back to the 17th & 18th centuries. Some of then are enormous, a set of Shakespeare for instance with very good steel engravings each volume measuring in the neighborhood of 30 x 24 inches. We came home before dark in the face of a bitterly cold wind. It has been getting colder all day and to-night the temperature must be around zero with a gale blowing.

Thursday December 2nd

It was frozen up solid this morning and has been fairly cold all day but sunny and not much wind. I walked

over to the farm to get my cider and as the roads were so hard I thought it a good chance to go down and get a load of coal. Dad. went down with me. The boys were thrashing at Pickfords. It was just noon when we got down town so we put the team in Aunty's barn & had dinner there. Dad & I walked up town to get some things right after dinner and then went after the coal. It was four o'clock by the time I got it and the cider unloaded out here, and then had to take the team back & walk home. Edna Quanbury was in to see Marj. this after noon and Mr. & Mrs. Shand & Flossie were all down to-night and spent the evening. The election results were a grand & glorious surprise to me and I think some sort of surprise to everyone. Jack was returned with over 1300 majority, the government returned with more seats that it had before, with most of the grits that ran on a G.C. ticket elected all the cabinet but one back. Nickle defeated and old Raney back with 44 maj.

Friday December 3rd

This was Marj's birthday but we didn't celebrate it in any special way. Dad. sent her a cheque for $50.00 It was a very foggy morning and I couldn't see whether the engine was at the farm or not to thrash and I didn't hear the whistle so about ten o'clock walked over to see They were just getting set up as I got there. We thrashed all day and had several stops, one of which was caused by Phil Shaver throwing an old bag into the machine and bending some of the teeth in the concave. Frank left for Toronto at noon. George and I looked after the grain. We got about 280 bus. of oats and I got 21 bus of wheat from my jag. I don't know how much wheat they had as Dad. advised me to leave for home before it got dark and they weren't quite finished, but the wheat was rolling out pretty well & was a good sample. It snowed most of the afternoon and was much milder to-night.

Saturday December 4th

I thought last night it was going to be milder so let the kitchen fire out in order to put in the new fire brick & front plate. I worked at it for an hour or two and then had to go over to Evan's to get some new bolts so couldn't put a fire on till nearly noon and instead of it being mild it turned bitterly cold in the night and froze up solid. It has been blowing hard from the north-east all day and freezing hard. I spent the after noon putting storm door and shutters on the porch.

Sunday December 5th

Got up very late this morning to find a blizzard raging and everything full of snow. It continued to snow all day but the wind abated this after noon. Freezing hard to-night. I just did the necessary chores and sat around the house the rest of the day. We had just two meals. The kids weren't out at all and got pretty uproarious.

Monday December 6th

I drove over home this morning hoping to be able to get the waggon and get some chicken feed and lumber down town but Alan Law had the waggon since they got through thrashing and had not returned. I drove down in the buggy and got some coal oil and Dad. gave me a cheque for $500.00 which I put in the bank. I got a bag of wheat at the farm for the chickens. I had dinner there and didn't get home till nearly four o'clock so just did chores. To-night I dressed up and walked down town as I thought the band might serenade the new council but they didn't. I spent the evening at Aunty's. When I got home I found Kenneth Church stuck at the top of the hill with his tractor It had frozen up or something. He had been in here and got some hot water from Marj. but couldn't get a wiggle out of the thing. I was out there with him about an hour and finally he shoved it off in the ditch by hand and left it there. It has been a fine snappy winter's day and is clear & frosty to-night. It has been around zero the last couple of nights and will go as low to-night.

Tuesday December 7th

I went over to Dave's this morning and borrowed his waggon & Doc. and went down town with Doc & Queen but as I got a late start it was noon before I got to town so I put the horses in the barn at Aunty's and had dinner there. I had to go to Bill Laing's for chicken feed, and to Hall's for a couple of sheets of roofing which I got him to split for me and to Shiltz's for some window sash for my chicken house which Sutor made and took there to be glazed and to the Wide-spread for some lumber to baton the cracks in the barn and to make a cupboard in the kitchen for Marj. and as I had to wait at Bill Laing's & Hall's it was after four by the time I got started for home and pitch dark and pouring rain by the time I got home. I then had to unload take the waggon home and come back and do chores. It was a fine morning but clouded up this after noon turned milder and is raining to-night.

Wednesday December 8th

Got rather a late start this morning and had to take the cream to the corner so didn't get much but chores done before dinner. Spent the after noon laying floor in the new chicken pen and have it about half done. Quit early as we are all going to town to-morrow to help unpack more books and want to get an early start so did all we could towards getting ready to-night. I have a bet on with Marj. that I can be ready to start by 8 o'clock. I caught all the chickens that were roosting around in the barn & old shed to-night and shut them up in the old chicken pen. Charlie Butler & Cory came in before I finished with a couple they had borrowed to hover chick and they stayed till about 11 o'clock. Fine day & mild

Thursday December 9th